Transforming Worship Teams

Have you ever thought church would be great if it weren't for the people? It seems the longer we work with humans the more miraculous God's grace is!

It does take a lot of grace to be a worship leader in the local church. Not only do we have the preferences of the pastor and congregation to deal with, but we have the idiosyncracies of our team members to manage along with choosing songs and coordinating all that we do to prepare for Sunday services.

In my new book, The Five Keys to Engaging Worship, I share about how you can have the kind of grace for people that transforms them - and you. The church in America needs a wholesale move of God's transforming Spirit, for sure, but it can start with you and me - we have the opportunity to become transforming leaders in our local churches. This happens when we embrace a "higher vision" of going deeper into our service to others despite how we feel about it.

One of my friends is serving in a church in which he feels he doesn't have all the creative license he desires. In fact, his creativity is quite squelched and he is in a season of disappointment and unhappiness there. Despite how he feels about it, though, he submits to the pastor's direction and serves as best he can. While I don't think this is the healthiest situation for him in the long run, we cannot underestimate what God is doing in and through him there - he is an excellent leader and mentors younger people in worship. These are lasting impressions and a strong legacy, even if they come out of a period of dissatisfaction. Transformation isn't always fun.

Be encouraged today. Live. Love. Lead.