Archives For For Worship Leaders

The Content Potluck – G.O.S.P.E.L, Push Church & All About Worship

Ryan Egan —  March 18, 2011 — Leave a comment

Every once in a while on a Friday I like to step away from writing my thoughts and musings and share some fun things with you that I’ve found in various places.

I love how our infinitely creative God uses a vast number of creative styles to magnify Himself through the work of His children on earth.  Enjoy this amazing piece of spoken word art that clearly communicates the Gospel in an extremely powerful way. (Thanks to worship leader and blogger Kyle Campos at Our Rising Sound for posting this on his blog.)

I’m a big fan of when churches do advertising, marketing and media correctly.  After all, we are spreading the greatest message of all time. I recently was introduced to a new church media and marketing podcast called the Push Church podcast.  I love it when people are willing to start new things with the purpose of connecting people with Jesus and this is a great example.  They talk about “media evangelism” or the idea that advertising can be redeemed by the church to respond to Jesus Christ.  (full disclosure – they are advertising on my sidebar)

All About Worship is hosting a retreat very soon. Take a look at this great retreat for worship leaders. (full disclosure, I’m currently trading ad space with Worship Devotional, a sub property of All About Worship)

 

In For Worship Leaders, Music
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The Corporate Worship Gathering is Not a Spectator Sport: Teaching and Acting on Prayer

Ryan Egan —  March 14, 2011 — Leave a comment

Sometimes it takes a little bit of disruption in our routine that shakes us up, wakes us up, and calls us to act on what we believe and yesterday was no exception.

We spent the whole morning service praying at Living Word yesterday.  The songs were mixed in with times of prayer guided by our pastor.  We had no sermon, just a short explanation of the day and why we were doing what we were doing.

I had a little voice in my head telling me, “But you’ve never done that before and it’s going to make people uncomfortable!”  I’m glad I decided to say “Yes, it’s good that we’ve never done it before and yes it’s good that we’ll make people uncomfortable” instead of listening and giving in to the fear of what people would think.

It was worth it.  We spent about forty-five minutes in focused prayer including:

  • Praise
  • Confession
  • Intercession
  • Prayer for those who are unbelievers
  • Thankfulness
  • Our songs matched each section and at the end we responded with two songs of praise and sending.

I loved that we didn’t just teach on prayer but we actually acted on it and practiced it. Sometimes our corporate worship gatherings tend to look more like seminars and concerts than times of corporate worship.  We gather to listen to a teacher, maybe watch a video, hear a testimony, and sing some songs.  We listen to the pastor pray and watch the worship team, special music, or choir “perform.”  What we need to do is consistently come up with ways to keep the congregation engaged in active worship and send that attitude with them into their homes and families.

Our time of corporate worship through prayer was a beautiful, fruitful time, and we’ve already heard a lot of positive feedback.  I’m already looking forward to when we’ll do it again.

What have you done recently that has knocked folks a little out of their comfort zone and called them to put their faith into action? What has knocked you out of your comfort zone?

In For Worship Leaders
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What are the Habits of a Highly Effective Worship Leader?

Ryan Egan —  March 8, 2011 — 2 Comments

Image from Living Word Free Lutheran Church's 2010 Resurrection Service

Worship leader and blogger Chris Kuti wrote a fantastic article yesterday entitled 22 Habits of a Highly Effective Worship Leader.  I’m in full agreement with all of them.  Here are some highlights:

1. Hang Out With Your Pastor God is using your Pastor to lead your church somewhere, and picking up on this direction is only going to come by spending time together.  So often Worship leaders get their marching orders and hide till Sunday.  Don’t.  Your effectiveness, in the context God has you in, is in the balance.

3. Encourage Your Musicians Call them, get them gifts, have a monthly fun night. Don’t talk about music when you’re spending time together, get to know them and what interests they have besides music.  Do whatever it takes to let them know they’re appreciated.

8. Fast and Pray I always remind myself that “you can’t worship a God you don’t know.”  This needs to be your most guarded habit of the day.

13. Watch Yourself Record every service and watch yourself back.  You are your best critic.  Don’t just watch yourself, this is a great time to assess your other players and vocalists.

20. Memorize You cannot lead people effectively staring at a music stand the entire set.  I often use small “cheat sheets” on the ground to help me remember verses to new songs, but I’ve even noticed the negative effect they have on my confidence.

21. Lead Another Leader to Lead Your effectiveness is not measured by how much the music ministry needs you.  Rather, how are you equipping younger worship leaders to do what you do better than you?  Your goal should be to go on vacation and not have to book a guest worship leader if you don’t want to.

I’m in full agreement with his whole list with one addition:  I would change number 15 to “Read and Study.”  It is so important to read.  Read all you can.  Read the Bible especially, and read books on philosophy, theology, leadership, and more.  But don’t just stop at reading the Bible.  Study it.  Memorize it.  Meditate on it.  By doing so God’s Word will naturally pour out of you as often as you lead worship.

What habits have you formed as a worship leader or church leader that have had lasting, positive impact in your ministry?

In For Worship Leaders, Leadership, Training
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How To Be An Offering: Living Life as an Offering of Worship

Ryan Egan —  March 2, 2011 — 2 Comments

Light shaft hitting a Bible with a pen resting on the top

Every day we make choices.  We chose this over that. We chose to spend or save.  What do our choices say about us?

The subheading of this blog, and the theme of my life and ministry, has become “Living a Life of Worship.”  Throughout my life I’ve made many choices that have definitely not accurately reflected that sentence in my life.  I’ve used “how to be an offering” off and on for quite a while while never being consistent.  So, it’s time for a change, and a challenge.

Starting today, and continuing every Wednesday, I’d love for you to join me in proclaiming ways that we offer our lives as living sacrifices to our amazing and gracious God.

  • Read and meditate on Romans 12:1-2.
  • Write a blog post and link back here or
  • record a quick video with some thoughts or
  • Tweet a sentence about it or
  • Post a Facebook status update with your sentence and include a link back here.
  • Be sure to tag whatever you do with #livingsacrifice.
  • If you can’t do any of these things, at least leave a comment.

Would you join me in this challenge of really starting to think about the choices we make, and shifting our thinking into becoming living sacrifices for our worthy Creator?

(photo by Justin Knight)

In For Worship Leaders, How to be an Offering
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I Have Worshiped…

Ryan Egan —  March 1, 2011 — 4 Comments

I’m stepping out in confession today to confess that I have worshiped other things in place of my God.  I have worshiped…

  • The thrill from a tightly-arranged song
  • The emotional surge during a corporate worship setting
  • Musicians and worship leaders who are better than I am
  • My own musical skill
  • My reputation among my own congregation
  • My reputation among fellow worship leaders and church leaders
  • The teaching, planning, and preparation that goes into worship ministry
  • Music
  • Technology and shiny new gadgets

When I really stop and ask the question of what do we worship, I realize that there have been many times where I have placed someone or something as more important than God.  I give it more worth at the time, effectively making it the object of my worship instead of my amazing God.

I have worshiped worship itself, and I need to worship Jesus.

In For Worship Leaders, Leadership
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