Set the tone

I’m a MD. No, not a medical doctor, but a musical director. It’s one part of my job that I absolutely love. I spend time during the week picking music apart and putting it back together in my head. I work to get an idea of how I want my bands to play the songs and transitions for our corporate worship experience. The weeks are great, but Sundays are go time! That’s where I find out if I prepared enough.

Sunday’s at Cross Point start early. I’m usually in the building by 6. It’s important to start Sunday mornings off in a positive way. Early rehearsals can be so hectic, and there are many things that can throw a rehearsal in a downward spiral. I have to ready myself to lead the teams. These are some of the items on my Sunday morning “set the tone” check list:

-Be early. This let’s me get in and gather my thoughts. I hate being in a rush when I don’t have to be.

-Be prepared. I need to know my parts and the bands’ parts. I need to know what I want to hear from everybody else. I also have to be prepared spiritually. I need to know my heart before I do anything else.

-Be steady. I have to lead with steady direction. It lets the team know that regardless of the chaos, I won’t cause them more stress. I can get more of what I need out of a rehearsal with calm, cool, and collective than fire breathing.

-Be flexible. I never know when someone might call in sick, or somebody didn’t have time to learn the songs, or maybe the worship leader wants to sing a different song than we planned on. It’s live music and sometimes things don’t pan out the way I hear it in my head. And sometimes that’s a good thing.

-Be accountable. I also need to be ready to own things that don’t go well. If I’m accountable then I give myself the chance to make changes for the better in the future.

What do you do to set the tone?