The “other” day job – what matters

Some things matter. Some things matter more.

Nothing Wrong With A Day Job

I’ve gone through periods when my only income was from music. However, throughout most of my adult life, I’ve had a non-music source that provided most of the money coming into my accounts.

In addition to writing, composing, arranging, performing, and recording my own music, I’ve almost always had another music “day job”. Sometimes, these have been performing and directing music for a variety of organizations. Though typically, this work has been for a church.

Service Music

If you’ve been following my story for a while, it’s likely that you know I’m an ordained minister who only served as clergy for a brief time. After a few more years, I started to provide music for a variety of congregations. Because of my understanding of both theology and musicology, I have been able to serve this function well.

Not long ago, I took one of these church music positions as a second day job. It had promise. But my spouse asked me why I seemed so miserable while trying to do this work. I realized that I needed to take a risk.

This risk was to address my concerns head on without knowing the outcome. I had no idea how sharing my story would be heard. But I did. I asked to meet. We met. All of my concerns were heard with a gentleness and openness that I had not anticipated.

To Work Another Day

The result was that my position at this church became a source of joy for me. Instead of misery, these negotiations allowed me to shift. I wrote new songs, conducted choirs, sang solos, and did it all with a sense of integrity.

Fortunately for me, joy is contagious. The minister, the music committee, the choirs, and the congregation have responded in kind. I think that’s pretty cool.

I can’t promise bliss in the music programs I’m leading. But I can say that, for now, something good is happening. And that’s a good enough reason to carry on.