Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast & Blog

The Problem With Talent (And Why It’s Never Enough In Ministry)

913889_57623144It doesn’t matter how talented you are.

It doesn’t matter if you’re the best in the world. When it comes to having an effective ministry, you need more than natural skill.

No, I’m not here to advocate laziness.

Of course, you should work on your guitar scales.

Of course, you should develop the discipline of songwriting.

Of course, you should go to the next level as a worship leader.

Effective ministry is never less than hard work. But it’s also so much more.

Why is this?

You Need God

Because in order to raise the dead, you need God.

In order for Christ to be seen as beautiful to the selfish, human heart, you need God.

In order for your city to be changed, you need God.

In order for your family to follow Jesus, you need God.

In order to lead Christ centered worship, you need God.

True life change doesn’t take place because of an inspiring performance. You can’t reason people into loving Jesus.

The Holy Spirit needs to awaken hearts. Without that, you’re just inspiring people. Without that, it’s just music.

My Struggle With Depending On God

To be honest, I’m a sucker for improving myself. I love “self help” books because I love to learn and make myself the best I can be, almost to a fault.

The problem is I don’t want to do what only I can do. I want God to do what only God can do…through me.

That takes prayer. Dependence. Trust.

I’d rather just solve problems. Get stuff done. Work hard and prove how capable I am. But the way of the kingdom is different. It’s a lifestyle of intentional weakness.

My goal isn’t to be the best I can be – it’s to be the most trusting, dependent, and in awe of Christ that I can be. That’s where we need to invest our best energy.

Picture This

What if we all stood before our congregations next weekend fully trusting the Holy Spirit? Fully anointed? Fully confident that He was working miracles as we stepped out?

Can you imagine that, worship leaders?

What would that make possible?

I say we find out.

Question: What would a complete dependence on the Holy Spirit make possible in your worship leading/leadership? What would change? Let us know in the comments!

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Comments

  2. Don Simpson says

    I used to play in a band that backed a christian singer. For nearly 2 years , he lost his voice. His testimony was, “I had to stop trusting in my talent, and trust in the One who gave me that talent”. He said his ability to sing after that totally depended on his walk with Christ.

  5. Melanie says

    Well said, David!!! Sometimes I wonder how much we’re willing to give up our worship “set list” for the Holy Spirit to minister? A few weeks ago, the Holy Spirit asked me to pray for those with lower back problems (yeah, THAT specific). I didn’t know if that word was just for me since I, too, have lower back problems or if it was a congregational thing. So, I kept asking the Holy Spirit, which one? Then I heard the worship leader say, “For some reason, I do not feel rushed to do the next song. So, let’s takes this time to listen to God.” At that time, I saw it as God providing an opportunity to minister. So with the approval of one of our elders, I asked the congregation who was suffering from back pain. Several people raised their hands. As a church body, we prayed for those people. Since then, four people have testified their back pain was GONE!

    If the worship leader would have rushed through the set list, we would not have given the Holy Spirit space to heal people, and miss out on that blessing. I’ve come to realize that worship sometimes turns into intercession. It’s great to enjoy God’s presence. At the same time, our sensitivity to intercession during that time is CRUCIAL.

    Thanks for posting on a topic we often forget about. Blessings!!!