Get Check – Go Home

October 31, 2012 in Lead Worshiper, Leadership | Comments Off

If your church is able to pay musicians, it is important to find individuals who are not serving just because they are paid. Some musicians (both vocalists and instrumentalists) can become more interested in getting paid than in playing or singing. Your event becomes just another gig.

So, if you are the leader responsible for hiring musicians, be sure to check their heart, check their references, and check their attitude before committing to hire them.

ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS…
Is this person I am considering hiring a team player?
Is this individual already volunteering in other ministry areas?

Strengthen your team by helping them understand the reward of serving others in ministry, whether they get paid or not.

SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS….  Psalm 100:2

 

 

 

Background Check?

October 6, 2012 in Before the Search | Leave a Comment

In “church work” we expect everything to be true on an application or in the information that is told to us in an interview. However, there are individuals with criminal activity on their personal record who interview for ministry positions. If you, the interviewer, do not ask the right questions, or if the interviewee lies with his/her answers, you may not find important information that will help you make the right decision about employing the applicant with your organization.

The money and time spent on helping you make wise decisions in your interview process will pay off with quality employees who bring value to your organization.

 

Two Work Segments Per Day

October 2, 2012 in Leadership | Leave a Comment

A friend recently shared with me that his pastor requires all full time staff to break the work day into three segments: 1) morning; 2) afternoon; 3) evening. Each full time staff person can only work two segments in one day. The other segment must be given to family and/or personal time.

So often, leaders work long morning hours, long afternoon hours, then much of the evening. They will eventually burn out if there is not time to rest and recharge.

If you are responsible for full time staff members, give them the freedom to only work two segments per day. Also, for those who are workaholics, hold them accountable to take time off.

Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Read Matthew 11:28-30.
Rest in Jesus.
Rest.

He is Able to Humble

August 29, 2012 in Heart of Worship | Leave a Comment

Daniel 4 describes King Nebuchadnezzar’s pride. Take a few minutes and read Daniel 4.

It is easy for pride to swell in the hearts of worship leaders while singing and leading songs that speak of a humble heart.

Verse 37 says, “… those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

Spend time alone with God this week. Read Daniel 4. Ask God to show you the areas in your life that are full of pride. Humility is not easy, but as worship leaders, we need to learn to walk with a humble heart. If you are willing, pray that God will make you humble, ALL for His glory and honor. Then, in times of brokenness, thank him for answering your prayer.

A HEART AFTER GOD
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Ps 51:10 ESV
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

 

Consistent Blocks of Time

July 24, 2012 in Lead Worshiper | Leave a Comment

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!

 

 

Build One Relationship at a Time

July 18, 2012 in After the Hire | Leave a Comment

Worship Leader:

When you arrive at a new church, you experience relationship overload. So many new faces, new names, and new ideas…. all coming to you at once. It is impossible to really get to know everyone at the same time.

Find two or three individuals who seem to have the same values as you do. Begin to find ways they can help you move toward your vision and goals. Invest in them and allow them to invest in your ministry.

Take your time and God will be honored.

 

 

 

10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman

July 10, 2012 in Lead Worshiper | Leave a Comment

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.

 

Your Search Team Needs to Understand the Task

July 5, 2012 in Before the Search | Leave a Comment

PASTOR & SEARCH TEAM:

When searching for a new worship pastor or worship leader, you must dive in and get familiar with all the aspects of the job description. So often, the pastor, staff or search team do not understand the complexity of the position. They know the end result they want, but don’t fully grasp all it takes to put together the worship experience.

For instance, the worship pastor is usually responsible for many parts of the service.
- recruiting the band
- rehearsing the band
- preparing all the parts for instrumentalists
- determining what is to be memorized
- communicating with the pastor and media team
- finding new songs to teach the congregation
- determining a balance of worship songs that fit the church

There is a musicianship knowledge that is required for being able to both communicate and lead the instrumentalists and vocalists.
- a reasonable understanding of each instrument
- comprehension of the level of musicianship of each instrumentalist
- the singing range of all vocalists
- knowing the ability of vocalist to sing harmony or not

If you are responsible for looking for the next worship leader for your church, talk to other worship pastors in area churches. Ask them to tell you about their week and what it takes to get ready for Sunday. Doing your homework early will help you put together the job description and expectations for the person you want to be your next leader.

Once the information is gathered, write a sample job description and let other worship leaders review it. The end job description may not be as detailed, but this process will help the pastor and search team better understand the details it takes in preparation to make Sunday look and feel very natural, which leads to a stronger worship experience for everyone who attends.

Though I Walk in the Midst of Trouble

July 2, 2012 in Heart of Worship | Leave a Comment

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of my hands.” Psalm 138:8

To gain a better understanding of David’s prayers in the psalms, you must read I Samuel. There are 31 chapters. Commit to read one chapter each day for a month. You may want to read it several times in a day and meditate on all that God shows you. Then, the following month, read 5 psalms each day (30 days x 5 psalms = 150 psalms). Repeat this pattern, reading in one month all of I Samuel, then in the next month all of the psalms. As you read, ask God to show you how to have a heart after the Lord like David did.

Allow God to search your heart and to draw you near to him. Look for all he is teaching you, during the good days AND during the difficult times of life. God WILL work all things together for good for those WHO LOVE HIM. (Rom 8:28)

A HEART AFTER GOD
Seeking him in his word, daily.

 

 

Where to Begin

June 22, 2012 in After the Hire | Leave a Comment

(READ if you are starting as the new worship leader.)

Once you have gone through all the interviews, you may be overwhelmed with where to start on your new job. You are getting to know the others working with you. You are adjusting to a new schedule and new environment. AND, you are now responsible for leading others.

As you begin gathering all the ideas and suggestions, write them down. Make 3 categories: 1) Yes – immediate action; 2) Maybe – look more into it soon; 3) Maybe – someday. If you are the new lead worshiper (worship pastor) for the church, your primary goal each week is to plan and lead worship.

TAKE YOUR TIME. Prioritize all the ideas. Look at the YES action items and lay out a calendar plan of when to work on those items. Gather volunteers who are passionate about the same ideas and lead them to help you move toward completing the new tasks.

Just remember, it may take you six months to a year to implement new ideas and changes. Your top priority is leading worship. Give it your best each and every week.

 

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