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Leading Worship Leaders
4 ways I'm learning to guide artists.
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I love artists. I always have. I cannot imagine a world without the beauty, perspective, and sheer joy artists bring. I use the term artists for those who create videos, design the stage, dance, write, sing, paint, play an instrument, mix the sound, and contribute overall ideas. They're all artists. Those who provide leadership to arts ministries have two primary goals: to lead artists in creating meaningful moments in church and to lead artists to become more like Jesus. This two-fold goal is a huge challenge. After three decades in arts ministry, I know two things for sure: artists are not easy to lead; and artists desperately need leadership. My husband serves as a volunteer leader in two ministry areas generally filled with left-brained, thinker-type people. He often accomplishes kingdom work by going to meetings, making decisions, and then following through with a list of tasks. This always strikes me as rather simple and uncomplicated compared with the group of people I get to lead. Artists have great strengths—and extremely complicated weaknesses. It's part of how God created them. They feel things deeply and therefore can craft moments that tap into what others feel but can't seem to express. Yet this very strength—feeling things deeply—can drive artists to self-doubt, perfectionism, and fear of failure. Artists are not easy to lead, but they desperately need leadership.
Single-mindedly devoted to their craft, artists can slip into self-absorption and lose sight of the big picture. It's rare to have a simple conversation with artists or a simple decision about approach and ministry. Artists often see the world in shades of gray rather than black and white, and they resist quick or simplistic conclusions. I experienced this recently when we met with our pastors to discuss a drama script for Good Friday. The writer and drama directors fought for the artistic integrity of the piece. Pastors sought to protect the audience from ambiguity, while the artists defended subtlety. What a delicate dance! If those who lead artists attempt to be authoritative, handing down edicts and expecting the team to just do it, turmoil and trouble result. Do-oversWhen I think back over my journey as a leader of artists, I celebrate some parts and deeply regret others. My short list of regrets includes four key areas where I'd love the chance for a do-over. 1. Keep the vision clear. Even the most devoted volunteer artists can grow fuzzy about why we are doing this. We require consistent reinforcement of our vision and core values. Warren Bennis has written numerous books on leadership. My favorite is Organizing Genius, because it focuses on critical ingredients for leading creative teams—what Bennis calls "Great Groups." After extensive study of successful organizations, Bennis concluded, "The talented people who make up Great Groups are not easily led. Often the leader's role is simply to keep them pointed in the right direction." It is essential for leaders of artists to err on the side of over-communicating the purpose for serving and the church mission rather than assuming everyone just gets it and will always get it. |        
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Dave Anderson
Thank you for sharing the benefit of your experiences Nancy. I am currently pastoring the worship ministry at our church here in Liverpool England and facing many of the challenges you refer to, so I have found your brief article really encouraging and helpful. Thanks again and best wishes. Dave Anerson
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