Over the past several months I've decided to make some major investments and none of them have anything to do with my retirement funds nor are they remotely tied to a 401K. The investments I'm making are in the lives of "young guns" - these are young worship leaders that will one day replace me. I'm intentionally pouring everything I have into their hearts, minds, spirits, and ministries. While I will always be a worshipper, the reality is I'm not going to be leading worship the rest of my life. There are four young worship leaders that I'm taking time to meet with regularly.
Leadership is everything. Here's the short version of what I'm saying to them. I believe there are three essentials for the worship leader. Today I'm sharing one of them:
#!: COMPETENCE
This means you possess a level of musicianship that others will understand, follow, and achieve. Communication is the tool you must keep sharp. If your view of worship starts with a vision of you standing on a stage, forget it, you've got it backwards. To experience authentic worship you must champion Christ as King. Leader, you must be able to . .
* Think on your feet; be flexible.
* Understand your pastor thinks his best ideas happen on Saturday night. Saturday night is not an off-night. Ever.
Saturday nights are for thinking, praying, walking through the Sunday plan again and again.
* Never burden the teaching pastor with an issue that can be dealt with on Monday morning. Your goal is for your pastor to turn on his mike (confident that it will work) and speak unhindered.
* Manage musicians (i.e. artists). This means helping them see Jesus is center; not their art, skill, or ego.
* Follow God's Spirit. You can't lead people where you haven't been yourself.
* Think two steps ahead.
* Always be prepared for the electricity to go off, the projector to quit, or your guitar string to break. The
best advice I can give you is ACT LIKE YOU MEANT FOR THE ELECTRICITY TO GO OFF and that it was part of the plan.
* Don't "hope" people will understand what you want them to do; tell them. And, tell them when they're not
doing what you envisioned. You don't have to be unkind; you do have to be clear.
* Unless you're in a mega-church and someone is doing your hair and make-up, the tech booth, no, EVERYTHING in the worship center is your responsibility. Handle it. If it doesn't work be prepared to hear about it at Tuesday
morning staff meeting. Own it. Fix it.
* Pray with your team. Make it more than a cursory "Hey, let's pray." And, worship leaders, stop praying, "God,
we just want you to show up." This is bad theology and sounds like we don't know scripture. God IS omnipresent.
**Next: CHARACTER and CALLING. "Young guns" get ready.
Our family enjoys playing music. My daughter, Lindsey played the clarinet in jr. high, high school, and college. My son, Bryce, played the drums. Both were in the Wentzville High School marching band. This meant traveling on the weekends, sitting in bleachers in rain & snow, drinking lots of hot chocolate, and becoming a fan of marching band competitions. It actually was a lot of fun.
During that time, Bryce decided he wanted to play drums in a band and so we bought him a kit. Moms and dads, you know how it works . . . "Okay, we'll buy you a drum set, but you have to pay us back." Riiiiight. That would be a great national stat to track; how many musical instruments are in closets or basements collecting dust?
They weren't just a starter kit; nooooo. This was a candy apple red Pearl edition we purchased from Mozingo Music in St. Louis.
Bryce started a band with several of his high school friends. They practiced weekly and played weird music by bands I'd never heard of. They even played cover songs by Chicago that (when they got through with it) didn't sound anything like Chicago. Anyway, they had fun.
Then one day Bryce lets us know they booked a show at a local coffee shop/diner! They get ready for their big show. The audience turned out to be the moms and dads and a couple of potential girlfriends. When they were through we gave them hugs, congratulated them, and the owner handed them a check for $25. (Long pause.) Everybody's gotta start somewhere, right? I mean it's better than playing a sax outside Busch Stadium in 104 degree heat, isn't it?
Here's the kicker . . . that was the last time the band played. They'd hit their mark. The band broke up, the drums moved back into our basement, and Bryce heads to Mizzou.
Fast forward.
A church needed a set of drums for their ministry, so Bryce, now a college student, sold his drums to them. He got his check, they got the drums. End of story. No, not quite.
That ministry used the drum kit for six months; someone decides they need a new kit, so Bryce's kit gets bagged and put in storage. There they sat . . . for 5 years.
This past week we launched a new ministry at Fellowship Bible Church; FELLOWSHIP KIDS introduced "live worship." Singers, a loud band, dancing, and fun. My understanding is that when the band began to play (which the kids had never experienced before) the children just stood there kinda shocked, then halfway through the first song began to clap, dance, and move to the worship songs.
This past week Cheri Bradley and I talked and realized there are some needs for the worship team. One of them was a drum kit.
(You're getting ahead of me.)
That's right . . . we found Bryce's old kit and Fellowship Bible bought them out of storage, dusted them off, and today they sit in FELLOWSHIP KIDS ready to use this Sunday! When I was cleaning them up this morning I thought, "One kid got a blessing out of using these. God, I dedicate these drums again to you that many children would receive a blessing. Maybe one of these kids will grow up and be a worship pastor or be a drummer in some type of ministry. Take these drums and use them for Your glory. They belong to You, God."
Here's my question. How many spiritual gifts and talents are sitting in the "closet of your heart" or in your "basement of fear." The truth is, God already bought and paid for them. Maybe it's time to dust them off and bring them out of storage.
During that time, Bryce decided he wanted to play drums in a band and so we bought him a kit. Moms and dads, you know how it works . . . "Okay, we'll buy you a drum set, but you have to pay us back." Riiiiight. That would be a great national stat to track; how many musical instruments are in closets or basements collecting dust?
They weren't just a starter kit; nooooo. This was a candy apple red Pearl edition we purchased from Mozingo Music in St. Louis.
Bryce started a band with several of his high school friends. They practiced weekly and played weird music by bands I'd never heard of. They even played cover songs by Chicago that (when they got through with it) didn't sound anything like Chicago. Anyway, they had fun.
Then one day Bryce lets us know they booked a show at a local coffee shop/diner! They get ready for their big show. The audience turned out to be the moms and dads and a couple of potential girlfriends. When they were through we gave them hugs, congratulated them, and the owner handed them a check for $25. (Long pause.) Everybody's gotta start somewhere, right? I mean it's better than playing a sax outside Busch Stadium in 104 degree heat, isn't it?
Here's the kicker . . . that was the last time the band played. They'd hit their mark. The band broke up, the drums moved back into our basement, and Bryce heads to Mizzou.
Fast forward.
A church needed a set of drums for their ministry, so Bryce, now a college student, sold his drums to them. He got his check, they got the drums. End of story. No, not quite.
That ministry used the drum kit for six months; someone decides they need a new kit, so Bryce's kit gets bagged and put in storage. There they sat . . . for 5 years.
This past week we launched a new ministry at Fellowship Bible Church; FELLOWSHIP KIDS introduced "live worship." Singers, a loud band, dancing, and fun. My understanding is that when the band began to play (which the kids had never experienced before) the children just stood there kinda shocked, then halfway through the first song began to clap, dance, and move to the worship songs.
This past week Cheri Bradley and I talked and realized there are some needs for the worship team. One of them was a drum kit.
(You're getting ahead of me.)
That's right . . . we found Bryce's old kit and Fellowship Bible bought them out of storage, dusted them off, and today they sit in FELLOWSHIP KIDS ready to use this Sunday! When I was cleaning them up this morning I thought, "One kid got a blessing out of using these. God, I dedicate these drums again to you that many children would receive a blessing. Maybe one of these kids will grow up and be a worship pastor or be a drummer in some type of ministry. Take these drums and use them for Your glory. They belong to You, God."
Here's my question. How many spiritual gifts and talents are sitting in the "closet of your heart" or in your "basement of fear." The truth is, God already bought and paid for them. Maybe it's time to dust them off and bring them out of storage.
Worship. Period.
This past Sunday was a remarkable day at Fellowship Bible Church as we launched our winter "Transformer" Holy Spirit series. We were very intentional about asking the Spirit of God to be evident, powerful, and present in our worship.
There was a freedom that I had not experienced since arriving at FBC. It was evident the Holy Spirit was moving; people lifting hands, eyes closed, singing at the top of their voices. God gave us an added blessing as a girl with Down's Syndrome spontaneously came to the edge of the stage and shared her version of "sign language." It was her way. No one freaked out or looked around as if to say, "Someone get this girl under control." In fact, it was met with warmth and tears. There was an innocence about it that made it pure.
A woman knelt in the aisle and lifted her hands in worship as we sang the words, "Savior, He can move the mountains, our God is mighty to save..."
There were moments at the end of singing when it seemed proper and worshipful to wait on God, listen, and wait longer. It was not manipulated. It was completely unscripted and God-honoring. Time, schedule, and "flow in worship" did not matter. To interrupt the Spirit's move would only have served to get in His way.
I've experienced moments like this personally and privately, but as a lead worshipper these are the seasons I pray for and ask the Spirit to bring to the church.
As a 58-year-old worship leader my convictions continue to be affirmed that performance-driven worship is an exercise in futility. It is an entertaining, singular event, that craves attention for itself. It's like a cruise ship with an entertaining crew, dream destination, and great view . . . but no engine. You can gage it by what people say after worship: it focuses on the singer, the band, that "new song", the guitarist, talent, and set design.
Authentic worship seeks the gaze of God, asking Him to restore our purity and passion. Period.
As a worshipper, my goal has never been to fit into the "mission and vision" of a particular church. Too small. My pursuit is higher. My aim is loftier. I will not be put off, turned out, detoured, or denied. My mission and vision are global and greater -
God's church worshipping in Spirit and in truth "on earth as it is in heaven."
There was a freedom that I had not experienced since arriving at FBC. It was evident the Holy Spirit was moving; people lifting hands, eyes closed, singing at the top of their voices. God gave us an added blessing as a girl with Down's Syndrome spontaneously came to the edge of the stage and shared her version of "sign language." It was her way. No one freaked out or looked around as if to say, "Someone get this girl under control." In fact, it was met with warmth and tears. There was an innocence about it that made it pure.
A woman knelt in the aisle and lifted her hands in worship as we sang the words, "Savior, He can move the mountains, our God is mighty to save..."
There were moments at the end of singing when it seemed proper and worshipful to wait on God, listen, and wait longer. It was not manipulated. It was completely unscripted and God-honoring. Time, schedule, and "flow in worship" did not matter. To interrupt the Spirit's move would only have served to get in His way.
I've experienced moments like this personally and privately, but as a lead worshipper these are the seasons I pray for and ask the Spirit to bring to the church.
As a 58-year-old worship leader my convictions continue to be affirmed that performance-driven worship is an exercise in futility. It is an entertaining, singular event, that craves attention for itself. It's like a cruise ship with an entertaining crew, dream destination, and great view . . . but no engine. You can gage it by what people say after worship: it focuses on the singer, the band, that "new song", the guitarist, talent, and set design.
Authentic worship seeks the gaze of God, asking Him to restore our purity and passion. Period.
As a worshipper, my goal has never been to fit into the "mission and vision" of a particular church. Too small. My pursuit is higher. My aim is loftier. I will not be put off, turned out, detoured, or denied. My mission and vision are global and greater -
58 Yards to Go!
Talked with a buddy of mine this afternoon. He's getting ready to leave his place of ministry. How many people know his plan? . . . his wife, family, and one staff member know it. There's a timeline, a "launch date", if you will, when God has said, "It's time. Go."
What makes this so foreign to us? Comfort. What works best for me. Convenience. You see, he doesn't know where his next ministry location will be; he only knows that God has asked him to leave his current place of ministry and get ready for the next one. Sounds crazy doesn't it. (After all, there's a fine line between holy boldness and stupidity.)
I could hear the excitement in his voice. Humanity tapping into Divinity. It was like witnessing the marriage of uncertainty and confidence. As he said, "Going, but not knowing."
It was a great opportunity to encourage, pray, and bless him for being obedient to God's call.
It reminded me of two types of games . . . the game where you have the ball, you're up by 28 points, and your opponent couldn't find a win if it kicked 'em in the butt.
In the other game there's only 0:46 on the clock, you're down by 6, and you have 58 yards to go. Which is more challenging; exciting? The second of course. Why? The answer is in not knowing.
God bless you, my friend, in your final 58 yards. God's victory is in your grasp. Run the race. Be faithful to what He called you to do. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord . . ." (Jeremiah 29:11)
What makes this so foreign to us? Comfort. What works best for me. Convenience. You see, he doesn't know where his next ministry location will be; he only knows that God has asked him to leave his current place of ministry and get ready for the next one. Sounds crazy doesn't it. (After all, there's a fine line between holy boldness and stupidity.)
I could hear the excitement in his voice. Humanity tapping into Divinity. It was like witnessing the marriage of uncertainty and confidence. As he said, "Going, but not knowing."
It was a great opportunity to encourage, pray, and bless him for being obedient to God's call.
It reminded me of two types of games . . . the game where you have the ball, you're up by 28 points, and your opponent couldn't find a win if it kicked 'em in the butt.
In the other game there's only 0:46 on the clock, you're down by 6, and you have 58 yards to go. Which is more challenging; exciting? The second of course. Why? The answer is in not knowing.
God bless you, my friend, in your final 58 yards. God's victory is in your grasp. Run the race. Be faithful to what He called you to do. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord . . ." (Jeremiah 29:11)
New Year, New Ministry
This past year I was given a new assignment which meant relocating to a new ministry position, new church, new community. I cannot tell you when I've been more excited about serving and helping a church become all that God wants it to be. Jo and I have received a warm welcome as the people there have been incredibly helpful.
I've been traveling to Nicaragua with Project H.O.P.E. teams for the past 12 years. Last year I went with the team from Fellowship Bible Church. Little did I know that for the past 12 years God was building friendship and unity of spirit with the people I would one day be journeying with on a daily basis.
Everyday I'm learning more about my new ministry partner, Phillip Wright, and the rest of the staff team. They are great people that love to laugh, work hard, and care deeply for one another. Part of my assignment includes mentoring/coaching five staff leaders. Meeting with them is one of the absolute highlights of my week!
The worship team at Fellowship is innovative, talented, fearless, and teachable. I unashamedly confess this, and I knew it wouldn't take long, I love these people. Our hearts are set on pursuing excellence, welcoming God's Spirit, and expressing our love for God.
Jo and I are grateful to be at Fellowship Bible Church of Rogersville. We are home.
I've been traveling to Nicaragua with Project H.O.P.E. teams for the past 12 years. Last year I went with the team from Fellowship Bible Church. Little did I know that for the past 12 years God was building friendship and unity of spirit with the people I would one day be journeying with on a daily basis.
Everyday I'm learning more about my new ministry partner, Phillip Wright, and the rest of the staff team. They are great people that love to laugh, work hard, and care deeply for one another. Part of my assignment includes mentoring/coaching five staff leaders. Meeting with them is one of the absolute highlights of my week!
The worship team at Fellowship is innovative, talented, fearless, and teachable. I unashamedly confess this, and I knew it wouldn't take long, I love these people. Our hearts are set on pursuing excellence, welcoming God's Spirit, and expressing our love for God.
Jo and I are grateful to be at Fellowship Bible Church of Rogersville. We are home.
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