How To Build Up Your Team
While serving as an interim worship leader for a year, one of the Ad Lib Coaches sent his team something like this EVERY WEEK. It points out something good each person on the team did. He sends it out through Planning Center Online’s text option.
The Mariachi Ending
We were talking about how the band ended the songs and how they lacked flow between them. He said, “They do them all with the mariachi ending. Tan-TAN!”
Am I In Sync?
It was 1984. Apple launched Macintosh (yes kids, Mac’s full name was Macintosh until 1999). The Terminator came out. Prince’s hit Purple Rain was everywhere.
How Do You “Strum” On The Piano
Most weekdays at 4 PMish, I give one of my kids a music lesson.
As you may imagine, they are not typical lessons. I either start playing an instrument to spark their curiosity, or I ask what song they are working on or what skill they’d like to strengthen.
Look Each Other In The Eyes
The best wedding day advice I received: “Don’t forget to look each other in the eyes.”
With all the details, all the planning, all the preparation, all the stress, all the expectations, all the pressure…did I mention the details? It’s easy to miss the moment.
Recover
A worship leader once wrote this after leaving his church staff position:
“I need a little bit of space to recover from the battlefield before I go to the next war…”
Plan In Bulk
If you can help it, never plan one week at a time.
Make More Excellent Music
We want to make excellent music. And by “excellent,” I mean the best we can do with what we have. It’s a continuously moving target. It’s personal - you don’t become excellent by comparing yourself to others but by comparing yourself today to yourself yesterday. Movement matters.
Tell Me Your Story (Podcast Interview)
I was interviewed on the More Than a Worship Leader podcast, and he sent me the questions beforehand so I could prepare. I wrote my answers out and am sharing them with you for this week’s Fertilizer. (Make sure to respond to the questions at the end.)
What’s Your Secret?
You want to be a good steward of the leadership opportunity God has given you, right? You want to help your team be more confident and comfortable as they serve. You want more capable, Godly people on your team. You want to experience joy as you pour out each week. You want to complete your calling to the very end. You want to experience fullness.
Singing With A Click?
“Should the singers have click in their ears?” many a worship leader has asked.
I can almost feel the visceral reactions as you read that.
Why Are You A Worship Leader?
My friend Adam once said, “I’m not a psychologist because that’s what I do. I’m a psychologist, so that’s what I do.” In other words, his chosen profession doesn’t make him what his job title says. His calling and bent made him who he is, so he chose that for his profession.
A Really Good Lunch
I was on staff and was failing with my techs. There was constant tension. There was contempt and sarcasm. And so much passive aggressiveness. There was no life. Rehearsals were dreadful.
Chord Nuances
Slash chords, color chords, inversions, and magic chords shape musical expression. I'll illustrate their unique roles with piano examples, but all melodic instruments can benefit from understanding these nuances.
Outlast
It’s happening all over America. Worship leaders with twenty and thirty years of experience are “aging-out” of leading worship.
No, they’re not, but that’s what they call it.
The Key To Success As A Worship Leader
I was helping our pastor pick up some used subwoofers and speakers for our church. We pulled up to a storage container, and our tech friend, who was selling them, greeted us with a smile.
Which Fader Is The Greatest?
Which of the Five Faders matters most? The logical answer is “my Fader!” :)
This question makes sense, but it isn't the most useful one. Often, the underlying concern is finding justification to challenge a leader or team member who is out of balance or unhealthy.
The Five Faders Book is HERE!
Have you appreciated receiving the Worship Fertilizer or any of the many resources from Ad Lib Music?
Can I ask you a big favor?
Stop Turning Away Middle School Band Students
I’ve never known what to do with orchestral band instrumentalists who want to join the worship team. It feels like they come from a different world. But there’s hope for us!
Hospitality Can Transform Your Team
If You Can Be Anything, Be Kind
I am not often envious of my daughter’s wardrobe, but she has one shirt that I covet. On the front, it says “be kind,” and on the back, it says “everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” It’s a simple concept that has become my personal mantra as a worship leader and church planter.