Part-time and proud of it

In recent posts on several SG sites, I have noticed that there is developing a trend of criticism of part-time groups. While everyone knows many part-time groups do not have a decent sound or whatever their yardstick is, there are also many who are quality groups.

I am sick to death of the mistakes, problems, blunders or whatever term you want to use for what is wrong with SG being blamed on the plethora of part-time groups. The industry itself has created this problem and it won't go away until the industry people hold themselves accountable.

The new trend in the SG industry is to buy your way in. If you have several thousand dollars just lying around, and you want to be a star-you can be an SG star. Or so these people are made to believe. In actuality, so much is lost when this is allowed that I don't have time to dig as deep as I would like, but here goes with just a few examples.

When a group buys their way into the southern gospel industry full-time straight from the start they lose the opportunity to learn. The first question is bound to be "What do you learn from spending days upon days calling pastors and music ministers?" You learn how to communicate. You learn to ask about the needs of the church, you learn how to interact with people. The fact is, no matter how much money you put into it, the initial groundswell of popularity will not last forever. In SG (unlike secular music) the ministry aspect is essential. There are many groups who can sing well, pick the right songs, and entertain; but if you do not connect with the people you might as well stick with open mic's and stay home to feed your musical desires.

Another question about this learning thing is "What can I learn from loading equipment, driving for hours, setting up and all that week after week?" You learn perseverance. You learn obedience, you learn to give it your all even when conditions aren't ideal. Even if you pay for the privilege, you will have plenty of those times where the sound is bad, the roads are bumpy, and you wish you had more time to sleep. Obeying the Lord in a ministry isn't about "fame and fortune", it is about the experience. Most importantly, it is about the people.

Third question, "What can I learn from the people?" You learn how well your message is being heard. You learn what the needs of the individual are. Most of all, you learn to listen. No one in Ransomed would trade any of the opportunities we have had meeting the people for anything. They have shaped our ministry and taught us just as much as the vocal coach, the Sunday School teacher, or the pastor. We are supposed to be reaching and ministering to all these people.

Another thing that are lost in buying your way in is the reality of the business. This is a lesser concern than the others by all means, but still a necessary one. The fact is that a novice going for the gusto (as it were) is very idealistic in what they expect. They expect that they are dealing with Christians who do not look at the bottom line. That is such a wrong perception. The record companies, promotion companies, and other industry types are still a business. They don't care if you have learned it, but they expect you to know it and to produce. If you don't produce, they may very well still take your money, but they aren't going to do any more than that.

The previous one leads me to this one: toughened skin. Like it or not, jealousy and ego are rampant in this genre. Jealousy because someone gets there first, or does something before you, or just plain and simply are more successful than you. And the immediate thinking by people with this problem is to tear down. They don't build up, they don't give constructive criticism for the purpose of moving you forward in your ministry or walk, they undermine. They will go to any lengths necessary (behind your back, of course) to remove you as an obstacle to their perceived success or status. We have met many people like that, and it is not going to change. By starting at the top, or trying to, you lose the opportunity to learn this and it can destroy your ministry.
Ego is a part of what we do. It has to be. Ego becomes a problem when we start to believe we are IT. There is a difference between the ego that comes from a humble confidence and an ego that doesn't allow us to hear when something or someone is trying to help. The ego that is needed to be willing to get up in front of a group of people (large or small) is a necessary part of the music business. It becomes a problem when you think you are the only ones to have it right and everyone else is not worth your time.

So if you are thinking about getting into this business, embrace the hard work. Prayerfully consider the next steps after you have done it for awhile, and learned how to do it. Your ministry will last longer and be more apt to outlast others who haven't learned it.