Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast

7 Traits Of A Trustworthy Worship Leader

7 traits (1)

Do you think worship leading as more than what happens in church? I see it as more a way of life than a vocation or leading people in song.

Worship leaders lead with their lives.

The song we sing everyday makes the gathering more meaningful. Private fuel gives rise to corporate fires. And that is everyone’s responsibility. The gathered church can’t rely on the worship leader and the worship leader can’t rely on the church. We have a responsibility to:

“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come into his courts” (Psalm 96:8).

It never says to ascribe glory when you feel like it. Or to ascribe glory when it’s convenient. We’re not called to worship when the band is good. We all have a responsibility.

[Read more…]

The Truth About What It Means To Be A Worship Leader

What it Really Meansto Be a Worship Leader (1)

Leading worship. It’s a term we throw around a lot.

We idolize the uber talented ones. It’s a key position in churches across the globe. But do you know what’s interesting? It’s not in the Bible. God never calls or commands people to lead in worship. That terminology is simply never used.

Sure, there is plenty of music in the Bible. We know we are to make a joyful noise and praise the Lord with loud, clashing cymbals. But there are no commands to lead worship. Why is this? Is this just a human construct that we have completely off base?

I don’t think so. Entirely. We just need to clarify what it means to “lead.” What does it mean to lead people in worship? What is the role of a worship leader? We hear a lot of catch phrases surrounding this:

  • “Wow, you really led us to the throne room today!”
  • “You ushered us into the presence of God.”
  • “The presence of God is so strong on him(her).”
  • “Your anointing shifted the atmosphere.”

If I’m honest, some of these statements make me queasy. Why? Because we’re placing too much stock in the worship leader person than the person of Christ.

Have we become too dependent on worship leaders and not dependent enough on Christ?

[Read more…]

The Trend Of Young Worship Leaders And What It Takes To Succeed

the trend

Going to college didn’t prepare me for leading worship.

Taking music lessons didn’t prepare me for leading worship.

Worship songs didn’t prepare me for leading worship.

Theology didn’t prepare me for leading worship in the local church.

Of course, that’s not entirely true. I learned some invaluable things in college. Music lessons taught me discipline. It’s hard to lead worship without songs. Good theology ensures your leadership is rooted in scripture.

But there’s so much more to leading…than that. And that comes down to the people. It comes down to having compassion for the people you serve. It comes down to leading with bold faith and a broken heart for the needs scattered across the room.

Without sounding too cliche, it’s leading like Jesus did. He was busy yet he could always stop for someone in need. He spoke to large crowds, yet he had compassion because they were like sheep without a shepherd.

He balanced big ministry – the most massive ministry in history – with loving “the one”.

No…I wasn’t prepared for this kind of ministry. But I’m so glad to be learning it.

[Read more…]

Dear Worship Leader, Stop Trying to Prove Yourself

Spirit and sacrament (1)

Dear Worship Leader,

There’s only one opinion in the universe that really matters.

But if you’re like me, you live and work as if it’s not enough. It’s not enough that God has chosen to love you, called you, equipped you, and has your back.

You would never say that God’s love isn’t enough but your actions prove it. You’re not satisfied with who you are, where you are, what you’re doing.

You just want somebody to notice you, to admire you, to give you the approval your heart seeks. But if I know anything about approval, I know that when it comes it doesn’t satisfy. It’s never enough.

[Read more…]

6 Leadership Lessons Learned From Our Second Live Worship Recording

www.joeykennedyphotography.com
www.joeykennedyphotography.com

This past week was a special week. It was the the recording of Allison Park Worship’s second full-length worship album, All for Jesus, releasing this December.

Now that I’m on the other side of the live recording, I wanted to share some reflections. This isn’t to brag about what we accomplished. I simply want to share some leadership thoughts that will challenge and encourage you in your big projects.

That’s what my blog and podcast is for – to equip you to be a better leader in your local church.

Here we go…

[Read more…]