[Worship] Re: Taking a break

[Scott Snyder <scott.snyder@goodnews.net>]

Greetings listers:

This discussion on taking a break is so applicable to many of us. I want to
relate to you an experience that I had last year.

There are 2 worship leaders in our church, myself and the full time minister
of music and worship. We work well together, and have a unified view of the
vision for worship at the church. Last summer on a badly needed, and
long-anticipated family vacation, my wife and I visited a wonderful,
passionate worshipping congregation. It was only after the service that I
realized that I had truly missed an opportunity to "enter in" and be
refreshed by the Holy Spirit.

I realized that I spent that entire worship experience evaluating what they
were doing at this church...Did it flow? Why these songs? Why so many horns?
They really need to mix the vocal team differently - I can't hear the
harmonies! I couldn't break the long established pattern of being a
"leader"!  My wife said after the service, "wasn't the presence of the Lord
evident and powerful?"  I was so busy trying to critique and gather ideas
that I missed entirely what the Lord was doing in that hour! The Lord has
really dealt with me in this area, and I thank Him for His grace. This
experience in my life has brought me to question our approach as worship
leaders and teams. Are we planning and performing, and not truly entering
into worship? Even when we think we are, are we really? Do we give our
leaders regular opportunities for refreshing? Can we break the habits of
"leading" to be able to participate as "just" a member of a congregation?

Just a few thoughts and questions.

Scott Snyder

*Cincinnati Area Worship Leaders Fellowship - 1st Tuesday of the Month*
*Why not get together with a worship leader from another church to pray this
week?*
*Email me privately for more information*
     

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