Friday, November 30, 2012

Serving Leaders

One of my favorite things about leading is working with teams of folks, especially leaders. I love believing in people, challenging them, stretching them, equipping them, leading them, serving them and learning from them.

I imagine you and I have both heard and read a good bit about being a servant-leader. Hopefully I keep getting a little better at that, year-by-year.

But I have to say one of my most cherished things about being part of a pastoral team is being a serving-leader.

I'll do my best to explain the distinction with a trio of examples.

First, while Pastor of Worship Arts at Memorial Baptist in Frankfort, I loved serving my leader, my pastor. I walked into his office most Wednesday afternoons and Sunday mornings to ask, "Is there anything I can do to help you be ready for tonight? (or this morning) Sometimes we would talk between Sunday morning services and he would give me the incredible privilege of giving feedback about his sermon. And he would actually change some stuff. Sometimes. I think we got to that kind of relationship because, in part, he knew I was there to serve him. I loved serving my leader.

Second, while in the same church, I designed, formed and led a group of leaders we called the Worship Arts Team. These were team members who became team builders. That was part of the design God gave me for that place. And I loved serving those leaders. I wanted to provide for them in any way I could. If they needed comforting after a rough week or hard morning in worship, I'd comfort. If they were struggling to step up, I'd communicate how deeply I believed in them and encourage away. If they needed resources, I would go to bat for them. I loved serving the leaders in my ministry.

And third, I also wanted to do my best to serve those "on par" with me, organizationally speaking. Though they had longer tenure, and far more expertise in their fields that I ever dream of having, I wanted to serve those leaders too. So in and out of staff meetings I would offer as much support and insight as I could. Sometimes that was nothing. Sometimes it was a lot.

So how do you do it? How do you serve your leaders? Those above you in the flow chart, or under you, or next to you? The rest of us can learn from you, too! How do you help those around you thrive in their ministry?

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Choosing the Right, Right, Right song

Those of us who view worship services as something to be crafted inevitably spend a good bit of time choosing which songs to use. We consider all kinds of things, often without being aware of it.

Old or new?
Traditional or contemporary?
How traditional or how contemporary?
Familiar or sort of familiar or new?
Up tempo or medium or slow?
Corporate or individual text?
Sung to God or sung to one another?
Tired or fresh?

And we could go on with that list, I imagine, for quite some time.

But I want to approach choosing the right song with a different slant, going 3 levels deep.

First level--Is this the right song?
   That's pretty simple, but can be really important. My personal bias is that the most important song choice is the one right after the sermon, but you could make an argument for the one right before the sermon or the one that opens the service or the one that precedes or follows a worship element other than the sermon. For purposes of an illustration, let's decide the right song for a particular slot on a particular Sunday is "In Christ Alone" by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.

Second level--Is it the right version of the right song?
   A quick look at PraiseCharts reveals there are eight arrangements of "In Christ Alone", some quite different from the others. On the Getty's website there are two very different full orchestrations. In itunes, there are closer to 100 versions. Great news! Finding the best arrangement is one of the ways we can really identify and connect with the heart-song of a local congregation. The more we try different arrangement-styles, the more we can identify what helps connect the hearts of our people with the heart of God.

Third level--Is there something we can do to customize the best version we can find?
   In most of the places I get to lead worship, the arrangement that seems to work best is the one by Travis Cottrell on his Alive Forever recording. I tend to be in places that are very cross-generational, so the fact that he included "The Solid Rock" chorus in the middle of his arrangement is meaningful. But as I've lived with the text of the song, I've come to a meaningfully different approach to the first part of the 3rd stanza. ("There in the ground his body lay, light of the world by darkness slain. Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave he rose again!") So I have all drop out but piano, and it is played up an octave. At "Then bursting..." the piano returns to loco and there is a quick 2 measure build from ppp to ff (super quiet to very loud) so the congregation feels the resurrection in the music. 

This same thinking can apply to song after song after song. Is it the right song? Check. The right arrangement? Check. Anything to tweak? Check.

Connecting hearts? Check!


www.worshipcoach.us

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Me? A theologian?

Are we really theologians?

Yep, we are.

We have a system of belief about who God is. It's based on our study--regardless of how much or how little we have studied. 

We've studied the Bible a little, maybe more. We've studied books about the Bible a little, maybe more. We've studied the stories of people we do life with a little, maybe more. And most of us have studied our own experiences more than a little.

And when we wrap all of that up, it is our theology.

Problem is--or at least could be--that our theology informs the way we think about, plan for, prepare for, and lead worship.

If our theology is bad (forgive me for suggesting it might be?) then elements of our worship planning, preparation and leading will be, well, bad. 

And if our theology is good, thankfully, the converse is also true.

But this is undeniable--there's no such thing as neutral theology. 

So "Do your best to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker who isn’t ashamed to teach the word of truth correctly." (2 Timothy 2:15 GW)

The craziest thing starts happening: the more rightly we understand God, the more vibrant our worship leading becomes.

So yes, you and I really are theologians. And as leaders, we are shaping the theology of others. This matters in the songs we choose, the things we emphasize within those songs, and the way we make the most of the lyrics within them. 

Please don't hear me saying your next step in the journey as a worship leader is to hop on www.christianbook.com and order Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology. Your theological journey may be found in those 1264 pages of study, really, but it is more likely that you can do some other things first.

Read the Bible a little more or at least a little differently.

Listen to some great preachers via podcast. (Visit my website for some suggestions.)

Preach to yourself. Especially when you are struggling to process the circumstances around you, look through the filter of God's word for us.

Everyone is a theologian. Either we will be good ones or bad ones.

Let's be good ones.


www.worshipcoach.us

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Song Leader vs. Worship Leader

My dear friend Jennifer Click suggested (via Facebook) that I talk about the difference in a song leader and a worship leader. I've been thinking about that for a long time, and I hope these words do justice to the distinction. And maybe stretch us a little at the same time.

First, some of this distinction is simply a matter of familiar terminology. My grandfather (who would have turned 97 a few days ago if he were still living) would probably call me a song leader. That is the only term that was in his lexicon for what I do. I lead singing. Some other dude does the preaching. OK, he wouldn't have "dude" in his lexicon either, but you get the idea. So let's not be too harsh on folks who may use the only term that is familiar to them.

In my brain the difference is both simple and significant. A song leader leads songs. A worship leader leads worship. That's pretty obvious, right? Well, drill down just a bit.

A song leader can lead any song. It could be a patriotic song, a folk song, a bar tune, or a gospel-saturated worship song. Their goal is to get people singing a song. They are a leader of songs. And, at some meaningful level, a leader of people. That's it. Two dimensions.

A worship leader may not be able to lead songs. But they can exhort people to give their minds attention and their hearts affection to Jesus. And if they can lead songs, they may have very little desire to point out how great a song is. Instead, they can't help but point out how great their Savior is.

A worship leader who can lead songs works with three dimensions. They lead songs. They lead people. And through songs they connect people to God.

A song leader believes in the power of his song.

A worship leader believes in the power of her Savior.

The destination of a song leader is the singing.

The destination of a worship leader is the Throne of grace.

Song leaders are invigorating.

Worship leaders are inspiring.

I suppose, after getting all of that out, my aspiration is to be a worship leader who can draw on the skills of a song leader. And my fear would be that I would be remembered as a song leader who never took people to such a beautiful, transformational destination as the feet of Jesus.

This is a topic I'm guessing lots of worship folks have considered. Any thoughts out there, blog community?

Monday, November 26, 2012

Aspiration. Inspiration.

Here it comes. I confess. Transparency in abundance...

I cry at movies.

Not all movies. I saw the Bond film, Skyfall, and didn't cry. But whether I go to a movie that's been chosen by greater forces (I live with a wife and two teenage daughters, and you're right, they didn't go to Skyfall) or almost any movie with an underlying theme of "love wins in the end," it doesn't seem to matter. My eyes moisten, my nose runs, and sometimes tears stream down my cheeks.

There. I said it. I feel better now.

Switch gears: When my older daughter turned 18 a few days ago, I talked with her briefly about "taking stock." I asked her some big picture questions. Do you have a bucket list? Are there things you see in your future that you can share with me? Those sort of questions.

She wondered why I'd ask.

And that's when the two dots of movie-crying and daughter-raising were connected in my heart.

There is inspiration in aspiration.

What do you aspire to? Let's tight focus on that a bit: What do you aspire to as a human being? As a Christ-follower? As a church member? As a church leader? A worship leader?

The better we communicate what we aspire to, the more we will inspire others to.

And as we do that in worship gatherings, like when many of us go to the movies, some will be moved to tears. Hearts softened. Lives changed.

What a privilege it is to be part of leading worship!


www.worshipcoach.us

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Open your hearts...

I was struck by a set of Paul's words as I read through 2 Corinthians. I've read that book a few times before, so I don't know why the words leapt off the page this time, but they really did. Check out 2 Cor 6:13:


I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!

I was also intrigued, as I finished the book, to see Paul use that phrase again. (2 Cor 7:2)

Open your hearts to us.

Isn't it a beautiful quintet of words?

Open your hearts to us.

But I hear melancholy, too. Sadness that there are folks Paul deeply desires to serve, to love, to guide, to inspire. Yet at least some of those folks in ancient Corinth seemed to keep their hearts closed off.

Open your hearts to us.

I empathize with Paul. There have been people throughout my years of ministry who seemed to close themselves off. Perhaps their hearts were stabbed too many times to trust another leader. Maybe their hearts were scaled by bitterness. Likely there was some fear encasing the soft fleshy life-source we call the heart. And I'm sure there were times I was the culprit, and that saddens me greatly.

Open your hearts to us.

Sometimes you just have to be as direct as Paul was, I suppose. 

Open your hearts to us.

And other times, I imagine the only way hearts can be opened is for the Holy Spirit to break through callouses that have grown to cover the tender places.

And then I wonder, too, how many times Father, Son and Spirit have whispered to me:

Open your heart to us.


Check out my new web site - www.worshipcoach.us

Friday, November 23, 2012

Learnings about saying thanks

The more I blog about how to be a good worship leader, a great worship pastor, a difference-making leader, the more I am aware of my shortcomings. Many of the things I'm sharing in these "pages" are things I do passably, or pretty well, but don't excel at doing. I know the right things to do, but I struggle to do them. (Sort of like the apostle Paul in Romans 7, I suppose)

I'd like to share today a handful of thoughts about saying thank you. As I share, I'm aware how I've failed at this. Oh, I've said thank you a gazillion ways to a gazillion people. But I've been inconsistent. I've forgotten. I've minimized when I should've maximized. And vice verse. I've sometimes chosen one means of thanks when I should've chosen a different one. Maybe if I go on, you'll understand better.

First, let's admit it. We all like to be thanked. Some of us have an unhealthy psychological need for it, and for others it is nearly unimportant. But for all of us, a genuine "thank you" is a win. So if you are a worshiper, thank those who lead you. If you are a worship leader, thank those you lead and those with whom you lead. Worship leaders, thank your pastor. Pastors, thank your worship leader.

Look someone straight in the eye this Sunday and tell them plainly, "thank you for _________________ in the worship ministry."

Second, it is a different thing to be thanked privately from being shown appreciation publicly. Both can be powerful. But sometimes public recognition without an accompanying private moment can appear (or be) manipulative. Other times all of the personal moments of thanks are rendered powerless without any public acknowledgement. So pay attention. Learn the hearts of those you are thanking. And then thank them in the ways that mean the most to them.

Third, there is unique power in using the phrase from Paul in Ephesians 1:16: "I have not stopped thanking God for you." It is one thing to be thankful to someone. It is quite another to be thankful to God for someone. And to say so in front of them. If you lead a choir, you may gather with them before the next time they sing for a service and say, "I can't stop thanking God for the honor of walking through life with you." If you work with a band, you might circle up after practice and say to them, "I want you all to know that when I pray for you, I thank God for entrusting me with such musically gifted team members." And if you are married, it will serve your spouse to say, "I thank God that He chose for you to be the love of my life." 

Fourth, be aware that gratitude and generosity are at the very least cousins. They may very well be twins. The more grateful our heart becomes the more generous it will be. And the more we practice generosity, the more gratitude gets stirred up in our hearts. The reason I share that here is because I want you to express your thankfulness. Be generous with it. And the more outlandishly you practice thankfulness, the more thankful you will become. This is a beautiful gift of God, a grace that can be magnified as we reflect the generous image of God.

Fifth. Finally. Be thankful. I hear tender imploring in Paul's tone of voice in Colossians 3:12-15, but especially at the end. Almost pleading in a whisper: "And be thankful." 

Then do what you are.

Be thankful.

Do thankful.

As we wrap up today, I am thankful for you, my readers. There is an abundance of "stuff" out there, and it isn't loss on me that you choose to sit and read my thoughts. I often wonder at the fact that more than a handful of people would choose to take a few minutes of their life to read what I have to say. I am astounded at your choice to read my words. Thank you. From the deep places in my heart and soul, thank you.

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and that this Sunday your heart will be filled with thankfulness as we worship our great God.

(One of my very favorite newer hymns: My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness)

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A Testimonial

It feels like the first thing I should do in this post is offer a disclaimer, something like "results may vary and this event may not by typical."  I've only done this "Worship Coach" thing a couple of times with a couple of churches--a ridiculously small track record--yet both times this was the nature of our time together. So I'm not sure if this will be typical in the future. But it has been amazing so far. 

In other words, this is the kind of impact I'm hoping to have as a worship coach. So if you wondered how it may serve you to have me come and work with your praise team, choir, lead worship, or do a strategy session with worship leadership team, tech team, etc., this testimonial that Dawn sent to her friends at other churches may help.

Hey guys… I normally don’t put in a plug for anything or anyone, but... I’m hoping you’ll take a minute to read this and hear my heart.

We invited a “worship coach” to spend the weekend at our church a couple of weeks ago. His name is Rod Ellis, and he lives in Frankfort, KY. Within the first sentence or two of opening his mouth, you realize how dynamic this man is and that he truly has a heart made for worship and wants to see others get to that same spot! All our praise teams gathered and sang a song each on Friday night and Rod gave us his insight and shared some things we could do differently after each team. It was a time for worship and bonding together as praise teams, but also with some constructive feedback. We were invited to give positive and critical feedback to each other and that has helped so much in our worship with the congregation, to know what we each need to work on as a praise team.

The next morning he attended a choir rehearsal and observed our director interact with us as well as watching us while we sang. Then he directed us in the same music, pointing out ways in which we could connect with the congregation more, challenging us to really listen to and believe what we’re singing about. After a shared lunch, Rod facilitated a working strategy session with the choir, discussing four critical areas... This was an invaluable exercise, with tangible, attainable goals being set for the next 6 months. It provided a setting for the choir to really buy into the ideas because they were OUR ideas and observations with the entire session being facilitated by Rod. He gave us nuggets of gold to think about. Every single word out of his mouth was useful. You know how some people say something in 10 sentences that they could have said in 2? Well, Rod is not that guy! He cuts to the chase and makes the light bulb go on immediately! We are so much closer knit now as a group and are really rallying behind our worship pastor. Words aren’t adequate to describe what he did for me personally and my worship experience, not to mention others.

I had the opportunity to play the piano for him on Sunday night as he led our congregation in a worship set that had me in tears as I played. I’ve been playing the piano most of my life, but Rod pointed out things to me that I had never thought about before, and I was truly able to worship with the congregation!

Rod travels all around, and I wanted to mention this to you guys in case you’re interested for your church or know of fellow pastors/music ministers who would enjoy or benefit from his expertise. This is just what he did at our church. I’m sure his input and plan changes from church to church, depending on what that church wants/needs to focus on. But just know that he’s a real dude doing real things for the body of Christ! If you don’t have a need for his ministry now or know of a pastor or church who does, I encourage you to tuck this information away for safe keeping. God put you guys on my heart to share this with, and there may just be a special reason some day.

Thanks friends (both near and far, new and old) for listening!

Dawn C.


These are the kind of words that make me want to keep serving as a Worship Coach.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Communicate, pt 4

First in this series was platform communication. Second was Monday-Saturday communication. Third was staff communication. This last one is about team communication.

I learned so, SO much about this when I served as an interim worship pastor in a large church. It was a major struggle in my first 6 months, I improved over the next 4 months, and for the last 3 months I think I did it pretty well. In that church there were 3 full-time people working on my staff, as well 5 part-time, and one of my full-time guys had 2 part-time people on his staff.

Now, compare that to my previous setting where I shared a ministry assistant with two others and had an 8 hour a week accompanist. (love those folks!)

So the learning curve was pretty steep. But wow, I would have been so much better at communicating with my accompanists and volunteers if I knew then what I learned over the last year or so.

The people who are carrying out our instructions really, really need clear and complete instruction.

Read that again.

Clear and complete. Complete and clear.

In fact, I'd say that at least 90% of the times something didn't go off as I envisioned, the responsibility was mine. I had not provided clear and complete communication.

Bottom line: the vision in my head doesn't have any way to get into someone else's head unless I articulate it. I have to imagine it, determine what it takes to do it, and then completely communicate those ideas to the folks around me.

That all sounds a little too obvious and a little too overstated at the same time.

What do you think? Is this an area of strength for those in your ministry? Or an area where some coaching may be called for?

Monday, November 19, 2012

Communicate, Pt 3

We've already talked about it...

Effective communication from the platform is essential.

Effective communication off the platform is essential.

And no doubt, effective communication with your pastor/church staff is essential.

Remember the Tower of Babel?

I imagine that many of the folks who were working together to build the tower were pastors, worship pastors, youth pastors, etc. Then KA-BAM!

And every since, there has been confusion among staff members.

We think differently. We use different words. We feel words differently. We prioritize differently. We value things differently.

Yep. It must all go back to Babel.

OK, maybe that's an exaggeration, but all of the "differently" things are sure true, aren't they?

To be effective in worship ministry, we've got to do the hard work of learning to cross the communication barrier so the pastor hears us and we hear the pastor. Same with the youth guy or the executive pastor.

Some of the things I've learned in my marriage may help. One of my favorites (though it might seem a little goofy) is to restate what I just heard. For example, "Pastor, I just heard you say that you don't really care how many songs we sing, but it is really important to you that the sermon begin by 11:20. Is that right?"

But just like in marriages, there's a really good chance that's not what he said. He may actually have said, "My brother, it is too much to ask our musicians to learn 6 songs in one week. And when you do that, I never get in the pulpit until well after 11:20."

It is so easy to see the difference in print. It is far more difficult in conversation, especially when emotions are a part of the conversation.

So learn to talk. More importantly, learn to listen. Discover what someone means when they speak, not just what they speak. Remember, while we artist-types are really good at crafting emotion into language, we may not be as good at being clear.

Now the big question--did I just communicate that clearly?

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Freedom vs. Security

I was a sophomore, I think. It was about 2 am, and I was working security at Georgetown College until 3 am. My boss walked in from patrolling the campus. He looked deep in thought, which almost didn't seem possible when you first met JD Strouth.

He paused at the door and spoke:

"Freedom and security are inversely related."

Then he left me alone to ponder in the late night hour.

That was it. No explanation. No development. No questions.

And then he came back 20 minutes later and we talked until after my shift ended. I don't imagine I was the only 19 year old kid he did that to, but it sort of rocked my world.

Think about it.

Dating. Want security? Give up freedom. Go steady. Get engaged. Want freedom? Give up security.

Government. Want security? Give up freedoms. (like post 9/11 America) Want freedom? Give up security.

Campus Safety. Want security? Give up freedom. Walk with someone. Want freedom. Give up security. Walk alone.

I've thought about the truth of that statement--and this is no exaggeration--at least 1,000 times over the last 27 years or so.

And then today, out of nowhere, a higher Truth came into my mind.

Not in Christianity.

For the follower of Christ, freedom and security both exist in abundance, not only side by side, but within and without.

Christian, you are completely secure. Jesus told us plainly, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father's hand. The Father and I are one." (John 10:28-30)

And at the exact same time, you are completely free. "Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace." (Romans 6:14)

And there are other passages as well. Many of them.

But here's the thing--at 19 years of age it never would have occurred to me that Christianity was overflowing with endless security and freedom. It felt restraining. It felt like those outside the faith had greater freedom than those in Christ.

I was wrong.

Freedom and security are inversely related, JD, but with one exception: life in Christ.

Yep. That's grace.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Communicate, pt 2

Last time I talked about how we communicate as worship leaders from the platform.

Today I'd like to share some thoughts about the importance of communication off the platform, Monday-Saturday, if you will.

First, two confessions.
1. I may now be above average at this, but I'm sure not great at it. My default thinking is big picture and relational more than detail and task oriented. That's not an excuse. I have learned: it is essential to offer clear and complete information to those we lead.
2. I used to be terrible at this. Terrible. I assumed people knew more than they did. Not in terms of general knowledge, but the things I should have told them. AND I was only fair at one-way communication, from me to them. Not at gathering information or asking questions.

So here are some suggestions based on things that have helped me get from a C- student to a B one...

First, ask people who think differently from you to give input (before something happens) and feedback (after that thing happens). Consider people of different genders, ages/generations, and temperaments.

Second, talk the way people listen. If they prefer texting, text away. If they don't own a cell phone, texting won't work. Same with email. Same with face-to-face. The more ways you communicate the same thing to multiple people, the better chance you have of getting word to everyone.

Third, make sure you say what needs to be said. It is far too easy to say what you wish you could say rather than what needs to be said. This is especially true when it comes to confrontation. (Remember Max Lucado's Maxim: "Conflict is inevitable. Combat is optional.")

A lack of communication is likely to result in ineffective ministry, regardless of how talented you are in other areas of your work.

Final thought--if you are a leader, communication is your responsibility. If someone hasn't heard, it doesn't really matter if you've said it or not. It is your job to make sure the communication loop is completed. If those around you are saying you are not effective at communicating (as I used to be told regularly) then do the hard work. Discover where your breakdown is.

And get some help.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Communicate, pt 1

One of my favorite things to say to singers--whether a choir or praise team--is "you are communicators more than you are musicians."

If you are anywhere on the platform, then as a worship leader you are communicating. Always. 

I suppose the question is, what are you communicating?

Let's start with body language.

Are you all in or checked out? Does your posture say you uninterested or fully engaged? Are you distracted or directed? 

Move on to your face, specifically. 

Do you look bored or bright? Are your eyes sleepy or sparkling? If you play an instrument, is your mouth moving with the words? 

How about your voice?

Is there dynamic range when you sing? Are you singing tender phrases ("I need Thee ev'ry hour") quietly and triumphant phrases ("Then bursting forth in glorious day") with boldness and strength?

And let's get to the root of the issue.

Do you know the text? Perhaps more importantly, do you understand, love, and cherish the lyrics? Are they words that have settled into your soul so that when you sing them it is really an offering from your heart to the heart of God?

Communication on the platform is happening. I'm hopeful these thoughts can help us communicate in a way that makes worship great, that connects the hearts of those we lead with the heart of the God we worship.


Through my "Worship Coach" consulting, I can explain this in much more detail and help you learn to communicate from the platform well. This is actually one of the areas in which I am especially effective. If you decide you'd like my help, give me a call (502.229.0114) or shoot me a message (on Facebook or at RodEEllis@aol.com).

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Sharing Leadership

Not only did my younger brother, a youth pastor extraordinaire, suggest this topic, but I've also been watching others and thinking about how shared leadership works.

I've led only one team to truly experience shared leadership. Several distinctives of that season of ministry come to mind:
1) It took time to develop. And trust, both on the part of the leader and those sharing leadership.
2) There were elements of delegation, but at the same time it went much further.
3) The urgency of "a Sunday every 7 days" made it difficult. I had to separate myself from the daily work enough to gain perspective.

I have also been part of a team like this at the Kentucky Baptist Convention, which I think became that way under the guidance of Tog Goodson.

I have to say this about both of teams: It is totally worth it. Shared leadership is the best kind of leadership.

I'll balance the above list of three with another trio of reasons:
1) The time invested can far outlast the tenure of a leader.
2) Those sharing in leadership feel invested, not instructed.
3) Shared leadership means shared work. The tyranny of the urgent gets smaller.

When Rich suggested this as a blog topic, he wanted me to talk about balancing shared leadership with strong leadership.

This is key: when you share leadership, you still have to lead. This is not just bearing the burden of tasks equally. It is more visionary, goal oriented, and exciting than that.

Here are things Tog and I both did that seemed to work.

1) We led spiritually. We were always prepared to bring a word from God. And our word was from our own walk with God. It wasn't read from someone else. It wasn't from our walk of years ago. It seems, looking back, like it was incumbent upon us to be out in front of our team spiritually. Not above them; that's arrogant. Just in front of them; that's leadership.

2) We led strategically. The meetings themselves had built in strategy. We walked in with an idea of the direction the ministry was headed (a satellite view), but were also very open to the leadership of the Spirit IN those meetings as well as the input of committed Christ-followers around the table.

3) We led relationally. The folks on our teams knew we cared more about them than what they brought to the team. People were (and felt) valued because of who they were. 

I'm sure there's more, and I'm guessing some things in that mix are not universally applicable. But those are the best ways I can describe how to have strong, shared leadership in ministry.

Thanks for the question, little brother!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Worship Style Convo?

I promise. I was just reading. I wasn't trying to be creative, innovative, or insightful. I was just reading Paul's letter to the church in ancient Corinth and wondering if God would have a word to share with me about my walk with Jesus.

And then, it hit me. If we imagined the words of this paragraph to be about musical style, would it serve the way churches talk about worship services?

Let's try it. Remember, I've re-imagined the passage, so 
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 doesn't really read like this:

"I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. Some of you are saying, “I like new songs.” Others are saying, “I like the old stuff,” or “I prefer hymns, ” or “I miss the old days.” Has Christ been divided into factions? Was music crucified for you? Were any of you baptized with music? Of course not!"

Can this help us think about musical styles any differently? 

One thing for sure, our churches need to be encouraged every bit as much as the church in Corinth was to choose "to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church."

Leaders, remind those you serve. Ministry folks, encourage one another.

And if we do this like Paul, we do this by the authority of Jesus. That's a lot of authority!

Speak the truth in love, and with authority, to live in harmony. (Gotta love that pun!)

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Lesson in Listening

Every once in a while, probably 3-4 times a year, I get a really strong sense that an idea I have is from God. Don't get me wrong, I believe that most of my leadership-oriented ideas are from my redeemed, Spirit-empowered imagination, and birthed in prayer and devotion. But every so often I have a clear sense that God is "in" an idea.

A few examples:

Using the Experiencing God musical at Memorial Baptist. It seemed to be the right, Godly thing to do before, during, after, and long after that choice. The church still benefits from what God did during that few months.

Something I called "Crazy Idea 427" which involved teaching a 3-week series of Sunday School sessions with various classes to help us understand one other better as well as to help us grasp Biblical worship. The conclusion of that series of conversations was to have the class plan a service. Huge impact. 

"The Good Friday Experience" which a team of people at Journey Baptist Fellowship put together. Amazing. Powerful. God was all over the planning, the preparation, the presentation. We didn't do it perfectly, but it was really great.

Also, both of the major events we did at Immanuel Baptist in Lexington--one at Christmas and one near July 4--were just saturated in an awareness of God's anointing.

The one I'd like to share today, though, is about how I began my time as Interim Worship Pastor at Immanuel. I called it "from Trios to Quartets" and it was a way for me and the folks in the worship ministry to get to know one another. I created a sign up sheet for a 6-week period, including options for breakfast meetings, lunch meetings, supper meetings, coffee meetings, office meetings, etc. and asked three people to sign up. They were a trio. And then I joined them, and we became a quartet.

In those relaxed environments I asked each person three things:
I. Tell me about growing up, about your family.
II. What is one God-sourced dream you have for the worship ministry.
III. How can I pray for you?

And that was it.

It was incredible. I took notes. One of my frequent follow-up questions was "what did your mom and dad do for a living?" And some of the folks I met with were in their 80s. So one dad was part of building a bridge over the Chesapeake Bay and a grandpa was president of a nearby college, etc. I heard from a surprising number of parents who had lost children to tragedy--children who were little or teens or adults. I learned about the adult child of one senior adult choir member who plays in the Boston Pops.

And it hit me time after time... we don't know each other because we don't ask questions like these. 

As people answered that second question, about their God-sourced dreams for worship ministry I got to hear their heart, not just their preference. Of course some people weren't able to grasp what I was looking for. But a majority did. And I introduced a way of thinking that was key to our ministry together. God-sourced dreams.

Then as they shared ways I could pray for them, I heard the depth of their joy, pain, hope, and passion. 

It was incredible. 

If you are starting in a new place of ministry (volunteer, part time or full time), please consider doing something like this. But even if you have no plans to go anywhere...adapt the concept and meet with a trio of people every month. Take some time to get to know people at a deeply personal and spiritual level. Hear their story, their dreams, their hopes.

And then hook arms and change the world. Reach the world. Bring God's Kingdom to His creation.

Monday, November 12, 2012

What do we rely on?

In the span of church history, Paul is rather a big deal.

He saw Jesus.

Miraculously.

He wrote a huge chunk of the New Testament. He was the first of millions of missionaries. He had a pretty incredible (okay, immeasurable!) impact.

If you are a leader--in worship or in church or anywhere--I'd imagine you want to have an impact too. It's sort of a leader thing.

Now let's change gears for a moment.

I've been sensing a pretty strong call from God to serve leaders through this "Worship Coach" concept. I have a really deep desire to help those who lead God's people in worship do it better. I have now been to a few churches and evaluated their Sunday morning gathering. I've looked at a host of external tools: instrumentation, song choice, sound systems, lighting, decor, greeters, visuals, web sites, and lots more.

So I was really glad to read this reminder from Paul the high-impact leader. These words are from 1 Corinthians 2:
"my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches (or, I might insert, great sound, lighting, songs, etc.) I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God."

So I wondered, and honestly still wonder a little, does what I do as a worship coach, or what you do as a worship leader or pastor, does any of that matter? Shouldn't we rely only on the power of the Holy Spirit?

I suppose I land on the word RELY. In our culture of technology and popular communication I'm leaning toward thinking that while we should never rely on those things, we should certainly use them. At the same time, we must be fairly obsessed with relying on the power of God, not the power of our tools.

Worship is spiritual before it is earthly.

Heaven help us if we don't pray as we plan, prepare, and present. The Sunday morning experience has implications for the eternal destiny of people. If we RELY on our tools, we build a house of worship on shifting sand. But if we use tools while we RELY on the power of our resurrected Savior... then YES and AMEN! 

May I humbly suggest you ask a question or two of yourself? And perhaps of those you lead?

How are you doing? What are you relying on?

Friday, November 9, 2012

Hidden Treasures

Tucked away in the pages of a hymnal (you know, that dusty hardback book holding a door open in your home, office or church) are phrases and verses that can open up new ways of expressing our hearts in worship.

While we gladly keep looking for new ways to express old and eternal truths, there can be great delight in sharing some old ways those truths have been expressed too. (At least for those already walking with Jesus. Honestly, I'm not sure how well they connect with those far from God, but that's a topic for another day.) That's why my last post included 11 older songs that I find musically very engaging.

Now, thinking about the text, here are three different examples of hidden treasures.

1) The story behind the lyrics. One of the most famous examples of this would be "It Is Well with My Soul" and the tragedy of the SS Ville du Havre. But there are other, beautifully moving stories. Check out "Precious Lord Take My Hand" by Thomas Dorsey, for example.

2) The story inside the lyrics. Here's an example I learned just a couple of years ago. There's a single word in the first stanza of "The Solid Rock" that changes everything. Here's the text:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

I always assumed "sweetest frame" meant another person or a temptation or... who knows, right? But "back in the day" the word frame was used to describe a system of belief, or teaching. We might call it doctrine or theology.

Now, read it again.

YES! We can't lean on even the sweetest belief about Jesus, we have to lean on Jesus! On CHRIST the solid Rock I stand!

Also think of phrases like "Here I raise mine Ebenezer" and "In Light inaccessible hid from our eyes."

3) The story of rediscovered songs. That's right, there are dozens and dozens of good, older songs, that a generation doesn't know. These are the hymns that don't make the "Top 40" in a given 3-5 year period. So there is a very good chance that those under 30 in your church have never heard them. In fact, I was with a good friend (and worship pastor) who is not yet 30 years old a couple of weeks ago. He asked if I'd ever heard "Children of the Heavenly Father," which was brand new to him. I knew it well, but he had just "found" it and thought it was great. (It probably helps that he's expecting his first child!)

His story is not exceptional. I remember one of my mentors, Chip Stam, telling the story of being at a Promise Keepers event and hearing a teenager astounded at the beauty of that new piece (he said, "where do they find these songs!?!?") called--you may have heard of it--"Be Thou My Vision."

And while I know hundreds and hundreds of hymns, I'd never heard of "I Am Not Skilled to Understand" until Aaron Shust shared "My Savior My God" with the world a few years back.

The story behind the song, the story inside the song, and the story of rediscovered songs. All are hidden treasures.

Would you share your favorite example?

(I've linked to some favorite settings of these songs, with the hope that it may serve you.)

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Repackaged Hymns

I love new music. I'm a huge fan of the Passion movement, Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, Keith Getty, and scads of other, perhaps less famous crafters of modern worship music.

But I also love the beauty of older lyrics and melodies. So I have always made it a priority to "freshen up" the great hymns of our faith and use them to lead in more contemporary services. I thought it might serve you to know some of my favorites. 

These are not necessarily my favorite hymns, just my favorite contemporary settings of hymns. And it isn't an exhaustive list. I tried to get it down to 10, but couldn't decide which of these to leave out.

I'd guess not all of them will work in your church. Some are a little to unusual sounding for some. Others are too plain for some. 

Still, I think you--the readers--will enjoy them.

These all have sheet music available. If you'd like to know where to find the print music, shoot me a message. All of the songs are hyperlinks to the song in itunes.

Alas and Did My Savior Bleed
All the Way My Savior Leads Me
Be Thou My Vision
Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy
Fairest Lord Jesus
Give Me Jesus
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
How Great Thou Art
O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Happy listening. Now... make others happy by using some!