How do you encourage your church musicians?

In 1976 Elton John told us that “Sorry” seems to be the hardest word. I think he was probably onto something. But perhaps he ought to have written a follow-up song about “Thank you” being the second hardest (pair of) word(s). The title needs some work.

How do you seek to encourage your musicians and technicians who serve week to week? Paul instructs us to “encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thess. 5:11). But practically speaking, how do we do that? Sometimes the simplest answers are the best, and here’s my top tip: say thank you – a lot.

Proverbs tells us that “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit” (Prov.15:4). When we thank our musicians and our technicians for the ways in which they serve, we encourage them. When we encourage them gently, persistently and genuinely the words are as a tree of life to them. Everyone needs that kind of encouragement. But I would argue that our technicians need it more than most.

The women and men who sit on your sound desk – whatever size or shape that is! – who operate your projection device – whatever that looks like! – need that kind of encouragement. They need it because we can often expect them to operate faultlessly, like professionals. But they’re not professionals. We can often expect them to learn a complex skill (e.g. mixing) without any training. We can often get frustrated (and show it) if the slides aren’t perfect – but people are doing their very best. They need encouragement.

So, this week why not find a moment to thank one of your musicians or technicians. Encourage them gently, persistently, and genuinely. Pray for them. Send them a text. Bake them a cake. Build them up.