Here's another touchy dilemma I'm sure (hope)someone can help me out with. I am the "former" worship leader of our church. I "resigned" as leader about a two years ago when I went back to school to become certified to teach. I am still on the praise team as keyboard and backup vocals. We've since had an awesomly talented fellow join the team and become the leader. Let me make this clear --I do not want to be leader - I voluntarily - with much protest from elders and dh - stepped down because it was waaaaay too much for me to do. anyway- my voice has gone in and out the past few years. I'm sure it's exercising my "teacher" voice 8 hours a day - singing is just too much. Ok - here's the dilemma. Our leader brought on another lady from our church as a voice. I know with intent to give me and team more vocal support because it's just myself and the leader. Well - the deal is this lady is sweet - but really can't sing. She is very "off" and such. We've always had the attitude of doing things with excellence - and praise and worship falls into that catagory. Right now - with her on it - it's taken a nosedive. I feel I should mention thiis - because I can't sing with her because it throws me off. I sing by ear - well - it makes sense to me. I hesitate to say anything to the leader because I think it will look like Iim a "diva" or somthing and I'm not. I want our team to be of excellence and quality. I should have mentioned it eariler - but I just came back to practice after a few weeks off - surgery, end of school stuff and vacation. She was coming to "try us out" - before making any final decision. I come to church Sunday and see she's officially on the team. Anyway - any suggestions to this sticky situation??
Can you make arrangements with the sound board operator to turn her mike off during the service ?
Seriously, I would have a talk with the current leader. If you don't feel comfortable doing it alone, maybe you and your husband can sit down and talk with her...maybe he can arrange some "one-on-ones" with the leaders of EACH ministry to talk about how things are going, find out what their vision is for the ministry, and see what he can do to make it happen. That way it wouldn't look like the two of you are ganging up on just her, or challenging her leadership of the worship team. Invite each of them out for coffee and talk about it in a nonthreatening environment.
A book I just read this past spring and HIGHLY recommend to anyone in any type of leadership in a church is Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People." It's full of great techniques on how to talk to people and get what you need without completely alienating them. It's a classic for a reason...
Oh boy, I have faced things like this in the past. I had somebody that I seriously did mute the mic but they did not know it. Oh Lord, that's such a sticky situation to be in.
You said the current leader is really talented...so, why did they do this -- put this lady on the team? Am I missing something? What is the deal here?
Thanks - you know what is funny - my dh did turn her mike way down this sunday during warmup. I woulc still hear her from my vantage point - right next to me - but I guess that's my problem right now. Deanna - the guy is talented vocally and instrumentally - but I think he is maybe too focused on the instrumentation instead of the vocals. Maybe that makes sense - I don't know. When I lead - I tended to focus on vocals because that is what the congretation follows... Anyway - I like the idea of the sound guy turning her mike off. He'd do it too - it's my 14 year old son! ha
