Worship Podcast & Blog
Being a part of a church worship team is a great experience – it’s fun, meaningful, and educational.
But it’s also a big responsibility. Much is at stake.
It’s more than just a gig, a place to use your gifts, or a small group to be a part of. You are a servant. And there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it.
[This guest post is by Rob Morgan of therobmorgan.com]
So you’ve been playing on your worship team for the past few years now and are starting to feel pretty comfortable with the music, right? I mean, nobody can nail that Brewster guitar solo like you [except for Lincoln himself… maybe.]
You’ve figured out all the instrumentation on the new Gungor album and even have a melodica on hand just waiting for your Planning Center schedule to give you the go ahead.
Even so, as musicians and artists playing in the local church, we are faced with a challenge that you may not have even recognized is there.
How do you go from being what I call a ‘Human Jukebox’ (just replaying what someone else wrote & recorded) to unlocking your own creative potential?
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You are so much more than a musician.
You’re not just a replaceable, dispensable instrumentalist.
You play a significant role in leading people to encounter God by your skill, your sensitivity, your humility, your stage presence, your worship.
That’s why we as worship leaders love when you’re prepared. You make it easier for people to meet with Jesus.
But I’m going to have to ask you to step down for a season. Trust me, it’s not an easy decision to make. We’re actually in need to your particular instrument. I like you. I believe God has a massive purpose for your life on this earth.
But there are some things that need to change.
You may be an amazing musician. You may be fun to be around. I might even like to jam with you every now and then.
But, no, I won’t hire you as a musician.
In a previous post I talked about questions worship leaders should be asking. Here are some questions if you’re part of a worship team:
1. Am I listening to the other musicians or lost in my own world?
2. Is my heart right with God?
3. Do I hold my ideas loosely and submit to the worship leader?
4. Do I speak and play with a spirit of humility?
5. Am I constantly learning or do I pretend to know it all?
6. What if I prayed for an hour before I came to play with the worship team?
7. What if I expected God to move in power as we worship?
8. Do I show up prepared and on time?
9. Am I contributing to the team spiritually and emotionally or just musically?
10. What if I encouraged the other members of the band?
11. Am I invested in my local church or is it just a gig?
What questions would you add to the list? You can leave a comment by clicking here.