The start of a new year brings out the resolutions in all of us. While I'm not a huge fan of making a prodigious list of things to do, I am a believer in personal vision & growth. We all should be able to look back at our progress through out the year and find substantive, measurable growth in our lives. After all, the ministry of the Holy Spirit should always be at work in us, leaving a trail for others to see (1 Corinthians 3:16; Galatians 5:22). I feel that as worship leaders we should be able to see this type of transformation within ourselves and our teams. By applying the principles of personal growth & inspiration, you will begin to see a newness within the people who minister alongside you.
“Keep the growing going”
How much attention do you spend on improving yourself as opposed to improving others? At one point, I've calculated that I've focused my time serving, equipping, and encouraging others about 80% of my week, while only averaging 20% on bettering myself. Sounds humble & godly but not very wise in the long run. I've become so wrapped up in the building of others that I've forgotten step one to longevity - keep myself built up. I've become the proverbial hostess Martha as opposed to being Mary and taking time to receive at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:38-42). Scripture teaches us that it's the people who "..DWELL in the secret place of the Almighty.." who receive his blessings, not those who are BUSY in the secret place (Psalm 91). If you're like me, you need to schedule time away from the business of other people's lives and focus on Gods work within you. Before being a cup useful for others to drink from, be the cup that's clean and empty. From there God can fill you up.
Another place of personal growth where worship leaders should advance is in their musical craft. It's not enough to just be spiritual in worship ministry. If you're gonna take & keep your team at a higher level then you really need to grow in areas of vocal & musical techniques alongside worship production. I dare say that leaders in worship ministry should be the absolute best at what they do AND know how to instruct others to become the best. This type of knowledge takes dedication & practice! Remember this: practice doesn't make perfect - but perfect practice makes permanent.
“It is difficult to inspire others to accomplish what you haven’t been willing to try.”
A weapon that every team leader should have is the weapon of inspiration. Do you posses the power to inspire others to greatness? If you do, how are you stewarding that gift? Are you taking opportune moments through out the week to inspire teams or individuals? Are you able to motivate Monday throughSaturday? Is your life even a spiritual & musical inspiration to your team members? All great questions we should be asking regularly. The success of your team will not depend upon an MVP, but rather a good coach. Be the kind of coach that inspires your team to greatness everyday.
To conclude this post, I'd like to challenge everyone to pray and contemplate about what steps they can personally take to become better and what actions they can do to inspire others to greatness. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Let's let the old self be done away and allow the newness of Christ to help us grow & inspire others.
Here's to a blessed 2016, a growing you, and an inspired music ministry.
