In my past articles I've discussed some issues revolving around checking our motives, and keeping our motives right. Now I would like to begin focusing in on some more technical details. My first couple of articles will center in on the relationship between the pastor and the worship leader.

Most worship leaders are where they are because they're pastor is not musically inclined. Hence the reason why your in charge of the music. The idea to begin with is to get the pastor's vision for worship and follow that. This is where the first problem may occur. What if your vision is different than his? Then unless you can willingly submit to the pastor's vision, don't take the position! (Better to be an unemployed worship leader, than a disgruntled one...)

If your like me you may have read some material by certain authors that talk about the presence of God during your worship services. And they talk about how the presence of God in your church ought to be the highest priority on your agenda. These kinds of materials are destructive to your current views of church. (That is if your current views of church are good.) AND THAT'S NOT A BAD THING!!!

I believe too that Gods got this crazy idea that church ought to be about Him. So, the main question that I want to address today is..."How do I get the presence of God to show up in the 20 to 30 minutes I'm allotted for worship?" These are some steps that will help you to remove the road blocks that may stifle God's presence in the service.

First of all, I, like many of you feel that we shouldn't put a time limit on God and what He wants to do with a service. But, this can become a problem if your pastor does not have these same convictions.

1. Remember that you'll never take anyone to a place where you've never been in God.

When I was a teenager, I used to just sit in my room and praise and worship God on my guitar, sometimes for three hours at a time. Just like David, I was a worship leader in my bedroom far before I was a worship leader on the platform. David was king in the sheep fields of obedience far before ever he sat on the throne. God and His presence has to become real to you, before you'll be able to convey that same reality to your congregation. There is a point that can be reached where God becomes so real to you, that you will be able to feel his manifest presence in no time.

2. Remember that in order to, "eat the good of the land," we're going to have to be WILLING and obedient.

Many worship leaders are on stage today just as obedient as the next guy, but its the willingness part that we need to work on. Ultimately, the biggest concept that can help you on this one is to KNOW that your where you belong. If you know that your called to be where you are, then you know that God has placed within you the grace that it takes to get the job done. Peace doesn't follow you, you need to follow peace. I've seen many individuals who have battles with sickness and physical symptoms because there is no peace or grace where they are at. If its always a constant struggle and you have no peace where your are at, then I guarantee that God has something better in store for you. We as worship leaders need to be in a place where our gifts and talents are appreciated. We need to be able to grow. When Jesus went to his home town he was in a place where they didn't receive the gift that he had. And as a result he only healed a few minor ailments. What did he do after that? HE LEFT!!! Don't feel guilty just because you want to be somewhere that you can grow the talents and the abilities that God has given you. Dicipling yourself under a ministry can be one of the most helpful tools to fulfilling God's purpose for your life and ministry.

3. Don't be afraid to share your vision with the pastor.

One of the main reasons why curriculum is developed for children's ministry and youth ministry is because it provides a pastor with vision. There are many pastors that God has given them a very complete and specific vision for the church in every area. But, for every one of them there are probably 10 others that don't have a vision for every aspect of the ministry. In my church I get many phone calls from people trying to sell me youth curriculum. When I talk to other youth pastors, they tell me that many times materials like that can be a valuable study tool, but it is most valuable to a youth minister or a pastor that doesn't have a vision for youth ministry. Take that one step further, if your pastor hired you for the job, take it upon yourself to get a clear vision from God about what (HE) wants to do with the worship ministry. Many times the reason why your pastor's vision for a specific area of ministry may seem to be so unclear, is because God hasn't given them a specific vision for that ministry.

4. Once the vision is established, do everything within your power to make it come to pass.

Most pastors enjoy it when they hire someone for a task and they see the task being done. Give the pastor the results that he desires. And if you see anything in the way of progress, address it with your pastor. If your pastor seems to be unapproachable, or you can't address issues with him, you should probably address that issue with him first. The reality is that if a pastor can't communicate with his staff, he's really shooting himself in the foot so to speak. How do we expect to communicate spiritual things to the individuals in our church, if we can't communicate physical things to the church staff? I've found that in my experience in any job that the first step to a downward spiral is a lack of communication. When there is something hindering your communication, you can bet on it, trouble is indefinitely on its way. Where there is no vision, people perish. A better way of interpreting that is, "Where the vision is unclear, there will be confusion in its place." It is imperative that we know what the pastor wants, and do everything we can to bring it to pass.

If you have any questions about worship or anything related that you would like me to answer specifically, feel free to e-mail me. I know that leading worship isn't always the easiest ministry to fulfill. I'm always eager to encourage and exhort anyone who may be having difficulties in their current position.

Send your questions or comments to jfpreachaboy@hotmail.com