I finished my Philosophy of Ministry a few days ago, and it has a great deal to do with ministry roles, but I didn’t mention giftedness.  I didn’t feel I needed to mention it, since it’s venue (ministry search/interviewing process) pretty much assumes that gifts will be a strong factor.

We all know that gifts are important if we sit down and think about it a little.  We know that preaching isn’t just about public speaking, and teaching isn’t just about knowing stuff.  We know that couseling isn’t just about empathy and that evangelism isn’t just about social skills.  Some people are gifted by God to do those things.

But some gifts have gotten a bad wrap in recent years. One of the one’s I’ve heard several times is about worship/music ministers.  I remember a big push when I was in college to call them “lead worshipers” instead of worship leaders.  I was in a pretty confined space – Abilene is like a teeny tiny island in an ocean of dirt and very small rocks – so I don’t know if this played out anywhere else.  It didn’t bother me then, but it irks me now.

We have no problem considering the preacher a leader.  No problem putting that label on the associate, children’s or youth ministers.  The elders and deacons are leaders.  Small group hosts and deeply faithful members are leaders.  Why can’t the guy who leads the singing be a leader?

I know that this isn’t the case everywhere. Sometimes he’s a bit too much rock star, and not enough servant.  But the “lead worshiper” idea seems a poor alternative.  Most of these men and women are called by God to create a worship experience that can draw even the most downtrodden or distracted spirit into God’s presence.  That’s not an easy job.

If you have the opinion that the leader’s task is something along the lines of “sing with all your heart so everyone else will, too”, you’re only seeing the good part.  That’s the end of all the work.  The part where the leader gets off the job and can worship with freedom.  The leadership happens earlier.

It happens with the study…understanding Scripture, knowing the music, knowing how to intersect the two.  You have to be able to follow the Spirit’s leading in preparation, so you’ll be free to follow in execution. You have to be in tune with God so you can plan as He’s planning.  When the songs and the sermon converge without being coordinated by the preacher and the worship leader, it didn’t happen by accident. It happened because they both followed the Spirit, and went where they were led.

Leading is a gift.  There are some truly talented musicians and entertainers who couldn’t lead real, effective worship.  And there are some guys who can barely hold a tune who have been given a responsibility by God, and the tools they need to fulfill it.  And He uses thes men in powerful ways.  So, to all you worship leaders who put your all into serving God in the task he’s given you (Shawn Mayes, I hope you’re Googling your own name!), thank you, God has blessed us through your work.