Worship Him

How do you prepare for Sunday mornings?  Obviously, the music prep is important – but I’m talking about preparing your heart and your soul for worship.  Those involved in the music ministry often think long and hard about details involved in worship flow, music selection and participation scheduling.  Let’s talk about spiritual preparation.

I’m reading through the book of Exodus, and I’m finding the stipulations God placed upon the priests concerning their preparation before serving in the Tabernacle.  There’s a sense of awe when we read the many ordinances they were instructed to follow.  The priests washed before serving.  They wore specific clothing while they served.  They even burned a specific type of incense – with a fragrance unique to the Tabernacle – while they served.  The priests were set apart for service – they followed a high standard of dedication, which certainly led to an awe and reverence for the service they were to perform.

We, in the 21^st century, live in a different time and in a different place, than the priests recorded in the book of Exodus.  The blood of Jesus has been offered as the perfect sacrifice, to redeem mankind.  Does that erase God’s mandate to wash, clothe and prepare ourselves to lead in worship?  If we are to prepare ourselves to lead, what does that look like today? 

In your time alone with God this weekend, ask Him to cleanse you, clothe you and set you apart, so that you are equipped by Him to serve His Church.

Following the Leader

Finding a new worship leader, worship arts director or music director can take awhile, and it can be a daunting task.  There are several qualities to look for – moral integrity, musical ability-training-experience, a heart for God’s people and for worship, and an ability to work well with people within the ministry area, as well as encourage and inspire new people to get involved.  There’s also that ‘certain something’ the pastor, the team and the congregation want to see in the new person. 

My first word of advice – never settle on a new leader based upon a predetermined time allotment. WAIT until you feel God has truly brought the right person (or persons) your way.  Once your new leader begins his/her job position, he/she will need lots of time to get to know the expectations of the church leadership and the team, along with the response of the congregation.  He/She will need time to acclimate to a myriad of things, including getting to know individual personalities, participation schedules, and preferred musical style choices.

My second word of advice – support your leader.  If the person you have chosen displays all of the above characteristics when they are hired, then believe in them, even during the challenges.  If the person is the right person, expect many challenges!  Remember – inviting a new director into your church is also most likely inviting a new member into your church.  The member would hopefully be warmly welcomed, and nurtured / encouraged to use their gifts and to grow in Christ.  Others will grow as a result of this new member being in their midst. The new director, in the same way, should be welcomed, nurtured, and encouraged to offer their unique gifts and talents to the team.

I am so blessed to be part of a church that supports their music director.  The unfortunate fact is that all too often churches expect the new worship leader to be ‘just like’ the last worship leader.  All too often churches reject new musical choices or ideas offered by a new leader.  Don’t fall into those traps, or you may miss the opportunity to grow musically, or even spiritually. God has something great in store, when you find the right new leader.