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December 2001 Table of Contents
Producing Results
Want To Skip A Year?
The Music Director vs. Total Burnout
By Keith McClung
Minister of Music & Fine Arts
19th St. Church of God, Parkersburg, WV
Does the thought of "putting together" another seasonal drama sort of make you queasy right now? Wouldn't it be so easy to repeat last year's presentation?
Have you lost some key actors from your congregation since last Easter?
Are you already looking forward to Easter 2002 being over?
If you answered honestly, then you may be burning out. How do I know? I've been there.
In writing this column for The Communicator, I never realized the full impact that would be made on the lives of many Music & Drama Directors until I began receiving countless e-mails from many of you across the country. Your e-mails not only encouraged me, but also challenged me. For some of you we have shared a laugh over e-mail and even a few tears over the telephone. As I prayed this morning I once again pleaded with God to lay a subject matter on my heart to share with you. You will find this article different from my past submissions, which tended to be "idea-based." However, if you are struggling with realizing that you are burning out and desperately needing to find inspiration to present an annual outreach production, then this article is for you.
I serve as the Minister of Music & Fine Arts at the very same church where I was raised and baptized. I teethed on the pews and vividly remember very early recollections of Vacation Bible School and so much more. The earliest memory that I have of my growing up in the church was a Christmas cantata. I was young enough to play with my cars in the pew, but I remember looking down the aisle as the kings entered for their portion of the drama presentation. It's hard to believe that the little boy playing cars with tithe envelopes and hymnals serving as garages, would be the "guy" responsible for the seasonal productions.
Two years ago I hit a very low point in my ministry. I began to question my calling, my position, and the very essence of my worship. I think we all go through these valleys. Here I was, sitting through a Sunday evening service in late November worrying about the Easter production that was just 5 months away. I decided that I was going to call a meeting of my Production Leaders and share with them that I felt we needed to "take a year off." What was my excuse? I had my speech planned to say that our choir deserved a year off...we could go into the studio to record a new project...we could work to plan a BIGGER and BETTER production for the following year...blah, blah, blah.
Well, friends, I set the meeting date. I pretty much quit praying for inspiration to plan the Easter Drama because I knew that I would be able to convince my Production Team to follow my lead in skipping a year. The meeting was scheduled for 2 weeks after my "divine revelation"...divine, I thought.
My secretary sent the notices and I began planning on what we would be recording for our winter studio project. Slowly my decision to "skip the Easter Drama" began weighing on my heart. I began to think of the thousands of people that would be expecting to see the drama. As soon as I would begin to start questioning my decision, Satan would divert my attention elsewhere.
The next Sunday one of my Production Leaders came to me and said, "Keith, I received the letter about the meeting and I am so excited! I have been able to recruit approximately 20 new people from our congregation to be in the cast." OUCH! This is the last thing I wanted to hear.
Morning came and I remember sitting in my office and receiving a telephone call from someone in our community. A lady has asked, "What are the dates of your Christmas Drama?" I simply said, "We have a Children's Musical for Christmas and a Special Candlelight Service, but we do not present a major production for Christmas." The lady had simply crossed her wires thinking that she had attended our Easter Drama during the Christmas Season. As I explained her error in remembrance, she quickly asked, "Well, can I have the dates of your Easter Drama so I will make sure I am there?" OUCH AGAIN! I told her that our Production Team was meeting and that I would take her telephone number and our office would return her call in a few weeks. She went on to tell me that our annual Easter Production brought her back to the Lord after several years of living in the World. She also said that the drama inspired her to return to school and that she began teaching Sunday school to a children's class at her new church.
My friends, it did not matter what decision I had made in my head, God had other plans. I began praying that morning seeking God's direction. What was my prayer? I remember it like it was yesterday...
"God, I am Burnt Out! The thought of putting together another Easter drama physically sickens me. God, it's not that I don't want to share the story with a community that needs to see and hear the life-saving message of Jesus Christ, but I am weak. God, you have to give me some inspiration; the fire and desire to once again get back into what I once loved doing. So many are counting on this drama except me. God, I see hundreds accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior, and testimonies rolling in throughout the entire year. So why am I so unhappy with this? God, I have the Production Team, I have the volunteers, and I have the budget... I have so much but I have no desire. I don't know what to do but leave it in Your hands."
Ok. How many of you just read this prayer and realized that you have prayed, or have wanted to pray the very same words? I was so tired of the "production" mode and I honestly wanted to take the year off. Everyone "expected" Keith to just do what he usually does. I was beginning to feel under-appreciated and ineffective. Packed out crowds of thousands through the season did not even sway by heart.
All I can say is that God comes to us when we need Him most. The next few days were met with prayer and a longing to hear from God. I decided to go to the many file cabinets of music that was cataloged according to season, theme, etc. (You know...all of that music we receive from the countless choral clubs throughout the year). I pulled out the Easter Drawers and for the next two days I sat on the floor with tapes, CD's, books, and pizza!
As I listened to the countless versions of presenting the Easter Story through music I began finding my heart absorbing and realizing what God did for us through His son, Jesus Christ. My heart was changed in those two days. One week later I presented to my Production Team a vision and that year, our Drama was the very best it had ever been.
So, my friends, pray a prayer of "revitalization" for your own heart. Keep ministry in mind, but do not be such a "minister" that you do not allow yourself to be "ministered to." I hope this inspires you to look past the challenges that are facing you right now in regards to productions. Just writing it stirred my heart once again!
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