After leading music – 5 things to do and 2 things to not do

Tomorrow I’m leading music at our morning services (we’ve moved to identical 9am and 11am service to fit more people in within Covid restrictions). The email’s been sent out to the band with links to song orders, chord sheets and videos, I’ve thought through the songs (including the slightly awkward closing hymn) and I think I know where the guitar strap is that migrates between acoustic and electric guitars and occasionally finds itself in the wrong place. Tomorrow morning at a crazily early time I’ll be out the door and then it will be the usual routine of soundcheck, practice and service.

But what about post-service? I don’t think I’ve ever thought about this fully, so here’s an attempt. This is very much a list of things I’d like to commit to doing, rather than things I actually do! I’d welcome any suggestions for things to add. 

Here are 5 things to do and 2 things not to do after leading music. 

1. Say thank you

Thank everyone who’s been involved in making the music and singing happen. Thank the band, even if they’ve made mistakes. (The bass player may have forgotten about the different chords in v4, but it’s not that helpful to remind them immediately after the service). Pick out some encouragements. Thank the preacher and service leader if they’re not tied up talking to people. And thank your tech team, who were probably there before you were, will be there after you leave and no-one says thank you to because no-one realises they exist (unlike you – you’re right at the front after all). Pop to the sound desk area to say thanks, or our church also has a tech WhatsApp group – a quick message of thanks on that is always appreciated. 

2. Pray

As a band we almost always pray before we start practice, and if we don’t it’s because we’ve simply forgotten in the midst of a hectic set-up and sound check. We rarely, however, pray after a service. I think that’s probably because before the service we’re conscious that we’re going to be singing and playing in front of lots of people and really feel the need for God’s help, whereas after the service the job’s done and we can relax. We don’t need God to do any more! This is obviously nonsense – we can pray to say thank you to our Father (perhaps the most important part of point 1!) but also to pray for fruit from the preaching of the word and everything else in the service, including the things people have been singing. We can also pray for ourselves. This may be a prayer as a band or it may be individually, and individually it’s also an opportunity to repent of any wrong attitudes we’ve had over the past few hours (pride, self-promotion, grumpiness with other band members, etc). 

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in

Christ Jesus.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

3. Listen back to the sermon

If you’re like me it’s sometimes hard to fully engage with the sermon when you’re leading music. Not always – sometimes I listen well and drink it all in, being moved and challenged by the passage. But at other times, particularly when I’ve been overly ambitious and we’re doing a couple of songs post sermon that have complicated arrangements, my mind is on those, particularly for the final 5-10 minutes of the talk. Has the pianist remembered the last minute switch to them starting the song rather than the drums? Will the band remember the key change into the final verse? I was going to read a part of the chorus as an introduction to the song, but now I’m questioning that and I’ve left the lyrics on the music stand – aaargh! 

So, it’s not a bad idea to find time later in the week to listen back to the sermon. 20 years ago that would never have been an option, but now most churches record everything and you can listen back that afternoon or on your commute the next morning. And really listen this time. 

4. Rest

It’s emotionally draining leading music in church. To get a group of musicians together who are not a professional team who play together all the time, to get through a set-up and soundcheck that may be frantic if everything is being set up from scratch, and then to sing and play in front of other people – all of this can be exhausting. Not to mention that we are engaging spiritually with powerful lyrics and leading people in the praise of God and encouragement of each other. 

So don’t be surprised if you’re tired afterwards. It’s not wrong to go and have a nap, go for a walk, watch TV or do something else that you find relaxing. This is particularly important if you’re leading morning and evening. If you’re an introvert (as I am) then leading in the morning, having people around for lunch and the whole afternoon before heading to church to lead in the evening is really tiring and something to be aware of. It may be better to plan your day so that you are reasonably refreshed for the evening service.

5. Evaluate 

I’ve deliberately left this one until last. Evaluation is important. We want to reflect on what’s gone well and what could be improved next time. We want to play skilfully. There needs to be some process of evaluation or things will perpetually stay the same.  If your church livestreams services you can even watch it back on Youtube and listen out for issues with timing, or with introductions or links that were ‘off’. Or you may be well aware of an arrangement that didn’t work (pre-Covid you could sometimes sense from how well a congregation sang). Perhaps a new song didn’t ‘land’ that well. It’s sometimes good to have another band leader who can give you feedback. 

Sing to him a new song, play skillfully, and shout for joy.  (Psalm 33:3)

But none of that needs to happen immediately after the service. Go and do all the other things first, including rest. Evaluation can wait at least 24 hours, if not longer.

And 2 things not to do…

1. Go fishing

Obviously feel free to go actual fishing if you find that relaxing (I prefer ‘boring’…) but don’t go fishing for compliments. Don’t hover around at the back of church hoping people will come and tell you how good the music was. Don’t subtly bring the conversation round to the singing (it’s never really that subtle). Don’t constantly check your phone to see if there are any messages of encouragement. You’ve served, you’ve done your best, and it’s not about you or your reputation. Just leave it with God. 

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

2. Drop your guard

One of the reasons to pray post service is to ask for God’s protection. I think it’s probably common for band leaders but also preachers, service leaders, etc, to pray for God’s help quite a bit in the build up to services, but not realise that post service is a great time for the devil to attack. We’re tired, we think the job is done, we think we deserve a break from ‘spiritual stuff’. That’s when temptation will be strong and when the devil will strike. Keep your guard up.