[This is Part 1 of a two part series on Helping your Volunteers Feel Valuable & Significant. Check out Part 2 here.]

Dear Worship Leader,

I’m a volunteer on your worship team.

Not sure if you remember me.

This might be hard to swallow, but I’m going to be stepping down from the team.

I know you probably hate me right now, but it’s just not working out.

Instead of just leaving, I thought I’d write you this personal letter explaining why I’m leaving. Maybe it could be of benefit to you. Thanks: [Read more…]

You may have experienced the feeling before.

Choked. Shot down. Misunderstood. Not sure if your art has its place within the local church. But just because you feel that way doesn’t mean it’s time for you to give up on it.

The local church is the place your art can find its greatest fulfillment – in building up the body of Christ and reaching people with the Gospel in unique ways.

Today I have the privilege of featuring the brilliance of some amazing people. These six creative experts have graciously agreed to offer their wisdom and insight into this issue: the creative working in the local church.

[Read more…]

Maybe that’s not a question you’ve considered before. But it may just revolutionize what you do. Consider how a great waiter makes your dining experience all the more enjoyable. When the service is poor, you have no desire to return. Even if the food was great, all you can talk about is the poor service.

I’ve found this to be true for worship as well.

A couple months ago my wife and I stayed at a local ski resort for a night. Inside our room when we arrived was a $25 gift card to a restaurant on the premise. Due to the kind gesture, we decided to try it out. A shuttle picked us up and dropped us off at the door. We were greeted by some very happy people. So far so good.

[Read more…]

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I’ve mentioned before how owning your senior pastor’s vision is important. Not only is it important, it is essential. There is a tendency among us worship leader/creative types to walk to the beat of our own drum. The truth is, you won’t reach your full potential as a leader until you learn to serve someone else’s vision.

When I finished college and was hired as a worship pastor, I wasn’t prepared to serve someone else’s vision. Bible college doesn’t necessarily prepare you for that. I had dreams and ideals. It wasn’t until I really submitted myself to a great, visionary leader that I began to grow like I never had before.

If you are on staff at a local church, you need to own your senior pastor’s vision with all your might. And if you can’t, it might be time for you to leave. I know that’s a bold statement. I know it may seem a little harsh.

But I think it’s important and here’s why:

[Read more…]