I'm With the Worship Band

In a worship handbook there is a section called "I'm with the worship band" which gave helpful tips on how to improve the unity of a worship team. One of the points was playing less like a band because then it gives the members a feel of performing rather than worshiping. Another is to be inclusive when people want to join. This way, they can grow and strengthen in their worship leading skills. A way to improve the environment of the worship team is being open to change. For example, when a worship team decides to change to in-ear monitors to create a cleaner sound. The article talks about being a servant like Jesus was, so when we are worshiping, it's not about flashing lights and crowds cheering, it's about being a servant of God.

    These points are really helpful for me because I want the congregation to feel that they are praising God rather than watching a concert. I liked how the article emphasized humility when leading. Just like when Jesus was washing the disciples feet, this was the lowest job to have and I want to lead with that kind of humility. I have found that I have a difficult time with change but in the article, it said that in order for a group to function, people have to be open to change. Therefore I am going to work to be more open minded when the team members share their ideas.

Why People Don't Sing During Worship

         Gram Kendric a European Christian artist was analyzing the reason why people sometimes don't sing during worship. One of the reasons he says is worship may seem like a performance to the congregation and they listen to the music rather than sing along. He also says that worship might seem like just another screen for people to look at. In our society today electronics like phones and iPads are screaming for our attention. People might subconsciously see that worship is just another device that wants their attention when really it is a time to break away from distractions of the world and have some peaceful time with God. Another observation Kendric made is that the some of the songs are difficult for some to sing. People are more likely to participate in singing and enjoy it when they are more familiar with a song.
      Hearing about Kendric's observations is very helpful for me as a worship leader. There are a few things I can do to improve the environment of worship. What I am choosing songs to play, I can verify that people are familiar with the songs, and make sure they are not too complicated. I also need to keep that perspective of worship not being a performance but an opportunity to connect with the father.

Living in Our Element

There are four key elements in our lives. The first is earth which represents our foundation such as relationships. The second element is wind. This represents our inspiration. It's when we let the wind guide us and refresh us. It gives us new perspective. The third is the element of fire. This represents our passions for things. It is when we feel empowered. Lastly the fourth element is water. This is the communal element. It focuses on involving others in our lives to keep us accountable for things and to have them pray for us when we need it.
      Each of us has lived in one or more of these elements. I think it is key to have all four elements in this world to help lead people to Christ. Some have the fire element where they share their passion and zeal for the Lord with others. Some need to be the earth element that can be a good friend to others. Because God made us all different, we can minister to people in our own way, in our element.  

The Journey of Christian Artist Lauren Daigle

        Our journeys on this earth very complex. There are highs and lows but each has a purpose. God uses our experiences to shape us and help us grow. Even when it feels like the end of the journey, God still has so more in store for us. Singer and songwriter Laura Daigle has a unique story to tell. Like all of us, she has experienced joyous and dark times but God used it all for his perfect plan.
        Even at a young age, Lauren Daigle new she wanted to be a singer. Her mom called their home the music box because Lauren would fill the halls with her singing voice. When she entered her teenage years, her dream of being a vocalist was set aside. She wanted to pursue the fields of medicine and mission thinking they were more realistic for careers. By the age of 15 however, everything in Daigle's life came to a rough stop because she contracted a serious illness, an immune deficiency. She could not risk being around anyone with a cold because she would immediately catch their sickness. Her parents decided to take her out of school for her own health safety but this also held her in sense of solitude. In this darkness, God guided Daigle to the light of music. Even though this illness brought deep hardship, Daigle believes that so much good came from it. Her return to singing and songwriting changed her life and became a key factor in God's plan for her.
         Once Lauren recovered, she continued in her study's at a charter school and graduated early. Before college she spent a year in missions. Then she attended Louisiana State university, where she presumed child and family studies. Outside of school she was perusing her music. She led worship, competed in American Idol, and recorded with a local band. When invited to a retreat at Washington State, the young vocalist had the opportunity to sing lead in the band.
      Impressed with her performance, label executives encouraged Daigle to bring her passions to Nashville. There she sang back up vocals for Jason Grey and soon earned her own record deal with Centricity Music. In 2014 she produced her first EP called How Can it Be where each song tells of God's faithfulness. Some of her songs include, How Can it Be, Trust in You and First. The artist was ranked in the top 20 in the Billboard Top Albums Chart. Her song How Can It Be was one of the top Christian songs of 2014. In 2015 Daigle won the award for Best Worship Song at the K-Love Awards.
         Her music career continued to flourish. She performed with artists like Jason Grey, and Hillsong. When not performing, she is now leading worship at North Point Community Church in Atlanta. She also supports causes that care for victims of human trafficking.
      God used everything that Lauren Daigle endured, both good and bad, to fashion her into a talented artist and a humble servant for Him. He has used her music and her story to impact people going through dark times like hers.

He Are Not Here for God but God is Here for Us

       When we gather and worship God, we needed to be careful with the words we are singing. Sometimes there are lyrics that say,"we are here for God." The reason for being there for someone means that that person is not able to do things his or herself and needs assistance. God is all powerful and doesn't need assistance from us. He does not need our worship either but he enjoys it. Therefore, when we praise the Lord, it is important to remember that we are not here for God but rather, his is here for us. We praise him because he is good and he has delivered us.
   I am humbled by this statement that God doesn't need our worship, though he does delight in it. When ever I am taking time to serve, I say that I'm doing it for the Lord. I didn't literally mean that I was doing something because God is unable to. But now I realize that I need to make sure what I'm saying is truth. It also gives me a new perspective on serving. I do it to show others God's love. I also do it so I can grow in faith and in my relationship with Christ.

Get Off the Platform

When we are up front leading the congregation in worship we sometimes mistaken it as a performance. It is very easy for us to creat platforms for ourselves especially when leading hundreds of people in worship. It is by our human nature that we see ourselves this way even if we intentionally want to be selfless before a congregation. There is a process we can use to both humble our hearts and still be able to have that authority when worshiping. We first need to be available for God to use us, then let him provide the opportunities. We strengthen our gifts by experience and by observing other worship leaders we look up to. In order to be humble before the congregation, we must spend time in silence with God, recalling times of trouble where He has shaped us. Cherish these times with God. We gain authority when spending time in God's word and continuing with the moments with God in silence. When we grow in that authority, leading worship becomes less of a performance and more of a service to the Lord.
         Being a performer, I struggle with separating worship from a production. I put pressure on myself to make the presentataion perfect. I am concerned that there will be an issue or malfunction during a song. I don't want to feel this way. I would like to lead worship with out these thoughts interfering. The mind set of getting off the platform will relieve me nervousness because God is taking control. He will be the one on the platform. Spending time with the Lord in silence and reading his word more often will humble me and establish the authority in worship leading.

If worship was like an MBA game

If worship was like an MBA game, it would be televised. People would be anticipating the songs for days. The viewers would be looking for strengths and weaknesses of the team members.