Writers Blog Post: Trent Smith of Twin Lakes Worship
We would like to share another feature from our series, Writers Blog Posts. This time, we are featuring an article written by Trent Smith of Twin Lakes Worship. While Trent was visiting a small church in Alaska, much different than his home church, it sparked in him the ideas for this article. Trent said he wanted his article to be a "tribute and encouragement specifically to faithful volunteer worship leaders, from someone who does it vocationally/professionally at a very large church. I want it to communicate value and appreciation to those folks."
BLOG - TO VOLUNTEER WORSHIP LEADERS
by Trent Smith
I stand with about 150 others in a small auditorium in Kenai, Alaska. The sound of eager voices filling the room with worship chokes me up—as it often does—and I have to pause my own singing a moment to soak in it.
Somewhere in the past, between my interest in music and my faith in Jesus I fell in love with this sound, the beauty of voices worshiping together. I’ve experienced it in gatherings of thousands and I’ve found Jesus to be true to His promise—graciously present “in the midst” of even two or three. During my college years I studied music and my singular focus led to various musical opportunities and eventually to my first paid music ministry position in my early 20’s. I tried my best, muddled through and generally kept out of trouble. I was hired by a larger church in my later 20’s and then a “mega-church” in my 30’s. Things aren’t perfect in this ministry, but they are pretty great. I have an associate worship pastor. I have an admin. Our community of volunteer musicians are faithful and capable and fun to be with. The singers can sing. The players can play—the right parts in the right key…to a click. We have a sweet sound system and a couple nice mixing boards and people who get paid to mix and who know their stuff. There are IEM’s, high-end mics, stands that stand and some quality house instruments. I have a budget to hire orchestral musicians for seasonal events or to get creative with projects. Like I said—it’s great. The church community and staff are about as healthy as a group of sinners can be and when we worship together it is lovely. It is inspiring…
…And I also find myself inspired and moved as I worship with this Alaskan church. The platform is simple. There are a couple floor wedge monitors. Musicians gather in a semi-circle under the same cheery lights as the congregation. The song tempos feel a little loose. The mix is raw. A boy of about 11 holds one of the mics—singing alongside the adults. The “production value” isn’t like my church back home. Of course not! I’ve spent my entire career honing musical, leadership and production skills, getting to devote myself to my craft in the context of full-time ministry. I have a host of resources to draw from. Of course it is different. Yet in this moment, all I really notice is the beauty of this community worshiping together. I look at the leader and team and think of all the thousands of people just like them who work hard at their jobs all week and then faithfully offer their time and talent to show up Sunday after Sunday, year in and year out to help their communities worship. I don’t feel guilty that I am paid to be a worship pastor. I walked a path to get where I am. I work at it. But I am humbled and grateful knowing that for every one like me out there, there are a dozen more—quietly, faithfully serving their local church communities simply for the joy of loving God and their community.
So, if that’s you—from someone who does the full-time-gig-at-the-big-church thing—for whatever it’s worth…thank you. I have so much respect and admiration for what you give to your communities.
- Trent Smith
Twin Lakes Worship is the worship ministry of Twin Lakes Church in Aptos, CA. Led by worship leaders, Trent Smith and Elizabeth Hunnicutt Summers (aka Elizabeth Hunnicutt), their desire is to see people encounter the Living God through worship and be transformed in His Presence.
To pair with this blog post, we are featuring "Through It All" by Twin Lakes Worship and a stripped-down Acoustic Sessions video. "Through it All" is a beautiful piece that is a great reminder that Jesus loves us through everything. Charts for this song can be found on PraiseCharts through the link below.