“You’re not successful as a worship leader because of your skill set. You’re effective because God chooses you. The question isn’t “how can I play a better song?” or “how can I build a better worship set?” The question we need to answer is “what kind of man or woman does God choose to use?” And the answer is that He uses messed up people. Humble, earnest, broken, weak, messed up people. You’re never going to be a good worship leader as long as you’re trying to be a good worship leader.”
Oh, sweet relief. Those words STILL affect me, nine months later.
Todd challenged us that night, rather than working to “improve” in our ability to lead people well, to humbly pursue the characteristics common to the type of folks God chooses for leadership. Things like authenticity, a sincere and active love for the Word of God, selflessness, prayerfulness, etc. I left that night convinced of this truth: The more spectacular I try to become, the less useful I’ll be to God.
How to Shepherd Your Band
My transformation continued with a class Aaron Ivey taught on “How to Shepherd Your Band.” The title alone was challenging for me in that I in no way considered myself a “shepherd” for anyone; least of all, the volunteer band I lead alongside.
Within the denomination in which I work, having never attended seminary or gone through any sort of candidacy process, I’m not technically considered a pastor. Prior to this program, I suppose I had embraced that, and perhaps even found some liberty in it. So long as I didn’t carry the TITLE “Pastor,” I didn’t have to bear the weight of actually “pastoring” anyone.
How wrong I was. And how thankful I am to have been called out and corrected.
I’d say that perhaps the greatest transformation I’ve experienced over these months is with regard to how I understand my role in the lives of the people I lead and lead alongside.
