Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast

10 Scriptures From Jeremiah To Use When Leading Worship

Ever been in a worship leading situation where you needed a Scripture but you just couldn’t think of the right one? That’s why I think memorizing Scripture is so important for worship leaders. Matter of fact, it may be more important than learning songs.When a worship leader understands the scope Scripture and commits much of it to memory, he is better able to lead people in “spirit and truth” worship. Otherwise, he(she) merely relies on a songlist to do the job for him.
Sometimes worship leaders can speak too much and distract from worship. But other times the right Scripture spoken at the right time can unlock something powerful.

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7 Free iPhone Apps For Your Worship Ministry

I love how efficient the iPhone is. With a few amazing apps, you essentially have your personal computer with you wherever you go. In a previous post, I outlined some of my favorite apps.

In this post I wanted to highlight 7 apps that I use on a continual basis as a worship pastor. There is some overlap between posts, but here I’d like to highlight why and how I use it in a worship ministry context.

Did I say they were stinkin’ free?

A Simple Solution For Discouragement

Do you remember why you started leading worship? What gave you the desire to stand before people and lead them into the presence of God?

As I sit here this morning, I’m reminded of my own journey. I felt called. Not sure exactly what that means but I can tell you the moment my life’s trajectory changed was during worship. I don’t remember the sermon that night. I remember God reaching out to me in a moment of intense revelation.

I remember telling myself then, “I want to do that for the rest of my life. I want to lead people to know this amazing God.” Nothing is more worth my time and investment than pursuing Jesus and seeing people transformed in His presence. Nothing.

If you’re discouraged today, remember where you began. Revisit the feelings. Remember the word from God. Relive that “all-or-nothing” mentality. God is using you for a special purpose, even though you may feel lost in a sea of the same, week in and week out.

Don’t become so professional that you don’t pray. Don’t become so skilled that you don’t sing with tears. Don’t become so focused that you forget the Gospel and where God has brought you. Ministry rises and falls on that.

I’m praying for you today. And believing God that the best years of worship leading are ahead.

QUESTION: what do you do when you feel discouraged? What inspires you and focuses your heart?

10 Ways to Define Success as a Worship Leader

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A couple weeks ago I poised the question, “What do successful worship leaders do?” How do we define it?

If it doesn’t necessarily involve big tours and best selling records, what does it involve?


Here’s some ways I define success:

  • A congregation that engages in the worship experience
  • Musicians that improve musically
  • Musicians that grow closer to Christ
  • A team that grows numerically
  • Other worship leaders are being raised up
  • Music serves people rather than distracts
  • A team that worships and has a passion for God’s glory
  • A discipleship plan is in place
  • A team that follows and respects your leadership

Notice that all these items don’t just involve you. Effective worship leaders don’t just look internal, they pour themselves out for others. That’s the nature of leadership and the nature of a successful worship leader.

Notice there were only 9 ways listed. The last one is for you to add. What defines success for you as a worship leader?

Nobody is Talented

This book and this book ruined me for blaming extraordinary performance on talent.

It’s true that if you’re 4′ 5″ you won’t beat Lebron James in one on one. Your physical DNA is a good starting place for certain career paths.

But it’s not everything.

Those who are extraordinary:

  • work extremely hard
  • show up when they don’t feel like it
  • seek out mentors
  • invest hours upon hours of time improving
  • increase their knowledge
  • practice well
  • fail a lot
  • refuse to give up
  • invest financially in getting better
  • contribute more than consume
  • wake up early
  • think differently about failure
  • consume a lot
  • manage their time well
  • don’t watch much TV
  • think differently about success
  • see their work as more than work
  • would do what they do for free
  • admit when they’re wrong and where they’re weak
  • learn things wherever they are and whomever they’re with
  • have a driving passion

Don’t blame your inability to succeed on ‘not having enough talent’.

What do you think? Are people talented or do they just work hard and have unique experiences that make them better?