In a sense, we’re all interim in our ministry roles and need to work like we are setting things up for the next worship leader who will be taking the helm – whenever that will be. There will come a time when you don’t work at your church. But until then, you are serving the best church.
Listen To The Podcast
One of the pitfalls of the digital age is the constant temptation to compare. We look at other churches with a feeling that the grass might be greener on the other side. We begin to dismiss the great things going on right around us, in our midst. Your church isn’t perfect, I know. But here’s a little secret, there isn’t one.
There are some considerations of fit, mission, calling, season of life and income that might drive your decision to make a change in churches, but until that happens, you are serving the very best church. You have great people. You have great resources. And you have the opportunity to make a difference right where you are.
“Give me a place to stand and from there I will move the earth.” –
Archimedes
Don’t let negativity, broken systems or personal issues become a barrier. You’re at your church for a reason. It’s the best place you can serve right now. Do you believe this? Here are some ways to combat these three things:
NEGATIVITY
Instead of allowing negativity to set in, decide to be positive. What drew you to this church to begin with? How did you wind up here? What was your vision and dream? If you look for it, you can find something negative about any situation you find yourself in. But have you ever thought that you could find positive stuff to look at and help make it better? Don’t be negative; change the culture into a positive one.
Join us on The Worship Leader Toolbox Podcast wherever you listen!
Apple | Spotify | Radio Public | Google | Website
BROKEN SYSTEMS
Systems that aren’t working will bring about stress and cause you to be ineffective. But the good news is, you can bring wholeness to your systems! When you change your mindset that you are in the best place you can be, you can begin to make changes with momentum. It’s always fun to fix things (and try new things) when everything is going well and when you know you’re investing for the long haul – however long that will be. You want to build on success. What systems need to be fixed? Start with something small, take the lead and make it work. Your newfound desire to serve Jesus in the best church around will give you motivation. Sometimes in my tenure on church staff, when times have gotten tough, I have actually adopted a mindset of working on the systems “for the next person.” This motivates me to want to set things up as well as possible for the next person who will be serving, and you know what happens? In the process of making things better, the whole thing is more fun!
PERSONAL ISSUES
This can be a biggie because it covers a wide swath. If you are having a personal issue with others in your church, take the initiative to solve it. Approach them, engage and apologize. Clear the air. This may be with a team member, another leader, or your pastor. Speaking of your pastor, God has placed you both here together, and if the worship pastor and senior leader can’t work together, there are problems. Worship leaders must do the hard work of assisting the pastor in the mission and ministry. No authentic leader I know wants relational unrest, nor does any God-honoring leader want their church not to grow. Begin anew in your connection with the pastor.
The second front of personal issues may come in the area of home-life. There isn’t a way to separate home and work. You take each with you to the other. Though these issues can be numerous, many of them begin with you. The leadership and discipline of yourself is one of the hardest in the world, but it’s needed. This will in turn change your personal issues as it relates to your spouse, your finances, your health and your parenting.
God has called you to this place.
One of the best things you can do is trust him. Start by asking yourself this question, “How would I minister differently, if this was the best church in the world and I will be here for many more years serving in effective and healthy leadership?”
You’re in the best church. Don’t forget that and serve with the passion that comes with being in the best place possible.