Worship Made Spiritual through Discipline.

"Practical work for Christians is greatly overemphasized today, and the saints who are “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity” are criticized and told that they are not determined, and that they lack zeal for God or zeal for the souls of others. But true determination and zeal are found in obeying God, not in the inclination to serve Him that arises from our own undisciplined human nature. It is inconceivable, but true nevertheless, that saints are not “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity,” but are simply doing work for God that has been instigated by their own human nature, and has not been made spiritual through determined discipline."  Oswald Chambers

As women and worship leaders, we have a variety of conflicting desires that all must be brought under God's discipline.  Listed below are some of the things to watch out for and prepare for.

1.  Beware of choosing songs because they are catchy, popular on the radio or because you feel you could MOVE the congregation with your singing.  The choice of song for worship should do one thing - bring the presence of the Holy Spirit to the forefront of every person's mind.  Some may complain when the same lyrics are repeated over and over (and that can be true) but the name of Jesus?  You can never overuse His Name.  Discipline yourself to listen to songs that are not mainstream, that are easy to sing and that put Jesus at the forefront.

2.  In the days of Elijah and King David worship was celebrated first with VOICES, then with instruments and dancing.  Instruments should never overpower the words to a song or hymn.  Likewise fancy playing should never call attention away from the words of the song.  Enhancing the words should always be the goal.  If you cannot make out the words, if it is hard for a good singer to get all the words in the song, forget it.  Don't make worship singing HARD for your congregation.  Find another avenue for your gifted players to challenge themselves on complicated music.

3.  Take the worship music somewhere by selecting appropriate flow.  You can create flow with scripture reading, transitions from song to song using piano and guitar or other instruments, a poem, a reading, a dance.  Select keys that ramp up the worship in praise.  Start with a Bb song - then find a C or D to follow than jump to F or G.  To bring the atmosphere back down select a lower key signature.

4.  Allow SPACE for people to encounter the Spirit of God.  Have silence after a particularly worship filled moment....let the piano or synth continue on lightly for a minute and then go into the next song, or share a prayer.  The congregation does not need to be engaged in singing every moment  - but they do need the space to be engaging in His Spirit every moment.

5.  Finally, be disciplined in your love for your team.  Make sure you let each one know from the moment they walk into the church and you see them - that you love them, care for them, want the best for them, and have been praying for them.  At the end of each service do the same thing.  Provide a touch for each person who has served in the service that day.  From all the tech folk to the ushers greeters etc.  If you are too busy to do this? Than you are too busy with the wrong things.  Discipline your time on Sundays to do the best things, not just the good things.