what do you guys think?

[aparker2005]

Hello everyone, I am in a Christian Band in my hometown. We do praise and worship music and play at our church and other places. We are all strong Christians and we love to praise and worship God with our instruments. Well, our bass player is a senior in high school. One of the kids in our youth group started a bible study at school during breaks. Our band leader and keyboard player is the youth pastor at our church. Well, our bass player doesn't go to these Bible studies at her school. Our youth pastor/band leader has been asking me about why she doesnt go and says that she isnt a leader if she doesnt go to the bible studies. He also says her heart isn't right and she shouldnt be in the band leading others to worship when she doesnt go to the bible studies her self. She has told me many times about how she witnesses to people at school and has stood up for herself as being a Christian. She gets invited to drinking parties and other non-Christian events and she never attends them. Our band leader is wanting to pretty much not let her play in our band anymore just because she doesnt go to these bible studies at school during break. I somewhat have a problem with that and don't think it's entirely fair or right. What do you guys think? Thanks!

 

[dancingwithhim]

t seems like you know her better. I might have miss read, but is she in your youth group as well? Does she go to a youth group? Is she going to church and living a life of example of Christ?

You said that she doesn't go to parties and lives a godly lifestyle, then I don't see the problem. Who is over the band? She may have other stuff going on during those times when there are Bible studies going on and just can't go. There could be all kinds of reasons why she can't make them since she isn't an adult out on her own. She is still living at home and such. Has the youth pastor talked to her personally and really prayed about this?

I just keep thinking back to when I was in HS. It was hard to stand up for what I believed in and I still didn't do it at times. So, when I noticed someone who didn't go to parties and lived there life for the Lord, it made a huge impact on me and made me more motivated to live a holy life (even if they didn't go to a Bible study).

That is just my opinion. There might be more to all of this, but I don't see kicking her out of the band for not going to a Bible study is a good enough reason, especially if the youth minister hasn't sat down and talked to her personally and gotten to know her heart.

I hope this all gets settled. I think that it is awesome what you are doing? Are you going to the youth rally in Nashville on 7-7-07? There are suppose to be 10,000 youth there and ministry leaders. It is suppose to be a time of prayer for this nation. It is put on by The Call. You can look them up online. Lou Eagle is the leader of it.

 

[aparker2005]

Yeah, I do know her more. We have been dating off and on now for a while. She and I are members of our church (1st Assembly of God) and attend regularly on Sundays. She has to work on Wed. nites and doesnt get to go. I am at college so I'm only able to be at church on Sundays. During summer though, we attend our band's church (1st Baptist) and play Wednesday night services. She is one of the few girls around my town that I know lives a godly lifestyle and actually lives it and shows it. The Youth Pastor at this church, who also sings and plays keyboard for us, is over the band. He told me today that she was asked at school why she didnt' go to these Bible studies, and she just said that she wanted to hang out with her friends most of the time instead. I understand that because when I was in high school, I didn't go to 1st Priority meetings/front campus prayer all of the time. Our band leader/youth pastor said that some of the younger kids said "Hey, isn't that girl your bass player?" He told them yes, and they asked why she wanst coming and he said he didnt know. He then said that he didn't think she should be up there ministering and trying to lead others into worship, when she herself wanst fully committed. I really have a problem with this and just don't agree at all. Just because she doesnt go to a Bible Study doesn't mean she isnt a Christian and isnt living a Christian Lifestyle. He hasnt' talked to her yet, but he said he doesnt really know how to tell her because he thinks it will cause a lot of problems. I thought about it a lot today, and I just don't think it's right. But he seems to have his mind set that she shouldn't play because she doesnt go to these Bible studies. What could I say to him that could help him understand?

As for the Nashville thing, no we're not going. I'll definitley check it out though! Thanks

 

[aparker2005]

Also, he's thinking we just shouldn't play on Wednesdays either because IF she does be able to stay in the band, he's thinking his youth will not worship because they see her up there playing bass in a worship band, and they all wonder why she doesnt come to these bible studies. This whole situation is just very frustrating!

 

[underthesouthercross]

it shouldnt be like that...if someone doesnt want to come to bible study... i really feel you should take to the big man through pray and also talk to the senior pastor...
there is something wrong if someone says that in the church...its been judged on something which you should not...the bible clearly states that anyone who judges will get judge more harshly then they judge that person...

 

[spiersdodgerblue]

it shouldnt be like that...if someone doesnt want to come to bible study... i really feel you should take to the big man through pray and also talk to the senior pastor...
there is something wrong if someone says that in the church...its been judged on something which you should not...the bible clearly states that anyone who judges will get judge more harshly then they judge that person...

Good reply!
Sounds like a power trip for this youth pastor.
Ask him were is the "freedom in Christ" in his judgement.
Is it his way or the highway?

Let us know how it turns out.....be praying

 

[dancingwithhim]

I totally understand her wanting to be with her friends. It sounds like she is committed in her walk with the Lord and she shouldn't be "made" to go to the Bible studies. She probably doesn't have much time to be with her friends if she is working, so wanting to hang out with her friends from time to time is normal. She has a lot on her plate as it is. If he does kick her off, this could hurt her. He is not looking at her the right way, it sounds like he is using her as an excuse. She shouldn't be the reason why kids would go to the Bible study. That isn't her fault. What if she goes and no one else goes to it. It all comes down to an issue of the heart. You should tell him that it isn't up to her how many kids come and that he shouldn't use it as an excuse. It sounds like she is mature in her walk with the Lord. So, why put her down? You should take this to the pastor. Pray, pray and pray for wisdom on what to say. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words to say when the time comes.
I am sorry that you are in this spot. Also, don't let unforgiveness or anger cloud your viewpoint, because that could be a way to cause division. You are on the worship team and satan hates worship to God. Division is something that could totally tear down your team. (That is something else that you might tell your youth pastor)

Please PM me and let me know how things turn out.

 

[aparker2005]

Well, our youth pastor kinda let it go for a week or 2. He called me today though, and said that the rest of the worship team (minus me and this girl) met yesterday and they agree that she should either start going to these bible studies and taking a stand for God, or she should just quit. Our youth pastor told me that kids have been asking how someone is a Christian and plays on a worship team, yet they can't come to a bible study. I still am torn between these 2 sides because I don't think it's right what they are doing. He said our guitar player brought up scriptures on why she SHOULD take a stand and how it's wrong if she doesnt. I just don't know what to do and I hate this

 

[dancingwithhim]

Well, our youth pastor kinda let it go for a week or 2. He called me today though, and said that the rest of the worship team (minus me and this girl) met yesterday and they agree that she should either start going to these bible studies and taking a stand for God, or she should just quit. Our youth pastor told me that kids have been asking how someone is a Christian and plays on a worship team, yet they can't come to a bible study. I still am torn between these 2 sides because I don't think it's right what they are doing. He said our guitar player brought up scriptures on why she SHOULD take a stand and how it's wrong if she doesnt. I just don't know what to do and I hate this

Take a stand? Because she isn't going to the Bible studies. You said previously that she does take a stand for God, she just doesn't go to the Bible studies. He said that She should quit the band or having a relationship with Christ? So, he isn't kicking her out, he is just wanting her to quit. I am behind you in how you see this. It is wrong for the youth pastor to do this. If he kicks her out and things start to really fall apart, then he will know that he made a mistake. It is all in God's hands. I am just sorry that this is happening to her.

 

[LeadWorship]

Bottome line: the band leader brings up and carries out these decisions. Because he's the Youth Leader makes no difference. He has been given that authority by those of you in the band, so it is his to carry out.

It is its own ministry aside from the Youth Group or the Church. Just as it is up to the worship leader to make the ultimate call in certain decisions, under the Pastor's blessing because the WL is under the Pastor's authority. If this is a "community band" and not a "church band" then its up to the band leader. If it is a "church band" then the band leader is under subjection to the Pastor who should oversee that ministry and therefore should be informed and help make the ultimate decision.

I know this seems like politics, but we must have authority in ministry so that God's Power can flow through us.

I'll be praying for you guys!

 

[SonicAudioDrive]

The Youth Pastor/Worship Leader is just that....a Leader. He/She has the authority over the Worship Team and has been entrusted with that responsibility in overseeing that Ministry.

I would say that because of the possition of your leader and the responsibilities he/she has, it is your job to abide by the rules set forth as being on the Team.

I know that can be a hard task to overcome, but that is why it is a ministry, and I totally understand where you are coming from too. At this point I would suggest that you pray and ask God for guidance in what to do (if anything).

Good luck and I will pray for you.

 

[aparker2005]

Thanks everyone for your prayers! I think everything has actually worked out. My band leader and I had a long discussion about all of this, and we just said our band was gonna sit down and talk about where we wanted to be as a band, and how we think worship should come 1st and foremost. He said he wasnt going to single her out (our bass player) because everyone can benefit from praying and studying their bible more. This week, at practice, the band leader and I are going to share scripture with the rest of the band and just have a discussion about it. I think it will help us and bring us closer together. I date the bass player, and I called her today telling her about the scripture thing, and she started giving me scripture and telling me not to worry about having to speak (because I hate speaking in front of people.) I called our band leader and told him how she was giving me all kinds of scripture and I think it made him feel a lot better about this. So, thanks to everyone that prayed and I think everything has worked out!

 

[aparker2005]

Also, since I'll be the first one sharing a scripture..........I was thinking about Phillipians 4:13 which says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". I think this is a good scripture to share, because it seems everytime our band has played, something has went wrong. Whether it be people walking out because they think we were too loud, being told we were going to play for an hour and only play 1 song while everyone else uses our equipment for hours, or some equipment just not working. I think it not only applies to us as a single person, but I think it can apply to us as a worship team as well. Our band can do anything through Christ who gives us strength. That's what I was thinking of sharing.

 

[aparker2005]

Well, nevermind about everything. Our band leader called me today and said he had more kids asking why our bass player wasn't going to bible study at school. He told me he's just gonna take the summer off and we're not going to be playing for a while because he doesnt want this to hurt his ministry, and he is tired of him having to account for why she's not there. I think it's ridiculous and I don't even feel like playing anymore right now. I think it's stupid that you can let kids stop you from playing. Oh well, I'm getting my drums this weekend from the youth center and will be bringing them home. Thanks everyone still!

 

[Praising4eva]

I think your worship leader is wrong on this one. He should talk to her and see what she does if he is concerned - maybe she does her own Bible study? This may be appropriate to discuss with the senior pastor of the church you attend. It sounds like some positive moves have been put in place i.e. starting practice with a scripture but really, anyone can go to Bible study and not live the life of a Christian - or not go to Bible study and walk with Christ closely the rest of the week.

Our music team is a bit like a Bible study - we have prayer, equipping meetings once a month, devotions, and practices. We are rostered on worship once every two weeks. I've been busy moving into other areas of church life so I have to admit, I haven't been to a Bible study all year but my walk with Christ is good and I'm growing in Him and my worship with the team is certainly not compromised.

 

[aparker2005]

I told him I thought it was wrong, and that he should talk to her personally. He said he would give her a call tonight, but it still makes me mad and just isn't right IMO. She is a good Christian girl, and I know it. She witnesses to people when she can, doesnt go to parties or drink or sleep around. He said he just doesn't see how someone can get up and lead worship and then see a bible study at school and just plainly not go. I told him I didn't go to them when I was in high school either and no one said anything to me. Oh well, I'm just kinda fed up with it.

 

[aparker2005]

I also discussed it with my mom as well and she thought it was wrong too. She told me if I bring my drums home (It almost takes a trailer to haul them because my kit is so big), that I probably couldn't bring them back because of this situation unless it was fixed.

 

[aparker2005]

Well, just as I thought today, I finally had to tell my girlfriend (bass player) about the situation. She started crying and said she was really hurt and confused. She said she didn't know how when she was living the best life she could for God, someone like this could judge her and stop a band because of her. She started questioning herself as a person, and I tried to talk to her and tell her not to worry about it, that she was a great Christian and that God loved her. Our band leader was texing me telling me how he isn't mad, but he had to do the right thing. He said that he had rather have people on fire for God in the band than ones that were up there not on fire and not leading. I told him I really disagreed with him and that I wouldn't be playing with him anymore. It's a really sad situation, and it has caused a lot of anger towards our band leader. I really hope my girlfriend will be okay through all of this. Thanks for your prayers!

 

[talitha]

I hope you will read this post, brother, because I believe it illustrates a very important principle......

Bottome line: the band leader brings up and carries out these decisions....

It is its own ministry aside from the Youth Group or the Church. Just as it is up to the worship leader to make the ultimate call in certain decisions, under the Pastor's blessing because the WL is under the Pastor's authority. If this is a "community band" and not a "church band" then its up to the band leader. If it is a "church band" then the band leader is under subjection to the Pastor who should oversee that ministry and therefore should be informed and help make the ultimate decision.


I know this seems like politics, but we must have authority in ministry so that God's Power can flow through us.

We should pray for and submit to our leaders, even when they are not doing what we think they should do.

That said, I do want to say that it sounds like this is the typical youth director - called into ministry and put in the youth program to prove himself. So many immature people get stuck in youth ministry because of this method many churches have of raising up leaders........


blessings
tal