Merge Worship

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately on the commitment it takes to generate change. Creating culture rarely happens overnight. It (usually) means doing the back breaking work of plowing fields and tearing down walls. This came clear to me on Monday. I was helping my Dad spread mulch in their yard. We'd already picked up a truck full of mulch and we were doling out load number two. I realized in that moment that most things of value take TIME.

Take on the challenge
Invest in the outcome
Marry yourself to the vision
Engage the process

One tough thing about being a leader is that part of you wants to look for the easy way out. Whether that means acquiescing to those who want to refuse change or settling for the status quo. That's much easier to do. And frankly, there are a lot of people willing to settle there.

I'm not one of those guys. I want to see people move forward and the Church grow and innovate. My prayer is that more people will be willing to spend TIME on seeing change happen.

What ways do you take the TIME to build culture where you serve and lead?

btw...my friend Chris said I should say that I just came up with that acrostic so no one would think I stole it from a book. :-)

Hey everybody. Join me in making a difference this season. One of the bloggers I enjoy, Anne Jackson, is joining forces with Soles4Souls to bring 50000 pairs of shoes in 50 days to people who need shoes. It is just $5 for 2 pairs of shoes. I just donated and it could not have been any easier! Spread the word! You can go to the site by clicking on the banner below. Our Pastor gave a challenging sermon yesterday about making investments in the health and eternal destiny of others and I was glad to see this happening today. Let's use the power of our social networks to exceed their goal! Now go clean out your car and turn that change into change! (I know that was hokey, but it felt good at the time)

"I been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But my will gets weak and my thoughts seem to scatter..." Ladies and Gentlemen, Don Henley. Modern day prophet. (said with tongue in cheek)



I had a friend call me this week with a worship team issue this week and there were so many things swirling around that it seemed like there were 15-20 issues happening at once. Generally when I've seen this happen with my teams, or individuals on my teams, there is one thing causing most of the other things happening. The "heart of the matter" either personally or corporately.

It is easy as a leader to diagnose and treat symptoms, but it takes guts to cut through the junk and find what is really causing the issues. Someone may ask why someone else gets to lead the band for a week or someone else leads a song. Why didn't I get asked to do a solo? Why did you feel like you had to bring in a guest leader while you were away? Sometimes you may never hear those questions at all and someone will just become a little passive-aggressive in rehearsal and you won't know where it came from.

This is where having relationships with those on your team is key. Let's say that "Johnny" starts fuming that he didn't get a guitar solo this week. What's the root issue? The closer I am to "Johnny", the better I'll be able to diagnose the "heart of the matter". It could be pride. It could be a lack of self confidence and the need for the approval of others. Maybe the last worship leader he served under didn't appreciate his gifts. It could be any number of things ranging from private sin to a crummy day at work. Those are all very different issues with different solutions, but if I only react to the surface thing then I'll miss the opportunity to lead "Johnny" well.

We all want to grow together as believers and sometimes that takes a willingness to dig past the surface. It doesn't mean that it will be easier. It's easier to tell "Johnny" you shouldn't react that way, than it is to tell "Johnny" that God is trying to deal with him about pride or asking him to join you in prayer to figure out what triggers this in him.

One of my passions is to see God release destiny in others. If I'm to be a true agent of change and release in others, then I have to push pass my "will gets weak and my thoughts start to scatter" and ask the Holy Spirit for His discernment and clarity to help the "Johnnies" in my world and myself get down to the "heart of the matter".