An Interview with Rick Muchow

    Creator celebrates every church musician and worship leader, and the ministry of which they are a part. We regularly turn the “spotlight” on people involved in local ministry in order to help inspire and provide ideas for others. In our September/October 2009, issue, we spoke to one of the most dynamic and involved worship leaders in North Amercia: Rick Muchow, Pastor of Worship for Saddleback Church.

Muchow has been serving the Saddleback community for 22 years. He oversees the Worship Arts ministry, which consists of the Creative Arts, Technical Arts and Worship Leadership Teams. Rick also serves as one of 7 Elders which serve the ministry at Saddleback. Rick Warren is Muchow’s pastor. Rick has recorded 11 albums and has 84 songs registered with CCLI. He is the author of The Worship Answer Book (2006), published by by Thomas Nelson. He is a Contributing Editor for Christianity Today’s Leadership Journal. Rick also writes a monthly column called “Ask Rick” which is published by several magazines including Worship Musician. Rick has been married to Laura for 24 for years and they have 5 children.

CM: It is a pleasure to have you as our Spotlight Interview. Tell us a bit about your present position, please.
RM: I lead the Worship Arts Team, which is comprised of 3 teams: Creative Arts, Worship Leadership (Venues and worship leader development), and Tech Arts (live sound, video and lighting). I am responsible for leading worship in 6 services every weekend (Saturday at 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm, and Sunday at 9 am, 11:15 am, 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm).

CM: You have served as Pastor of Worship for 22 years! That is a long tenure by today’s standards! What do you think has kept you focused and faithful to this great church?
RM: My focus has been on serving the Lord and supporting my pastor’s philosophy of ministry – using the arts. It has been God’s calling for me to be here and I keep saying “thank you.” My pastor has high expectations and communicates them clearly. Fortunately for me I have been able to meet those expectations consistently, week after week, growing with the organization, making learning a priority, embracing change and leaning on the faithfulness of our Lord.

CM: Please tell our readers what it is like to serve this great church – with such a well-known and respected pastor? And, since most everyone know the name and reputation of your pastor, “Rick Warren,” does this translate well into staff relationships? In other words, how do you and the staff work together to serve the church? And, is the pastor ever around?
RM: This great church is my home. I love the people and the community we serve. I love being at the hospital the day someone is born and watching them grow to know the Lord and many times begin serving in ministry and or raising their own families. I love the opportunity of serving worship leaders and pastors from around the world. I love serving with a strong leader. Pastor Rick is the same guy he was when I met him 24 years ago. He loves Jesus passionately and his entire life is dedicated to fulfi lling the great commission and commandment. Pastor Rick is not always around – but his values and leadership are fully realized in every part of the church.

CM: In this day and age, it is very unusual for a minister of music to serve under a creative and innovative pastor, and who shares the common vision for the future of the church as it relates to music ministry. How would you describe the relationship with your pastor?
RM: My Pastor has been extremely supportive of our music ministry. In his book, The Purpose Driven Church, he writes that at one time, he underestimated the power of Music and Message working together to build a church. That was news to me because he has always encouraged and shown that he values what we do. As far as our relationship goes, he is extremely personable, sincerely so. He is a treasured friend and I show respect for his authority over me as my Pastor, mentor, and boss. In other words, when we are working, he is my boss and I do notexpect him to treat me like a buddy. When we are hanging out, he is still my Pastor but I try not to talk about work and will not take advantage of our friendship.

CM: In worship ministry we talk a lot about “leadership.” As our readers already know, “leadership” can be strong or weak, domineering or do anything just to get along. What kind of leader do you think you are and how has this style of leadership served you as you relate to the groups for which you are responsible and the congregations whom you serve?
RM: I think I am a very pastoral leader, one who is innovative, a builder, intuitive, extremely encouraging, personable and a risk taker. I have a great passion to include the volunteer into ministry and to connect the crowd to God. Rather than sing the solo, I would rather recruit a soloist and give them the opportunity to serve. Artistic excellence is a good value, but it is not the goal of ministry.

CM: Please tell our readers a bit about your family. Are they active in the music ministry of the church, also?
RM: Speaking of my family, how much time do you have? Laura and I have been married for 25 years. We have 5 children – all musical and all believers. My oldest son, Brandon, is a senior at Vanguard University and the contemporary worship leader at St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Newport Beach California. My son, Logan, is a Junior at California Baptist College in Riverside, studying ministry. My son, Jordan, is a fantastic blues guitar player and just had his 6th open heart surgery! Playing from the heart comes naturally for Jordan. My daughter, Megan, is a freshman at Saddleback College, loves her daddy and has been leading worship most of her life. My son, Nolan, is also a musician (he sings and plays piano). He plays middle linebacker for his high school football team and sings in the high school Madrigals.

CM: I know that because of your responsibility and visibility in a high profi le church you are a very busy man. I also know you are a popular clinician and travel quite a bit. How do you manage quality time with your family as well as staying connected with them – while continuing to do all you do for the church and beyond?
RM: Good question. I have a great wife who helps me keep my priorities straight. Pastor Rick also loves my family and insists that they are my priority.

CM: Tell our readers about Ask Rick. I think they would be interested in this aspect of your ministry and where they can see it.
RM: Ask Rick is simply articulating my approach to questions related to ministry. There are so many ways to approach Worship and worship ministry. I think because Saddleback has been a consistent model for churches around the world, Worship leaders and Pastors naturally send their ministry related questions to me. After answering these questions directly for years, I decided to start posting all answers on Encouragingmusic.com for anyone interested. Magazines began to ask for permission to print my answers and turn them into columns. I love the opportunity to encourage Pastors and Worship leaders

CM: Do you have any “trade secrets” you might share with us?
RM: No. If I shared them they would not be secrets now would they! But here are a few: (1) Honor your Pastor’s wife. (2) Stay out of church politics. (3) Keep your family your first ministry. (4) Keep learning. (5) Be fl exible. (6) Humility is a good thing. (7) Start the day with prayer and bible study. (8) Love God with all your heart, mind soul and strength. 1 Tim 3:1-7, Prov 3:5-6, James 1:19.

CM: In your opinion, what are the ingredients that make a person a good and effi cient worship leader? Is good leadership a part of this recipe?
RM: This is a very important question. Efficient Worship leaders come in all sizes, shapes and styles. The number one ingredient of the effi cient worship leader must be the calling of God. Leaders may be born – but they are also called. Looking at the examples of leaders in the Bible, there are many different types of leaders. The common denominator is calling. You know if you are the leader when there are people following you. As we all know, there are many attributes and disciplines that can increase the effectiveness of the leader. Fit is a key ingredient. What works in one church may not work in another. On a practical note, a good worship leader is like a good parent at Christmas. Good parents at Christmas know that Christmas day is not about them but for the children. Good worship leaders desire to connect the crowd to God and then get out of the way.

CM: I think our readers would like to know a couple of your personal heroes – those men/women who have meant a lot to you in your career and your musical and spiritual pilgrimage. Would you care to name a few?
RM: Dave Auda (led me to the Lord), Dr. Thurman George (my first Pastor and lifelong mentor), Mike McGuffey (pastor that encouraged me to work in ministry.) Tom Brooks (producer), Stan Endicott, Debby and Ernie Rettino, Dan Cathy (Chick-Fil-A), John Tyers (vocal teacher), Charlene Archibeque (Choral Director), Tim Davis (vocal director), Tom Tomasello (Producer), Daniel Bluestein (my fi rst guitar teacher), Chuck Fromm, Seth Riggs (Voice Teacher), Betty Gardner (high school drama teacher), Don Fugate, My wife and kids, Saddleback staff and pastors, Pastor Rick and Kay. I am sure there are many more, including Ron Pratt and OD Hall and Sheldon Russe.

CM: What was your greatest accomplishment in the last three years?
RM: Family.

CM: What was your greatest struggle in the last three years?
RM: The greatest struggle was my 3rd son’s recent heart surgery. He was 24 days in the hospital. Also one of the periods I have been the closest to God.

CM: What is the name/author/publisher of the last book you have most recently read?
RM: Legacy by James Michener, published by Fawcett.

CM: Is there a final thought would you like to leave with our readers, Rick?
RM: Psalm 95:1-6. Remember Who called you and what He called you to do. If you are discouraged, don’t give up!

CM: Rick, it has been a joy to do this interview. I am very impressed with you and your work. If I may, I’d like to give your email address, in case someone wishes to visit more in depth with you. Will this be alright with you, Sir?
RM: Yes! It is an honor to be a part of this issue because Creator is a wonderful resource to our worship community. If you are interested in contacting me please feel free to email, Twitter, Facebook me, and check out EncouragingMusic.com for Ask Rick articles, songs, charts and orchestrations. My email is rickm@saddleback.com.

CM: Bless you and your ministry, Rick. Thanks for helping us get to know you better.