When is it Time?
By John Wm. Roberts, Ed.D., Contributing Writer
There are times, in most of our lives, when we ask the question: “When is it time to step aside?” As we ask this question, others arise: “Who will take my place?” “Will my successor carry on the legacy built?” “Am I stepping aside for the right reason?” One important factor many of us consider is “Has the joy become a job and has stress become distress?”
I have asked these questions many times and not just recently. As I enter my seventh decade of life and my sixth decade on the bench, I’ve had many sleepless nights wondering “Is it time?” In 2002, I made the personal decision to step aside because my joy had become a job. The reason for the decision was due to relocation to another city. However, my commitment to God’s ministry through music caused me to make the decision to, once again, become a laborer in God’s musical vineyard. I did not regret the resumption of my commitment because the non-denominational congregation where I served needed a firm music foundation of hymns, anthems, and spirituals with an appropriate mix of traditional and contemporary music.
After a few years, the joy became a job: battling vocalists, disagreeing with the administration on the direction of the music ministry, and the ignorance of members regarding their understanding the necessity for variety in a congregation’s music ministry. Most music ministry laborers understand this and often ask “Why am I doing this?” There comes a turning point where stepping aside is best for your physical and spiritual being.
Many remain in positions to ensure a continuity of musical excellence; however, as with any profession, some stay too long. For those of us who have enjoyed lengthy careers in music ministry, before stepping aside, what are we doing to ensure this continuity? Are we recruiting new musicians who are willing to be mentored? Do we have the support of church administrations to enable us to prepare these musicians, e.g., keyboard artists, percussionists, acoustic performers, singers, and floor managers?
Recently, I read an article about a church in Maryland with a shrinking congregation who decided to close its doors, sell the building, and donate the proceeds to organizations within the community. The decision was based on ‘paying it forward’ for the benefit of the community. Yes, they could’ve stayed open with a part-time pastor and staff and continued to struggle for financial existence. No! They realized it was time for a change. The change meant ceasing as a physical presence but remaining relevant through empowering the community of faith and not of faith.
When is it time for those of us in the music ministry to step aside, pay it forward, and leave a legacy of service to the faith community? Is it now? Maybe! Is it in the near future? These are a few of the questions. What’s your answer?
John Wm. Roberts, Ed.D. is the director of music and principal musician at Lee Chapel AME Church in Auburn, Alabama, in the Ninth Episcopal District.
