Straight from My Journal 13 Years Ago to the Day

I was thinking this morning that I was right upon 13 years of moving to Ocala, FL for my first full-time position as Director of Worship & Outreach at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church. For those of you who know or remember, this move followed two months of occupational therapy in Aiken, SC after I severed nerves, tendons, and an artery in the palm of my right hand.

This journal entry (which I've transcribed without any editing) marks 13 years of God's faithfulness. I realize it may feel a bit personal, but for a while after the accident I didn't even know if I would be able to play the guitar again. So I rejoice when I remember making that drive down to Florida to take that position, and I am so grateful that I have been able to lead worship for over a decade now. I hope this encourages you to recount how God has been faithful in your own life.

Monday, February 23, 1998
Ocala, FL / First Entry / 3:30am

Once again, I am sitting in my rust-colored chair, but now I am in Ocala, FL! Wow, it really doesn't seem that long ago when I was sitting in this very chair in Birmingham, AL at Ski Lodge Apartments, journaling about beginning Graduate school. And now, here I am, almost 2.5 years later and I am in Ocala, FL about to start a new career - a new direction - as the Director of Worship and Outreach at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church. I drove today - really yesterday - from Birmingham. I got to the house at about 9:45pm Sunday night. The house is awesome! I can't believe it. There's so much space! I immediately unpacked the car and was so wired that I literally just now stopped to journal and go to bed! I've been going at it for about 5 hours! I think it's time to crash. Well, this was my first entry in my new home in Florida. May the Lord bless my time here and may my music ministry bear much fruit with his direction and power.

13 Things I've Learned in 13 Years of Full-Time Worship Ministry

I recently shared this list with an online group of worship leaders from all over the country...

For what it's worth here are some things I've learned as a full-time worship leader in a local church (not a para-church ministry or as hired worship leader from time to time). I literally wrote this in about 5 minutes... right off the top of my head... just felt like it's stuff we should talk about.

1. You have 3 basic hats to wear: (a) to some degree you need to be able to think like a theologian, (b) labor as an artist, and (c) shepherd like a pastor.

2. If possible, it's best to have a mid-week rehearsal (something other than Sunday morning!) where you separate the band and the vocalists.

3. Invest in your worship team members... use part of your rehearsal to ask "how things are going," and/or to talk about various worship topics. Take your team to lunch on occasion... sometimes the whole band and sometimes a few people that you really feel like you need to connect with... because you pick up that they have some real needs, etc. You might be the one person on staff who understands the unique struggles of artist/musician types: insecurity, some need of approval of talents, comparing oneself with others, etc. TALK about that stuff! And your family issues... a LOT of artists have family issues!

4. Be you. Don't try to be someone you're not... if you grew up listening to hard rock and love to play the electric guitar, do it! If you love jazz, go for it... if you're a choral director, celebrate that. Don't ever think that there is ONE type of "legitimate" worship leader.

5. If you're married, your spouse is your GREATEST confidant and partner... listen to him or her... be in agreement with him or her before you make any BIG decisions.

6. People LOVE it and usually respond very positively when you are vulnerable... be a little more vulnerable than feels comfortable... that's usually when you really strike a chord.

7. Invest in emerging musicians/artists. Since about 2006 I've invested in one high school student a year. Someone who: (a) has a demomstrated level of skill, (b) a real heart and passion for worship & music, (c) shows a trajectory for continuing on in music.

8. It's totally fine for women to lead worship.

9. Create good/regular communication patterns with your pastors(s) and staff. Have mentors... have at least one person in your life that you could tell anything! Spiritual isolationism is a recipe for disaster. Lead or be a part of a small group.

10. Take a day off. If you don't you will surely burn out.

11. Money will be an issue. You will, most likely, not make a lot and will have to learn to tithe by faith AND pay bills, etc.

12. Always be learning.

13. Balance the creative, the technical, and the relational... kind of like #1 - but it's really important.