Next Steps
Answer the following questions, journal about them, pray about them, or discuss them with a counselor or trusted friend.
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What songs do you find it easiest to worship to? Is there a particular band or worship team that you find easiest to worship with? Look at your answers and try to find a theme or reason why these songs or bands (through their leadership style) are so meaningful. How can you incorporate those attributes into your own worship?
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Are you a worshiper or a worship leader? How do you feel about this? How does God feel about this?
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If you're a worship leader, take a look at the lyrics of your last several worship sets. Are they directed TO God or are they written ABOUT God? How do you think your song choices affect your ability to lead people in true responsive worship?
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If you are a leader, how well is your team unified? Are there power struggles you need to deal with? What can you do to help your team grow together?
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If you are a leader, how can you create an environment of safety and vulnerability for your team to stretch and grow? How can you lead them from a "practice" or "performance" mindset to a "worship mindset"?
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Who are you comparing yourself to?
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How does your congregation engage in worship? Is there an area that seems to be holding them back? How can you give them freedom in that area (without placing a human expectation or condemnation on them)? What about you? Is there an area that is holding you back (a fear, an expectation or habit, a misunderstanding)? What does God say to you about this area?
Now pray this prayer with us:
Most-holy, awesome, and beautiful Father... WOW! You are incredible!! I worship you; I adore you; I love you. I confess, as much as I want my worship to be pure, sometimes it is not really about you. But my heart is for you and my desire is to praise you and to be with you and to be transformed in your presence. Teach me to worship you. Purify my heart. Help me turn from the distractions, the song lists, the expectations, and help me return to you, my first love. Show me what brings you joy, and help me to be a better lover and a better listener in my worship. Let your praise overflow from my heart, and let my worship lead others toward you. Help me as I lead others and give me a heart of humility before them and you. Use me Lord, and bring your Kingdom in and through me to unite your people with you and with each other. You are amazing God! There is none like you! You are absolutely perfect, and I love you so much! Amen. (Now take some time to listen for God's response and then take some time to worship.)