Posts tagged ‘teaching the congregation’
From song leader to worship pastor
A change of heart to becoming a worship pastor
In the last year or so of doing multicultural worship I’ve been wondering if I should stop leading at my church. But, because I feel a sense of loyalty to our church I’ve stayed on. These are some things that how gone through my mind during times of my frustration:
I’ve been wondering why the diversity in our congregation hasn’t changed. I’ve been wondering if the diversity in our music was impacting our congregation. I’ve also been wondering if I anybody would really notice if I left.
Making the shift to worship pastor
One of the reasons for my frustration is that I’ve really just become a song leader. I’ve spent a lot of time introducing new songs in different languages and different styles but to what end?
We have a tremendous responsibility and opportunity to teach our congregation about worship every week. We must understand that the sermon isn’t the only time to teach and equip the people in our church. The whole service is designed for community, teaching, and sending people out again.
So, in our hearts, we must make the shift from song leader/worship leader to having the heart of a worship pastor.
What do you teach or talk about?
There are few things that the congregation need don’t hear enough about during the Sunday/Saturday service:
1. Why you picked the songs that you did
2. What did God teach you in preparation for Sunday
3. That they have permission to worship as the Lord leads (raising hands, dancing, bowing down, etc.)
Yes, some worship leaders talk too much, but you do need to share your heart and shepherd the people in the congregation as a worship pastor.
When do you teach as a worship pastor?
This depends on your senior pastor. Some worship leaders will take two minutes to talk at the beginning of the service, so it doesn’t take up any more time than usual.
If you’re feeling led to teach a bit longer, you may want to talk to your pastor having the opportunity to give the sermon on Sunday. This is something my friend, Peter Shu, has done. You have to realize that they hadn’t done this before at the church, but it made quite a difference in the heart attitudes of the congregation.
Are you frustrated at your church? Do you feel like you don’t have permission to do anything but sing songs on Sunday morning. What can you to begin making the shift to becoming a worship pastor?
Share your story and your life…
Sincerely,
Peter Park
Blogger/Worship Leader/Speaker
peterpark@redemptionboulevard.com
(800) 453-3284
Blog post that will help you make the shift to becoming a worship pastor:
What are you worshipping? – Proskuneo Ministries
© 2010, Peter Park. All rights reserved.
New Visitors and a Total Multicultural Experience
Something I’ve been thinking about for awhile is why we, as worship leaders, can’t just do fresh new multicultural worship every week. Every Sunday is a learning experience for the worship team as well as the congregation. This core group is the one you are primarily teaching. This same group is the one that will make up the majority as time goes on. When a visitor comes they will have a total multicultural experience. They probably haven’t been to many churches like that. So then what’s the point of teaching the core group gradually? When the core group is comfortable and participating in worship it allows the visitors to be more open and comfortable with what’s going on. There might even be something for them. But the point is…when the masses are doing something they are comfortable with the visitors will embrace is much easier. Image what would happen if everybody was learning all the songs for the first time every week. You’d end up having a congregation sitting at a concert instead of participating in a worship experience.
Do you think that’s true?
Share your story and your life…
Sincerely,
Peter Park
Blogger/Worship Leader/Speaker
peterpark@redemptionboulevard.com
(800) 453-3284
© 2009 – 2010, Peter Park. All rights reserved.