Worship leader, there’s something about worship leading you can’t forget.
Something as essential to your success as breathing is to your life.
The cross.
In the midst of technical upgrades, vocal improvements, increased innovation, and better songs, don’t forget about the reason and basis for your ministry.
Without the cross, you can’t draw near to God.
Without the cross, your worship gathering is pointless.
Without the cross, you have nothing.
The reason you do what you do is because Jesus died. But you also can’t do what you do without the death of Jesus Christ.
He made a way for you and your congregation to draw near. Yes, corporate worship is a miracle.
What Is Success For A Worship Leader?
I don’t cry much.
But I remember when worshiping God used to bring me to tears. I was overcome, overwhelmed by the greatness of God. Somewhere between those tears and today’s stress, I’ve been desensitized.
Worship has become more of a job than a privilege.
So today I’m reminding myself, and reminding you: As you dream and strategize for your ministry, be sure to breathe dependence on Christ.
The songs you write, the vision you cast, the leadership you model only works if you stay dependent.
Yes, I want you to be innovative and awaken your potential. Write amazing songs. Build a successful blog. Learn a new instrument. Go on tour.
But all those good things don’t define success. In the grand scheme of eternity, it doesn’t matter how talented you are.
Your effectiveness as a worship leader depends on your closeness to the cross.
How Close Are You?
Here are 5 questions to help gauge where you are:
1. When I hear about Jesus, do I treat it like old news?
2. Is my heart alive in the truth?
3. Am I still engaged with God’s word?
4. Do I speak often of the work of God in my life?
5. Do I look forward to worship for the simple reason of being with Jesus?
I don’t know what it is about human nature, but we stray from the truth so easily. The hymn writer was correct when he said:
“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the God I love”
Success as a worship leader is based on closeness with Christ, not simply playing tight music – living near the cross, not singing the best songs.
As you seek to improve your skills, don’t neglect the weightier matters of the heart. For therein lies your true success.
Question: Why is it so easy to forget the cross – to “move on” to more practical matters? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
Your reminder for us all makes me sing, “I’m coming back to the heart of worship and it’s all about you, it’s all about you Jesus”
Ah, yes. I don’t think we could ever sing too much of that song.
Great reminder.
I think it can be easy for us to get caught up in how we do worship and helping others experience worship and neglect to spend time in personal worship.
It’s sad how it becomes more of a job than a lifestyle, isn’t it?
Nice devo mon frere. Good reminder. We get caught up in the pressures and practicalities cause it’s the natural, “responsible” thing to do.
Thanks for the perspective. Have a great 2012!
After watching the Lions win their excruciatingly exciting game this weekend I felt the Lord say that His purpose for a team is to meet one of our deepest core longings — that of “belonging”. Win or lose, there is something wonderful about doing it together. As we begin the new year I will start our band practices with a short teaching and follow them with a simple meal. This pretty much turns our band into a “small group”, where belonging can happen on a much deeper level than meeting to simply learn songs. I have been VERY blessed by this blog and will use many of these posts for our teachings. Thank you so much, David, and may God bless you heaps this year!
Again, I am reminded of just how similar we are in this calling. I too confess that I get sooooo bogged down and desensitised that I feel unworthy to have the vocation He has given me. I burn with a passion for ministry, sharing the truths of His Word and to grow. Yet in all the pursuit, I sometimes wonder who I’m pursuing it for. Im thankful for you David and what God has used this blog to accomplish in me. Ive yet to read it and leave unaffected insome way. Thank you.
Thanks for the post David. The cross is central to our faith, but sometimes we allow other distractions take it’s place.
I also think humility and a teachable spirit are essential qualities for worship leaders today. And if we are not worshipers ourself, how can we expect to lead others well?