Plastered on most tithe envelopes (if such things still exist) lives a little hint: “God loves a cheerful giver.” Have you seen it?

Any stage amplifies what’s already there. Any spotlight highlights what was hidden. If I want to be freer on stage, I need to know what freedom is offstage.

In my devotional time, I was drawn to read Psalm 100. Classic for worship leaders, I know. But this is how I read it:

I’m pretty hooked on home improvement shows—at least the good ones.

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

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…

The worship leader put a message out to the team. It said:

I sat in a meeting surrounded by 18 other worship team members from our church.

You remember the Capital One commercial “What’s in your wallet?”

God is not seeking worship. God is seeking worshipers. (see John 4:23)

I love worshiping with blind trust.

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.

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.

If you’ve ever said (or heard) any of these phrases, I have something to tell you about.

• One drummer hits too hard, one too soft.

• Our drums sound terrible, dead, too loud, or like they are not part of the mix.

• Our sound people don’t know what to do with the drums.

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)

“The measure of a worship leader’s success is not better services, but building worshippers.” 

The worship leader announced the song, started it, and then sat down in the pew with the rest of the team. The lyrics continued to scroll on the screens. Would the congregation keep singing?

I was leading Sunday morning worship at this church. I greeted the assembled worshipers and… got back a very wimpy response. I felt like I was looking at a room of corpses.

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.