Leaders, Ministry Leadership, Worship Leading
Let The Walls Fall Down (Show #19)
Giving Creative Authority Away (Video Below) #LetTheWallsFallDown As worship leaders, it is important to build a unified front, a team that works together. In the story of Jericho, Joshua could not have won the battle alone. Each person in the worship band, tech and audio have creative abilities to lead the church. Are you building a team or building a wall?
Are you the only person on your team making creative decisions? This should not be. Leadership is to be shared as a team and given away to empower others. Before we can better build our teams, God must come to build a undivided heart. At the end of Joshua chapter 5 and beginning of 6, we see the unfolding of Jericho.
Team was very important to Joshua. In fact, we read in the passage of 5.13-15, that he was approached by the commander of the Lord’s army, an angel. Joshua’s first response was asking the question, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” v.13. The commanding angel said “Neither,” then told Joshua to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. Sound familiar?
How many times in our ministries we struggle to seek out who is in charge? Who is for us, or who is against us. What the angel did was shocking, he declared the ground holy. He ruled out sides, he did away with silo leadership; he marked out what was more important = space for God. The ground was the Lord’s and for his work, not for the purposes of man, but for the glory of God. Joshua nor the people were to get out of the way so God can move.
When was the last time that you declared your rehearsal space as holy, unified and marked out for God? “The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.” Josh 5.15 Joshua has a great team of fighting men, priests, musicians and singers. He was not to spare a soul being used. Every person had a part to play; Joshua followed the Lord’s command and involved everyone.
Your worship team is the most visible front the church sees, so make it unified by spirit, skill and heart.
Allow Creative Input Seek out those in your team who are good at what they do. Find their niche and help them develop their craft. Play to their strengths, rather than limiting them to their weaknesses. When leading rehearsal, form questions to your team on what can be improved. Allow creative input from others.
Let them describe what kind of sounds or style they can produce. Listen, be flexible and don’t consider your rehearsal ground as a high wall. Let your people in and build the team. If you have a classic rock guitarist who loves Pink Floyd, them draw off of their creativity. Harness this style, make them play it well and have the band compliment the arrangement. This is also applicable to your bass player and pianist.
Each person has their own background and style, based on their personal musical influences. Maybe spend more time getting to know your team. Learn how to balance all these styles into one cohesive group. Yes, this is a challenge in itself, but if its done right, the pay-off can be huge.
Be Patient In Developing Skill If you have a drummer that needs help with timing, spend time with them to play with a click. Encourage their growth and play to what they can play. Years ago, I worked with a drummer who had a weak left hand.
Instead of him trying to overcompensate, I had him play solid patterns on the right hand to keep time, and tame the left hand to play a basic back beat. Same is true in working with rhythm guitar players and pianists. Rather than playing complicated patterns, just keep it simple.
Whole, half and quarter notes that are played well and on time, helps the timing of the groove and team. The main thing is developing patience with your team. As they grow, so will their creativity. Give them space and give them love.
Act When the Time is Right Just as in the story we read of Joshua, the Lord gave him instructions to develop his team, be patient and to act when the time is right. So don’t call all the shots to your team. Ask questions to promote thought about creating and arranging the songs.
You never know how creatively good your band can be, when you let them be creative. The key is to balance all the influences in the room to form one great sound. Creative leadership is about giving authority away so it can become a true work of art.
When we lead worship, or play and sing with the team, the congregation is relying on our leadership. When we put up the walls and close ourselves off from other’s ideas and creativity, we squelch the sound of the Holy Spirit.
He lives in each of us, making a joyful sound that is colorful and unique. “My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.” Psalm 57.7 Let the walls fall down. Allow the creative work within your team to pour forth praise. Watch the talent and quality level of your team grow.
Most importantly, watch new ministry happen within your team as the lead the church in worship.
@BranonDempsey @worshiptt 
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