Does week to week ministry ever wear on you? Do you ever wish Sunday didn’t come so fast? What is the answer when you are tired and feel you just need a break? In all honesty, there are a couple observations we must make:
- Ministry cannot be maintained simply on our energy level. It is the Holy Spirit’s work and we are His instruments. We cannot stop what God has called us to do because we are tired.
- There is more to God’s mission strategy than just you…or me. Humbly accept the truth that God is moving across the world, working great wonders for His glory.
So what do we do to stay fresh?
- Develop a disciplined habit of daily time in the presence of God. Worship Him for who he is and not simply for programming direction. Grow in your love for Jesus. I cannot stress the importance of this.
- Listen to other worship leaders and glean from their experience.
- Study the Word of God. When I am worn out, the Word of God gives me strength like nothing else.
- Spend time with people. Ministry can keep us at our computers (like now!) and in the office for long periods of time. Quality time investing in people gives vision to worship ministry. Worship leading is more about people than tight music and good songs – it is about serving the body of Christ with what leads them to Jesus.
Any other thoughts?
Great post, Dave! 2 other thoughts that I have found personally helpful in seasons where I am dry spiritually in my worship leading are:
1. Spend an extended time in prayer – praying in tongues, declaring Bible verses & pressing into God for fresh revelation.
2. Ask trusted family members/friends/leaders to cover me in prayer & keep me accountable.
I love reading your blog!
Good stuff, Kate! Prayer is so important.
“Worship leading is more about people than tight music and good songs – it is about serving the body of Christ with what leads them to Jesus.”
Great thought. When I was thinking about that, I realized that there really is HEALING as well in corporate worship. When we lead week to week, sometimes it’s easy to loose that “awe.” We can easily get stuck in routine and forget HOW GOOD He actually is. It’s so awesome when we gather together for corporate worship because power is released as we affirm Jesus’ character. There’s power in declaring His goodness together as one body united by Christ in one purpose.
Lord, help us to never, ever loose that “awe factor!”
“The Awe Factor”. I think you should write a book on that. Good stuff.
A very helpful article. I have been choosing to go bed early on the Saturday night before I lead worship…and in the morning I do not check the news, social media or the internet before leading worship–only text messages to make sure no one has had to cancel their spot last minute!,, I do not do this in a legalistic sense, but I find that this sacrifice helps me to be well rested and spiritually sensitive to the Lord rather than my head filled with the cares of the world.