Worship bassists...need some advice?

Fassa Albrecht · #1 10-03-2007, 03:02 PM

Bassically I'm in a diliemma. I'm currently involved with two religious activities, one at church and one as a member of Christian Union at my university.
A few weeks ago I decided to join the worship bands of both my church and the CU...

Church band- small band, with only 10 or so members, and only 3 bassists for the whole year (including myself)

CU band- bigger band with over 30 musicians on the books. This includes 6 bassists.
But a few days back I found I could be waiting anywhere up to a month and a half for a CU gig, yet I could be playing in a fortnight or so after church band official sign-up.

My dilemma is- should I just give up on CU band and go for the church band? It's unlikely that I will get more than 4 weeks playtime THIS YEAR with the CU band, and yet I have been keen to join since last year. The church band is much more regular performances yet will be harder for me as a player.
There are just too many bassists in the CU......

PS The Christian Union is also sometimes called the Campus Crusade for Christ in the US and overseas.

JansenW · #2 10-03-2007, 03:11 PM

Although there's nothing wrong with wanting more play time, you should find what ministry you feel called to.

I assume the church one is for corporate church worship music on Sundays. What is the CU ministry and gig like?

Fassa Albrecht · #3 10-03-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JansenW

Although there's nothing wrong with wanting more play time, you should find what ministry you feel called to.

I assume the church one is for corporate church worship music on Sundays. What is the CU ministry and gig like?

The CU ministry is student-ran for students.The band is for our main CU meetings on Friday nights. The ministry is predominantly about evangelism and also about supporting those students who are Christian already.
The gig itself is just about providing the musical aspect of the meeting.

The church band is for the Sunday services, plus commmunity events, weddings if needed and other special services such as baptisms. This worship team is much more a professional outfit (though again all musicians are volunteers). Our church has a strong musical tradition and so the band is part of the service.

JansenW · #4 10-03-2007, 03:28 PM

Talk with mature believers that know you about where you should serve.

Listen to their advice and then go with the ministry that you feel called to.

Fassa Albrecht · #5 10-03-2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JansenW

Talk with mature believers that know you about where you should serve.

Listen to their advice and then go with the ministry that you feel called to.

If I was honest then I think the church band is my best chance of playing bass in a proper worship band setting. But at the same time I feel guilty for thinking of walking away from CU.

iamlowsound · #6 10-03-2007, 08:07 PM

Pray about it and see where God is leading you.

lowsound

NuclearBurger · #7 10-03-2007, 09:21 PM

Would it be possible to do both?

BetterBottomEnd · #8 10-03-2007, 09:34 PM

Yeah if the CU is only 4ish times a year why not both?

**embellisher** · #9 10-03-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterBottomEnd

Yeah if the CU is only 4ish times a year why not both?

Yep, why not?

But like iamlowsound said, pray about it.

JimmyM · #10 10-03-2007, 11:19 PM

Do both. No reason you should have to choose. Each band has enough bassists to where they can find a sub if you're already booked in one.

Fassa Albrecht · #11 10-03-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterBottomEnd

Yeah if the CU is only 4ish times a year why not both?

The simple answer is that I don't want to be sitting around waiting for gigs. 4 weeks playtime in roughly 35 weeks of CU meetings each Friday is pretty bad. 15 weeks of playtime in the same period of time is much better.

bottomzone · #12 10-04-2007, 09:16 AM

As stated earlier, pray about it and be mindful of doing His will.

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

Rattman · #13 10-04-2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Do both. No reason you should have to choose. Each band has enough bassists to where they can find a sub if you're already booked in one.

Please do both... life is short, and not all that much fun, so make yourself available for both. I seriously doubt if things are as 'black and white' as you may think they are. But yeah, your priority should be the Praise Team at your church. When a scheduling conflict does arise, deal with it then. Now go and serve..

bassman1185 · #14 10-04-2007, 11:49 AM

I've been in the a similar situation to yours before. I had the opportunity to play in both regularly. One deal was weekly at a high-school ministry, and the other was monthly or so at church, and with the youth-group most sunday nights for the youth group. I did both for a couple of years, but I ended up being so busy and burnt out that I had to step down from the high-school ministry. Obviously, that's not quite your problem, but if you're going to school full-time, you don't want to get stretched too thin and not be able to give your all to whichever you commit to.

**john turner** · #15 10-04-2007, 11:52 AM

i'd pursue both - putting yourself in challenging situations is only going to make you a better player, and keeping your plate as close to full as possible is going to get you better faster.

basspraiser · #16 10-21-2007, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

This worship team is much more a professional outfit (though again all musicians are volunteers). Our church has a strong musical tradition and so the band is part of the service.

Sounds like you have an answer right here...however, I do not see a confliuct in doing both since one is primarily on Fridays and the other is on Sundays....

Pray and be led!

Peace!

Doug