We've all been there… Every pastor, every worship leader, every person who has ever had to stand before an audience or a congregation. Nothing spectacular has happened… no lightening bolts… no fire from God… no dramatic miracles… Your worship package went "OK". There were no major flubs but it wasn't CD quality either. Just another "hum-drum-same-ol'-same-ol'"

But… as you're leaving the church someone rushes up to you and gushes, "O, that was awesome! I really experienced God. Thank-you so much! I was really struggling when I came in here and as you led I really sensed God's presence! Thanks again!" Sometimes you get 5, 6 or more people one after the other, "Thank-you! …God Bless…"

So now you're feeling pretty good about that mediocre worship package that you led… (That's a whole other article that we might get back to some day…)

The next day, as the buzz from all the congratulatory comments begins to fade, you get a phone call... or a visit... or a note. "Why are we singing so many new songs? I can't follow your leadership? Why can't we have someone else like Billy-Bob lead our worship? I don't get drawn into worship when you lead… I find your comments distracting…"

…and so on…

So now you're feeling defensive…(which is another article that… O never mind) The question is, "What did I ever do to deserve this?" OK not really, though that is likely what you'll be feeling… the question is, "How do I lead these people as a community?"

…and we're right back at the beginning… our definition. What is worship? What are we trying to accomplish when we stand to lead. If you haven't worked that through then chances are what you do will be governed by the loudest voice in your congregation.

Once you know what it is that you feel called and equipped to accomplish, remember that calling is a life calling.. not an "on stage" calling. In other words, if you are called to help develop/lead worship in your worshipping community – God has given you a "life-call" it does not start when you step onto the platform and end when you come off" If you are going to develop genuine, sincere worship then "on stage time" is not enough.

What you've been given in both the compliments and in the criticisms (true or false) is a teaching moment. Most of us drop the ball here. We bask in the warm of the praise (often because it is so rare) and we fight the criticism (partly because it's so common and we're tired of it) – why not teach in… through… both.

When someone says, "O man, the worship was awesome this morning!" Teach! Ask some hard questions.