• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Frustration with a praise band practice space...

bobbybass85

bobbybass85

Supporting Member
Dec 19, 2005
1,246
839
41
Nashville, TN
www.facebook.com
#1
Warning: Wee bit of a rant but an interesting situation.

So I have recently joined about 9 other extremely passionate and talented individuals to form a Christian praise band. As a band we have decided that we want to play a wide variety of music and to be appealing to those even outside of the Christian community. Now the fun comes in.

We have the ability to practice at our guitarists house, but it is about a 2 hour drive for some of the members so we decided to see if some of the local churches would be willing to let us use their space to practice.

HERE'S what really got me riled: We found a church that was willing to let us practice under one condition: The pastor wants to interview each member of the band AND our respective pastors to gauge how "worthy" we are of using their space.

Am I wrong to be upset about this? I have no problem discussing my faith with any person, but I certainly don't believe any other human on earth (ordained or not) has the power or right to judge one's worth based on their faith. Just wondering what some opinions out there were. Thanks
 
#2
I don't think there is anything wrong with what hes doing. If you were renting a room in your home to someone, would you want to interview them and try to get references as to their character? I would. I think its cool that he is trying to give you the opportunity to use the church.
 
#3
Well I don't think the pastor is so much wanting to judge you based on your faith, but it's not your church or you're not even a member of that church (I assuming none of you are?) It seems to me that the pastor just wants to make sure he is more familiar with the people who he's letting use the space (church, hall or wherever it is you're practicing).
 
#4
And i'd have to agree with you completely, I have no quarrels with sitting down one on one with the pastor. What I think is unnecessary is for him to sit down with each persons pastor and inquire into the our standings in our church. It's as if he doesn't trust that we'd be honest so he needs to dig. I don't know why, but it rubs me funny
 
#5
I think he is going to extremes. I am a pastor. I would have wanted to talk with all of you to see where you were in terms of life, spirituality, and responsibility. I doubt I would do this one on one. A group meeting is fine. You are a band after all.

I would have asked what Church(s) you belong to. If I ran into your pastor in passing I may ask, but in reality, you know yourself better than a pastor does.
 
#6
bobbybass85 said:
Warning: Wee bit of a rant but an interesting situation.

So I have recently joined about 9 other extremely passionate and talented individuals to form a Christian praise band. As a band we have decided that we want to play a wide variety of music and to be appealing to those even outside of the Christian community. Now the fun comes in.

We have the ability to practice at our guitarists house, but it is about a 2 hour drive for some of the members so we decided to see if some of the local churches would be willing to let us use their space to practice.

HERE'S what really got me riled: We found a church that was willing to let us practice under one condition: The pastor wants to interview each member of the band AND our respective pastors to gauge how "worthy" we are of using their space.

Am I wrong to be upset about this? I have no problem discussing my faith with any person, but I certainly don't believe any other human on earth (ordained or not) has the power or right to judge one's worth based on their faith. Just wondering what some opinions out there were. Thanks
Click to expand...

It's a personal matter, of course, but I would be upset if it was already clear that a.) I was already a Christian, and b.) I'd formed a band to do Christian music. *I* don't think you need any further validation or explanation than that. You are right, no other human on earth should have the power or right to judge one's worth based on their faith. The pastor, or any pastor, included. It is my opinion, and just my opinion that this pastor's "hoop jumping" is bogus and BS. I'm not judging the pastor based on his faith, which I don't question that he has, but of how this individual practices, which betray (in my mind) what faith, and Christianity in particular is supposed to be about.

Your individual results may vary...
 
#7
Oh, and you're Christian, and your band is Christian. What would any reasonable person think? That you're going to ransack the place, and be disrespectful, rude and crude? It seems a bit pessimistic to say the least, to assume there would be any problems at all.

Good luck with it!
 
#9
there's nothing wrong with a kind of general background check just to make sure that your brand of christianity doesn't clash with his in some weird way that would be offensive or something. (you don't sacrifice goats or anything, right?) he's going WAY overboard though. interviewing you individually AND your respective pastors is going way too far. you might want to just find a different place to practice. he sounds like the kind of guy who would make it a point to be working late the nights you rehearse to make sure you're not any of the riff raff he wouldn't let near his church
 
#10
The Pastor doesn't know you or your band mates. It's only prudent to get references from people who know you. There's a lot of liability involved with property usage. He could have easily told you "no".

If I was the Pastor and saw this thread, I would not let your band use my church.

People make statements about a lot of things. Checking them out is part of the Pastor's due diligence. He has to report to the Church's board and by getting to know your background, he can give assurances about your band.
 
#11
First, 9 people in the band and you can't afford a practice space in a mutually convenient location?!?

Second, is "worthy enough" his words, or your interpretation of the situation?

Personally I think the Pastor is going overboard a little...but I also recognise that he is just covering his own. He might be going overboard but thats his choice as he is accountable for the decision he makes. He also needs to consider the members and stakeholders in the church, and like someone else said we are talking about lending property and that is always a grey area. I see where he is coming from.

I hope it's not a touchy subject but one thing I noticed is a lot of people in this thread seem to have the belief that by saying "I'm a Christian", the listener is somehow obliged to just believe you are, as well as believe your intentions to still be honorable and lastly, to adjust their behaviour towards you accordingly:eyebrow:

All on your say so? I'm not up with that concept personally :)

Put yourself into the Pastors shoes and ask yourself how you would feel letting 9 strangers crash your church and frequently haul half a tonne of gear in and out of the premises which I presume the Pastor is responsible and accountable for? I would want some assurances on the characters involved as well.
 
#12
A way to perhaps "grease the wheels" as they say regarding this situation may be that if all members are up for it, to make a financial contribution(s) to the church, as even though the church could afford to allow you to practice there for free, it is a nice gesture of appreciation and respect. It changes the equation of "something for nothing" to "something for something" if that helps. And it may preempt any other "litmus tests of Christianity/beliefs" regeardless of how well such inquiries are meant.
 
#13
I don't blame the pastor at all about the interviews. It's his house and aside from physical property he should be concerned with who or "what" he allows into it. Most people seem to think it's only about dollars and cents. An improper element can be so much more destructive. And in case you didn't know... the Devil is a liar and does come to church!
 
#15
It is interesting conversation. While I expect nobody to be fools just to be "nice", it is interesting to see where in this case where there is explicit Christian element of the band in general and as individuals that isn't "good enough" to allow faith (that oft-cited tenet of Christianity) in these people's word that they have properly and acurately represented themselves as Christians. In my opinion, it is as with this interview request, the pastor is saying that he either doesn't believe you are Christian, or that you are the "right kind" of Christian.

Again, I would make it a point to offer some financial contributions/donations if they would be accepted, and try to leave it at that, minus the inquiry. Take the ball into your own hands by assuring the pastor that you are respectful of the property and belongings of others, including the church, and that you will return the room/spaces you use to the order and condition as you found them. That is the fair and right thing to do, regardless of religious affiliation or strength of belief.

Best to you.
 
#19
Did your pastor allow you to use your own church? what about the other 8 members , Did they ask their pastors as well? Maybe it will be easier use your own church for practicing.

Yesterday I met a friend in his house for a jam session, we also want to form a Christian band, we decided to have breakfast first so we headed up to McDonalds, coincidentally our pastor were there too, when he knew what were doing , he said: Why you do not use the church? Just ask to the secretary what day of the week the building is free. So starting next friday our church will be our place for practice.
 
#20
bobbybass85 said:
As a band we have decided that we want to play a wide variety of music and to be appealing to those even outside of the Christian community. Now the fun comes in.
Click to expand...

I'm an atheist, and only go to church for weddings and funerals and I agree with the pastor. He doesn't know you and you allready said you were going to learn a variety of music to appeal to a larger group of people. I think that's what makes him dubious. Your a praise band learning non-praise music. Maybe the pastor wants to male sure your not going to be learning the devils music or BritinySpears tunes.
I say bring the band and a chose a pastor from pastor from church, and let him speak for you..

Andy
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back