Rob found this online posting recently for a worship leader position:
Specific Responsibilities:
1. Provide spiritual leadership to the church at large as part of the Leadership Team.
*Participate fully in the life of our church through membership.
*Take part in shaping the future of The Gathering through leadership events and staff meetings.
*Invest yourself relationally in the lives of the people within and beyond worship arts.
2. Design weekend services that create unforgettable experiences with God.
*Develop service plans and schedules in conjunction with Lead Pastor.
*Develop a sense of unity and camaraderie among all the artists of our church.
*Involve various arts such as video, painting/sculpture, acting, and spoken word in services.
*Schedule guest speakers, bands, and artists at various times of the year.
3. Lead a team of musicians that inspire people to live passionately for God.
*Recruit and develop a consistently improving team of musicians who have a passion for Jesus Christ.
*Mentor a growing number of competent worship leaders for adults, youth, and children.
*Practice a minimum of every Sunday before service and 3 times per month outside of Sunday nights.
*Collaborate in writing original worship music and creating a unique sound/voice for The Gathering.
*Style of music to be modern, high energy, and led by multiple vocalists.
4. Provide leadership and oversight for all worship-related technology.
*Make continual improvements to lighting, sound, and media.
*Responsible to oversee the technical production team leader.
5. Assist Lead Pastor with additional projects and tasks as assigned.
Anybody else overwhelmed by a job description like this?
What stands out to you?
What's right or wrong with this job description?
I've decided to leave this post up for a couple of days in an effort to encourage some discussion. But here's the deal...I don't want you to comment. I want you to email me. That's right - email me your 100 % honest opinion...what's great or horrible about this job description. I'm posting this over at my blog and on my SongDiscovery page, too. In a few days, I'll try to collect all the comments and let everybody take a look. Be honest...
Email me at toddwrightband@gmail.com.
11/6/08
Anything Else?
11/5/08
One of the best parts about being a worship leader is spending time with students/young adults who share that same calling. Most of us (30's and above) probably remember being young and interested in worship and having few, if any, mentors in worship.
When I was 15 years old, the worship movement was just starting to hit my little hometown and my church was a long way from joining the revolution. That's why I love hanging out with young worship leaders now. I am encouraged by their passion for worship and I get to share what little knowledge I have with them.
Lately, though, I've been noticing the absence of a critical component in my worship discussions with young leaders – PRAYER.
We have a whole generation of young worship leaders that now have access to resources (DVDs, CD, web YouTube tutorials, etc.) and yet still lack when it comes to prayer. And I'm not talking about the short, but sincere prayers we throw up to the sky just before rehearsals or before church on Sunday. (Although those are good, too.)
Lately, I've been encouraging young worship leaders to spend time, on their own, praying for the "x-factor." They look at me weird when I say things like this. But that's okay…because now I have their attention!
What am I talking about when I say "the x-factor?" I'm not quite sure. (Hence the name.)
But I think it's that special thing, that mysterious connection that happens between a worship leader and a congregation. Some call it the "anointing" or a "real gift," and maybe those are better words for it. I'm not sure. I just know that from time-to-time I sit under a worship leader who has something going for him or her that's more than training; more than study; more than experience.
It's this unnamed something that draws me in to what they are doing. I pray for that something…I pray that God will somehow, in His power and grace, allow me to "connect" with my crowd in a way that's different; in a way that's real and honest and filled with his power.
I want young worship leaders to hear me pray those types of prayers – to know that, in the end, it's God who empowers us to even breathe a breath or voice a song. I want those who watch me lead or serve alongside me to know that I'm always have that "X-factor," desperate for God to ignite worship in a way that only he can.
Thoughts on the "X-Factor?" What about young worship leaders? What do you try to share with those your mentoring?
