Here is the interview with Paul Langford:

#1. What was your best memories of working at Willowcreek?

The best part of working at Willowcreek was seeing God move and act in ways that were beyond human explanation or expectation. No matter how big the production or how talented the people, I always was struck by the fact that God didn't really need any of that or any of us to accomplish His purposes. He always seemed to use the place and the people (and still does), but often inspite of a lot of things.

It was also amazing to see so many gifted people unified in a single purpose and mobilized in such an effective way so often.

#2. What was your role at Willowcreek?

I was one of the music directors. This involved charting and transcribing music and leading a band one weekend a month. Each music director had to lead a band one day of each conference (about once a quarter), and these services often involved scoring music for videos, and creating sequenced tracks to enhance live peformances.

#3. Are there areas outside of just the Worship Leader role for the Christian musician to serve in the church?

I am not sure if you mean the church in general or Willowcreek specifically. Willow Creek has around 500 volunteers in the music area. This includes singers, those who play instruments, technical team people (sound and video), dancers, stage team, volunteer adminstrators and visual artists.

#4. What motivates you to get up each morning and do what you do?

I am motivated by the fact that I really love music and feel thankful to get to do it for money. Also, a fairly large portion of what I am hired to do is actually music that I enjoy and other musicians that I enjoy working with. Pretty motivating when you think of it.........

I also feel a strong, positive obligation to pursue the dreams of my heart (which I believe to come from God) and to try to best apply my gifts and talents which I also believe He gave me. I want to be able to honestly say to myself that I did the best I could with what I had.

#5. What are you doing now and what services do you offer the local church?

Now I consider myself a freelance musician. I do custom arranging for anything and everything: choirs, orchestras, big bands, acappella groups, soloists. I also transribe music from existing recordings, particularly if the printed music is not available or if what is available is not really accurate. I sing for radio and T.V. commercials, and am available for any and all live work. This includes leading worship at churches and or leading the band and choir at churches, as well as parties, weddings and corporate events. I produce and arrange for all types of recording sessions, and I also have a home studio and do a lot of producing, arranging and sequencing for smaller budget recording projects.

#6. What words of encouragement could you give to the struggling musician and music minister who feels inadequote in their music skills?

My first thought is to say that I empathize fully! I always felt (and still do, most days) inadequate to the challenges of being a church music guy. This included the musical challenges and the ministry and personality challenges. It always drove me to my knees eventually, though, which of course is a good thing. I ended up just saying, "God, I really cannot handle this or pull this off on my own, and I desperately need Your help. Please empower this music, so it won't just be a concert. Please give me wisdom to deal with this conflict, please help me know what is important to spend time on and what isn't. Please help me choose music that will do Your work in people's hearts. Please help me humble and holy and looking to You. Please help me to deepen my own worship so I can lead others with sincerity and authenticity. Prayers like that were often where I ended up, although not always immediately. Sometimes in my pride and stubborness and ignorance I would struggle around in my own strength, and then when it fell flat I would remember what i was supposed to do! If a person feels a genuine call to be in church music, and they constantly rely on God's strength and presence instead of their own, I would have to say they are going about it the right way and I would cheer them on.

Paul's website is http://www.paullangfordmusic.com