Thoughts on Being a Music Ministry Leader

“So, what do you do at your church…?”

Er… I’m a worship leader. I mean, a lead worshipper. Or a music minister. A music director? Maestro of music? Resident minstrel? New Testament psalmist…?! Whatever we call ourselves, what’s most important is that we’re the real deal and get the job done well.

Doing the job well is way more important than having position, prestige or perks. If you’re the real deal, you’ll just want to do the job well. Someone in the congregation once asked their worship leader: “Don’t you wish you could preach more often?” His answer was simple: “If I can’t just be faithful where I’m at then I have nothing to say anyways!” Don’t be someone who puts their security in having a position or title. Just love God, love His church and get on with the work. Understand what God put you there to be and, by His grace, be it! Here are a few thoughts on being a music ministry leader for you to munch on:

1. Don’t just see the problems; Be a Leader

Some people are very good at pointing out what’s wrong: “The songs don’t work, the sound’s bad, the team don’t pray enough, that sister sings too loud…” Those people may well be observant and insightful, but if all they see are problems then they are not leaders.

Some go past seeing problems to being able to point out solutions: “We need to use a different style of song, we need to upgrade our sound system, we need to teach our team how to go deeper in prayer, we need to coach that sister to blend her voice with the team…” Those people’s ideas may well be helpful, but if talking about solutions is as far as they go, then they are pointing the way instead of leading the way. They are not leaders.

You can A) see what the problems are and B) find out what the solutions are, but if you’re a leader you will then go into action, charting a course and taking real steps to move things from A) to B) – and people will follow you. Action makes the difference.

More than just being problem solvers, we have the opportunity to move things forward, to back our pastor’s vision and see things change for the better. Don’t be passive, don’t wait for someone else to do it for you. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. See what needs to happen, find the way to do it, and move things forward. It starts with us.

2. Don’t just hype the crowd; Be a Teacher

Think about it: every service there we are singing songs that make statement after statement about who God is, what He’s like and what He can do in our lives. We lead our church to make these statements, repetitively, again and again. What are we doing? We’re teaching people about God! We’re teaching theology! Your song list is a theological document. Put all those lyrics together, and you’ll see what picture you’ve painted of God and you’ll see how you’re teaching your congregation to relate to Him.

Some of us approach our song lists like DJ’s. “First we’re gonna do something really hype, really all out, and then we’re gonna “take them down into worship” – as long as the keys match that is…”

Well, er, yeah, maybe, kinda… But we need to pay more attention to our role as truth-teachers. If our song list is full of only “I feel this, I feel that” we’re teaching our people to be driven by emotion. If our song list is full of phat beats but no depth, we may be teaching them to dance but what are we teaching them about God? I’m talking about balance. We need to teach our people to see God and relate to God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture. How much substance is in the lyrics of our song lists? Are we leading aerobics? Are we leading a bless-me session? Or are we leading worship?

3. Don’t just be musical; Be a Minister

Some non-musical people say that musical people are weird. Maybe we are! That’s part of the price of being artistic. Week after week we’re publicly pouring ourselves out, allowing music to rise up from deep inside us, carving into the air the sound of our souls. Some non-musical people struggle to understand what it feels like to expose yourself in song again and again, and then to hear everyone share their opinions on it. Is it any wonder we get so touchy about what we’re doing?! An artist’s music is an intimate expression of their very self for everyone to see! We want to get it right!!

So when people call us weird, don’t get mad. Anyone revealing themself so totally on a weekly basis is likely to be a bit weird! We are artistic. God is the ultimate Creator and He has blessed us with the privilege of creating powerful moments through music. But we must make sure we stay grounded. Perfectionism makes music more important than its purpose. The purpose of our music is to minister. If your music doesn’t minister, it’s not music ministry. We can’t get touchy about that. It’s not about us: it’s about God building His people. So if our music is carving into the air the sound of our souls, we better make sure our souls are right with God!

Be the real deal. Lead well. Teach truth. Make music that ministers. You’re more than a person with a title. You’re a music ministry leader.

Assess yourself:

1. A leader, by implication, is going somewhere. Where are you going? What are your goals for the next three months? Is anyone following?

2. The best teachers have both studied and experienced. Are you studying scripture or just reading it? Do you know why you believe what you believe? When’s the last time you took a real step of faith?

3. Ephesians 4:11-16 shows what happens when “ministry” is really happening. Is “ministry” really happening in and through your team?

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