Worshiping as a True Team

I put together a ladies only praise team this week at my church in Chicago. We had a great service tonight and I was excited about how well they worked together. They are all fine singers, but I saw in them tonight the spark of leadership that can go beyond singing a song. Singing a song is far removed from authentic worship leading. I have spent a fair amount of time trying to get them to embrace their personalities and be free to be who God made them to be. They have embraced that concept to varying degrees.

It is counter-intuitive to think that the more we use our personalities the more we draw people's attention to God in worship leading, but it is true - God gave us our personalities to use them to attract people through us to Him. If we stand there self-conscious and lacking confidence in ourselves we actually distract people and hinder them from entering into worship because they're wondering if we're going to have a coronary before we finish the song. Think about your favorite artist. They are unique, confident, light years ahead of most of us in their ability to capture the attention and imagination of their audience. Then it is up to them whether or not they direct the praise and glory to God. We must learn to use our God-given personalities, including humor, to capture people's attention and imagination in worship leading and then focus them completely on God's redeeming love.

Shalom. Live. Love. Lead.

This week at EFCN (Evangelical Free Church of Naperville) I have put together a ladie's praise team with four women that will lead our three services. I have accessed some wonderful Women of Faith arrangements along with some Travis Cottrell stuff that will be fabulous! The ladies are doing an excellent job and it is rewarding to me to be mentoring worship leaders here.

I miss my family while I am away. God is always teaching me, stretching me, and reminding me of His strength to lead and to pastor.

I hope to be better at blogging soon - thanks for reading!

Chiz

Live. Love. Lead

Election 2008 - Who Will Win in God's Eyes?

Tomorrow is an important day in the life of our country, but, then again, every day is important. While we make great distinctions in days, God sees the beginning, middle, and end of all history. All of time, a creature or created thing by God in itself, is held in His hands. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Like a taut string in the fingers of God, time is stretched out before Him and nothing surprises Him, even elections.

Who will win tomorrow? The same people who are winning today - those who put their trust in God. Regardless of the political outcome of tomorrow's heated race between the Democrats and Republicans in the USA, every man, woman, boy, and girl who puts their trust in the Lord are guaranteed the victory of Jesus Christ over death, hell, and the grave. Now that's something worth voting for!

Be blessed. Live. Love. Lead.