1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Portrait of a Worship Leader

Discussion in 'Music Ministry' started by Joshua Rhodes, Dec 24, 2007.

  1. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2003
    Messages:
    3,944
    Likes Received:
    0
    Whatever your title-ology: worship leader, lead worshipper, music minister, minister of music, music director, choir director, song leader, staff musician... how would you describe the "ideal" worship leader?

    Taking into account all that Scripture has to say about worship and music, what is the portrait? Brothers and sisters... family... tell me what your "ideal" is.
     
  2. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    Messages:
    20,914
    Likes Received:
    706
    My hubby. :laugh:

    Seriously - a few things to me is:

    a strong independent relationship with the Lord
    a heart for worshipping God and a desire to bring others to Him
    a good communicator
    a talented musician
    sensitive to the leading of the Spirit and willing to follow His lead - even if it means changing something at the last minute
    not prideful in their abilities
     
  3. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2003
    Messages:
    4,818
    Likes Received:
    1
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Authenticity. I have seen several who put on a good show, but that is all it was. If you are not in a position with God to lead worship, don't.

    Humility. I have seen too many who act like they are the fourth member of the Godhead. Lead the worship of Christ, not your talent or personality.

    Faith. A life of faith lived out before any and all, without hiding the heartaches and stumbles along the way.

    Those are the main ones. Talent is not even in the top ten.
     
  4. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 4, 2001
    Messages:
    21,763
    Likes Received:
    0
    Theologically astute first and foremost.
    Able to judge the accuracy and propriety of words and forms of words.
    Able to judge the propriety of musical styles in view of the holiness of God.
    Conversant with issues in worship throughout church history rather than simply knowledgeable about today's trends.
    Someone who understands that worship is not perfomance and does not treat it as a chance to show off his own personal abilities or his own personality.
     
  5. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2006
    Messages:
    7,373
    Likes Received:
    0
    There you have it. :thumbs:
     
  6. rbell

    rbell Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2006
    Messages:
    11,103
    Likes Received:
    0
    I give this response a B+.

    It would have received an "A," but since I didn't think of it.....





    :laugh:
     
  7. Sopranette

    Sopranette New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2006
    Messages:
    1,828
    Likes Received:
    0
    You need to add something a little personal, otherwise it just sounds cold. Art is partly about sharing something of yourself, and in the process, identifying with others.

    love,

    Sopranette
     
  8. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 4, 2001
    Messages:
    21,763
    Likes Received:
    0
    Since when did worship become an art? And about ourselves? Isn't that the problem with worship today? We have made it about ourselves ...
     
  9. Sopranette

    Sopranette New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2006
    Messages:
    1,828
    Likes Received:
    0
    Music is art, by definition. It's not about ourselves, but it is about putting some heart into it. I remember singing as a child just going through the motions, striving for a perfect imitation of what I had been taught. I felt nothing at all during those times, the words had never been explained to me. That's cold worship.

    love,

    Sopranette
     
  10. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 4, 2001
    Messages:
    21,763
    Likes Received:
    0
    But worship, by definition, isn't.

    You are the one who said it was about sharing something of yourself and identifying with others. Worship is about God, not anything having to do with self.

    But that's not the fault of the worship leader really. And it's certainly not because he didn't put his own personality in it, and "share some of himself" with you.
     
  11. Sopranette

    Sopranette New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2006
    Messages:
    1,828
    Likes Received:
    0
    Okay. You win. The end.

    love,

    Sopranette
     
  12. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2003
    Messages:
    3,944
    Likes Received:
    0
    Not all-inclusive, but a great start!
     
  13. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2003
    Messages:
    3,944
    Likes Received:
    0
    Heard a wise worship leader tell me once that I should be able to look over the last year of my worship leadership and see clear systematic theology emerging. I strive for that.

    Agreed in principle. As far as the style issue, I'm sure we'll all agree that different people see those lines drawn in different places.

    Yes.

    AGREED WHOLEHEARTEDLY. It took me two years at my last church to break them of the "This is the Worship Show" mentality. After I left, it took them 6 weeks to go right back to it.
     
  14. yahoshea

    yahoshea New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2007
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    0
    Music Article

    Just getting the opportunity to exercise your callingas a music leader can be a challenge. One of the greatest difficulties facing all Christians including Music Ministers is that of Idolatry.
    In order to gain a broader picture it’s important to have a basic understanding of idolatry itself. Simply put, idolatry is the act of placing your self worth in anything other than GOD. If how you feel about yourself goes up and down based on how someone else feels about you, then you have idolatry toward that person. Idolatry towards people does not serve them, but rather it feeds off of them. It demands that they make you feel good. This is a very dangerous thing because you are placing your self worth in the hands of someone else other than Jesus.
    idolatry is one of the primary operating systems of the world. We search for self worth any place we can get it, we put our security in our girlfriends, boyfriends, jobs, money, looks, anything but GOD.
    (Habakkuk 2:18-20)

    We don’t just idolize people. Many get caught up in idolatry towards the things of GOD. Seeking the anointing rather than the one who anoints. Seeking the miracles rather than the miracle giver. This is nothing new. Jesus ran into it all the time.
    In the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he called all men to Him, preaching the good news of the gospel. Thousands came excited to hear and see the wonders of the Kingdom of GOD. He fed them all, and did many miracles. (Mat. 4:23-25) He then began to separate those who really wanted GOD and those who wanted the fishes and the loaves. He taught them in parables that those who had ears to hear would hear. (Mat. 11:15, 13:34,35) He asked hard questions to check their motives. Many left unable to handle His straight forward approach.
    When the rich ruler came to Jesus, Jesus standing in the Kingdom, looked into his heart and saw only one thing standing between the rich young ruler and God. He told him to give away all that he owned and follow Him. Did Jesus rightly see his idolatry? He must have, because the scripture says the young ruler walked away sorrowful for he was a wealthy man. When the Kingdom of GOD is manifest the intents and motives of the hearts of men are exposed. (Mat. 9:2-7)
    Our ministry really is only a job. The ministry is what we do for GOD not who we are in GOD. We cannot look at our ministry as a source of our self worth. Lots of people are in the ministry for reasons that are not pure. Many people put so much emphasis on the ministry that they forget about relationship with Jesus. The seperation between the laity and the clergy was never intended to exist. The first century church did not have it. We are all called to be high priest of our faith. Jesus paid the price that we might all enter into the Holy of Holies and have full and compleat access to relationship with God.
    The ministry should be an out flowing of our relationship with Jesus. The deeper our personal relationship with Jesus, The more He can trust us with his power and the more stable and pure our ministries will become. Often times I have seen very young Christians receive some power in God only to see it diminish at a later time. This is easily explained. God often gives us a taste of something that is completely beyond our present development to inspire us to go deeper. Just because a person has been used in healing does not mean they have a resident “gift” of healing. Unfortunately quite often these young Christians, full of zeal and good intentions run off to pursue the ministry without being fully prepared. Later they become very disillusioned because God’s power seems to have left them. In truth it has. He now requires them to grow into the position they tasted. I know what I am saying will step on some toes but truth is truth. Jesus often stirred things up with His words. “Do not think I came to bring peace to the earth; I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” (Matthew 10/34) If my words upset some then they are perfect candidates for the following test.
    How do we know if we have idolatry?
    Here is a good test to see if you have idolatry toward your ministry.
    Please be honest and answer these eight yes or no questions.

    1. If GOD chooses to lift His anointing from your ministry, do you feel like giving up?
    2. If GOD comes as a loving father to correct your ministry, is your self worth threatened?
    3. If GOD asks you to step down for a period of time and not minster, do you find yourself having a hard time complying?
    4. Do you subtly manipulate to get complements about your ministry?
    5. Do you need constant reassurance concerning your ministry?
    6. When asked who you are, do you answer with a title? I.E. Apostle, Prophet, Music Leader, Worship Leader.
    7. Do you compare your ministry with what others are doing?
    8. Is your self worth less when other ministers are more successful than you, or seem to have more blessings then you?

    If you answered yes to any of the questions you have idolatry toward your ministry. This idolatry will not go away until you take all of your security out of your ministry and put it in Jesus. Remember it’s not what you do for GOD it’s who you are in GOD.
    I am sure some will now say “What about the great commission? Isn’t it a commandment of God to minister to others?” Yes it is! He also said “If you love me you will obey my commandments” In otherwords if you develop a love relationship with God you will be obeying His commandments. Not out of obediance but out of your nature being changed by that relationship.
    Jesus, and Jesus alone, must be the source of your self worth. No one or nothing can carry the responsibility of your worth other than Jesus. After all who should know better than Him? He’s the one who paid the price for you.

    The time has come when GOD is looking for those who want to do more than play in His anointing. GOD is looking for a people who are mature and can handle the deeper things of the Spirit. Jesus is coming back to see his people’s work. He is examining each man’s talents. He is asking, “What did you do with the anointing and the talents I gave you?” (Mat. 25:14-30) He is looking at us to see if we used His Spirit for an occasion for the flesh, or have we used it to grow into the image and likeness of GOD, serving and supporting His body. (Gen. 1:26)
    As music leaders we should be lifting up the rest of the body. Being a leader does not put you on the top of the pyramid. it puts you on the bottom supporting all others. Jesus was called the chief corner stone (Acts 4:11, Luke 20:17), the first one laid on the bottom, by which all others are measured. The twelve apostles are called the foundation stones onto which the church is built. (Rev. 21:14) Jesus said, “If you want to be great in the kingdom of God be a servant of all.” (Mat. 20:26, 23:11, Mk. 9:35, 10:43) Let us all be the servants in His Kingdom. Love slaves of Jesus Christ, our soon to be Bridegroom. Let us bring all things into the captivity of Christ, lifting Jesus, the lover of our souls, on high and promoting His People and His Kingdom.

    All scriptures and quotes taken from The New American Standard Bible


    Peace and Grace.
     
  15. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2003
    Messages:
    3,944
    Likes Received:
    0
    OK. And BTW, welcome to the BB.
    I have. That's because I know what happens when I try to continue this ministry without the Lord's strength. The minute I start working on my own, I get bogged down. So do I want to give up sometimes? Yes. Because I know I'm just singing songs unless He's in it.
    Not anymore. Because after years of doing this, His correcting is so much better than my fumbling around. And when He corrects, even the bones He has broken rejoice.
    I had to once, and had no problem. I had a sin I had to take care of, so I stepped out of leadership for a year. After that time, the Lord made it clear to me that I was ready to serve again.
    Nope.
    Nope. Some reassurance every once in a while is nice, but I don't need someone coming up to me weekly to tell me how we're on the right track.
    Joshua Rhodes, pleased to meet you. My title is associated with me on my business card, and as a signature to my church email account. Most of the time I'm "bro. josh" at church and just "josh" the rest of the time. Unless of course it's the Kidztown (Children's Church) Kids. They all call me "mr. bro. josh."
    Sometimes. But not to make sure I'm doing "the right songs" or what have you. I use other ministries of similar churches for encouragement and in my own personal worship. It's not as much a comparison. The best yardstick for what we're doing in worship is the Bible and the Hoy Spirit.
    No.
    Not necessarily, that's your opinion. I see my ministry as one that is threefold: 1) to worship and lead worship, glorifying God the Father, in spirit and truth, 2) to edify and educate the Body, and 3) to testify and proclaim the name of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. Everything we do as a ministry falls into one of these categories, and therefore it's not about me or what I like or do, it's about the Lord.
    And to you, brother! :type:
     
  16. Aaron

    Aaron Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2000
    Messages:
    20,253
    Likes Received:
    1,381
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Scripturally, the pastor is the worship leader. Whatever the Scriptural criteria are for the suitability of one for the pastorate is what makes a good worship leader.

    Nothin' in there about musical "talent," and no such thing as music ministry.
     
  17. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2003
    Messages:
    3,944
    Likes Received:
    0
    I'll agree, somewhat. God did not call me to Music Ministry, he called me to ministry. I happen to be a musician... and I'm under the leadership of my senior pastor.

    And yet you spend alot of time posting in the "Music Ministry" forum?
     
  18. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2000
    Messages:
    17,933
    Likes Received:
    10
    I would have to ditto Trotter on this one.
     
  19. yahoshea

    yahoshea New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2007
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    0
    I would be interested in seeing your scriptural proof that a pastor is the worship leader or even leader of the church
     
  20. Sopranette

    Sopranette New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2006
    Messages:
    1,828
    Likes Received:
    0
    He's not a leader of just any kind, more of a director. And he should have the final say in the choice of music. But he can be a leader in general worship. Since women can often be "worship music or music ministry leaders", that tells me this is not a position of leadership. That would be forbidden in a Baptist church for a woman to take a leadership role.

    love,

    Sopranette
     
    #20 Sopranette, Dec 28, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 28, 2007
Loading...