The Music Institute TMI

Sometimes you (as a worship leader) may get frustrated in worship because of the lack of participation of the people and you may be tempted to begin to demand (or even command).
But as worship leaders, we should always be ENCOURAGERS.

If you want the congregation to respond in a certain way in the midst of worship, share with them truths from God's word that emphasizes such a response.

Rudely saying things like, "If you know you're not bigger than God, kneel down!" is never the way out.

Several ACTS of worship are written in scriptures. Find them and use them.

If you want your congregation to clap and give a shout of praise to God, for example, you can share scriptures like Psalm 47:1.

This way their response is not because you cajoled them to respond, but their response is unto the truth of God's word, which should be the foundation of our worship.

One of the bad habits of some worship leaders is, we often get consumed in what we are doing, so much that we're oblivious to what is going on around us.

What do you think about throughout your song selection process?
- What popular songs to sing or what biblical truth the church needs?

When you lead worship, are you aware of what the people are doing or are you only satisfied with the fact that every arrangement is going according to plan?

While Worship is vertical (to God), Worship Leadership is horizontal (guiding the people).

- How effective are you at creating spaces in between song leading that makes room for effective congregational participation, during worship?
- How effective are you in guiding them through these spaces, telling them what to do, in a bid to PASTOR THE MOMENT?

As a worship leader, you have a pastoral role. You're more than a 'Song leader'.

PS: Having a Pastoral role as a worship leader means, you need to know and understand the truths in God's word to be able to communicate those truths to the congregation. Hence, you must be a student of god's word, under the tutelage of His Spirit, alongside your commitment to your primary skill (music).

This is so important because everything you say and do contributes to influencing the congregation during worship.

Our public ministry is meant to be a representation of our private ministry to God.
One of the challenges of some worship leaders is their lack of off-stage worship life.

How often do you sit down to worship and pray deeply with your instrument (voice or a musical instrument) before an audience of ONE - GOD? Not for the purpose of rehearsals, but to share an intimate moment with your lover (God).

Your secret life with God is the foundation and standard for your public worship leadership.

Dear friend, don't pretend with God.
If you need His help to stay with him more than you usually do, ask him.
The most effective worship leaders today have a secret life with God that is larger and more substantial than their public life with men.

Here's one powerful truth; worship leading is best when we do publicly what goes on privately.
Live and lead a life of worship off-stage.

"You cannot show at the same time that you are clever and that Christ is majestic.” - John Piper.

Many things will want to exalt themselves as the most important factor as we lead worship. It may be the Music, it may be the stage light and setting, it may be the cares of life, it may be your skill or gift. All of these can become idols in worship.

There is nothing we have, in seed form, that wasn't given to us by God, including our skill and gift. We need to consciously and deliberately make Christ the center of our worship while uprooting every other thing that will want to take his place.

As worship leaders (and Christians) we must consciously fight against being idolized in the heart of the people, at the expense of the revelation of the risen Christ.

When placed in the spotlight, John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

Attempting to lead God's people in worship outside the help of the Holy Spirit is futile (ineffective, meaningless, hopeless, useless). Dear worship leader, you can do nothing to glorify God without the help of the Spirit.

Furthermore, attempting to live for God without the help of the Spirit is impossible.

Philippians 2:13 (Amp) "For it is [not your strength, but it is] [a]God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure."

THE WORK VS THE WALK

Our Public ministry is meant to be a representation of our private ministry to God.

As people who are tasked with leading God's people in praise and worship, we are meant to cultivate a devotional heart for God while developing our primary skill or gift (music). We are meant to be people of the Word and Prayer.

Effective worship leadership starts in the secret place. It starts with a man that is very familiar with meeting with God with his instrument when no one is watching.

For King David, his standard for public leadership was his secret place. His undignified approach was a private habit that took public significance. (2 Sam 6:14, 21-22)

Do not only WORK for God. Yearn to WALK with him daily!

NEW BOOK ALERT!

HANDLING THE PRAISE OF MAN.
bit.ly/HandlingthePraiseofMan

Although Praise is a good thing and it can have many positive effects on the receiver, W.N Vincent in this book exposes how getting certain kinds of Praise from men can be harmful to us as believers, and specifically, Music Ministers.

We trust you'll find this insightful.
Get your free copy here👇
bit.ly/HandlingthePraiseofMan

To dream big and realise that it's totally free... So magnificent.

©

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Ephesians 3:20 says God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all you can ask or IMAGINE, according to his power (Spirit) at work in you.

DARE TO DREAM!

DARE TO BELIEVE!.

MAKE THAT MOVE!

Welcome to March! ❤️

John 17:3 (AMP)
"Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true [supreme and sovereign] God, and [in the same manner know] Jesus [as the] Christ whom You have sent."

No one would deny the centrality and popularity of the biblical theology of KNOWING GOD.
While KNOWING GOD is the focus of numerous academic, spiritual, and Christian literature and discussions, being KNOWN BY GOD is less talked about. One may say the subject matter has been relegated to the background

It is important to note that, in every relationship, knowledge has two sides: you know your partner, and you are also known by your partner.

Many believers are overtaken with the thought of KNOWING GOD, and we have neglected the other part of the relationship. Hidden away from us is the consciousness that we have left God hanging with his unsatisfied desires to also know us.

God wants to know us even more than we think and ever want to know him. God wants to share his feelings and burdens with us, even more than we want to share ours with him.

And to think that the Lord God, the Almighty, is eager to enjoy our company, even more than we desire to fellowship with him, such that he keeps drawing us into communion even when we don't want to or feel like it, is humbling.

Don't pretend with God, my dear friend.
Follow on to know the Lord, and to be KNOWN OF HIM.

2 Tim 2:19
John 10:14-15

Commitment is about Responsibility and not necessarily Feelings.
Would you still love if you didn't feel like it?
Would you still pray if you didn't feel like it?

Over the years I have learned that Love is more of a commitment than a feeling, and the proof of Love is in the choices we make, - Obedience and Sacrifices.
"If you love me, obey my words." (John 14:15,21). Such simplicity.
There are times when it will be hard but choose His way.

You see, God isn't moved by mere words!
The Bible says, "For the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed." 1 Sam 2:3.

In September of 2020, I was writing a song and something didn't feel right. My heart was in the wrong place (posture) and though the words (lyrics) were beautiful, deep down I knew I DIDN'T MEAN A WORD I WAS SINGING TO GOD.

I knew that God was (and is) MORE interested in Me (the state of my heart, the minister) than in the songs I was singing to him (my ministry). Because if my heart is not right, whatever I do and call MINISTRY can not be right.
I had to put my pen aside and be real with God.

Dear friend, we can lose many things, but one thing we should never lose is our virtue of SINCERITY with God.

God isn't swept off his feet because you sang and cried as you led praise and worship, in Church on Sunday, and people said, "Oh! How he/she loves the Lord!"

God judges differently. Beyond the make-up we wear, he looks into us; our heart, motives, intentions, and with these, he weighs our actions.

Dear friend, be real with God. Be sincere with God. Be open to God.
Cover-ups don't work with Him. I've been there countless times!

I have come to understand that GOD IS MY PRIMARY AND EVER PRESENT AUDIENCE, and I can't pretend with Him.

When I go before Him and He calls me out, I answer, _'Yes Lord, You're Right! I'm sorry.'_

Dear friend, do not lose your virtue of sincerity with God.

Can we pray together,
"I am open to you, Lord here's my heart, come take your place.
You know my appetites. You know what I'll fall for. Help me to stand.
You know where I'm coming from, and You know where I am, now. You even know where I'm going. Help me to follow."

Going before God all covered up in insincerity is like going to see a friend who knows all we said about them but sits silent, listening to us professing love for them. The Nerve! 😂 It's hurtful. (Sadly, some of us have been there too).

The Lord is a God of knowledge, and nothing is hidden before him. So, when did we begin to think we could hide from him? Since Adam, I guess!
But we hurt him, even more, when we come to him with a mask.

Put away your mask before God, my friend.
Come to God with your full chest! 😂

He may discipline you, but surely he will embrace you.

His Love, Grace, and Mercy is enough!

Shalom!

THE WORK VS THE WALK

Our Public ministry is meant to be a representation of our private ministry to God.

As people who are tasked with leading God's people in praise and worship, we are meant to cultivate a devotional heart for God while developing our primary skill or gift (music). We are meant to be people of the Word and Prayer.

Effective worship leadership starts in the secret place. It starts with a man that is very familiar with meeting with God with his instrument when no one is watching.

For King David, his standard for public leadership was his secret place. His undignified approach was a private habit that took public significance. (2 Sam 6:14, 21-22)

Do not only WORK for God. Yearn to WALK with him daily, - continually!