Recently I had the opportunity to spend some time with a dear friend who sings, leads worship, writes songs and has a heart for shepherding the local church. He has developed a passion for teaching God’s word and now has opportunities to both lead his band AND to teach.

As God has given him new passions for teaching, I encouraged him to move in that direction, but to not give up his gifts in music and leading worship.

It reminded me that we are all created with unique gifts. God is opening the door for my friend to be able to teach at times and to lead worship at times. Someday he may have to choose which one will receive the most of his time, but for now, it is great to do them both as God opens the door.

Take a moment and think about your gifts. As you get older, try new things. Lead in a different way. It does not always have to be music. You may be gifted in media, or writing, or songwriting, or shepherding. Allow God to work in your life and lead your steps to new things.

Seek HIM first in everything and keep your heart focused on him. That should ALWAYS be your number one passion.

If you are responsible for leading the congregation in worship, you are also responsible for leading your team of vocalists, instrumentalists and media technicians.

Commit some time each week to pray for your team. Use Paul’s pray in Colossians 1 as an example.

1:9 “…we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” ESV

Pray this for your team:

- that they may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding

- that they would walk in a manner worthy of the Lord

- that they would be fully pleasing to the Lord

- that they would bear fruit in every good work

- that they would increase in their knowledge of God

God will be honored as you lift your team up in prayer to him.

When you lead worship, consider yourself a shepherd, caring for the people and leading them somewhere. There may be individuals who do not know the song you are leading, who are attending for the first time, or who are uncomfortable singing.

As the leader, constantly observe those who are singing. Encourage them and bring them into your worship experience.

Use words or phrases during the songs such as:

“sing with me”
“everyone sing”
“a little louder”
“put your hands together”

ENGAGE THE PEOPLE!

A little encouragement will go a long way in helping the congregation feel more comfortable in joining you as you sing and as they sing.

Plan ahead.
Be intentional.
Lead your people.

Many times worship leaders have the pastor or someone else on staff to help keep them accountable spiritually. But what about the members of the band?

If you are the worship leader in your church and you have instrumentalists and vocalists who are helping lead worship, consider encouraging them on a regular basis to be in God’s word. Help them to spend time in prayer. Help them to understand the songs being sung in worship.

They will appreciate your time and your investment.

Teaching new songs to your congregation is one of the unwritten job descriptions for every worship leader.

Try pointing your congregation to a source for them to listen to the song before you ever present it. You could simply post a blog or send an email with the songs that you plan to lead in upcoming weeks. Include links to iTunes or Spotify, etc. Encourage your congregation to listen to the songs several times before they attend worship. Help them to understand that corporate singing is stronger when everyone is singing and knows the song.

You may try singing a verse and chorus one week, then include the entire song on the second and third week. Experiment until you find what works best for you and your congregation.

The songs you teach may become a part of your worship repertoire for years to come.

The only way to effectively create and plan worship is to have time away from EVERYONE and EVERYTHING.

Find blocks of time each week to get away.

Spend time…
- praying
- reading scripture
- listening to new songs
- planning the order of worship
- learning the lyrics to the songs you will lead
- understanding the text
- preparing for rehearsal

Later in the week, spend time focused on every note, every transition, every word, every song, etc. Review every part of the service ALONE (before you do a final sound check and rehearsal).

You will grow stronger in your leadership if you grow stronger in your preparation. Start this week!

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord O My Soul) is a great song to add to your worship song list for your church (if you have not done so already). The chorus is based on Psalm 103.

Click HERE to read more about the song.

Find it on iTunes.