Happy 2012!
It’s funny how easily a rhythm can get disrupted, even by things you know well in advance – like the holidays. We had a regular pattern of updating this blog, but over November and December fell out of the habit. We’re hoping to come back with several more items soon.
As 2012 gets started up, Bruce Benedict and I are working to bring more clarity to both the Cardiphonia and the Liturgy Fellowship site, bringing them under the same umbrella. We’ve been using this as a place to highlight other resources, projects, and writings, and Bruce and I and the rest of the LF gang are hoping to bring some unique writing to this space shortly.
In the mean time, come check out our Facebook group page where there’s plenty of discussion going on, and make sure to stop by Cardiphonia as well, since Bruce keeps putting further resources up there.
But to start us off this year, I thought I’d highlight something that caught my eye over at Congregational Songs. Those of us that are married, especially with kids, know this scene well - The Worship Leader’s Wife (or, we should say, spouse, since I know there are a good number of women worship leaders out there!):
It was a packed house. I was sitting at the piano after having just finished a song during our Christmas Eve service a couple weeks ago. Our pastor, Scott, had begun his short message. This evening, there was no childcare because the Christmas Eve service is a more informal, kid-friendly gathering. I looked toward where my wife was seated with both my 1 and 3-year-old daughters, and I could feel the tension rise. I saw Kelly and Lucy shout-whispering – I could tell my first-born was protesting some decision my wife had made. I watched as Kelly shouldered the diaper bag, swooped up the little one, and then attempted to grab the ticking time bomb with the other arm. My red-headed 3-year-old then screamed at the top of her lungs, and my mortified wife had to carry her, belly-exposed, kicking, down the length of the middle aisle and through the overflowed Gathering Hall. And where was I? Oh yes, sitting on stage.
Ahh, yes. My wife frequently referred to herself as a Worship Widow. For a season when our kids were smaller, many times she sat with one of her friends whom she (jokingly) referred to as her “partner” (us then being in Seattle, not many people batted an eye).
Whether a husband or wife, and your spouse is pastor or worship leader, there can be heavy pressure placed on you. My wife faced more internal pressure than external, but each Sunday was still a battle. To those “Worship Widows” out there, my sincere thanks – and to those of you up front, go say your thanks directly!
Onto 2012 – look forward to seeing you around!
RJ
This post brings back memories! My father was the pastor and my mother the organist, so my brothers and I were often recipients of “the look” from the choir loft, otherwise known as the hairy eyeball. And now, as God would have it, I am married to a pastor and I am pianist for our congregation. My sons are old enough to sit by themselves now, but definitely not too old for my own version of the hairy eyeball!