Strong worship leaders develop good attitudes and habits. They keep their heart, mind and spirit right before God and man. Check out these things that strong leaders don’t do, so you can grow and improve.
1. They don’t miss out on a daily time with God
God is the reason for worship. He is the source of your success. Spending daily time with God, reading the word and in prayer, is the main key to being a strong worship leader.
2. They don’t pick songs that the congregation can’t sing and worship with
If your congregation is not singing, you are not doing what you are called to do. Are you picking songs the congregation can learn quickly? Are you repeating the songs enough for your congregation to learn them? Are you picking great songs? Is your congregation just singing or are they worshiping with the songs? Are you putting them in singable keys?
3. They don’t choose a worship list without praying about it
The Holy Spirit will bring songs to your mind that you might ordinarily miss. How does God want to be worshiped this Sunday? What does He want to say to His church?
4. They don’t think that success comes from anywhere but God
Humility is a main ingredient to God moving in your life and ministry. Humility proceeds honor. God is the one who promotes or demotes you. Make sure all the honor goes to Him. God resists the proud.
5. They don’t alienate the sound person or tech team
Sound people and tech team members can make you or break you. They are usually some of the first people to arrive and the last to leave. A great tech team is worth their weight in gold. Make sure you treat them that way!
6. They don’t allow themselves to just sing songs without also worshiping God with their whole heart
It’s too easy to get caught up in making good music and forget the main thing. Worshiping God is the main thing. Make sure you practice enough so you can play and sing the music well and focus on worshiping God at the same time.
7. They don’t allow the band to be at the same level this year as last year
Developing and growing your team and yourself is one of the main responsibilities of a good leader. Learn to lead great rehearsals. Challenge yourself and the worship band to grow, learn and improve.
8. They don’t allow a rift to develop with the pastoral staff
Having a good relationship with your church leadership is paramount to a worship leader’s success. Go out of your way to spend the time to have good relationships.
9. They don’t let the week go by without a personal private time of worship
If you honor God in private, He will honor you in public by showing up in special ways. Never allow your worship to be just a public thing. Your private worship is one of the most important ways for you to grow in your walk with the Lord.
10. They don’t allow the worship band to just play music and not worship
The modern worship band is a team. You are only as strong as your weakest link. You need everyone on stage to be a worshiper. It communicates so much to your congregation.
11. They don’t spend time feeling sorry for themselves when things don’t go perfectly
Mistakes will happen. Learn from your mistakes but don’t allow them to bring you or the team down. You need to get over negative attitudes and problems quickly. Remember what Paul said: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”
12. They don’t blame the band or other people when there are problems
Good leaders take the main blame for problems. They realize that with a better rehearsal and preparation, most problems can be avoided. Don’t play the blame game, take responsibility and do better next time.
13. They don’t worry about pleasing everyone
You will rarely please everyone. Do the best you can, make the best decisions you are capable of and move on. There will always be negative critics, but good leaders keep their ears open for good constructive criticism that will help them grow.
14. They don’t dwell on past mistakes and problems.
The devil loves to bring up your past mistakes and sins. Nobody is perfect, repent and let the past be in the past. Dwelling on your past mistakes can paralyze you. God wants you to forget the past and move on to the great things He has in store for you.
15. They don’t make the same mistakes over and over
You will learn more from your problems and mistakes than your successes. Learn from your mistakes and move on. Experience is one of the best teachers.
16. They don’t resent other people’s success
“Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.” We are here to build God’s kingdom not our own. When another brother or sister in the kingdom does well, rejoice with them. Resentment is a negative emotion that God doesn’t honor.
17. They don’t give up after a failure
Never, ever, give up. God is on your side. Everyone fails sometime. Just get up, learn and keep on going! Never, ever, give up!
18. They don’t expect immediate results
Good congregations and worship bands are not built in a day. God’s normal way is for us to build little by little, day by day. If you and your team keep improving day by day and week by week, good things will happen.
Bonus: They don’t put themselves in compromising situations
Maintaining moral purity in ministry will make you or break you. Too many have fallen into the trap of developing unhealthy relationships. Rick Warren has a great list titled “10 Commandments to Help Church Staff Maintain Moral Integrity.” We would be wise to follow his advice.
Question: What other things do strong worship leaders avoid?
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