Egos?  Your’s, Mine, and Ours.

I knew a church that had three “bands” for worship.  One was the primary band.  It played most of the Sundays.  (The other two bands played occasionally). 

For the past year, or so, the primary “band” has been going thru a hard time. 

Why?

Well, several reasons, but…simply put? 

The attendance of the band members at Sunday services was erratic and, therefore, the “sound” that they put out was inconsistent from Sunday to Sunday.

The pastor noticed the problem and asked for a change.  His suggestion?  Take the members of all three bands and combine them into a large band.  The thinking?  That when one or two musicians, on any given Sunday, were absent, (for whatever reason), the impact on the “sound” of the band was not as great.  Eventually, they would have a more consistent band. 

The members of the three bands attended a meeting to implement the pastor’s plan.  But, surprisingly enough, the discussion was not “how to implement pastor’s plan”.  Rather, the discussion was, “why we shouldn’t implement the pastor’s plan!” 

The members of the main band saw no problem.  They failed to see the need to change anything.  It was obvious that their music wasn’t about God.  Nope.  It was about their “Ego”.  They didn’t care if the music they put out was "as good as it could be".  Nope.  What was important to them?  That they be the “piano player”, or “the drummer”, or “the singer”.  They were afraid that they wouldn’t get to be “the star” as much as in the past.  And you know what?  Their egos kept them from looking at it honestly.   

Remember a few months back when we talked about “Feedback”?  Remember how hard it is to get honest feedback in a church?  The people in the congregation are Christians.  They love you.  They do not want to hurt your feelings.  Therefore, they are going to compliment you whenever they can.  Now, that’s a wonderful thing.  But it can pump your ego up too much.  You can get to the point where you believe that your performances are better than they truly are.

The same thing can be said about your drama team.  Do not let your ego hurt your performances.  Always look real close into the mirror. 

How about a few “hard” questions?

Are you really the best person for that part? 

Are you working hard enough on your performances?  (You’ll get compliments no matter how bad your performance is.)

Are you holding the new man/woman back because you’re jealous?

Is it all about God?  (It’s not about you being the guitar player, or the actor in the lead part)

Do you ALWAYS cast based on the best person for the part?

Check out a few of the lyrics written by Matt Redman in his wonderful song…

    “Heart of Worship”

    I’m coming back to the heart of worship

    And it’s all about you.

    It’s all about you, Jesus.

    I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it

    When it’s all about you.

    It’s all about you, Jesus.

We’re actors.  We all have egos.  Including me.  When you walk into drama team meetings or rehearsals….

Leave your “Ego” at the door.