I can remember seeing Michael Jordan play live like it was yesterday.

For years I had followed his career, watched the games, collected the basketball cards, wore the shoes, and hung the posters on my wall. I was a fan, to say the least.

But something changes when you go from collecting a card to seeing your hero play live basketball in downtown Chicago. The atmosphere was electric and full of expectation and wonder.

Looking back, I’m sure I went a little overboard with Michael Jordan. I was literally obsessed. Every waking moment was spent collecting items, working on my ball handling skills, or thinking about Jordan. While it never progressed to kneeling prostrate before a shrine of MJ in my room and lifting high praise in a monotone chant, it was pretty close.

There’s a lot about this routine that resembles our relationship with Jesus, isn’t there? The live game resembles our corporate gatherings as well. The sad truth? We’ve lost the expectation. We’ve lost a sense of encounter. Our gatherings are devoid of expectation.

Let me site one more example.

It’s obvious that every Steeler fan across the country is upset right now. Sunday’s game was no way to leave the post season after a great regular season and having earning the coveted bye week. But my point isn’t to wallow in sadness.

For a Steeler fan, every game arrives with excitement and expectation. What is going to happen? What crazy catches will Antonio Brown make? How many defenders will Leveon Bell shake? My son and I watch with intensity. We shout, we jump, we sweat, we eat, we dance, we cry. It’s an edge-of-your-seat experience.

I’m not here to shame church-goers into being more like football fans. Nobody wants to see you shirtless with black and gold paint from head to toe. But I am saying that we’ve lost our sense of encounter, wonder, excitement, and expectation in our meetings with God – both personally and corporately.

And if we lose that, we lose everything.

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This is the year you become a worship leader. Yes, you. The one who’s been disqualifying yourself for years. You’ve told yourself you’re too old, too young, too this and too that.

Stop it. This is the year.

And what do worship leaders do? They worship, of course.

The best worship leaders don’t just study the art of worship leading. They are worshipers. They step out to lead because they know the transforming power of worship. Worship changes us. And we want others to experience the same thing.

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As worship leaders, we love compliments. We love to be validated for what we do.

While we don’t lead for the validation, it’s always nice when others confirm God’s call and say we’re going in the right direction. A few weeks ago was one of those moments.

Following the service, an older man approached me. No offense to older people, but it does make me nervous at times what they’re going to say. I’ve heard quite a few “it’s too loud,” “I don’t like the songs,” “I can’t even be in the room during worship” comments.

But even that negative feedback over the years has helped me. It’s helped me be a better leader. It’s helped me bend not just toward the next generation but the older generation as well. It’s helped me realize that worship isn’t just about being cool it’s about being compassionate to all generations and helping give voice to the people, not just myself.

So…back to the approaching older man.

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There’s not a worship team on earth that hasn’t had to address this question. The tension is alive. What is the lifecycle of a worship leader or a musician?

How old is too old? How young is too young? Does a multi generational worship team work? What are the best practices?

I’m sure you’ve been there. You’ve had conversations with your older team members and how they feel pushed out.

You might be an older singer, musician, or worship leader struggling with insecurity later in life.

• “Are my jeans skinny enough?”
• “Is my voice cool enough?”
• “Am I trendy enough?”
• “Do I have a place anymore?”

If you’ve thought this, let’s talk.

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You want to know what the best worship teams do? They worship.

Too often worship teams have a zealous leader, chasing God with all their heart and a band…a band that seems bored out of their minds at worst. At best, they like to play music.

But I believe God is after more in our churches, teams, and leaders. God is raising up people to shepherd the next generation. God is raising up a worshiping army in local churches – teams that are more interested in a glorious God than just great tone.

Their hearts are transfixed on the Master. They will never be the same again.

Before you start shouting amen, there’s something you need to be aware of:

If there’s one thing the enemy wants to discourage in your life, it’s worship.

If there’s one thing the enemy wants to take out in your team, it’s worship.

If there’s one thing the enemy wants to distract your church from, it’s true worship.

Why? Because worshipers cannot be stopped. True worshipers are the most resilient people.

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