listening is leading

Now that we are in a mobile worship environment, I often times find myself very busy before service. When I get busy I get classically male; one thought, one purpose, one task. Every distraction from that one purpose gets Rambo’d out of the way. I am like a one-man recon crew deep in the jungles of foreign lands seeking my prize. When I get in my Rambo mode I certainly accomplish my tasks. I also inadvertently accomplish other, not so great, things as well.

1. I lose sight of the bigger picture

I forget to stop and pay attention to people and remember that the bigger picture always eclipses the smaller one. The bigger picture is people, not tasks! But the tasks are to serve the people, aren’t they? Hopefully! But tasks are always a secondary service to actually interacting directly with people. It’s critical that as a leader you always make sure people know that they are the most important. As a church, people are your purpose. Seeing those people come into a life changing relationship with Jesus.

2. I forget to listen

One of the greatest skills a worship leader could ever develop is the ability to listen while playing and singing. I know how crazy that sounds! It’s a far cry from classic male, but must be accomplished by all worship leaders. Worship leaders must listen for two specific things while they lead.

- all the music: It’s critical that we portray excellence in all we do. Part of being an excellent musician is the ability to listen and adapt to other musicians around you. This helps you with flow, movement and cohesiveness.

- the voice of the Holy Spirit: When I am leading well, I am consistently praying and listening to His voice as He directs our worship. He is our leader. We are His followers. We have plans but His are better. We have limited creativity but His creativity knows no bounds. Make a concerted effort the next time you lead to be praying and listening while you’re leading. The only way to accomplish this is to be so well prepared that you don’t have to think about words and/or music. The song must be on automatic so that we can move with the Holy Spirit as He directs our worship. You also must be spiritually prepared, cleansed and pure hearted.

Listening is leading. We are all but followers of Christ. None of us leads unto ourselves. We all lead others towards Christ. What better asset than a direct, purposeful guiding of the Holy Spirit as we lead His people in worship? I challenge you to not just Rambo your worship set. Listen, listen, listen. Don’t be a one-man recon crew. Instead, be the best follower and listener you can be and, without a doubt, God will help you become the best leader possible.

PN