Ageism is alive and well in the Church today, and mid-40+ worship leaders across the country are shaking in their boots.
A friend of mine was at a conference recently and overheard several middle-aged worship leaders wondering aloud as to how long they’ll have their jobs. They have every right to worry – I know of one megachurch baby boomer pastor who unceremoniously “let go” a mid 40s worship leader because he was “too old.” When the elders got wind of the reason for the “letting go” they charged into action and demanded that the worship leader be rehired – stressing to the pastor that you just don’t treat people this way who’ve helped you build your ministry for many years.
How things have changed – growing up it seemed like all church music directors were old men. In the past few years the trend in our youth-obsessed culture has been for megachurches to hire young guys with guitars – and these guys often have little to no musical training. I can think of one megachurch worship leader who can’t sing that great, can’t play an instrument, can’t write songs or arrange music and makes about 100G a year (but he sure looks good on stage.)
The tables do seem to be turning for those young guitar guys. One talented young guitar slinging worship leader I know just lost out on a lucrative megachurch job to another young guitar slinging worship leader …who had a music degree. I guess in harder economic times it isn’t as easy to explain the hiring of a full time music director who can’t create a chord chart.
So what does the future hold for you? Fifty years ago you’d get a job, work there for your adult career and retire with a pension and gold watch. We all know those days are gone, and a worship leader job is no different. If you’re mid 40+ you have 3 options:
- Authentically reinvent yourself as long as you can by staying current (gold chains probably aren’t a good idea for a hipper image)
- Try moving into more of a production role as you guide younger worship leaders (at a church that’s large enough to afford a producer position)
- Start looking for another line of work (there’s no shame in a career change)
If you’re a young guitar slinging worship leader, realize that musical knowledge can only give you an edge in a weak, competitive economy.
Bottom Line: Job security, even in the Church, is a thing of the past for young and old.
23 Responses to “Why Worship Leaders Are Shaking In Their Boots”
February 12, 2013
David BrownI love the Biblical ideal of Paul/Timothy relationships and cannot understand why a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church would ever allow a person’s age or outward appearance to become a golden calf.
I realize that it’s happening and that culture is a powerful tool for the church. That said, the tenor of this article and the limp suggestions for the middle-aged leader borders on the ridiculous. The problem IS NOT with the worship leader.
The problem lies in the idolatry of youth. The pastors that are not hiring, or worse… firing, capable worship leaders loose based solely on age are the problem (praise God for the elders specifically noted in the article). Church leaders need to embrace the idea of healthy mentoring relationships much more than superficial things like skinny jeans and great hair.
February 12, 2013
Syria T. BerryProps to David brown’s insight. I am a 65 year–old, guitar-slinging lead worshipper. My church has blessed me with the opportunity to lead and mentor. It seems like a natural progression, but for westerner’s philosophy of youth edification.
February 12, 2013
MaryMy goodness, that means all the disciples were too old to be a part of today’s church. Church use to be a place where one could go to be in the presence of God to know the power of the name of Jesus. There was once friends who put their friend through the roof because they knew what God can do. The churches are filled with people who do not know the Lord and who come to hear the concert or to be in some program. All of this cannot and will never replace the power of the name of Jesus and the power of His word. Repentance is not preached in many churches. There is a lot of success stories, the striving to be perfect and testimonies come from celebreties who go back to godless lives. How long has it been since you have heard the testimony of an elder who has walked ahead of you in years of service that encourages the youth? We wonder why our nation is the way it is..We must get back to holiness and shut the music down and hear the word of God and pray. The church was meant to be a place where one can come and be saved, delivered, comforted and healed. To come before the Lord in worship is to come with a heart of repentance for we are in need everyday of His presence in our lives that we have filled with self.
February 12, 2013
JustinDon,
I’ve been following your blog for a few years. You usually offer some good insights and provide helpful resources. However, I don’t think you thought this article out very well and more importantly, spent much time praying about it. I’m 30 years old serving in a “mega-church” and have been since I was 24. The one critical theme your article is lacking is that Jesus Christ is in control of His church and His people. Man can’t remove the calling God has placed on a person’s life, only God can. If a church wants to fire a 40-50 year old worship pastor simply because of age, then that’s a lousy church to be pastoring in to begin with. I know handfuls of men in that age group who are leading worship in very large churches and are more than capable. There are instances, of course, when those worship pastors should have never been hired in the first place. If they are let go by a pastor who is passionately seeking Christ because they lack the skill, ability, leadership qualities, or heart for Jesus and His church than that’s entirely different. Far too many worship pastors are only trained musically and have zero understanding of the gospel. You might have been trying to encourage those worship pastors who find themselves in that age range and feel that they are just a few steps away from irrelevancy. However, your article has greatly DIScouraged those people and unfortunately paints a very small picture of the God we serve. Just look at Bob Kauflin – a man in his late 50′s – not the greatest vocalists in the world, but phenomenal musician and deeply in love with Jesus and training worship pastors to show people Christ. He is still leading worship most weeks at their new church plant in Louisville, KY. Age doesn’t matter – relationship with Christ and a commitment to growing deeper in Him is all that does.
February 12, 2013
Don ChapmanHow amazingly judgmental: “I don’t think you thought this article out very well and more importantly, spent much time praying about it.” I assume you bring up Bob Kauflin as a criticism of the article, but he’s actually an example of someone who’s reinventied himself. And may I refer you to a reply I gave elsewhere on this page: “I’m sorry, I really have to chuckle when a practical article causes such an uproar. I’m simply reporting about what’s going on in churches and offering common sense solutions.”
February 12, 2013
WayneYou are out of line. You can disagree without judging someone’s spiritual and prayer life.
February 12, 2013
Alexander StaffordI have experienced first-hand this new phenomenon. After being laid off due to budget cuts in a struggling church I began a job search that resulted in applications to 100+ churches with little interest even though my resume was stellar from a ministry standpoint having been in worship ministry for over 20 years. At the time I was 39. I began consulting with a firm in California with a well-known worship ministry guy who I can’t really name because a lot of people would know him. At one point in our interview process over the phone he asked me my age. I told him and he said, “oh, okay, great!” I said what do you mean? He said, “I’m glad you are under 40.” I said to him, “why?” He said, because churches these days really do not want guys in their 40′s … they consider them too old.” I was shocked and stunned. Little did he know that the conversation we were having was just a few weeks before my 40th birthday. At least I was able to understand why I was passed over by almost every church I applied to. Of course, there are always other reasons including a glutted ministry job market. I had no idea how many ministers were out of work and looking at the time. It was amazingly sad and disturbing.
I am glad someone is writing an article about this. There needs to be more light and heat on the subject because church leaders need to be held accountable. Pastors and boards are running churches and hiring and firing as a business would. There is a “corporate” mindset that has infiltrated the church that often results in kicking to the curb ministers who have an anointing and calling of God on their lives in the area of worship, not to mention honed skills and years of ministry experience. This is not a Christlike way of treating people or making decisions and it’s only getting worse as time progresses. Many churches and pastors would prefer a young worship leader over an older one for the following reasons: a) a preference for a more youthful image, b) a desire to appeal to young people (because we all know how prejudiced young people are toward older people and they will not attend your services unless there’s someone up there that looks, dresses, is cool, and acts like them), c) a preference for youth and inexperience over maturity and experience, d) a greater ability to control the young worship leader because they are young and inexperienced and have no leverage in the organization or in relationships unlike perhaps a worship leader who has been there for a long time, and last but not least, e) the bottom line is they want someone, even if minimally competent, to stand up and just sing, look good, and lead the people in worship. Modern church leaders especially have come to the conclusion today that image is more significant than integrity, charisma is more important than character, style is more important than substance. This is the modern church age we are living in. Last but not least, the reason many churches prefer young worship leaders to guys in their mid-40′s is because they can pay them a lot less. Often times these young guys are not even married or if they are, they only have 1 or 2 kids. Guys like me with more than 2 kids are looked at as a financial liability or risk. Therefore, money plays a big role in the decision making process because older, more experienced worship leaders with a deeper resume and more financial responsibilities come at a higher price that churches don’t want to pay especially if they can get “the same thing” for a lot less. It’s what I would liken to a “CraigsList” approach to hiring and cheaper is better!
I appreciate that you have written this article. The only thing I would add is I’m not sure if you can “authentically” reinvent yourself and I’m not really sure it is good Biblical advice. I understand it is recommended only to be more competitive in the job market but this is simply capitulation to the corporate mindset of the church and it ends up being for the purpose of appealing to man. King Saul was a man who appealed to Israel on the outside but was rejected by God. I heard one of my grad professors say one time, “If you live by style – you will die by style.” This is inherently the problem with being style-driven. The guys who are now being accepted on the basis of style will also be rejected for the same reasons in just a few years and they will be replaced with the next brand new “item” that hits the market.
The second piece of advice is only good if God is leading them into it. We forget that the kingdom of God is a kingdom with a King and if we want to do it God’s way we must allow him to initiate it. You don’t tell the king what you will do – you instead wait for the nod. If you do not wait on God and try to make it happen how are we any different than the world? In fact, that is what has happened in the church is that we have sold out to the world’s model lock stock and barrel because the fact is the entire church is operating this way and we know that if we are to have a chance at all we must play the game. Well, I have a come to a different conclusion and therefore offer this advice.
1) Wait upon the Lord, seek His face, and trust in Him even if it takes nearly a year to find work as it did me. If you try to make something happen in the flesh according to fleshly desires you end up making the same mess that Abraham made of his own life when he decided God was taking too long and he better help him out. Wait upon the Lord, renew your strength, use this time of waiting to draw close to God, and know that God will be faithful.
2) Don’t sell out and try to be something you are not in order to please man. Yes, take lessons, hone your craft, and be the best you can be but don’t try to be the young 20-something with the tight jeans, plaid shirt, and cool hair…unless God is calling you to be that person. I don’t know of one example in scripture where God called a person to reinvent themselves stylistically in order to appeal to man. This is the world’s model — not God’s! Moses didn’t…Jesus didn’t…and you and I shouldn’t! If this is what it takes then maybe you and I both should take the articles last piece of advice and get out of what used to be known as “ministry” because it’s not really ministry any longer anyway — ministry has become a business.
3) Be led of the Holy Spirit into whatever decisions you make.
I am happy to say that God provided for me and my family in an unexpected way and led me to the right church although it wasn’t exactly what I thought it should be or was going to be, but again, God likes to remind his children who is in control and in charge of the kingdom of God. I am currently serving in a church that is not driven by business models or the corporate mindset…and I am grateful. There are still churches being led by God’s Spirit out there. Sometimes you just have to wait a little longer to find them. Don’t sell out and don’t quit unless he tells you to quit! If you are looking for work I encourage you to immerse yourself in the Word of God and pray without ceasing. You will find that God will be your constant companion and will give you peace that doesn’t make any sense to the human mind…a peace that surpasses understanding. Finally, trust God when he opens the door, don’t be afraid even if it is different than anything you have done before, and step out by faith wherever HE leads you! The great news is He is already there and will give you everything you need to meet the challenges ahead. Mega blessings!
February 12, 2013
Don ChapmanThanks for sharing your experiences in your awesome post. Your comment says it all: “Modern church leaders especially have come to the conclusion today that image is more significant than integrity, charisma is more important than character, style is more important than substance. This is the modern church age we are living in.”
As far as reinventing yourself “authentically” goes – I was trained many years ago to play the piano in the “evangelistic” style – i.e. Liberace… whipping up and down the keyboard and playing a bunch of octaves. If I hadn’t reinvented my keyboard style do you think I’d be playing the piano in churches today?
If I put red streaks in my hair to look hipper I’d really look like an old dork – that would be an example of reinventing myself UNauthentically.
February 12, 2013
Tim ShewmakeI’m 56, a guitar slinging worship leader for 5th and 6th graders at Compass Church in Colleyville. I had a friend tell me a year ago that I needed to consider my age and not lead worship, get tucked safely into a band on guitar and vocals and call it a day. I’m so blessed that I didn’t take his advice, that I went after this ministry. One thing I do is “keep current”, I’m continually searching and learning new music. I also have a great band of high school and younger kids that play instruments and sing. Our attendance is around 100 kids per Sunday and it’s been a successful ministry in growth with kids learning how to lead worship as well as the audience worshiping. Thank God for our leadership that looked beyond my age and gave me this opporunity. What they have gained is a steady leader, most of the younger guys have come and gone while I’ve been there for almost a year, I have 35 years of experience and I have this great opportunity to mentor the kids that work with me.
February 12, 2013
Don ChapmanYou’re a prime example of somebody who’s not afraid of reinventing themselves (as so many commenting on this post seem terrified to do.) Congratulations on your years of ministry and may you have many more!
February 19, 2013
HeatherDon, I’m not sure “reinventing” is the right term for this wonderful babyboomer (who’s just my age) who has dedicated himself to reaching middle-school age kids. I think it would be better stated to say that he’s not afraid to learn new things. He didn’t say he had changed his appearance, although he is probably not up there in apparel from the 70s, or in a suit and tie. I think that possibly “reinventing” one’s self would mean a radical change in appearance, and I didn’t get that impression from Tim S’s post at all.
February 12, 2013
JosephHow true. I’ve experienced this myself — first hand. The problem, as I see it, is that today’s worship leaders must be hired for more than just how good they look on stage. We are really missing the point that the main goal / job of the worship leader is to prepare the hearts of the worshipers to receive God’s Word, as well as, to grow their team both technically and spiritually. When 20 year olds get hired as worship leaders, I do not believe they are mature / experienced enough to be effective in the true calling of their position. I have seen, time and again, that their focus is soley on them. I’m not saying they do not love the Lord, however, they are all about self-promotion and using their current church as a stepping stone towards getting hired by a mega-church.
True story, I was on a worship team which was led by a young man who went to college with Matthew West and Mark Roach. He complained and was actually mad at God for not raising him up to the status of Matthew West…. because he felt he was even more talented than Matthew West. Although he was full-time, he put little to nothing into building the team. He didn’t care what anyone played… “just don’t make me look bad.” No effort was made to build the church… simply to record CDs and promote himself. Well you guessed it, he left the church to take a job with a mega-church.
What’s next…? Twenty year old senior pastors who will find themselves out of work at 40 because they are too old, as well?
February 12, 2013
Don ChapmanGreat point – I wonder how the rock star pastors of today will react in 10 years when they are no longer young and hip.
February 12, 2013
Hugh PolandUh, in three words, no, no, and no way. With all due respect to Don Chapman, whose arrangements I have used in my own church in the past (and will continue to do so) . . . oh boy, where do I begin? Lord, help me not go over the top in my response.
“they have every right to worry”–Really? So the sin of worry is really our God-given right? What if God has called us to stand as an example to so many others in our congregation of the same age and ilk, men and women who are also struggling with age-discrimination at their place of work? Waiting confidently on the Lord is never fun, but He said it’s the only way. Should we really assume that God is going to fail us, that we are responsible for our own provision, and that He can’t take care of us very well?
Is the bottom line for us as worship leaders job security? Really? I don’t think Paul had much of that. Neither did any of the apostles. I think the things we are called to pursue are faithfulness to the Lord, through thick and thin. Again, our congregations need to see how we live out our faith when we are “under the gun.” What an inspiration that can be to so many!
The 3 options–Reinvent yourself–You mean, I should change what/who I am on the outside? How about instead rediscover what God is doing inside your life, and ask Him to provide faith for you to take the next step of obedience? It may well be moving into ministry in another area. Production role–we should be doing this anyway, developing disciples and leaders to carry on the ministry. Start looking for another line of work–and renounce the calling that God has on our lives? You mean, like sell mutual funds or cemetary plots? (Not that those aren’t honorable ways to make a living!)
By the way, I’m 49, serving in a medium-large sized church in Texas, and I will never be mistaken for a GQ cover boy. I would say we’re contemporary without being edgy, but the truth is, we all know traditional/blended/contemporary/edgy mean absolutely nothing at all. I’ve learned that Prov. 29:25 is true: “The fear of men will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Yes, I see the trends. Yes, I know I’m not getting any younger, and my ability to connect with younger generations grows thinner every day. But I will serve the Lord until the day I die. It may be in pastoral care, it may be in a hut in South America, it may be as a prayer warrior in my nursing home. BUT I WILL NOT CHOOSE TO SHAKE IN MY BOOTS. God has always had a people, always had a purpose, always had His gracious hand on my life (though I totallly don’t deserve this.) Calebs of the worship world, unite around the purposes of your God–your ministry will change, but His promises to you never will!
February 12, 2013
Don ChapmanI’m sorry, I really have to chuckle when a practical article causes such an uproar. I’m simply reporting about what’s going on in churches and offering common sense solutions
February 12, 2013
RogerThis article makes me pretty sad! The state of the church is in sad shape when the “senior” pastors are more worried about entertaining the church through the so called worship time, then authenticating, cultivating a heart of real worship in the midst of Christ’s church!
I was once a worship leader at a local church. I told the worship leaders under me that our job was not to entertain, but to bring the church to the throne of God, step back, and let the church worship the Lord….
May God bring revival to us, His church….
February 12, 2013
RogerI thought worship leading and worship ministry were a calling, not a just a career. I’m not quite sure how someone with that calling can just “change careers”, as you suggest, unless God removes the calling. Maybe your third suggestion should be to search for a different church. You might not make as much money; you might not have the glamour of the big church; but there are plenty of churches out there that need a solid leader who can bring them into the presence of God.
February 12, 2013
Michele PaytonThank you Don, once again, for discussing the tough issues with clarity and honesty! I am in this caregory and I have been wondering how long God would allow me to continue leading others into a connection with Him. I agree about the mentoring aspect completely…..so many of the young people do not have the spiritual integrity to be leading adults in worship. The experiences , wisdom, and strong ethical values…..not yet evident in the younger generations, are one more reason for the mentoring process to be treasured by churches rather than thrown out!
February 12, 2013
Thomas HirschlerAnother serious shortcoming of this article is the failure to recognize that church does not primarily exist for evangelism, or the youth. Many modern churches are all about filling seats. They are seeker sensitive, and they are structured to bring in people, often using contemporary music as a “lure.” Though evangelism is critical (and so are the young), it is only one part of what a church should be. The church is called to Worship, Instruction (Discipleship), Fellowship, and Evangelism. My point is, the church is primarily for believers. This emphasis on music and youth, with an evangelistic emphasis, demonstrates a sad imbalance. I realize I am speaking in generalizations but today’s church culture is essentially squeezing out mature believers, much like corporations when they restructure to beef up the bottom lines. Like corporations, the church will find out later that they let go of those who held all the corporate knowledge and secrets (the mature), those who were critical to their ultimate success.
February 12, 2013
MaryWhat should matter to us, is what matters to God, who seeks worshippers who worship in Spirit and in truth, age and style are not the substances God is seeking, but people who will walk humbly with God, love Righteousness, Truth and will serve the Lord not their own interests. Paid or unpaid, the responsibility is to sensitively lead and keep the focus on the Lord, I have to agree with comments regarding some pastors using the methods of big business, and have succumbed to the numbers game, or slavishly appeasing one faction or another. We should all look to the interests of others, and it is the pastoral responsibility to help the young to value the wisdom of the old, and the old to be encouraged by the energy, fresh input of the young. We have to recognise, whether someone is 8 or 88, if they are in Christ, they are precious and valued by God, and should be treated accordingly. I was told this “view” of mine would cause less “colateral damage”, but ignored. We should not be slaves of fashion, or let the world dictate the standards of behaviour in our dealings with one another, but instead be servants of God, looking for our wisdom in the word, aiming to be clothed with kindness, love, compassion, etc as urged in Colossians 3, Ephesians 4, and with the Christ like humility of Philippians 2. From all that is going on at present, we are due either Revival or the Return, we indeed need to pray for God’s wisdom, and the fresh wind of the Spirit to invigorate His Church, – yes it is His Church, we are members of one body,
February 12, 2013
JimHi Don,
Your article and each one of these comments seem to be missing one small point.
Many of our churches out there are struggling. Perhaps because so many of them have lost their reason to exist in the first place. As some have said, that the reason “the church” to exist is to exalt our God and bring his people to Him. This is being lost in the era of seaker sensitivity. If your church is called to be seaker sensitive that’s what you should be. Many are not sure why they exist so they are trying to copy what they see as the greatest thing out there.
With that said their are many Senior Pastors that are concerned with their positions. So, they look for a something for that will boost their standing. For lack of a better term, a scape goat.
We, as the Church, need to remember that we are all fallen son’s and daughter’s of the most high God. And keep our focus on Him.
Can you reinvent yourself? Of course… Maybe some of us are called into a higher level of ministry. There are so many Senior pastors that at one time in their career were Worship Leaders.
Why do so many exhibit a fear of change? Even resist it to the death of their souls? The unknown is always a little fearful.
Blessings to you all. Let’s look to our Savior Jesus Christ for our guidance, not the latest YouFaceTwit-marketism and leave our ego’s and bagage off the platform. Many will not. God will deal with them later. Those of us in “leadership” positions are judged at a higher level. Who are you going to be?
February 13, 2013
williamGreat thought provoking article. We can all point out things that we do not like about this article as well as what’s happening in the church.
But why don’t we take it as food for thought and encourage others who may be in this unfortunate situation?
How about we as worship leaders be aware of where the Lord has placed us and the people around? We can not nor should we always be the worship leader. I believe we should be continually searching for others to encourage and help become our replacements or preparing them to confidently go out and lead at another church body.
Rory Noland recently wrote an article about this same subject — http://worshipleader.com/advicefortheagingworshipleader/
March 26, 2013
Marki think don is just bitter cause he is an old man