"Sucessful" Worship Time?

[webebo]

Originally Posted by sycamoredave

Successful worship is an amazingly fragile mix of people, experience, music, technical skills, nerves, and most importantly the Holy Spirit. Never take this for granted, or believe too much in yourself as the source of success. Perform well, but remember it is not about you, but about Him. Worship, rejoice, and feel the joy of the Lord!

Very well said.

Like the other posts, just keep your focus on Jesus. Try not to watch the congregation to much. I know, when everyone is worshipping and allowing the Spirit to move in their lives, it is an amazing sight. They are feeding off of you and you are feeding off of them and the worship just escalates.

But, you can become very discouraged when the congregation doesn't seem to get into it as much. But Jesus could be working in a way that doesn't show an outside expression. So once again, focus on Jesus and worship Him, and you'll do okay.

[Schmoog]

In my years as a leader, assistant leader, and member (both in worship, and other ministries), I've noticed something. The worship team reflects their leader, and the leader's attitude and heart will always be evident in the worship. Focus on technical proficiency alone, and your worship may be polished, but empty, for example. So how do I quantify a "successful" worship service? It's simple. Did I pour myself out in worship before God? Did I focus not on leading others, or putting on a show, but on giving the Lord Almighty, the Faithful One, the maker of heaven and Earth, the worship, praise, and glory he is due? If I can answer yes, then I've had a successful day. Focus on praising God personally, and giving him everything you have to give. A heart like that is more contagious than H1N1.

[David Weischedel]

the most encouraging thing to me about whether worship in song was a success or not is that Christ is our mediator, both in salvation on the cross but also in our worship. He makes our worship acceptable to the Father!

[Sambekzx]

"Success" must be measured against a goal. What is that goal?

I think if the goal is to get even one person in the room to worship the Lord, then that is an impossible goal. You or I have absolutely no control over that. So, I think there is no such thing as "successful worship."

Rather, if you need to think in terms of success and failure, I think the goal can only be stated in terms of personal subjectives and mechanics that boil down to "have I served faithfully?" "Faithfully" can be put in terms of musical excellence, preparedness, spiritual discipline, choosing songs that people can sing, getting the sound mix right, etc.

But, whether that person has used the things you've prepared and presented to actually worship the Lord is a matter that you cannot control, and should not be graded in terms of success/failure.

[Edwin]

Originally Posted by Sambekzx

"Success" must be measured against a goal. What is that goal?

But, whether that person has used the things you've prepared and presented to actually worship the Lord is a matter that you cannot control, and should not be graded in terms of success/failure.

So I guess that being a worship leader is futile unless you are doing it for self gratification. So why even attempt something that is impossible to do? You can sing worship songs at home at your schedual.

[Sambekzx]

It is a futile endeavor if worship is measured in terms of "success" or "failure." I really believe this because there is absolutely no way to say definitively whether anyone is worshiping the Lord in Spirit and in Truth and that He has accepted their worship. IMHO, there's no way to judge that.

How do you judge that?

[louca]

Originally Posted by David Weischedel

the most encouraging thing to me about whether worship in song was a success or not is that Christ is our mediator, both in salvation on the cross but also in our worship. He makes our worship acceptable to the Father!

Interesting thought David, thanks for sharing that. I will try to keep that idea in my mind this Sunday, and hopefully I can remember to use it in our team prayer before the service begins.

Lou

[Edwin]

[QUOTE=Sambekzx;33457 How do you judge that?[/QUOTE]


You are right. Only God can see into the heart of man.

Jesus said you can tell who they are by their love for one another, and christians do worship God.

God did give us a mind and it's written that we will be judging angels. Christians perfer the word discernment rather than the word "judge ". It sounds less black and white. At some point we all have to make a choice.

[InHisName]

Originally Posted by WorshipVanguard

If you don't mind, may I ask some questions?
What kind of feedback did you get from your leadership?
Are they helping you process what God is teaching you in worship leading?
What is the Spirit teaching you in these moments?

Praise God you got another opportunity to lead worship. People get a glimpse of your love for the Lord, and I pray God continues to use you in mighty ways. Be blessed!

1. I didn't get much feedback this time...our leader said I did a good job but no detail. We're always so rushed at the end of service. I can always ask, but time slips away. The best feedback I get is when I ask our Sound Guy to put the worship service on a thumb drive (?) and I listen at home. I haven't done that yet, though.

2. Not so much at this time, although our leader gives me some great tips every so often. Like this time I had chosen keys way too low for me. I'm a soprano, really. I was worried that it would be hard for men to sing higher. But she said that I could choose keys a lot higher because men sing an octave lower. She said to look in the hymnal...a lot of melodies are set really high. Great tip.

3. To be humble, to sing unto Him, to rely on Him for all things technical, musical, and spiritual, and to be confidant. Our pastor did a Sunday message about singing and playing for the Audience of One, and it was really good. That has stuck with me. You can find it here, 2010 April | Peoples Church Video Archive under "Worship"

Honestly, I think I've learned more from this one thread than I have in the last few years of leading worship! Thanks everyone!!

[Smitty]

Just gonna offer this up.

I discovered a long time ago that that rushed feeling you describe is just as bad as feeling rushed when you are preparing for the service. You, and the team really need to take a few minutes after service to process the events. You need to experience a bit of "afterglow"...take a few minutes to talk about what worked...and what didn't. While it is fresh, and therefore of the most value as a learning experience. Enjoy your successes...and learn from your mistakes. I'm not talking about a full blown team meeting...I'm talking five or ten minutes tops. Be IN the moment...WITH your team.

Make sure that the stuff you need to put away is put away...don't leave it for someone else to do. Doing so makes it easier to find stuff next week...and rehearsals start on time.

Smitty