Worshiper Vs. Worship Leader

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Heb. 13:15-16 (NIV)

Last week we talked about the fact that leaders are learners. We took a look at ourselves to see where and if we are growing. When you combine that concept with what it means to be a worshiper, then you start to get a bigger picture of what it means to be a worship leader. 

This week’s Scripture and devotional will be pulled out of a resource that Liz mentioned last week: Wired.

Take some time to consider the questions below and be sure to check out this week’s video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CyyoM5Vr7M

1. After last week’s video blog and devotional, did I consider one thing I could change to grow in a certain area, if so what?

2. How am I as a worshiper when I’m not on stage or behind a piece of tech?

3. How can I become a better personal worshiper?

Here is a link to the book that was referenced last week: http://www.amazon.com/Wired-Life-Worship-Louie-Giglio/dp/1590525833

I look forward to seeing you all on Thursday!

What's New?

"My people are destroyed from a lack of knowledge." Hosea 4:6 (NIV) 

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke 2:52 (NIV)

 

Leaders are learners! You don’t need to hang out with greater leaders very long to learn this principle. The only exception to this is when you find a leader who has stopped having anyone else have an influence in their life.  At this point they are no longer leading, because they stopped growing. 

Make sure to check out this week’s video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbNw9bqp8iM 

Here are a few things for you to think about: 

1.    What am I doing in my spiritual life to grow? 
2.    What am I doing in my relational life to grow? 
3.    What am I doing in my skill life to grow (music or tech)? 
4.    What resources am I exposing myself to on a regular basis to get new ideas for growing?

To help prime the pump, check out this website: http://www.davidsantistevan.com/7-worship-blogs-you-should-be-reading/ for some great resources. 

When you come to practice on Thursday night we will break into areas of expertise to discuss.  Guitarists with guitarists, keys with keys, tech with tech, etc. and learn from one another. See you all then!

Feedback

"The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17–20 (NIV) 

Last week I asked for your feedback on worship arts as far as our values. The feedback I received from you was amazing! I am preparing to share it with our leadership and want to share highlights of it with you this week too.

Be sure to check out this week’s video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggE9LYXvzH4 

Remember that practice is this WEDNESDAY instead of our normal Thursday, due to the 4th of July holiday. Same time same venues, but a different day.  

Also, if you did not have a chance to fill out the feedback form, please look at your e-mail. Liz sent a digital version so that you could participate.  See you all on Wednesday!

What’s Your Unique Purpose?

As a part of a new program I've become involved in, I have been reading some really challenging leadership materials. I want to focus in on one this week and talk about it with you. It is out of a book called “The Art of Possibility” and it is written with artistic leadership in mind.

There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost.

Be sure to watch this week’s Video Blog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9k_DoRxOjU.

After watching and reading the quote above, mediate on this Bible passage: "Now when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.” Acts 13:36 (NIV)

Allow your mind and heart to dwell on this question: What am I doing or not doing that is blocking God’s specific purpose for me?

Come ready to talk about that this Thursday evening. It is good to be back and I am looking forward to hearing about the dreams God is stirring in each of you. Remember that we will be meeting in the Live Venue this week.

Examining Our Motives

This week, Liz Elliott is guest blogging and will be conducting devotions with the worship arts team on Thursday evening.

 

This week's Bible passage is Proverbs 21:1-8, be sure to check it out.  It is a great passage and if you look at these verses together you will notice that they all talk about our motives.  

God examines our motives and we should too.  We need to consider why we think or act in a certain way, either good or bad.  When we attempt to work together as a ministry we should consider the fact that our motives drive our decision-making and drive the way we conduct ourselves.  

Take a look at this week's video blog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_XMCCmcAt0 

This week as you read through these verses, ask yoursef the following questions: 

1. How do these verses apply to me?  

2.  How do these verses apply to what I am doing in Worship Arts?  

3.  What does God say happens to us when we have the right motives or the wrong motives, according to these verses?  

Thank you for coming out to The Ridge this Thursday at 6:30pm for devotions.  I'm excited to serve with you this week.

Your Compassion Quotient

This week's Bible passage: Matthew 9:35-38

As I was preparing to direct and coach our teams this week, I ran into a someone I grew up with. They have experienced great loss, having recently had lost a daughter and were visiting us on Mother’s Day of all days. My focus immediately shifted to where my friend was in her grief and I began to think about all of the programed service pieces and wondered how she would receive them.  As I dwelt on our mission to “develop artists and technicians to soften people’s hearts toward the truth of God” my mind shifted to Matthew 9.

Be sure you check out this week’s video blog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9dURObimnI and read the passage above.

As you prepare for this week I want you meditate on one question: What is my compassion quotient? In other words, how focused am I on the needs of those coming vs. their perception of what we do? Let’s see if we can raise our compassion quotients together this week.

Organizing A Mission

Check out this week's Bible passage: Luke 10:1-12

There are so many different ways to organize a mission. What is really important is not the specific methodology, but the goals. What we know is that organization flow will change all the time, but the values and mission must remain the same.

Be sure to watch this week’s video blog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28LTg4_93p4 and read the passages above.

This week we will be going through an organizational change in our ministry so it will be important that you come Thursday if you can, even if you are not scheduled!

As you prepare for this week ask God to humble you. God seeks humble servants and I believe that He is working to develop those type of people in our ministry. If you lack humility, it will be impossible for God to use your leadership (James 4:6).

See you all on Thursday!