I spoke with yet another pastor who is looking for a worship leader. This one was lost to burnout.

We were observing a Sunday morning rehearsal.

"Why didn't you tell me about this before?" said the flustered senior pastor to the worship leader. A couple of times.

We thought they might come to blows, and the worship leader was visibly livid.

Maybe we feel disoriented because God is trying to reorient us.

As churches, we’ve been forced to rethink virtually everything about our weekly gathering rhythms.

In Costa Rica, I am pleasantly surprised at how kind drivers are. They let each other into traffic. They honk, wave, or flash their lights to give you the right of way.

I just learned the other day that one of the team members at one of my former churches took a break from the team and never came back. She’s at another church now.

Imagine calling yourself a chef. You have libraries of cookbooks…that you’ve actually read. You watch every show on Food Network and have even met some of the stars! You can even guess at the beginning of the show who’s going to get Chopped. You grocery shop and fill your pantries with supplies. You just love the smell of food cooking.

I got off the airplane when we first entered Costa Rica, and the customs official asked me, “¿A que te dedicas?” “Músico,” I’d answer.

We made it! To a whole new decade.

But do you have hope?

What am I taking to heart?

I took stock. I noticed. I paid attention. I realized that I’ve been leading three to four Sundays a month over the past twelve months. That was okay then.

But it was time to change.

Do the worship leaders at your church meet together regularly? Oh, they see each other at church. They may occasionally play on each other’s teams. They might even be a part of the same small group.

But do they actually journey together as worship leaders?Do the worship leaders at your church meet together regularly? Oh, they see each other at church. They may occasionally play on each other’s teams. They might even be a part of the same small group.

But do they actually journey together as worship leaders?

Maybe you’re a worship leader who is caught in the unrelenting cycle of leading weekly worship gatherings while managing songs, arrangements, schedules, teams, relationships, and life.

You feel the need for... 

• A deep walk with God (Intimate, Consecrated, Scripture-soaked)

• A deep love for people (Shepherd, Launcher, Encourager, Leader)

• A deep understanding of music (Listener, Craftsman, Fluent)

So I had this experience where I realized that I had been lulled to sleep. Maybe you can relate to this, because I had forgotten that God is actually steadfast. He’s actually good. He’s actually all-powerful. He’s actually able to do what He said He would do.

Doesn’t this just have a great ring to it? Campfire. Eating together. Relaxed worship. Late-night talks. Teaching tailored to your team. Friendships deepened. A break from your routine. God speaking...

As we approach the end of the year, I encourage you to take a moment between sips of 'nog (stay tuned for a killer recipe) to reflect on the state of your team's relationships.

Do you know which Sunday marks the end of the Church calendar year? (Did you know the church had its own calendar?!)

My pastor was a college professor who had just finished the semester.

What’s your worship team like? And by “worship team,” I mean the musicians and techs together.

Are you like a Worship Family? A Worship Indie Band? A Worship Elevator? Let me describe each one.

In the middle of your day. When you’re too busy to stop. When the pressure of the moment is all you can feel. When your dryness defines you. When you lack in zeal in serving the Lord.

How can you know if it’s time to form a leadership team for your worship ministry?