We’ll come back to the series I’ve been creating on “Serving in Worship”, but this has been on my mind and heart for a while and I think it’s helpful to address it.
Change is difficult. When it’s negative change, it’s very difficult, but even when it’s positive change it’s still difficult, just in a different way. Any kind of change has a certain level of discomfort, and you hope and pray that on the other side of this discomfort is growth and betterment.
Recently, I’ve come to serve as the Pastor of Worship at a church that is new to our family, and while it’s been tremendously positive change, it hasn’t come without it’s own set of discomforts. As someone who has been called, equipped, and empowered to lead worship ministry in the local church, I still find it challenging at times to be entirely sure of myself because of how much I don’t want to “get it wrong”. What we get to do in worship ministry is just so important and I’m so passionate about it being done the way God wants. So, there’s a pressure that, when harnessed well, can be helpful for all involved and ultimately bring about God’s glory.
Here are some of the things I’m learning as I seek to lead well through change.
1. Be led by God personally, first.
We are so privileged to be able to partner with God in ministry. This is HIS work that he LETS us be part of. For me, that can be pretty daunting. I never feel “qualified” or like “God needs me”, because frankly, He doesn’t. He can accomplish His will however He wants. Knowing it is God’s ministry and not mine means I need to consult the owner constantly. If we want to do things His way, we must be seeking to understand His ways through His Word and asking Him for guidance through prayer.
2. Shepherd people rather than managing projects.
I’ve always classified myself as a pastor more than an artist. What I mean by this is that I care way more about people than I do about artistry or in this case, music and production. If we find ourselves leading through change, and we just jump in and change content without first caring for, appreciating, knowing, learning who it is we are getting to do this with, then we really squash our opportunity to lead. I want to be clear that leading people first isn’t purely a strategy so we can “win”, but shepherding people, loving people, caring for people has to be the way someone called to lead in His church must operate. It can’t be about manipulating for results, it has to be genuine care, and it has to be where you start before you run roughshod over the most important part of your ministry; people.
3. Learn the culture before trying to improve the culture.
There is a certain level of vision that has to be carried into leading a new worship ministry, but if the vision is more about the “what” and the “how” than it is about the “why”, it can cause you to lead with an agenda that may not fit best. When I think about what a “successful” worship ministry looks like, I envision a culture of people loving each other, being formed in their faith, bringing heart-felt, authentic sacrifice to a worthy God, and real life change. I don’t immediately think of sound, lights, video, song selection. Ask the question “why are we doing what we are doing and what’s most important”, then learn the worship language of the people you are called to that helps to accomplish that why rather than thinking worship ministry is a one-size fits all arena. Focus on learning what helps the team and congregation rather than what helps you get what you want.
4. Move at the speed of trust.
How do you earn trust? I’m not sure I’m an expert, but I think it largely comes from letting people see your heart. I’ve had leaders whose heart I could trust. Even when I didn’t necessarily agree with the words, or the changes, I knew that it came from a heart that really wanted my best and wanted God’s best. I don’t always get it right; I’ll never get everything right. But I want the best for people and I so want whatever God wants most. If you let people see this, hopefully it helps them trust you. But, until they do trust you, go slow; slower than you think.
5. Celebrate the wins.
Highlight moments of growth. When your team worships with deeper engagement, when new volunteers take steps of faith, when a service flows in unity pause and give thanks. Become an encourager of people if you aren’t naturally. I so want to be someone who makes people feel loved and valued, and celebrating their personal wins and team wins is necessary for edification. Momentum builds when true appreciation and gratitude lead the way.
If you’re leading your worship ministry through a season of change, remember: you’re not just adjusting systems, you’re forming disciples. You’re guiding hearts to trust, follow, and worship Jesus in every season.
Lead with grace. Lead with vision. And most of all, lead from the altar, not the agenda.
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