Strong Worship Leaders: The 18 Things They Avoid

Strong worship leaders develop good attitudes and habits. They keep their heart, mind and spirit right before God and man. Check out these things that strong leaders don’t do, so you can grow and improve.

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1. They don’t miss out on a daily time with God

God is the reason for worship. He is the source of your success. Spending daily time with God, reading the word and in prayer, is the main key to being a strong worship leader.

2. They don’t pick songs that the congregation can’t sing and worship with

It your congregation is not singing, you are not doing what you are called to do. Are you picking songs that the congregation can learn quickly? Are you repeating the songs enough for your congregation to learn them? Are you picking great songs? (12 Keys To Picking Great Songs For Worship) Is your congregation just singing or are they worshiping with the songs? (Going From Song Leading to Worship Leading) Are you putting them in singable keys? (Finding the Right Key for Leading Worship Songs)

3. They don’t choose a worship list without praying about it

The Holy Spirit will bring songs to your mind that you might ordinarily miss. How does God want to be worshipped this Sunday? What does He want to say to His church?

4. They don’t think that success comes from anywhere but God

Humility is a main ingredient to God moving in your life and ministry. Humility proceeds honour. God is the one who promotes or demotes you. God is the One who gave you your musical talent. Make sure all the honour goes to Him. God resists the proud.

5. They don’t alienate the sound man or tech people

Sound men and tech people can make you or break you. They are usually some of the first people to arrive and the last to leave. A great tech team is worth their weight in gold. Make sure you treat them that way!

6. They don’t allow themselves to just sing songs without also worshiping God with their whole heart

It’s too easy to get caught up in making good music and forget the main thing. Worshiping God and loving Him with your whole heart, is the main thing. Make sure you practise enough so you can play and sing the music well and focus on worshiping God at the same time.

7. They don’t allow the band to be at the same level this year as last year

Developing and growing your team and yourself is one of the main responsibilities of a good leader. Learn to lead great rehearsals. Challenge yourself and the worship band to grow, learn and improve.

8. They don’t allow a rift to develop with the pastoral staff

Having a good relationship with your church leadership is paramount to a worship leaders success. Go out of your way to spend the time to have good relationships.

9. They don’t let the week go by without a personal private time of worship

If you honour God in private, He will honour you in public by showing up in special ways. Never allow your worship to be just a public thing. Your private worship is one of the most important ways for you to grow in your walk with the Lord.

10. They don’t allow the worship band to just play music and not worship

The modern worship band is a team. You are only as strong as your weakest link. You need everyone on stage to be a worshiper. It communicates so much to your congregation.

11. They don’t spend time feeling sorry for themselves when things don’t go perfectly

Mistakes will happen. Learn from your mistakes but don’t allow them to bring you or the team down. You need to get over negative attitudes and problems quickly. Remember what Paul said: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

12. They don’t blame the band or other people when there are problems

Good leaders take the main blame for problems. They realize that with a better rehearsal and preparation most problems can be avoided. Don’t play the blame game, take responsibility and do better next time.

13. They don’t worry about pleasing everyone

You will rarely please everyone. Do the best you can, make the best decisions you are capable of and move on. There will always be negative critics but good leaders also keep their ears open for good constructive criticism that will help them grow.

14. They don’t dwell on past mistakes and problems.

The devil loves to bring up your past mistakes and sins. Nobody is perfect, repent and let the past be in the past. Dwelling on your past mistakes can paralyze you. God wants you to forget the past and move on to the great things He has in store for you.

15. They don’t make the same mistakes over and over

You will learn more from your problems and mistakes than your successes. Learn from your mistakes and move on. Experience is one of the best teachers.

16. They don’t resent other people’s success

“Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep”. We are here to build God’s kingdom not our own. When another brother or sister in the kingdom does well, rejoice with them. Resentment is a negative emotion that God doesn’t honour.

17. They don’t give up after a failure

Never, ever, give up. God is on your side. Everyone fails sometime. Just get up, learn and keep on going! Never, ever, give up!

18. They don’t expect immediate results

Good congregations and worship bands are not built in a day. God’s normal way is for us to build little by little, day by day. If you and your team keep improving day by day and week by week, good things will happen.

Bonus: They don’t put themselves in compromising situations

Maintaining moral purity in ministry will make you or break you. Too many have fallen into the trap of developing unhealthy relationships. Rick Warren has a great list entitled “10 Commandments to Help Church Staff Maintain Moral Integrity“. We would be wise to follow his advice.

Question: What other things do strong worship leaders avoid?

Check out my new book.. “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions.  This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

This blog is part of my vision to train over 100,000 worship leaders around the world. If you would like to support this vision you can help by giving any amount through PayPal.

About Mark Cole

Jesus follower, Husband, Father, Worship Leader, Writer, Pastor, Church Consultant, Founding Arranger for Praisecharts.com, squash & tennis player, blogger & outdoor enthusiast.. (biking, hiking, skiing). Twitter: @MarkMCole Facebook: mmcole
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1 Response to Strong Worship Leaders: The 18 Things They Avoid

  1. Cindy Waggener says:

    Great article!

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