Posts tagged ‘worship pastor’
Connecting with the worshipping community and beyond with song
God has put it on my heart, in a big way, the last few weeks to really have a heart to teach and equip God’s people with songs. When we sing songs in a different style or language at church on Sundays it can be fun to worship with the nations. It can be fun to way to utilize a different expression of worship to praise the Lord.
But these songs can help you connect with other people within the worshipping community and the neighborhood.
Connecting with the worshipping community at Aldrich
As I thought about the church I am now serving at I didn’t think there would be anybody who would knew ASL or Arabic. This would give me freedom as a worship leader to stumble and make a few mistakes without people noticing.
(It’s also a blessing for God to grow my heart in those specific languages.)
However….
ASL and our worship team
When I sent my email to the worship team that we were going to start practices on Saturdays I also mentioned we were going to begin using American Sign Language. Well, one of our worship team members wrote on my Facebook wall that ASL is her second language.
I found out later that she took ASL in high school and has kept up her skills. She was very excited about introducing ASL to the congregation.
Arabic and our missionary
One of the questions I had going into this ministry position at Aldrich Church was if we supported any missionaries, which we do. And there are a lot of them.
During a work day, in which church members came to repaint part of the church, I met one of those missionaries. He currently serves in Egypt and connects with the Sudanese people who speak…you guessed it….Arabic.
This missionary was actually at the service that I lead before I was hired on as the worship director. And he will be with us until November when he’ll return to the mission field.
I may just ask him to talk about the Sudanese people to read the song in Arabic first.
Lesson…
As worship leaders and pastors we have a great responsibility not only to lead songs but to equip the worshipping community with those songs. Whether they connect with someone within the Church or with someone who doesn’t know the Lord THESE SONGS ARE TOOLS.
Some of my friends at Proskuneo Ministries have many stories of how they sang songs they knew in other languages and were able to make a heart connection with people.
I encourage you to make the shift from song leader to a worship leader/pastor so that you can encourage and equip the worshipping community of God in your church.
Share your story and your life…
Sincerely,
Peter Park
Blogger/Worship Leader/Speaker
peterpark@redemptionboulevard.com
(800) 453-3284
Another blog post about the worshipping community:
Worship experience or community?
© 2010, Peter Park. All rights reserved.
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.