RE: [Worship] Training, anointing, etc....

[Mike Murray <michael.murray@InterWorksSoftware.com>]

Matt stated: "Talent, experience, and education are all great things and
very nice to have but they are not what makes a good worship leader.
The ability to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit is what makes a
good worship leader.  It is important to stop thinking with your carnal
minds and start listening to HIS leading.... I have found that when you
have no talent and no education you find yourself becoming totally and
completely reliant on the Holy Spirit to even play one chord."

Matt,

No kidding, with nothing else to go on.  If what you say is true, and
reliance on the Holy Spirit in the absence of preparation is to be
preferred ("education" being nothing more, in this sense, than long-term
preparation), than what does the congregation even need a worship leader
for?  The congregation could just dispense with the expense of a worship
team entirely and "rely" on the Holy Spirit to lead THEM in worship
directly. Biblically we all know that a worship leader is not required
to worship God.  And if we bring nothing more to the table than that
which the congregation already has (a need to rely on the Holy Spirit),
then what good are we? 

Reliance on the Holy Spirit is, of course, not only good but necessary.
But to promote ignorance as a way of heightening that reliance can't
really be taken seriously. There is already ignorance galore on the part
of worship leaders, with many programs suffering from it (i.e. not
reaching their potential of collective calling, dedication, sacrifice
and, yes, talent and abilities). We may not need to be "educated" or
have gobs of talent to get started, but REMAINING ignorant about the
tools of our craft has no basis in Scripture. Once made becoming aware
of how to do our jobs better, we are obligated to improve ourselves.
Afterall, Christ Himself was educated, with a total mastery of Scripture
at His disposal, even as He relied on his Father's spirit.

I think you meant that talent and abilities are necessary but are not
enough.  I least I hope you did.  :-)

Yours,

Michael Murray
-------------------------------------------------------------------
-Looking for praise and worship music?  Visit our list sponsor at:
                   http://www.worshipmusic.com
For help with your list subscription contact worship-help@praise.net
-------------------------------------------------------------------