What insecurities are holding you back? I find this to be a helpful question in every season of life and ministry.
Sometimes we are engaged in work outside of our gifting, but more often than not, our insecurities are keeping us from what is possible. Our challenge is a miracle zone where the power of God can shine.
So what story is holding you back?
Worship Leaders, it’s time to rise up. It’s time to fully step into what God is doing.
You have a calling not just to pick songs and maintain services, but to be a prophetic sound in your city, in your region. I know that may sound mystical and strange. But it’s true.
You need to do the deep work.
There is a deep work and there is a surface level maintenance.
- Deep work is praying for a move of God.
- Deep work is having that difficult conversation.
- Deep work is creating culture.
- Deep work is developing another leader.
- Deep work is worshiping with your team.
- Deep work is leading with energy and compassion.
- Deep work is stepping out of what’s comfortable and doing what is scary
- Deep work is listening to and loving your multi generational congregation
- Deep work is leading that original song that you wrote with tears while praying for your church
The enemy is out to steal, to kill, to destroy. Many in the church are sleepwalking through life. They may attend church. They may have a strong moral compass. But there’s no true outbreak of the Kingdom of God in their lives.
It’s time for the worship leaders, the catalysts, the prophetic voices to rise up and awaken hearts, to stir up affection for the Savior.
But how does this happen? I believe it starts with doing the deep work, not simply dialing in the routine. It takes intentionality and conviction to keep your heart trusting, dependent.
So here’s my question for you: what deep work are you going to do this week? In what way are you going to shift your culture for the better?
Let’s talk about it in the comments.
Deep Work
I–Never accomplished by shallow and immature believers who are in positions requiring depth and maturity
“My friends, you are acting like the people of this world. That’s why I could not speak to you as spiritual people. You are like babies as far as your faith in Christ is concerned. 2 So I had to treat you like babies and feed you milk. You could not take solid food, and you still cannot, 3 because you are not yet spiritual. You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual and that you are acting like the people of this world.” (I Corinthians 3: 1-3)
II–Never happens in a culture designed for entertainment, comparisons and competition
(I just described the Hillsong culture–now the Kanye West and Beyonce’ culture–a pseudo Jesus/Christianity confused with emotion-laden music designed to manipulate and assimilate into the values and dictates of this world while claiming to offer people of this world something different and real)
“Some of you say that you follow me, and others claim to follow Apollos. Isn’t that how ordinary people behave? 5 Apollos and I are merely servants who helped you to have faith. It was the Lord who made it all happen. 6 I planted the seeds, Apollos watered them, but God made them sprout and grow. 7 What matters isn’t those who planted or watered, but God who made the plants grow. 8 The one who plants is just as important as the one who waters. And each one will be paid for what they do. 9 Apollos and I work together for God, and you are God’s garden and God’s building. (I Corinthians 3:4-9)
III– Never happens when leadership actively promoting everything but Christ-likeness as the hallmark of spiritual maturity. (Phil. 2)
“Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers, 12 so that his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong. 13 This will continue until we are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him.
14 We must stop acting like children. We must not let deceitful people trick us by their false teachings, which are like winds that toss us around from place to place. 15 Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head 16 of the body. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love.” (Ephesians 4:11-16)
IV–Always happens when discipleship and “deep” means this:
“We have not stopped praying for you since the first day we heard about you. In fact, we always pray that God will show you everything he wants you to do and that you may have all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives. 10 Then you will live a life that honors the Lord, and you will always please him by doing good deeds. You will come to know God even better. 11 His glorious power will make you patient and strong enough to endure anything, and you will be truly happy.” (Colossians 1:9-11)
Going deep may require intentional preparation as a worship leader, (pastoral musician, as the Roman Catholic Church labels their music leaders). One way to go deep is through serious studies in worship. The Robert E. Webber Institute of Worship Studies is one of those institutions that has students take “deep dives” into worship through biblical, theological, historical, cultural and missional aspects of worship. The institute offers studies leading to masters and doctoral accredited degrees, and is located in Jacksonville, FL. There are four one-week modules that take place on campus every six months. Reading and writing assignments take place between sessions. See iws.edu.
Frank Fortunato
IWS Director of the GROW (Global Renewal of Worship) Center.
VP, The International Council of Ethnodoxologists
Frank.Fortunato@om.org, mobile: 770-841-0320