You can learn a lot from Christian sub-culture.
Take books, for instance.
Your Christian bookstore (or even overall mega-bookstore) is filled with books about church. In fact, the past 4-6 years have been a very busy time for authors who write on church matters.
And many, many, many of those books are about "how" to do church. There are books that teach you how to organize your teams. Other reveal how to re-imagine your mission and modes of ministry. Some of them are biographical...memoirs (if you will) of what God's done in a certain church and what its people have learned through that process.
A lot of these books are good. Heck, most of these books are good.
But as a worship leader, when I stroll down the aisle at my bookstore, I have one question...
WHERE ARE THE WORSHIP BOOKS?
I'm not talking about collections of chord charts. I'm not talking about piano books.
I'm simply asking why there are SO many books on the philosophy of church growth and preaching and other practical issues regarding church leadership and yet so few books about worship.
Don't get me wrong...there are worship books out there. But it's not a very even mix. It baffles me that the Christian Media Marketing Machine hasn't caught on to this need. (Personally, I imagine the Christian Media Marketing Machine to be a large, ominous black skyscraper from Stephen King's Dark Tower series...but then again, I have issues.)
I can't believe there aren't a few books about the success of the Hillsong worship projects. I'm amazed there aren't biographies of some of the churches that stand out as pioneers in worship. I think a "Passion" memoir is long overdue.
We, as worship leaders, need books like this. We need to be able to peek inside these icons of excellence in our given fields and be able to dissect them, learn from them and adjust those principles to our places of worship. Here's what we need...
1. THEORY
I can't speak for all worship leaders, but I can be honest. And I'm honestly telling you that most of us don't think near enough. I need books that will force me to look at scripture and hear wise council and engage my mind and experience as I plan and lead worship. I need books that will encourage me to be sound in my theology and yet gracious in my delivery. I need books that make me ask hard questions. I need to dig deeper into this calling of God - to know what it is I'm called to do and how I need to do it.
2. PRACTICAL HELP
What do I do when my band members are chronically late? How do I deal with overcrowding in the sanctuary? How much time should I give to the youth band? Questions like this are plentiful in a worship leader's life. I need books that will allow me to glean wisdom from folks who've gone before me. And what's more...it's all good. Meaning this - even if I read a book I might disagree with, at least I'm visioning, planning and thinking, right? Give me some everyday, real life practical help!
3. ADAPTABILITY
I need books on worship to be humble. I don't need books that pressure me into copying every decision. I need books written by pastors who are intent on equipping the body...and not just playing with multiplicity. I need books that encourage me to pursue my dreams, to take risks and to weigh every decision against the needs and journeys of my congregations.
____________
I love working in the church. It's where I'm supposed to be, because even when it's hard, it's still the best job I've ever had. But I need help. And so do you. And so does every worship leader in the world.
If you've got wisdom...tips...help to give, then do it. Write a book. Start a blog. Create a YouTube channel and start sharing wisdom. Because God's given it to us all in small doses, spread out all over the place. Let's learn from each other, huh?
12/12/08
WHAT YOU LEARN IN A BOOKSTORE
12/10/08
12/6/08
Okay, worship leaders and musicians...
What's one song you've always wanted to do at church but never had the chance to play?
12/2/08
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