Living Outside The Lines: “Something From Nothing”

BY BECKY J MILLER

Change can be frightening, venturing out to try new things, overwhelming. Often though, the payoff of allowing change brings us to a place of accomplishment, instilling within us the joy that accompanies the achievement of something once considered impossible.

In many churches, music is an integral part of the liturgy; it’s absence noticeable. Filling the void without live voices and instruments is possible, but not generally preferred. However, when there is no one ready to step in, pre-recorded music may be the only option. Nevertheless, it should never be considered the “forever” solution.

The church my husband I pastor found itself in this very situation; a shift in personnel left the congregation without experienced singers and musicians. Since neither of us sings or plays an instrument, there was no viable alternative to using CD’s during Sunday morning worship.

Meanwhile, a plan began taking shape. Being new to the congregation, we had no idea who might be interested in singing or playing an instrument, so we held open auditions. Each interested party was given a list of songs from which they would choose one to perform at the audition. No one wanting to participate was cut, the audition was merely a formality to see who was really willing to commit.

After auditions, the team began practicing a select group of songs. Following a few weeks of practice, the singers came on stage during worship, singing sans microphones along with the CD. The idea was to get them comfortable in front of a crowd. Next came microphones, and eventually live music was introduced. The team started with just the slow songs because mastery of those is easier.

Seeing everyone on stage that first Sunday, hearing not only how they’d progressed, but seeing how they’d bonded as a team brought tears to my eyes. I could not have been prouder if they were my own biological children.

Many in the group started with just a desire, and then blossomed when given the chance to succeed. A few of them initially required some coaxing and encouragement to even try out, but are now serving as team leaders. Most of team members are in their early 20’s, and two of them not even teenagers yet. Before this, none of them had ever played an instrument or sang as part of an organized group.

So what’s the point here? It’s simple; none of this could have occurred without change, without a willingness to walk where we had not traveled, or the readiness to bravely embrace the unknown. What resulted though, a testament of their courage; is the manifestation of a truly amazing worship team that now fills what once was an empty platform.

Many of us dislike change, yet if you have nothing and still remain stubbornly unwilling to change, nothing will continue to maintain its stronghold. Only when we relinquish our grasp on the known do we discover that something was right there in front of us, just waiting to be discovered.

Until Next Time,

Becky J Miller

“Warrior Princess”