Prophet, Priest and King

This trio of descriptors--prophet, priest and king--has been used by lots of folks to describe 3 facets of leadership.

A prophet speaks truth clearly, compellingly. A faithful prophet speaks God's truth faithfully.

A priest cares for people deeply. A faithful prophet is an advocate for his/her people before God.

A king rules with care and wisdom. A faithful king uses structures and systems to make life better for those under his umbrella of leadership.

Autobiographically speaking, being a prophet came first--I was speaking truth pretty well  as a teenager. Being a priest came second--about a decade ago I found myself caring for people in ways I never had before. But this king-thing. I'm still waiting on that part. Actually, I've made great strides--by God's grace. But I don't want to get bogged down in my own junk.

I want to share something that has really struck me powerfully in the last few weeks.

If we'll lead well, like a great king--making life better for those we serve--it will be easier for them to believe we care for them deeply, and then they will be even more open to hearing the truth of God's word.

But if the folks under our care struggle with logistics, or are distracted by practical oversights, then it may never occur to them that we care and they may never get to the place where they are able to hear us speak life-changing truth. So leaders, let's manage time well, communicate logistics clearly, consider how our choices affect their "day-to-day" lives.

Young leaders, don't just live in the part of this triad that comes easily. Pursue all three. Surround yourself with people who can both compensate for the ways you aren't yet developed and who will help you grow into all the roles.

Oh, a word of hope might be helpful here, yes?

Jesus was and is the perfect and complete manifestation of Prophet, Priest, and King. That's only half of the good news. The rest?

According to the letter Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, your old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer you who live, but Christ lives in you... as Prophet, as Priest and as King. Hallelujah!

Dangerous Righteousness

The Christian scriptures seem to place a very high value on righteousness. In fact, I can't imagine an easier premise to prove in book after book, chapter after chapter. 

But it strikes me that there are two kids of righteousness that are dangerous, and perhaps even more dangerous for those who lead in worship than for others in less visible places of ministry.

The first is something I struggle with a great deal--and have since I was a kid. It's called self-righteousness. 

The second is something I find more tempting the older I get, and it's called false-righteousness.

Both are deceptive. Both are lies from the enemy.

Self-righteousness is when we think we are better than we are--and, God help us, better than those around us. God is slowly healing me of this, but I still battle it often.

False-righteousness is when we want others to think we are better than we are, and usually, better than they are. For me, this is the other side of the same coin. For others, the struggle may be one or the other.

Can you see why this is dangerous, especially on a stage? The bright lights and the attention of others can magnify these temptations.


There is a danger we might not see as easily, but I've encountered it repeatedly. When we are on stage, representing the God who calls us to righteousness, there is always a chance that we'll be found out. What if someone you work with, live near, go to school with, or even share a house with--what if they hear you on stage declaring the glory of a life changed by Jesus but see you off the stage bearing evidence of a life that testifies to just the opposite?  Well, when we do that, we've lost credibility. We've damaged the opportunity to bear witness to those far from God about the power of God to redeem and rescue us, to free us from a life bound by sin.

But there's good news--no GREAT NEWS!

One of my favorite verses comes from the most famous sermon ever preached. Jesus said, in Matthew 6:33, "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well."

You see, the antidote for self-righteousness and false-righteousness is Christ's righteousness. That's what we seek. That's Whose we seek. 

So let's seek--and by that I mean, let's pursue, go after, peer in every corner, look in every scripture passage--the kind of righteousness that comes from our God. It won't be condescending to others, it won't even be offensive to others. Remember, Jesus lived a life that was 100% righteous, yet those chasing sin found Him compelling, attractive, and transformational. 

There's more at stake than how we perceive ourselves and how others think about us. That's why we need the righteousness of Christ, the kind that flows from the inside out.

I love the way The Message translates Paul's desire for the same thing: "I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ--God's righteousness." (Phil 3:9)

Bad Biblical Worship?

Does the title trouble you? Can Biblical worship be bad?

Actually, it can.

You see, most of what I read about worship these days, especially in blogs like this one, are about created things—screens, hymnals, organs, drums, keys, etc.

I find it fascinating that the Bible is silent on issues like this. I find it equally fascinating--and extremely challenging--that it is not at all silent on things related to worship like obedience, engaging both our heart and minds, and the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ.

Consider a powerful passage by the minor prophet Amos. It describes bad worship, and it's in the Bible.

"I hate all your show and pretense--
     the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.
I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings.
     I won't even notice all your choice peace offerings.
Away with your noise hymns of praise!
     I will not listen to the music of your harps.

No mention of screens or hymnals. Nothing about harps being good or bad. But God seems quite upset with "noisy hymns of praise." Of praise. God was upset with their praise.

Maybe we should be more concerned about why our Father would use words like "I hate... and I will not accept... and I won't even notice... or I will not listen."

This is bad, Biblical worship.

Maybe that’s why I feel compelled to write so often about the “impractical” side of worship. As long as we are missing the mark on the things the Bible tells us clearly, we are probably wasting our time debating the myriad of things the Bible doesn’t tell us.

Let's not stop here, though. We should get to what makes for good Biblical worship.

What did God want from the people Amos was sent to admonish? It's in the very next verse:

"Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice,
     and endless river of righteous living."

As just one among thousands and thousands of worship leaders, I'd like to suggest we spend a little more time working toward justice and righteous living and a little less time posturing (even arguing) about the things where God chooses silence.

What do you think?

Wanna Eat Raw Chicken?

Have you ever eaten raw chicken?

I don't think I would. Now I've eaten chicken in all kinds of ways for all three daily meals and in multiple countries, but I can't imagine eating it raw. There's just gotta be some kind of preparation. And, the more time spent preparing the chicken, the more possibilities of great flavor.

A while back I had scrumptious grilled chicken at a friend's house. Prepared with a Pampered Chef rub, then grilled. It took an investment of planning, purchasing, rubbing and cooking. And it was fabulous.

I cook chicken sometimes, too. My favorite simple way is to put some garlic powder on it, drizzle lemon juice over it, put it in a baking dish with a little water, and then slowly bake it. Doesn't take a real long time, but it takes time.

But my favorite chicken of all time has to be when my grandmother would cook it for dinner (that was lunch in her her world) by cutting it up, breading it, and then frying it. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. My brothers and I used to fight over the crumbs.

What in the world does all of this have to do with worship?

Simple, really.

Worship well done (pun intended) requires preparation. Planning. Purchasing. Practicing. And the best services I've ever been part of leading involved practicing both individually and together.

Raw chicken will make you sick. I'm concerned that raw worship leading can keep our worship ministries from being healthy.

In my current church position, I get to see young worship leaders a lot. It is easy to tell when they have spent a good amount of time preparing on their own, spent time preparing with one another, and then--fully prepared--led beautifully.

Conversely, it is easy to pick out when they have failed to prepare on their own before practicing with others, or have difficulty prioritizing practice with others. The best musicians get by, but they significantly limit themselves musically. Perhaps more importantly, they struggle to get past the music and to a place of freedom to worship.

I suspect this is not only true for young leaders but for all of us.

Don't be a chicken. Prepare well. Serve well. Lead well.

Pretenders?

Romans 12:9 says, "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them."


If you serve in any sort of leadership--as a paid servant or an unpaid one--I can't imagine a more potent "horizontal" instruction from scripture.

I confess: I have often pretended to love others. I think I most often pretend to myself, not to them. But still, for most of my career I don't think I've loved people very well.

Now, lest you think me more of a jerk than I really am, I have certainly loved some people. You know, those that were quick to support me personally or my ministry... I loved them really well. The more they loved the songs I picked, the more I loved them. Not just the songs, but those who played and sang and led and served. You get the idea.

I'll spare you the psycho-babble and circular reasoning. You're welcome to speculate about  my past on your own. I'm more concerned with what God is showing me now. And what that means for the future.

I'm hopeful that what I'm seeing might serve your journey as well. These things seem to be true for those in my ministry, but also for those in my circle of friends and--more importantly--in my family.

When I really love people, I ask them to do things because it is best for them, not for me.

When I really love people, I speak encouragement to them rather than expect it from them.

When I really love people, I ask how they are doing. I pray for their needs and check in with them--not so they think much of me, but because I think much of them.

When I really love people, I speak truth into their lives. But only with and in great love. I do so because it serves them, not because it makes me feel better.

When I really love people, I am for them. I'm on their side, regardless of whether or not they're on my side.

Perhaps more practically, when I really love people I choose songs they love as well as songs I love--even if I don't love their songs. 

Similarly, when I really love people, I ask people to do things because they feel compelled by the love of Christ to do them, not because I want them to do them. 

Those last two are where the rubber really meets the road for those of us in worship leader positions. 

It makes so much sense when I read it from The Message: "Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it."

You see, that's the difference in a Christ-follower and a "nice person." We who follow Jesus have the same power coursing through our veins that raised Jesus from the dead. That power makes it possible to love people because of who we are, not because of who they are. And we love them because it's what we do, not because of what they do.

I'm learning. Feels like little tiny baby steps, but I'm learning.

How are you doing at loving people from the center of who you are? Any other places where the rubber meets the road that I've left out?

A Parable

A family was on vacation, hiking through a field. They stumbled upon recently disturbed dirt. Their younger child, a boy, just knew there was buried treasure. After begging and pleading (and maybe some bribing) he got permission from his parents to start digging.

It didn’t take long for his big sister to join the work. It seemed like it was taking forever, so dad pitched in. Finally mom gave up and joined them. It was hot. It was humid. It was afternoon. If they didn’t get to a treasure soon, it was gonna be time to give up.

About 20 minutes later someone heard a clunk. Excitement built. They all dug faster and harder. Before long they were looking at a stunningly beautiful box, about the size of a gallon of ice cream. The more dirt they brushed off, the more beautiful the box became. They looked. Honestly, they delighted. The box was stunning, glistening in the bright, hot sunlight.

Mom decided it was time to get back on the journey, so they decided to put the box back for the next traveler to find and enjoy. Of course the kids wanted to take it with them, but mom and dad were able to convince them that the land-owner was also the treasure box-owner, so they continued their hike, grateful for an adventure into beauty.

A second family happened upon the same field, not two days later. Except for the fact that both children were boys, the stories were nearly identical. Until the end.

The second dad decided it might be wise to open the treasure box and see what was on the inside. Having already been captivated by the beauty of the box, they were absolutely speechless at the sight of what was in it. The container was stunning; the contents were indescribable.

The family decided they should change jobs, schools, and everything else in their world to buy that field, build a home there, and have endless access to the treasure. 

What the first family missed out on, the second family was changed by. And all because the dad simply opened the box.

This parable is about worship. Most of us are enamored with the boxes. We marvel at the preaching, the music, even the people doing those things. We enjoy the wrapping so much we forget to pursue the treasure. Could we agree that we won’t stop with the container (worship) but pursue the treasure (Jesus)?

Here’s how He said it, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” - Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

Oh look, a bird!

People follow people.

Worship leaders, that means people aren't following music, or screens, or hymnals, or bulletins. They're following you.

The amazing privileges we're given are to choose the path, and to lead people down that path.

Let me explain.

We might think of the order of service or the songs chosen as a path. People can walk that path, and you can shape the path they walk. You can choose to make it beautiful, adventurous, comforting, etc. As a worship designer, you pick the path they're invited to walk. That's a series of posts for another time. (Or a library of books on worship planning!)

But they don't have to walk on the path you've prepared for them. They can be spectators, watching others walk (or watching other watching others). They might walk part of the path and then decide to just sit down and not continue their journey. They might go off the path. They might spend so much time looking at the path they forget their destination.

And that's where you come in.

People follow people.

So I want to encourage you to lead them. You've laid out the path, now show them around. Bring them along. You don't need a lot of words to do that. But you do need a lot of preparation. Use the instruments to paint the lyrics. Use the screen backgrounds and lights and musical dynamics to do the same. When needed, offer a quick prompt: let's walk a little farther (procedural language) or look at that bird (directional language) or can you believe how God created such beauty (worship language). Use the Psalms. Use other great scripture passages. Sometimes 3 words or 2 sentences can re-engage the attender who has decided to sit out this part of the path.

Use your eyes to communicate. Which direction is the text your singing? Is it directed at God? Then look to Him. Is it directed at the congregation, then look at them. Is it directed at your own heart? Then maybe you should close your eyes for a moment. But not too long. Because they're following you, and when you close your eyes, you shut out those who are willing to be led.

People follow people.

So lead them. Shepherd them like David did, "with integrity of heart." Guide them down the path of your order of worship and deliver them directly to their destination, the feet of our Father. It's when they get there that they will find "mercy and help for their time of need." Seize the opportunity to direct people to the throne of grace.