Worship Leaders by Ross Parsley Contributing Writer April 20, 2007

Think Ahead

Begin with the end in mind. What do you want to see in your worship services? Where do you want the church to be in a year? How do you want the worship in your church or on your team to be different next year at this same time? Many people are confused about how specific to get with these questions because they feel as though they'll get into chasing after the manifestations rather than seeking the Lord. But I believe you should be as specific as possible because it will aid you in the process of evaluating what you're seeking. Don't just say, "We want God to do what he wants." It's too general and doesn't provide vision that people can hold on to. Goals should be tangible and measurable because only then will we know we've accomplished them. For example, a church might set a goal like: we want 50% of our congregation to be comfortable with lifting their hands during a service. This forces the question 'why?' The answer--because we believe the Bible encourages us in these types of manifestations of praise and it is one indicator of peoples' heart condition. This leads to the conclusion that you will have to model, teach and train in some way to get this idea into your church's culture. Don't be afraid to articulate what you want to see.

Write It Down

Habakkuk 2:2 says, "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that the herald (whoever reads it) may run with it." A lot of churches don't force themselves through the process of writing a vision because it's just so difficult. But writing it down does accomplishes three goals. First, it requires us to be more thoughtful, exposing faulty theology or logic. Writing it down compels us to avoid clichés and euphemisms that we would tend to use in speaking. Second, it allows us to inculcate the vision within our hearts, our speech and in our team. And third, when you write it down you can distribute the vision much more easily and extensively. In addition, a mission statement is one of the most useful tools because it succinctly and effectively communicates where you're going and what your ministry is about in a short quality phrase. This mission statement answers the question of 'why you exist' and provides focus for determining what you will and will not do in your ministry. We just went through this process again last year and updated our mission statement. We came up with: "New Life Worship Ministry--helping people experience God and develop a life of worship." There are many books and manuals with helpful advice on how to do this, but the power of the process is what we're after.

Talk It Up

Communicating the vision is one of the most vital aspects of our worship leading responsibilities. It gives people the handle they need to grab hold of what we're doing and offers them a grid through which to look as they watch what is unfolding in our worship services. Becoming the spokesperson for our worship ministries facilitates both education and encouragement in our churches. Actions do speak louder than words so make sure that your words are lining up and bringing context for experimenting and modeling. Share with people in a way that communicates the information but also conveys the emotions and convictions of worship within your church. Choose your words carefully and then repeat them over and over and over again.

Measure It Out

Feedback is one of your most valuable tools. It is tricky, though, because there are many people who have an opinion about what you're doing. Here are some ideas that have helped me. Choose people that you trust to give you an evaluation from time to time. Ask your pastor periodically how you are doing. Allow people on your team to give you their input on certain decisions and encourage their evaluation. All criticism has an element of truth to it, so listen to everyone, but don't take everyone's advice. Follow the general signals and don't become so prideful that you are unable to acknowledge where you've missed it. Sometimes we become perpetually discontented with our worship ministries because we haven't created any objectives that are measurable.

So, set goals that will be reachable. Be willing to admit it when you don't accomplish them and allow yourself to celebrate the small victories along the way. Then turn around a year later and look at what God has done in your church and in your worship. He has a great plan for you this year! Pay the price. Pray it through. Plan it out and watch what God will do.

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