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.

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.

What am I taking to heart?

You can't make music if you are focusing only on your instrument. You have to listen and respond to the rest of the band for it to be music.

More and more worship teams are beginning to play with a click.

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?

I received this question from a pastor:

"How do you describe the minimum level of vocal ability that a person needs to possess before they will perform on a Sunday morning? As you might guess, this is prompted by a church member who very much wants to sing with the team, but frankly probably falls below the standard of what we would like to have on stage...."

Have you ever tried to actually measure how loud the congregation sings?

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.” 

We ended the song with the entire room singing loudly. It was a reflection of what was happening in their hearts – they were “all in!”

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.

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...

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.