Richard Suggs and edited by Jere Adams
Topic: MENTORSHIP
1. My
Mentors and what they taught me.
(Ray
began by sharing mentor experiences which affected and influenced his career
decisions—both church musicians and seminary/academic mentors were discussed.
[Key points of guidance for Ray: integrity; genuine care for everyone; musical
excellence])
Helpful
stories/comments shared from the floor:
• A
young minister of music shares: Upon his decision to heed God's call into
full-time ministry, those around him saw the process and confirmed that decision
by many words of affirmation and encouragement. At times, a well-meaning word of
encouragement is embraced and remembered forever.
•
Another minister of music shared the importance of mentor colleagues: seeing
them regularly at state/organizational events; and the importance of involvement
in such organizations (we can learn from and be mentored by one another).
• We,
as music ministers, need to express our thanks to those who have shaped us. Make
an effort to write a letter or note and tell them before it is too late.
• An
older Minister of Music shared the influence of a particular pastor. His
examples of genuine ministry made a lasting impression. This pastor's heart was
"real" and his ministry encompassed a unique personal touch. Gerald Ray was also
mentioned as being a large influence. Gerald's comment: "At some point, God will
lead you to a great church. Once there, you'll find people to love and serve and
be loved and served. It will all fall into place. You'll see."
•
Another comment: Dr. Harry Eskew took the time to sit and spend quality time,
tutoring a struggling student. One on one time from such a "giant" in church
music made a lasting impression.
•
Often, it takes an entire church to mentor a minister of music. The church
environment needs to be healthy and full of grace and acceptance.
2.
Mentoring Others: How have I mentored others (or how I may want to…; what to
pass on to others…)?
•
Through an internship, students in one church's music ministry were loved,
taught, and enabled to grow into careers of music ministry.
• A
former student in one person's music ministry is now a full-time minister of
music in Oklahoma. He is also very active in the state's music ministry.
• Take
time to identify those among you who have potential. Spend time encouraging
them. Get involved and help them develop their gifts and skills.
• A
couple, who currently serve as music missionaries in another country, spoke. In
their setting, they noticed individuals with leadership potential and music
skill sets who would be perfect for music ministry. Potential can be observed in
people who are in churches with little to no resources. Discovering talent is
not limited by a person's location. Kids who have talent and potential often
learn to play and sing by ear. The couple offered festivals and talent shows.
They provided opportunities to make recordings for many of these kids who taught
themselves. The couple, in one instance, invited some of these students to their
home to make a recording of their original music. Many years later, in another
part of the country, the couple heard one of these tape recordings being played
at a worship service.
They
shared another student's journey. He is currently in the States studying music
ministry at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is one of the most
published hymn writers in Brazil, where he heads a music school. It all started
from being noticed!
• Still
another person shared about the influence of Frank Charton, retired State Music
Director for the Tennessee Baptist Convention, and now deceased. One of Frank's
greatest gifts was the legacy of lives he had touched and influenced.
• The
wife of a minister of music shared about her husband. He started a file entitled
"Letters that Lift," containing positive correspondence collected through 40
years in local church music ministry. This file is a great source of joy. She
also mentioned an encounter she had many years ago with Don Hustad. Being an
organist, she was greatly influenced by his taking the time to give her words of
encouragement. Dr. Hustad's kindness and encouragement to her at the close of a
performance made a great impact on her life. She later became a music teacher.
IDEA:
Ask the organist in your church to encourage young persons who are interested in
the organ and in church music. Invite them to sit next to the organist or come
to the instrument after services for the purpose of demonstration and dialogue.
Teach the people to overcome their fear of the instrument.
•
Another person shared a mentor's advice and its impact. We often waste a lot of
time striving for perfection and excellence. Always strive for excellence, not
for perfection, lest you become the people's enemy. Perfection will never be
reached this side of heaven. If these ingredients are out of order, your people
will eventually grow to disrespect and dislike you!
IDEA:
Have an occasional Wednesday night choir comprised of anyone who wants to come
and sing. Let this choir sing for a prayer meeting/gathering. Such an informal
opportunity may pave the way for interested persons to become active and join
the choir.
3. I
need help with ___(fill in the blank)___/sage advice.
• Truly,
a tension exists in measuring the striving for excellence vs. the meeting of
people's ministry needs.
•
Regular participation is very important. Have a sign-up time for groups once a
year (registration day). Work diligently to involve and track everyone. If folks
didn't come during the choir year, drop them from the role at the end of that
year. Have an all-new role every year.
Take
time at the end of rehearsal to call the name of every absentee. Others will be
made aware of absentees and may take the initiative to make a contact. Make a
follow-up call of concern after members have missed a few times.
Accountability is important. Encourage everyone to be in attendance at EVERY
event.
REMEMBER: Excellence is important, but people are more important! Ministry is
more important than the music. Have high expectations, balanced with a dose of
reality.
OTHER
IDEAS/QUESTIONS
•
Consider a combined effort/project with a group of Ministers of Music in your
area. Meet regularly to talk and share, as well as to work on projects, i.e.:
peer support groups. Consider starting one of these in your area, if one does
not exist.
•
Remembering comments made in last year's breakout session by Jim Whitmire: "Stay
at one church long enough to make a difference! You can't truly assess your
impact until after year 11. You will not be able to do as much if you leave too
early. You will be a mentor by example, providing quality church music
opportunities to members and music participants. Even if they never become a
minister of music, they will someday join other church choirs, participate in
other programs, and become better members in another church's worship
activities.
IDEA:
One summer, Ray Hatton invited children to write a poem about what they learned
that year at Vacation
Bible
School. Ray gathered these poetic writings and set them to music. These short
songs were taught to the choir and congregation and sung in corporate worship.
4.
Considering "Grace vs. Law". What to do with children/youth who do not want to
participate in a choir or other group?
* They may have talent, but are not interested in participating and
contributing to the music ministry.
* Try to involve them gradually.
* When working with children, consider using Orff instruments to
accompany choirs, played by these "less than active" individuals.
* If you give them an opportunity, they may become "hooked" and
eventually join.
5.
Additional Questions/Comments about using interns:
* An internship is part of one student's class load at school. This
person was not paid, only graded. This took the financial aspect out of the
equation for that church.
* Some stipends are budgeted as salary items.
* Some interns are used in dual areas: music, youth, singles,
technical ministries, etc.
* A large percentage of interns eventually go to seminary or take
advantage of other educational opportunities and move into full-time music
ministry. It is important to consider the option of using interns in local
church music ministry.
* Some students need to be assigned only to children's choirs,
beginning handbells, or other groups that do not perform often. Always match
skills and interest with needs.
* The use of interns can free the minister of music to dream and work
on long-term objectives.
In
closing, words of gratitude were shared, along with a few humorous stories. The
group was led in prayer and dismissed.
