Fire Your Worship Committee

Like, now.

If there's no one that can, or really wants to take leadership in the area of worship, we appoint a committee.

If there is someone in charge, but we don't quite trust him or her to lead, we assist them by appointing a committee.

We might call it an "advisory panel" or a "planning team", but it's just a turd-polished committee.

OK, I'm sounding a little harsh. Committees are usually well-intentioned. Most of the people appointed to those teams care deeply about the focus of the committee (or they just can't say no).

But committees give people power with no responsibility.

Committees give permission to point at problems with out searching for a solution.

Committees generate activity instead of creating action.

And who's holding who accountable?

So what's the alternative to a worship committee when we don't have a worship leader or pastor? 

1. First, look to the CLW of your church.
The CLW - Chief Lead Worshiper is your senior pastor. His vision and goals will include the corporate worship of the church. (If it doesn't, you have bigger problems than lack of a song leader.) He may not be musical, but leadership for corporate worship starts with him.

2. Create a system for co-leadership.
If there is no 'one person' to head up the worship ministry, create a system that allows for multiple leaders without forming a committee.

• Each person is delegated authority and leadership, with a clear job description and accountability structure.
• A person is chosen for position because it fits with their gifting and skills.
• I've detailed a model for co-leadership in a free ebook, Try [Tri] Leadership on my resource page.

3. Set your leaders loose. 
These leaders form a team. But they're a true team, not a committee. There's a quarterback, running back and the left guard. Don't take the football metaphor too far - just know that these people will get knocked down. The coach (the Chief Lead Worshiper) is there to pick them up, pull the sod off their face mask, pat them on the butt and send them back in with the next play.

And, coach, don't take the butt-pat literally - that's grounds for dismissal.

200 Words [or Less] About Being a Worship Musician: Key Elements >> Surrendered, Part 2

(Read the other Six Key Elements articles: Intro; Talent; Surrendered Part 1) 

Submission, Subordination and Other Things that Suck

Submission is one of those words that make people bristle. Cringe. Wince. Barf. Or otherwise react adversely. I’m not going to make a case for mutual submission and submission to authority because scripture already does that, a little too well for most of us. If a key element for us is submission to Christ, then we have to look at submitting to the spiritual authority He places over us.

One of the tough lessons I had to learn is that God’s delegated authority comes from the position, not from the leader’s ability to lead. I once worked for someone who I thought I could “out-lead.” This man’s ability to lead was NOT the issue God was concerned about for me, but my willingness to submit to the authority above me.

What does it look like for volunteer worship musicians to submit? It doesn’t mean never suggesting changes. Or challenging decisions. But the attitude and manner in which suggestions/challenges are delivered is what causes us to cross a line. Another way to detect subtle rebellion to God-appointed leadership is how I talk about a leader or his/her decisions to others.

If you find you can’t in good conscience submit, quit.