Balancing Grace & Discipleship
Hi all! I’ve just finished reading this interesting yet important article(see below) about Leading the Worship Team in a local church, and thought i’d love to hear your thoughts and expieriences on how you/your church approaches these issues.
I’m amazed by the wisdom, knowledge and diversity of all who connect with me on this blog…so i’d just love to hear and learn from you all through your comments! 😀
The article…
If you lead worship, you know the feeling.
You’re in need of musicians and oftentimes you settle for someone who can breathe and has hands to hold an instrument. You don’t care about their standards or morality as long as you have musicians to help you lead worship.
And with a variety of people comes a variety of standards.
On the one hand, you want to challenge people to come higher – disciple them to grow in Christ. You feel a responsibility to lead worship with a team set apart to holiness. But at the same time you want to have grace for people to grow.
I mean – who wants to have standards so high that no disciples are ever made?
So here we go.
Today’s post is a question I want to ask you: What are your worship team standards? What is OK? What is not OK? What would warrant confrontation? What doesn’t really matter?
A Small List of Standards
I’m thinking of things like:
Are your musicians allowed to drink alcohol?
Are your musicians allowed to smoke?
Do your musicians need to be a born again Christians?
What if one of your team members is living & sleeping with their boyfriend/girlfriend?
Do you have a formalized dress code?
Are your musicians required to be in a small group?
Are your musicians required to be a member at the church?
What if a team member tells crude jokes or swears?
What if someone has a small drug problem?
What if a musician is homosexual?
I’d love to hear from you. It’s awesome that so many worship leaders from unique churches across the world read this blog. And to get your insight into how you approach these difficult areas will be enlightening.I’m not trying to create a blanket of standards that every church will adopt. Every church is different – its demographic, location, vision, and goals. So one church may look completely different than another.
What is important is that you make a decision on what you believe and what you stand for. It’s important to communicate clear standards so as to minimize future awkwardness.
✞ Music “Rescue The Perishing” by Billy & Cindy Foote
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
Refrain:
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.
Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.
Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.
✞ Music “We Dance” by Steffany Frizzell Gretzinger
You steady me
Slow and sweet, we sway
Take the lead and I will follow
Finally ready now
To close my eyes and just believe
That You won’t lead me
Where You don’t go
When my faith gets tired
And my hope seems lost
You spin me round and round
And remind me of that song
The one You wrote for me
And we dance
And I’ve been told
To pick up my sword
And fight for love
Little did I know
That Love had won for me
Here in Your arms
You still my heart again
And I breathe You in
Like I’ve never breathed ’till now
When my faith gets tired
And my hope seems lost
You spin me round and round
And remind me of that song
The one You wrote for me
And we dance
And we dance
And we dance
Just you and me
And I will lock eyes
With the One who’s ransomed me
The One who gave me joy for mourning
And I will lock eyes
With the One who’s chosen me
The One who set my feet to dancing
(x2)
Oh we dance
We dance
We dance, we dance
Oh we dance
Just You and me
It’s nice to know I’m not alone
I found my home here in Your arms
It’s nice to know I’m not alone
I found my home here in Your arms
It’s nice to know I’m not alone
I found my home here in Your arms
✞ Music “Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)” by Hillsong Worship
All these pieces
Broken and scattered
In mercy gathered
Mended and whole
Empty handed
But not forsaken
I’ve been set free
I’ve been set free
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I’m found
Was blind but now I see
Oh I can see it now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life
You take our failure
You take our weakness
You set Your treasure
In jars of clay
So take this heart, Lord
I’ll be Your vessel
The world to see
Your love in me
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I’m found
Was blind but now I see
Oh I can see it now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I’m found
Was blind but now I seeOh I can see it now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life
✞ Music “O The Blood” by Gateway Worship (feat Kari Jobe)
O the blood
Crimson love
Price of life’s demand
Shameful sin
Placed on Him
The Hope of every man
O the blood of Jesus washes me
O the blood of Jesus shed for me
What a sacrifice that saved my life
Yes, the blood, it is my victory
Savior Son
Holy One
Slain so I can live
See the Lamb
The great I Am
Who takes away my sin
O the blood of the Lamb
O the blood of the Lamb
O the blood of the Lamb
The precious blood of the Lamb
What a sacrifice
That saved my life
Yes, the blood, it is my victory
O what love
No greater love
Grace, how can it be
That in my sin
Yes, even then
He shed His blood for me.
✞ Music “Broken Man” by Unspoken
I’ve heard it said that music heals the soul
But I have sung a thousand songs and they never made me whole
Until I joined the holy chorus that started long ago
Though it carried me a while, still so many miles to go.
Help this broken man when the road is long
Write in me a melody so I can sing redemption’s song
‘Cause when push comes to shove never be enough to make it on my own
Help this broken man’s soul, help this broken man’s soul.
Now I’ve sung these words so many times before
But I never felt anything see I wanted something more
Then it came like rushing waters to these old dry and dusty bones
You’re life-giving words pick me up and take me home
So, help this broken man when the road is long
Write in me a melody so I can sing redemption’s song
‘Cause when push comes to shove never be enough to make it on my own
Help this broken man’s soul, help this broken man’s soul.
So, help this broken man when the road is long
Write in me a melody so I can sing redemption’s song
‘Cause when push comes to shove never be enough to make it on my own
Help this broken man’s soul, help this broken man’s soul.
‘Cause when push comes to shove never be enough to make it on my own
Help this broken man’s soul, help this broken man’s soul.
You Are My King (Amazing Love) by Christy Nockels
“You Are My King”
I’m forgiven because you were forsaken.
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I’m alive and well, your spirit is within me. Because you died and rose again.
I’m forgiven because you were forsaken.
I’m accepted, you were condemned.
I’m alive and well, your spirit is within me. Because you died and rose again
Amazing love, how can it be?
That you, my king. would die for me
Amazing love, I know it’s true
Its my joy to honor you
Amazing love how can it be?
That my king would die for me
Amazing love I know it’s true
Its my joy to honor you
In all I do
I honor you
✞ Music “Lift My Life Up” by Unspoken
“Lift My Life Up“
You brought me this far so why would I question You now
You have provided so why would I start to doubt
I’ve never been stranded, abandoned or left here to fight alone
So I’m giving You control
I lift my life, lift my life up
I give it all in surrender
I lift my heart, lift my heart up
You can have it forever
All my dreams, all my plans
Lord I leave it in Your hands
I lift my life, lift my life up
Have Your way in me
Have Your way in me
If peace is a river then let it sweep over me
If I’m under fire I know it’s refining me
When I hear You calling out I follow now wherever the road may go
I know You’re leading me home
I lift my life, lift my life up
I give it all in surrender
I lift my heart, lift my heart up
You can have it forever
All my dreams, all my plans
Lord I leave it in Your hands
I lift my life, lift my life up
Have Your way in me
Have Your way in me
Take my life and let it be all for You
Take my life and let it be all for You
I lift my life, lift my life up
I give it all in surrender
I lift my heart, lift my heart up
(Take my life)
I lift my life, lift my life up
I give it all in surrender
(Take my heart)
I lift my heart, lift my heart up
You can have it forever
All my dreams, all my plans
Lord I leave it in Your hands
I lift my life, lift my life up
Have Your way with me
Have Your way with me
Have Your way with me
Have Your way with me
Take my life and let it be all for You
Church Family
Sarah & i had another lovely weekend with our brothers & sisters (church family). It’s fantastic as we live on the other side of the country to both our families which we miss! We had Vini on our 3rd Saturday sleep over in a row. We watched the Brazil match, played playStation & ate burgers!! 🙂 Also Phil, Sara & Hope came round and we played & sang music!
God has given us another blessed weekend! 🙂
Romans 12:10 Amplified Bible
Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another.
✞ Music “Dry Bones” by Worship Central
“Dry Bones”
God is here, moving in our hearts
Looking to pour out His love
Abundantly in us
We are here, longing to be changed
Breathe into our lives again
Don’t let us leave the same
Spirit of God, Fire of love
Come have Your way in us
[Your] glory and power awaken us now
Lord, have Your way in us
You are here making all things new
Jesus, light the fire in us
[and] we will burn for You
Spirit of God, Fire of love
Come have Your way in us
[Your] glory and power awaken us now
Lord, have Your way in us
Have Your way
These dry bones will live again
We’re nothing without You, nothing without You!
Spirit of God, Fire of love
Come have Your way in us
[Your] glory and power awaken us now
Lord, have Your way in us
[speak to the dry bones]
[speak to the dry bones and they will live again]
[You breathe Your life upon us all]
[we will know that You alive]
[there is no one else]
[we couldn’t do nothing without You, Jesus, nothing!]
These dry bones will live again
We’re nothing without You, nothing without You!
✞ Music “Your Love Is Moving” by Christy Nockels
“Your Love Is Moving”
The hem of Your robe is where our healing lies
The wounds in Your hands are where our life resides
Your love is moving, moving among us
We’re desperate to see the beauty of Your face
We’re longing to know the wonders of Your grace
Your love is moving, moving among us
So we reach, we reach our hands to You
Our God, You are here and Your mercies are new
We fall, we fall in worship to You
Our God, You are here and in Your power You move
The faith in our hearts is how we welcome You
The joy in our lives is Your love breaking through
Your love is moving, moving among us
Thank You Lord
Thank You Lord
So we reach, we reach our hands to You
Our God, You are here and Your mercies are new
And We fall, we fall in worship to You
Our God, You are here and in Your power You move
Yes we reach, we reach our hands to You
Our God, You are here and Your mercies are new
And We fall, we fall in worship to You
Our God, You are here and in Your power You move
Your love is moving, moving among us
Inviting us in
Your love is moving, moving among us
Thank You Lord
Your love is moving, moving among us
Inviting us in
Into the glorious
Into the glorious
✞ Music 4 2day by Christy Nockels
After i enjoyed playing “Hosanna” on the drums at our church meeting yesterday, it inspired me to share a few songs by one of my favourite worship leaders.
This next song brings me such comfort. So many people believe there isn’t a God or that God wants to punish them in some way so spend their whole lives running, but he just wants to Love you, so just ‘Be Loved’
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