What is it like to be at one of your rehearsals?

Twenty-four hours ago, I was leading worship. How did it go? 

How do I know the answer?

Lead worship solo for a group of complete strangers. Don’t give them lyrics.

I know. If you’re a Producer Fader, you’re either rolling your eyes at a subject like “Planning Feels Great,” or you’re disappointed because I’m not stronger in my call to action.

We just made chocolate chip cookies from scratch. But get this! Part of the process was to grind our flour by hand.

I just returned from an overstuffed, extended weekend in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was my first time back in the US since moving to Costa Rica about 20 months ago.

Some churches don’t seem to mind breaks in between songs. You know, the team finishes. There are five seconds of (awkward) silence.

“Well, I’m standing up here, so I’d better be playing something.”

Worship ministry is personal. It’s a beautiful weaving of the human and the Divine. It’s logical and unexplainable. It’s predictable and mysterious. But…

When we first moved to a new country, GPS was a lifesaver. By “GPS,” I’m referring to Google Maps or Waze. See, Costa Ricans are famous for giving directions like this:

How do you show up to rehearsals? Would you describe it as "fully prepared?"

Headlines are designed to DO something in us: excite, sober, inform, activate, celebrate, persuade. Persuade? That’s a fascinating thought.

We made it! 2020 is 99% in the rearview mirror. Phew!

As a leader, uncertainty is your life. It’s your sweet spot.

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.

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)

How can I better prepare to play bass without a team so that I can arrive at rehearsal prepared? (I feel like I’m more prepared when I get to play with the team)

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.

The other night, I was tucking my son into bed and noticed some trash on his bunk bed shelf. It was the remains of an old, burned-up plastic Coke bottle.

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...