Two things about this verse that stand out as learning opportunities to us worship pastors and leaders:

1. Those of use who are saved are the healthy ones Jesus is speaking about. Yet, we run around acting as if we need to be repaired, mended and administered to all the time. It's time we stop acting like the sick, and start ministering to those who really are. I encourage you - no matter what has happened in your life - whatever has you down or discouraged - God has already healed you. Act like it! Get up and go to the sick (the unsaved) and tell them about Jesus, the Healer.
2. We are also the sinners Jesus is speaking of. He isn't interested in how righteous we think we are. We may be saved, but Jesus wants us to witness to others so they too may experience eternal life with Him in Heaven. It's time we come down from the pulpit or stage and venture out to the streets and call the sinners home! Sure, we're blessed to be on a large platform and to be able to lead people to the cross with our music and teachings, but most of those in your church are "healthy." Lets go and eat with tax collectors.

Thank you for your time.

In His service,

Jimmy

Here are 4 More Things Godly Excellence is Not...

I recently had a conversation with a colleague about the incredible affect we've had on the world of music. I don't say that arrogantly, but as a radio programmer for over 34 years, it's amazing how many careers have been promoted or squashed by our decisions to play or not play songs on the radio. Inside the industry, we're called gatekeepers. We control the flow between all the music that is recorded and what actually gets heard by the masses on radio. Sure, there are other ways to become successful without radio airplay, but those artists aren't as rich, popular or famous as those who do make it onto the airwaves. Radio is what drives CD and concert sales. It's the engine that drives the ship of stardom. That's why I'm taking daily calls from record label executives and industry leaders - they want me to play their artists' material, and they're willing to do almost anything to make sure I do. in my earlier years, I was offered drugs, trips, cars, women and just about anything else they thought would entice my music decisions.

Godly Excellence. Ten things it’s NOT!

As a worship consultant, I’ve had the unique opportunity to see firsthand both the good and the bad sides worship in the local church.  I’ve seen worship teams that are at the top of their game and those that couldn’t get any worse. Churches that support their worship ministries, and churches who shun them. When you think of worship band excellence, it’s easy to point towards the larger, more talked about churches and their bands. The worship teams at churches like New Spring in Anderson, SC; Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC; Andy Stanley’s Northpoint in Atlanta; and of course, Israel Houghton’s team at Lakewood in Houston, TX.  There are also some worship teams who are just as good or better which you’ve probably never heard of before. Like Brookwood Church in Simpsonville, SC or Puyallup Foursquare Church in Puyallup, WA. All of these churches have varying styles of music and technique, but the one thing they all have in common is a clear understanding and practice of Godly excellence.

So, what is this seemingly elusive “concept” of Godly excellence. Well, I could write a book on what it is… so, I decided to waste much less of your time and mine, and tell you what Godly Excellence is NOT. Read on:

Too Busy to Fellowship? Really?

 

I think 1 John 1:6-7 is one of the most powerful messages to pastors today. And in today's cyber-pastor world, it's more important than ever to understand the meaning of this passage. It's a part of God's plan that we have actual fellowship with one another. It's not good enough that 20,000 Twitter users per day read your quotes. Fellowship requires an investment of time and energies, and it must be personalized one-on-one.
1 John reads: "If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

 

Let’s look more closely to three phrases in that passage:

I get asked all the time how All Praise Ministries stays in such great financial shape, even through a time when giving is at an all time low. It's not easy, but there are four simple rules that we apply to everything we do which help keep us financially strong and able to help so many churches and ministries.

With all the churches I've worked with over the years, if I could have worship team members and leaders understand just one thing, it would be this verse...

So, I go 2 months without writing a blog and now I post three things in three days. What can I say? I write when God inspires. Here are a few of my thoughts I have swimming around in my head today: Read on....

What really gets under your skin? I mean the one thing that ticks you off so much you just want to scream. Is it when someone cuts you off in traffic? Rude waiters or waitresses? People who lie to you? What about social or religious issues? What grips your heart and won’t let go? Hunger? Homelessness? Adulterers? Batterers? Deadbeat dads? Unwed moms? Orphans?

#6: Submits to Authority

So, you're a worship leader. You have tons of talent, ideas and God has called you to implement them at the first church you land at. Yeah, right.

Early on in my life as a lead worshiper, I was full of fire, fresh ideas and a desire to please God and others. I like to think of myself that way today, but with one huge difference - maturity.  In my teens and early twenties I was convinced I knew exactly how God wanted me to lead worship. As a result, I can recall at least a couple of times when I disregarded a pastor's instructions or a mentor's advice - all for the sake of doing what God had called me to do. And I can also recall the outcome of my decisions. Not good.

As a worship consultant, I encounter many different dynamics between senior pastors and worship leaders, and the most destructive is.... (read on)

Trait #1 was Willingness to Learn
Trait #2 was Leadership
Trait #3 was Leads by Example
Trait #4 was Loves Others

For Trait #5... Read on:

If you’re like me, you’ve read 1Corinthians 10 many times. And like me, you may ave been quick to discount its relevance in today’s society. After all, Paul was talking about a specific issue for a specific time, right?  Nope. There’s so much more there for us to understand that I’ve already planned several sermons on verses 23-31. The meaning and importance of this often read but often overlooked passage is complimented and supported by 1Corinthians 8 as well.  So what do they have to do with us worship leaders? Everything. Read on.....

Trait #4: Loves Others

In Hebrew there are three words related to Love that are important in the role of leadership:

1. Hebrew word ahab - spontaneous, impulsive love (250 times in OT)
2. Hebrew word hesed - deliberate choice of affection and kindness
3. Hebrew word raham - to have compassion, brotherly love

In order to be a successful leader, you must practice these three types of love. Otherwise your team will not be as cohesive or committed as you may like them to be. I've always believed that commitment from the troops is a reciprocal act back to the leader. What you sow, you will reap. Sow love, respect and commitment and that's what you'll most-likely get back.

Do you love your team members? Ask yourself these questions: (read on)

Trait #3:
Leads by Example

I went to a worship leader's house one night to discuss why his ministry wasn't moving forward.  The church was growing slightly, but he felt as if he couldn't get his team over the proverbial hump. (Is there a proverb about humps? There should be. But I digress.)  His specific concern was a feeling that the members of his team didn't respect him.  Sure, they knew he was an awesome musician, great vocalists and writer.  They also were aware of his attention to detail and organization.  No doubt, everyone who served with this guy recognized him as one who could handle the duties of a worship leader. So he couldn't understand why he still had this overwhelming sense of disrespect from the Praise and Worship team. But it didn't take long for me to figure it out. Read on.....

Trait #2: Leadership
It's happened a lot. I get asked to attend a worship team's rehearsal. The night goes something like this...

10 Traits Successful Worship Leaders Must Possess:

I've been doing this whole worship consulting thing long enough to realize three things about myself:  First, I don't know everything.  Secondly, I never will know everything (at least not in this life,) and finally, I don't want to know everything.  I have trouble enough practicing and teaching the things I already know.  Sometimes it amazes me that churches pay me, an imperfect and broken vessel, to tell them right from wrong. But they do, and with that, comes a lot of responsibility to never stop learning.  The desire to learn and be taught is the number one quality a worship leader needs to have in order to continue leading his people closer and closer to God. And there are others. In fact, 9 other qualities you must possess to be effective in your ministry.

As the worship conference gets closer, it's forcing me to get out of my comfort zone in several areas. However several positive things are coming out of that. Like (a) realizing it takes a team to do anything correctly, and (b) I stink at asking for help.

Read on:

With the Excellence in Worship Seminar getting closer and closer, we thought we'd ask you, the true worshipper,  which sessions you'd most likely attend if you were/are attending in November. Please take this brief, one page survey to help us help you!  And thank you!

CLICK HERE TO TAKE SURVEY

Here's a statement I hear so many worship leaders say, and it drives me nuts - "I never really know what it sounds like out front. I leave that to the sound team." Argh! Read on.....

The Bible is alive. So much so, it sometimes seems as if it re-writes itself between readings. Of course, God's Word never changes, but often times, a verse takes on a new meaning and reveals something different to me each time I read it. It happened to me this morning. I read a chapter I've read many times -  a chapter I've often felt was the best verse for worship leaders to meditate on - and it changed me – again.