I was in shock the moment I saw it.

There in the spotlight – a pack of cigarettes – protruding from the front pocket of our scheduled drummer.

I wasn’t leading worship, but I stood at the back and saw this happening right before my eyes.

This guy was new, for sure. He was a little rough around the edges with his personality. He had an older style. But we could deal with that because we were in need of drummers.

I wasn’t sure what to do. I pictured myself in the hot seat with my supervisor getting reprimanded for allowing this guy to play, let alone exposing his smoking habit for the whole church to see. [Read more…]

There’s a passage in Scripture that I’ve loved and questioned at the same time.

It’s a verse we use a lot in ministry. That verse is 2 Corinthians 12:8-10:

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

I’ve always wondered – do I intentionally pursue weakness so that Christ’s power may be displayed?

Should I ignore self improvement because it will show the glory of Christ more?

Does God have issues with talent?

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[Today’s post is written Aubrey McGowan. Aubrey is a worship pastor at Hope Fellowship and blogs over at Artist’s Permission Slip.]

Have you led an artistic person before? You probably know the struggle all too well.

As worship leaders, we are in contact with so many musicians who embody the traditional definition of artist.

They are brilliant, creative, skilled, talented, and yes, emotional. Artists are very engrossed and connected to their work.

This results in passion for their art, but also taking criticism or feedback very personally.

How do I know this? Because I am an artist.

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There’s an ebb and flow to ministry that can be annoying, wouldn’t you say?

Sometimes you feel on top of the world, like you’re making the biggest difference. The next day, you feel burned out, exhausted, alone, and wonder why you do what you do.

Sometimes your heart is broken. Sometimes you are overlooked, under appreciated, and feel worthless. Other times, compliments can make you think you are better than you really are.

But in today’s post I want to remind you of a few foundational truths that you can take to the bank. Ideas that you can rest your life upon. Promises that you can lean into when all else seems to fail.

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If I were to ask your worship team what you cared about the most, what would they say?

A convicting question, but an important one. The question of what primarily drives your ministry not only says a lot about you, but also the kind of disciples you are making.

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