A longtime organist and choir director friend is writing a book about time management for musicians. Running throughout is advice on how to recruit and deal effectively with both volunteers and professional assistants—and sometimes, why and how to let them go. He points out that not everyone has to be best friends, but all members of the team have to share the leader’s vision and goals. The art of listening to volunteers and assistants is the key to catching small problems and preventing bigger ones down the road.

That’s exactly what Jesus was doing in Sunday’s Gospel. There the sons of Zebedee were jockeying for political position. They were hearing the words but not understanding the meaning of what Jesus had told them, so he called the Twelve together and explained the hard realities to them: do as I do. “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life for many.”

Many problems with volunteer music ministry members and professional assistants (accompanists, etc.) arise from our not making clear our vision and goals for the group. Have we given them a chance to speak their mind on what we ought to be doing in the next year or five? Do we have informal social gatherings in which people can be themselves? Do we let them know they are valued? Or do we assume that they’re just doing what they’re supposed to do? That’s anti-motivation!

Music ministry is one of the most time-consuming ministries in the church. It requires certain talents, such as matching pitch (that not everyone has); regular attendance at rehearsals (this is crucial); and being at least pretty much on the same page. If there’s grumbling in the group, get it out in the open and deal with it honestly. It’s what Jesus did.