Spiritual Discipline + Self Care

GIVING AWAY WHAT YOU HAVE

As worship leaders, we have the great honor of leading our congregations. We literally have the opportunity to be part of an interactive musical sermon…where God speaks, is honored, we listen and respond, and the miraculous can become every day.

HUMBLED BY PRAISE

Just recently while in between one of our services, an older gentleman came and gave me the biggest hug saying, “There’s my worship leader!” As innocent as that statement might have been for him, it hit me deeply. In fact, it took me so off guard at that moment, I was intensely moved. I understand that he wasn’t trying to elevate me, of course, but he was just simply expressing his gratitude. Immediately the realization of this profound call as a worship leader became even more clear: We have the privilege of working alongside the Lord and choosing songs that provide an atmosphere for what He speaks and that also speak our praise to Him. As real and as humbling as that is, we must be honest with ourselves, and examine if we are bringing more than just another song. In truth, we will only give away what we have. What we have as leaders is crucial. If we are leading on empty and lacking personal devotion time, it will eventually come out in some way or other when we worship. Our goal is never perfection, but health. Leading healthy is not only possible, but vitally important for ourselves and our congregations.

Singing into a microphone is not a right by talent or position, but I count it as a privilege that carries significant weight. However, just because one has a gift to sing, does that mean they should? The question is, “What are we giving away when we do?” Again, we will only share what we have. If we believe this, then what we are feeding upon and implementing in our lives daily is extremely important. What is most important is not how everything sounds, but the weight it carries, message it sends, and how it opens to us and our congregation an awareness of God with us.

TIME WITH GOD

As leaders, if we are only spending time with God while on stage, then we are missing the mark. This existence will result in knowing a lot about Him, but not truly knowing Him: major difference. So how do we do this? Simply put, by having a routine devotional time that takes precedence above anything else. Reading the Word for ourselves and spending time in prayer is what will keep us healthy, balanced, focused, & fruitful.

Burnout, stress, and depression happen. I understand that we cannot avoid issues, but when we are spiritually grounded we are more equipped on how to handle these circumstances when they arise.

Blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. PSALM 1:1-3 (NIV)

This verse says that when we are meditating on the Word, we are likened to a tree that is deeply planted beside a riverbed receiving strength and nourishment. Just like the sun’s heat can cause leaves to wither, we also can have heated seasons that could cause us to faint. However, when our roots are sunk deep into the Word, when we are actively engaging God as the living Word, and we are applying what He says, we will survive and ultimately thrive.

...if we are only spending time with God while on stage, then we are missing the mark. This existence will result in knowing a lot about Him, but not truly knowing Him.

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

MATTHEW 7:24-25 (NLT)

CHOOSING TO KNOW

There will always be competing alternatives to your daily devotional time. Life will always try to chip away at that time. Yet, we will find the more we are disciplined to seek God— when He actually becomes our schedule—the more we remain healthy. We simply do not just pencil Him in; He is our very existence. “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28a). This type of seeking comes with cost but will yield incredible results.

When you know God versus just knowing about Him, you are more consistent and vibrant and refreshing to others when you lead. When we know His voice daily, practice His presence, and are familiar with the directions of His Spirit, our worship leading then becomes more than a 20-minute tight set. It will actually become a place where His presence & glory dwells. This is what we are after!

Let us challenge our teams this year to not only be putting time in on our instruments but in the Word. Years ago, I started a daily Bible plan with our team. It changed everything. The Word brings a freshness and comradery like nothing else—I got this principle from my Pastor who requires all the ministry staff at our church to read a plan together. It brings power, unity, correction and fresh vision to our team. Our team has grown over the years, and I include all musicians, vocalists, and sound personnel. This creates deeper relationship and accountability as I check in with each one on a monthly basis. The Word is where we draw our substance and confidence from. People get behind at times, sure, and then I encourage them to get current. I love them enough to ask. I want my teams to be healthy on and off the platform. We all need this kind of accountability. I never assume that my team is reading the Bible consistently on their own, or have some type of devotion. The truth is, they may not be. This is not to be controlling, but it is meant to encourage them to greatness, to reach God’s potential, whatever that is for each of them. The Word (living and written Word) sustains us. I pray, “God, let your voice be the loudest…even when it is still and small.”

Never apologize for keeping those who work with you accountable to God’s Word and prayer. That’s where the songs, sounds, and ideas from Heaven come. In 2020 as we lead, let us not sing from a natural ability, but let our words carry fresh inspiration that brings change to the atmosphere we oversee. This year lets not sing or speak anything unless it flows from Him first. Let’s be like Jesus who only does what he sees the Father doing (John 5:19). People do not need our voice, they truly need His. As we walk confidently in our roles, let us commit to leading healthy, by letting our songs flow from our communion with Him.

BY MARCUS CRINER

WORSHIP PASTOR, AUTHOR Marcus is currently serving at Anchor Faith Church in St. Augustine, Florida.