Leaders are called to lead by example, provide opportunity for the the up and comer, and then fight for their success.

I write primarily from the lens of my work environment; full-time church ministry. I lead talented people in music, lighting, video, drama, etc. These are gifted people who have so much potential… they only really need a few things: 1. A lead example. 2. Opportunity to use their gifts. 3. A leader to cheer them on.
Tonight I found myself reflecting and asking myself some questions. If you’re in a leadership role similar to mine, or maybe in a totally different context, here’s some questions you might want to ask yourself on a regular basis.

Are you leading by example?
Do you personally meet the expectations that you call your teams to?
Are you a person of integrity?
Are you more concerned about reality than appearance and perception?
Is your team actually behind you? Does your team look up to you for the right reasons?

I get to work with musicians, actors, audio/visual technicians, etc… these are people with skills; with a specific craft. One’s craft only develops when put to use.

Are you actively looking to create more opportunity for your teams use their gifts?
Are you more interested in creating? Or sustaining?
Are you moving too fast to be able to slow down to teach?

The only way for a young artist to grow is to be given opportunity. This means that the experienced leader steps to the side to make room for the up and comer. Inexperience temporarily takes the place of experience for the sake of a strong future. I am forever grateful for having strong leaders mentor me, lead me, and then step aside to let me give it a go. In my experience this is the hardest part of leadership. Letting someone else lead who doesn’t quite know it all, and all the while knowing that mistakes are inevitable.

Are you willing to let the inexperienced step in front and give it a go?
Are you willing to let the bar drop before it can be raised again?
Are you afraid of having the awkward and honest follow-up conversations that everyone hates, but everyone needs?

Leadership can be a foggy thing sometimes, but for me, nothing clears the air more then when I see someone I’ve poured myself into and work with begin to soar and experience success.

Today is a day of rest after a few mental weeks. Redwood Park’s annual Christmas Dinner Theatre has come and gone again, and this year (like every other year) was a wild ride!

Once again I find myself in awe, completely floored by the dozens of teams and hundreds of volunteers who made it happen. It’s a privilege and honour to lead some of these teams, work alongside some of the teams, and be bossed around by some of the teams too. As you can imagine, the logistics of our annual Dinner Theatre are not simple… 6 performances, 375 seats each night, a fantastic buffet, and a 90min long production. Making this happen with excellence is only possible with amazing teams of people who put the cause and the mission before themselves.

From the stage production, to the servers, to the kitchen, to childcare, and then everything in between, we had just over 300 individuals volunteer their time and efforts to pull this off. Wow.

This morning I was scrolling through my twitter feed and I came across this quote by Craig Groeschel, pastor of Life Church.tv: “Great churches aren’t built by extraordinary people but by ordinary people serving an extraordinary God.”

I am proud to say I go to Redwood Park Church. A church where people take mission seriously, a church where people give generously, and a church where people worship God wholeheartedly.

Music teachers always tell their students: “It’s not the notes you play, it’s the notes you don’t play.”

One of the keys to playing in any band is understanding that every instrument needs its own space. Worship/church musicians can have a tendency to overplay things and not be attentive to what the rest of the band is doing.  I think this same principle applies to how worship leaders lead, verbally.

When I pick a worship set I want to create a flow (in music, volume, intensity, emotion, etc) that allows me to take people on a journey; and so I often have scripture, stories, illustrations and prayers mapped out in my head. In that journey I leave lots of room for a bit of spontaneity. If I feel led to pray something, say something, cut/extend a song, etc, I want to make sure I have the flexibility to do that on the fly. As a worship leader, sometimes I feel a pressure to speak and lead verbally during worship, but maybe too much. It’s easy to think that I HAVE TO talk and meet this imaginary ‘verbal quota,’ and then I’m officially done my duty for that set.

2 Fridays ago me and about 20 others from my team made a quick road trip to the US to catch Hillsong on their God is Able Tour. Reuben Moran was leading worship and what struck me was how little he led verbally, but how much his words led me to a deep place of worship and a real wrestling with where I was personally at.

It was a simple reminder for me…I think we need to lead people in some sort of ‘verbal’ capacity that’s not singing, but I was reminded that my words don’t have any power in and of themselves. When I choose my words carefully and allow myself to be filled with the Holy Spirit, God breaks through and leads worship through me, despite my humanness.

Worship Leaders. The least of your work is done on the stage. Be intentional with how you prepare beforehand. Pray through your set and ask God for direction.

Worship leaders. Don’t carefully craft your words, phrases, and prayers thinking the pressure is on you to capture people’s hearts and lead them in worship. Be in prayer as you prep for any worship set. Ask for ‘less of you and more of God in your life,’ and lead out of passion and humility. If you walk on stage knowing that its not about you but it’s all about the spirit of God, you’re already ‘leading’ in worship.

I do a lot of talking, instructing and directing, and I probably get really annoying sometimes, but it’s all part of my job. I want to bring out the best in my teams and have them develop their skills to their upmost potential. Having multiple teams spanning many levels of skill and age can be quite complex at times.

These are some keys that have helped me become a better band leader, and ultimately a more effective worship leader.

Study the music beforehand. In my mind there’s a difference between studying and listening. Make sure that mid-week you set aside time to study the tunes; know them inside and out! Get to know what makes each particular song unique. It’s more than being familiar with the key bass licks, drum fills, guitar leads, etc. It’s about learning the layering of the song and hearing the dynamics/tonality of the individual instruments and parts. Don’t just know what they play, but dig down for the understanding of why they play it, and how that part ultimately adds to the song.

Identify the key ingredients. Make the most of your rehearsal time by knowing what pieces of the song are a must. Don’t waste a 2 hour rehearsal trying to conquer the world, use your volunteer’s time wisely. Identify the “musts,” the most core things that bring the song to life, and spend your time nailing them down. Capture the feel.

Keep communication flowing. Have good communication leading up to your rehearsals. Text your female vocalist and see how her song is coming, facebook your electric guitarist to make sure that he’s got the lead lines down. Know that your band can handle the arrangement ahead of time. (don’t annoy your teams to the point that they begin to ignore your messages)

Know the strength of the players. There’s nothing wrong with presenting a challenge to the band, but choose songs that you know your team can play well. Choose songs that are within their reach. Will they be able to grasp a solid handle on the song, or will they barely scrape by? Be aware of the your weaker teammates and be ready to give more or less attention to them accordingly. A strong 3-song set is better than an “ok” 5-song set.

Celebrate Wins. Don’t be so focused on results that you forget that you’re working with human beings. People need encouragement. When you ace a song, give credit and encouragement to your team and celebrate the win together. If you’re impressed with an individual effort, go out of your way and give personal encouragement to players afterwards. Take the time to send an encouraging message, or have a short conversation after the service. Your band needs to know that you have noticed their hard work and they need to know that you appreciate their efforts.

These are a few simple things I keep in mind each week. Is there something you’ve found that works for you and your teams?

6 years ago I took a bit of a leap of faith; I graduated high school and at 18 years old I decided that I wanted to work in a church. When most of my friends went on to post-secondary education, I took a different route to prepare myself for my full-time career. I enrolled into a 1-year internship at Redwood Park Church working in the Worship Arts Ministry. To many of my friends and some family, this was very random and somewhat weird. An internship? In a church? Why would I want to work full-time hours with very little income? What kind of future could possibly develop from this?

I felt called into it. Which I know is a lame answer, but it’s the only answer I have. When I was 18 years old I had a legitimate desire to follow God’s leading in my life, and when I looked to him for direction, he gave it.

Step 1 – Intern at Redwood Park.

Step 2 – Wait and see…

Soon after, my 1-year internship evolved into a 3-year apprenticeship. Then, after 3 years of intense ministry life, many lessons, experiences, and challenges, a door opened for me to join the pastoral staff team (in 2008).

Next week marks a few small milestones for me: completing my 6th year on the staff team, my 3rd on the pastoral staff team, and my 1^st full year as the pastor of Worship and Creative Arts. As I look back at the journey thus far I’m a bit amazed. This isn’t what I had planned. I always wanted this job, but I could not have planned it out like this in a 100 years. God opened door after door and gave me experience after experience in order to prepare me for today. It’s only by Gods infinite and amazing grace that I get to do what I do.

My job is my passion. I love what I do. I love going to work, and I love the fact that I’m only getting started… and I’m slightly scared for what God might have in store for me next.