3 Reminders Why We Rehearse for Worship

Written by Bryan Nelson | posted in church, productivity, tip, worship | 1 Comment

Recently, there was someone at TBC who came to rehearsal — even though they weren’t leading worship that weekend. It’s only happened a handful of times in the 15 years I’ve been doing this. So I took notice. That got me thinking about rehearsals.

Rehearsals for worship environments get a bad rap. Can you blame people? They usually start late. There’s usually a 30 second prayer to start rehearsal — the last of a spiritual emphasis. The sound check takes 1/4 of the entire rehearsal time. Instructions are given, but no action or follow through is taken. Then the dreaded rehearsal goes 45 minutes longer than it’s supposed to.

Additionally, rehearsals are usually attended with unhealthy perspectives. Sometimes people use rehearsals to learn the music for the very first time (instead of re-hearing the music as a “rehear”sal suggests. Others grudgingly attend rehearsals to sing in a more select group, because that’s “the rule.” Others rehearse simply because that’s what’s expected. Most people, I suspect, come to rehearsal so they know what’s going to happen and to be prepared.

Rehearsing for a worship environment ought to a great experience, shouldn’t it? Maybe even one of the best experiences? Rehearsing ought to be more than about just the details. A rehearsal should be about relationships. After all, isn’t that why we are rehearsing in the first place (vertical relationship with God)?

Here are three important reminders about why we rehearse.

1. Rehearsals are about relationships, not music. When we arrive at our deathbed, it won’t be about that cool lick you played or that awesome song we sang. It will be about people and God at that point. We’d want our loved ones at our deathbed, not our collection of gear. Rehearsing isn’t about music or gear — it’s about using these things as tools to connect others with God and with each other.
2. Rehearsals are about contributing, not consuming. It’s about helping others, not just helping yourself. Rehearsals should be about what I can give — instead of what am I getting out of this. In other words, are we being a consumer or a contributor outside of the music aspect of rehearsal? Rehearsals are full of un-diva-like people — because the divas are in it for themselves.
3. Rehearsals are about being prepared for what God wants to do in the future. Life is a rehearsal for eternity — isn’t it? If we care about what God wants tomorrow — we take prepared action today. Otherwise, it’s simply going through the motions, putting in time, going through a dreaded life with no end result in mind. God cares about those who are spending time on His vision today. While Jesus was on earth, He was rehearsing with His disciples. It was a present preparedness for a future strategy. I don’t know about you, but I want to be a part of something God will do in the future — don’t you?

The next time you rehearse, think about it. It’s about relationships, being a contributor, and being a part of what God will do in the future.