Addressing the Awkward

I still remember it like yesterday. I start playing, eyes closed, and start singing—no belting—the wrong song. The slide operator was thrown for a loop, the rest of the band was lost (even though, c’mon guys the chords aren’t that different), and the congregation was just staring at me singing my unintended solo. I opened my eyes, only to close them as quickly as I could hoping all those people who were experiencing my mistake would somehow disappear.

Maybe you haven’t had your leader lead the wrong song, but maybe a slide was late or misspelled, maybe you had a tech failure, maybe you are one of the folks who ended up on @epicworshipfails (bless you). I am not here to give permission to be unprepared. Leaders, part of your act of worship is doing your absolute best (Col. 3:17). And please, if you haven’t been bringing your absolute best, repent! 

You have likely had to experience or perhaps been the cause of one (or many) of these awkward moments. If not, it’s coming! What to do? 

First, hear this: God is able. Your accidental blunder does not take away how magnificent our Savior is. Whether we blow it or bat 1.000, we have no bearing on the holiness and beauty of our Savior. Sure, you might have committed a small/major gaffe. But, read your bible and see all the mistakes God can transform for His glory and the good of His people. There are many cringe-worthy moments throughout the Scriptures. Do you know what? God can accomplish what he wants.

Next, address and own the awkward: Go ahead. It’s no secret that your voice cracked while you sang that song. It’s ok:) T ability to laugh at oneself can serve us well. Speaking of owning the awkward: sometimes the awkward moment was caused by someone else. Leader, is that something you could have helped avoid in preparation, in your training, in your expectations of your team? If so, own it for your team member. You’ll accrue trust from your church and team if you do. If the mistake is solely and completely on that other person, empathize with them.  Briefly acknowledge what happened, apologize if necessary or appropriate, and go to the next step.

A humble heart is important in these moments. Sure, it might be an honest mistake. Or it could be an awkward moment due to a lack of experience. If that’s the case, have a posture that’s ready to learn from those moments and perhaps the people who are in leadership over you. Another unintended benefit to those mistakes: you might give permission to someone to come as they are, mistakes and all. That’s a way to lead that you might not have intended.

Finally, move on: it happens. It will happen again. You know what? God is able.