Training others

[becky81101]

Our worship team has gone through some MAJOR changes in the past 5 years. I am the only person who has been on the worship team the entire time. And now that the team is bigger (bigger than it's ever been), I need to start training others to be worship leaders. Here's my dilemma -
We had our bi-annual worship team meeting and I brought this up that I felt led to start training other leaders and if anyone feels that calling, or would like to learn more - to talk to me and we would start working on stuff. No one talked to me. I approached one girl who I had worked with a long time ago and now she's back at our church (she was in Japan as a short term missionary) and she is willing to help with leading if I'm out of town or if I'd like a Sunday off, but isn't called to lead or be heavily involved in the worship ministry. How do I get people involved in this area? Is it pushing people if I ask them to help me plan a certain week's service order? Or if I start them off slow asking them to read a Scripture passage or maybe have them direct a worship set as they feel led? I don't want to push anyone, but I see potential on our team and no one's stepping up.
Suggestions/opinions?
Thanks!
Becky

 

[talitha]

One thought that I have as I read this is that perhaps after whatever all has happened, what the church needs is some consistency for a while. There are several potential worship leaders on my church's team, but the main one has developed a certain way of doing things that makes everyone comfortable (not in a bad/complacent way, but in that no one has to worry about it, you know?).

The other thing is that perhaps you are doing this a bit suddenly for people. Let one person lead a song here or let a different person be the lead instrument, etc. Give people an opportunity to develop confidence.

just my thoughts....

blessings
tal

 

[godsupergirl]

I've been doing what Talitha suggested, and I'm not sure what the outcome will be until I leave. I'm preparing to go a university a ways from here, but no one has (and I don't think will) automatically step up to the plate and take over. I became the worship leader at my church because of need when I was 15 yrs. old, so I'm just preparing them the best that I can, and praying that God will raise them up.

 

[flaglady]

You don't need to call people, you need people with the call!

I suggest you don't make it a blanket invite. Start by inviting one person to do something, someone that by the Spirit you feel is right. Then a couple of weeks later get the Spirit to tell you of someone else. Others will soon get the drift and those with the potential will soon find the call irresistible.

 

[underthesouthercross]

pray and seek that god will give someone boldness to stand up...but at the same time ask them dont force then if god has truely called them they will mdo it...
be patient and know that god has someone who he is looking for...
dont stress to much ok...
he has it covered...

 

[SonicAudioDrive]

Becky, I would just say that you can't make people do things you want them to do even if you see the call in their lives. All things happen for a reason and it just may not be the right time for them.

Put it in the hands of God and keep up the wonderful ministry you have built. Continue to Pray for everyone on the team and pray that God will bring someone to you with that calling.

It will happen soon and I will pray with you agreeing that it will be soon. In the mean Time I would suggest that you allow your friends' willingness to help you out as an oppertunity for both of you......you never know what God is going to do or is doing that we can't see.


God Bless

 

[sinfulman]

she is willing to help with leading if I'm out of town or if I'd like a Sunday off, but isn't called to lead or be heavily involved in the worship ministry.

that is, for me at least, where the confusion is.

Either she's on board or not, either she's a worship leader, committed to leading, or she's not. It sounds like you, as leader, are sending unclear messages to your team as to what commitment you require from them and this will eventually frustrate absolutely everyone.

I think if you make it very clear what you require from everyone, people like this ex-missionary member can decide if they've got what it takes to join the team or not.

 

[talitha]

A nonChristian can be on the team (see other thread), and yet a Christian who perhaps lacks some confidence or does not feel called to lead cannot? huh??

 

[becky81101]

The person I spoke about is a very committed Christian. She is in school getting her Masters in a very heavy direction. She is a great asset to the team and is committed to the team, but does not feel called to LEAD the ministry. So, I am very appreciative that she is willing to lead while I am out of town or when I would like to sit out and enjoy worship every once in awhile.
I have been more than clear with the team on several occasions, but I cannot force someone to jump up and become a leader. They all know the requirements to being a worship team MEMBER. Up until this point, I have not felt like anyone was ready (nor has anyone told me they felt led) to be a worship LEADER. They are not confused by the ministry or what it involvs, by any means.
My question that started this thread was how to get people more involved and how to grow people into the role. I believe that since our worship team members are at practice, on time, and they give their all every week - they all have what it takes to be on the worship team.

On another note, I do appreciate everyone's advice thus far on the thread. I have been praying about it a lot lately and feel that God is definitely answering the prayers and showing me the direction He's headed with this. I'm completely waiting on His timing now. When the person He's calling steps up, I'll be ready to work with them
Becky

 

[sinfulman]

Okay Becky... looks like you have clearly outlined what is required. It was just a thought.

In terms of motivation, prayer is key as well as your continued devotion to God through the role. Then, delegating clearly, strongly and regularly to various people you feel can lead.

This delegation can start out as one song or a particular part of the set (opening's before notices or offering songs - even music after a benediction are good places to involve people with less experience). Perhaps you could delegate setup tasks or planning of the set.

Are they clear that, as part of the team, they are required to accept delegation?

 

[becky81101]

The team is clear on accepting delegation. Our church is a small church and people are involved in several ministries at once. For instance, the girl I spoke of is involved in
-heading up the ESL division
-she's our church secretary
-involved as a youth leader
and these are just ministries in our church-it doesn't include her Master's program or that she has a job as well.
Many other people have the same issues. Another vocalist on the team is also co-leading the women's ministries. So, with me having my entire focus being on worship (except for chaperoning and helping with the youth group at times) I have been handling a lot of the worship aspects by myself. Because of all of this, there hasn't been very much delegation. Until recently, I would set up EasyWorship every week. Now, the tech team rotates putting it together and I just proofread to make sure they have the order correct for the service.
Also, we now have a sort of team secretary who handles making sure everyone has a copy of the order of service and music each week. She has been a tremendous help in organization. She has only been on the team for about 2 months, so I'm trying not to push her too fast.

I will try to have them lead on different sets or read a scripture passage. My fear is pushing and someone 'faking' a calling because they felt obligated. Not everyone is called to lead, and I don't think that just because someone is on a worship team that they should be required to.