Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast

When a Worship Leader is Tired

Does week to week ministry ever wear on you? Do you ever wish Sunday didn’t come so fast? What is the answer when you are tired and feel you just need a break? In all honesty, there are a couple observations we must make:

  • Ministry cannot be maintained simply on our energy level. It is the Holy Spirit’s work and we are His instruments. We cannot stop what God has called us to do because we are tired.
  • There is more to God’s mission strategy than just you…or me. Humbly accept the truth that God is moving across the world, working great wonders for His glory.

So what do we do to stay fresh?

  • Develop a disciplined habit of daily time in the presence of God. Worship Him for who he is and not simply for programming direction. Grow in your love for Jesus. I cannot stress the importance of this.
  • Listen to other worship leaders and glean from their experience.
  • Study the Word of God. When I am worn out, the Word of God gives me strength like nothing else.
  • Spend time with people. Ministry can keep us at our computers (like now!) and in the office for long periods of time. Quality time investing in people gives vision to worship ministry. Worship leading is more about people than tight music and good songs – it is about serving the body of Christ with what leads them to Jesus.

Any other thoughts?

On Listening to Music

I like music. I like to listen to a lot of music. And I think you need to give an album 3 listens before you judge it.

Here’s why:

  • We tend to dislike music the first time we hear it
  • Music will grow on you
  • We tend to like and listen to the same kinds of music…we need to be stretched
  • Partake of all an artist has offered (lyrics, music, artwork)…don’t just listen to hits
  • A great album is an album full of great songs, not just one or two
  • Take time to digest the message and spirit of an artist…it will teach you

If after this process you still don’t like it, your opinion is valid.

What do you think? Do you agree with my process?

The Pitfalls of "Professional" Ministry

What do you do when your profession is something spiritual? Are you a preacher? Do you lead worship? Are you a missionary? While it is important to lead and do ministry with excellence, the ‘professionalism’ of the ministry has the potential to destroy its power. Think about it:

  • What characterizes the best preachers? Not just the best speaker but the speaker most consumed by the Gospel.
  • What characterizes the best worship leaders? Not the most skilled musician/singer but a person passionately in love with Jesus.

While we do need the elements of talent and professionalism, don’t lose your heart. The world needs lives set on fire by the Gospel of Jesus.

Worship leader, in the hustle and bustle of weekly church life, don’t lose your quiet place of worship, tears, and intimacy with Jesus. Preacher, don’t allow the Gospel to become a secondary priority. Allow your heart to be constantly ravished by its glory.

Wide Awake Study Guide – Chapter 8

INVEST – The Romantic

•    Tell the group about your closest friend. Why do you consider them so close?

•    Read Mark 2:1-12. What does this passage have to do with close relationships?

“A life well lived isn’t about who walks the fastest but about who has the most people walking with them.”

•    The passage says, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” Why do you think his sins were forgiven because of the faith of the whole group?

•    Writing Exercise: Do you have friends you refuse to leave behind? As you pursue your dreams and goals and ambitions, do you have people in your life who are the kind of friends that, if they were not with you, you could no longer define that endeavor as successful? Write down your answer, naming specific people.

“They had moved to the level of living that they found satisfaction in the healing and wholeness of their friend. His success was their success.”

•    Is it easier to ‘do life’ alone? Why or why not?

Review of "Near"

My friend, Socrates Perez, from Orlando, FL recently reviewed my album.

Socrates and I met at the Christian Songwriter’s Conference in California. He is a great musician, worship leader, and songwriter. Very knowledgeable when it comes to the current music scene. Check out his blog.