Looking Out For Everyone

As a worship leader in the church, it doesn't take long to figure out what people expect. Eventually, notes will mysteriously appear with carefully worded suggestions - sometimes not so carefully worded. There's also the disinterested stare during corporate worship accompanied by a refusal to sing, that suggests someone is uncomfortable or unhappy. I've had to work hard at not making assumptions based on how people appear. When I have, often I've been wrong and then feel awkward that I let such thoughts run through my mind during our time of worship. Yes, worship pastors can be sidetracked like anyone else. Recently I read some constructive comments by another pastor named Nancy Beach. She made several simple suggestions with her apparently very non-musical husband in mind. I thought they were definitely worth repeating. Her suggestions are directed at worship leaders. 1) Please choose singable songs. 2) Must we repeat so much. 3) May I please sit down. 4) Stretch me with the lyrics. 5) Worship is more than singing. You can read more on these topics at www.christianitytoday.com/le/2005/004/15.105.html
-Tim Covert

Tags: Christian Music, Devotional, Worship

Post-Event Communication

Certainly communication is one of those issues in ministry that is absolutely vital. Without it, we're sunk. Communication is crucial in the process of preparation and during any ministry focus. But I've found that post-event communication is just as important and has incredible potential. I don't think the Lord desires for us to live in a disconnected, unrelated event oriented manner. We learn through experience. And frankly, I want to learn as much as I can from every endeavor. I try not to move on too quickly once a certain focus is finished. I give our leadership team a chance to rest, and then we set up a time to talk about what just happened. I know things can be over analyzed, but it's very easy to congratulate those who have worked hard accomplishing ministry goals, then immediately move on to the next challenge. Discussion is good. And eye opening! I learn more about what just happened. And I learn more about me. I've found this discussion is absolutely necessary for future planning, helping us avoid pitfalls we just fell in. The beauty of taking time to talk about ministry is the perspective of other people. It's an amazing thing. But don't be so sure everyone is thinking the same thing. I want to hear what the leadership team is thinking. They actually tell me when I ask them! It's possible the meeting could turn into a gripe session. If so, are the concerns legitimate? Does it require me to work harder? Maybe. Maybe not. Am I willing? I try to have these meetings in a pleasant environment, where I can care about people. I have the meeting in my home, or someone else's on the team. Somewhere outside the church. Having the meeting in a Sunday School room a half hour before church starts on Sunday night, doesn't set the proper tone. And won't be effective. My willingness to listen and make adjustments tells the team, I care about them. I do care about the team. But I also have expectations. This meeting is a way of evaluating my/our expectations with the perception of the group. Over time the communication gets better. And that's healthy for everyone. Healthy leadership translates into more effective ministry.
- Tim Covert

Tags: Christian, Christian Music, Devotional, Worship

Motivating Leadership

"The paradigm for leadership in the 21st century will not be the enabler, but visionary motivator... Visionary, motivating leadership will not try to take care of people but equip people to take care of themselves".
- Thomas G. Bandy (Enrichment - Winter 2006)

Tags: Christian, Christian Music, Devotional, Worship

The Spirit of the Matter

I'm convinced (as the years flash by) that our worship is more about heart attitude than anything else. You say, "yeah, tell me something I don't already know. I'm moving on to the next blog". The fact remains, articulating this concept and putting it into practice are two seperate things. It takes God's call, experience, and examination of personal motives, before we can actually begin leading with a Christ-like attitude. This self examination must be on going if we want to effectively continue. The Holy Spirit knows our hearts all too well. He is never fooled. As R.T. Kendall so eloquently states in his book, Sensitivity To The Holy Spirit, we can go about the business of leading in personal and spiritual matters, even when (I'm paraphrasing) "the dove has simply removed Himself from our activity". There is nothing necessarily spiritual about "going through the motions" of any brand of true worship liturgy. But there should be. And God knows whether we have set ourselves up as the main focal point or if we have purposefully faded out of the spotlight so He can do what He wants to do, how He wants to do it. If this is not a concern, time will be the test of your worship leading effectiveness. I'm not talking about something spooky here. God simply wants to move in our services as He chooses. Not as we choose. There is absolutely nothing I can do to make Him move. But there is something I can do to create an atmosphere for Him to move in. And there are things I can do that cause Him to move on. What I am talking about is not related to musical style or personalities. This is not about the latest worship song or spiritual songs of previous generations. I'm talking about the heart. The heart has always been at issue. Oh, that the critical mass of the local church would desire to worship God in a way that shatters the influence of the enemy, and invites the presence of God to accomplish His will, in the individual as well as the corporate body. The worship leader plays an important role and must be in right relationship with God (and with the Senior Pastor), so music / drama / dance etc. will facilitate true worship. This takes nothing less than the empowerment of the Spirit of God. Ultimately; human will, musical skill, charisma, looks, administrative skill, influence, (all the things we like to think we have) take a back seat to God's will and His choice to reveal His presence. I need Him to help me. I want Him to have His way. And He promises He will, if I'll let Him. The ball is in my court. And yours. What will you do?
-Tim Covert

Tags: Christian, Christian Music, Devotional, Worship

Vision For Worship

As I sit in my office I see music everywhere. Song books stacked nearly to the ceiling. I have racks of CD's... there's even printed music and CD's piled on the floor, yet to be heard. I have a shelf full of magazines and books pertaining to worship, sound, and buildings, with opinions and information for effective worship ministry on every page. I have computer access to much more as well. And I've thought at times, maybe like you, "where are we going with all this"? Years ago, when I first started, I wanted everything I could get my hands on. I was interested in the new, the innovative, what I considered at the time, fresh. I think my motives were pure. But over time, I've noticed, conversations about the latest worship songs leave me feeling a little...empty. How about you? I need to say, I am constantly looking for new and dynamic worship songs, but I'm looking for other things as well. I read a quote by Bob Sorge recently that stated, "When we lose our vision for worship, we can become disillusioned or despairing." This comment in his book "Experiencing Worship" is a cause and effect statement we're familiar with. After you have led your thousandth plus worship set, musical mechanics should be dialed in fairly well. So after the stage has been set to effectively lead worship, is the congregation actually worshipping? As a music minister, is it possible we could sing about worshipping God, but be disllusioned and despairing? Is our vision for worship, waning? Thank God we know, it's a fresh relationship with Christ that fuels the flame of worship and not simply the latest worship style or song. There is always an element of pressing on - vision including new worship songs, new levels of commitment and proficiency. But that vision needs to include our pursuit of Him at the top of the ministerial job description list. Never should our pursuit of either be lacking. Only a relationship with Jesus moves us from mechanical to spiritual. And spiritual worship helps us and others keep on track. Thankfully that close connection with God brings a satifaction and more importantly, effectiveness, that arrives no other way.
- Tim Covert

Tags: Christian Music, Devotional, Worship

The Christ, The King, The Risen Savior

For all of you who use a worship band each week and live orchestration is not available or applicable, I recently mentioned ordering our 2006 Easter musical that solves that glitch. We received the shipment from Benson Music Publication last week. This musical has the option of using a worship band (parts deleted from the original soundtrack) with what amounts to an orchestral soundtrack. CD rehearsal tracks are available for each worship band part and are very good. The rhythm charts are just that - chords and measures etc. It's a one chart fits all, with cue comments for individual players as necessary written in the chart. The soundtrack (orchestration minus the rhythm section / praise band - with a click track) will work great for our sound situation. We use headphones as monitors through an Aviom monitor system. So it's possible to adjust the level of the click in one ear compared to the orchestration in the other as well as adjusting the other worship band members. It may be a little more challenging to use with floor monitors and board sends, where the click could be heard in the mix. I like the format overall. We'll see how it works for our group. Everything is there for us. The band plays with loops regularly. So the unforgiving click shouldn't pose too much of a timing struggle. Practice makes perfect. Happy Easter planning!
-Tim Covert

Tags: Christian Music, Easter Musical

Week of Prayer

Expectations in ministry have an ebb and flow. Traditionally, many ministries implement their sense of God's direction at the beginning of a new year. With new budgets and fresh resolve, focus and energy is poured into new frontiers... or those needing a boost. However; God reminds us, focusing on our own expectations is not primary. As Jesus said, "yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt." Matthew 26:39. It goes without saying, that God's will and our expectations will inevitably collide. And when our expectations are challenged by God...we can struggle. Many times the fresh idea is exactly God's will, but what He intends to do through the idea is partially or even completely different than our own expectation. Hannah Whitall Smith writes in her devotional book "God Is Enough", "We cannot follow the Lord fully so long as we are tied fast to anything else, any more than a boat can sail out into the boundless ocean so long as it is tied fast to the shore." We must not tie God's plan down to our personal expectations. Guard against drawing the conclusion for God. Obedience is what He desires. Staying open to God's leading is crucial. Certainly, He brings understanding to faithful leadership. Expect God's leading after setting sail with the idea. He'll guide toward the intended destination. During this week of prayer, may God's voice be heard, His wisdom gained in the implementation of plans, and His will ultimately accomplished in 2006.
- Tim Covert

Tags: Christian Music, Devotional,
Gospel Music, Worship