So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. - Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

Last night a bunch of our local area worship leaders met at a restaurant for encouragement and connection. The ten of us represent thousands of worshippers collectively, but only a small portion of those that lead worship in our area. (Over 40 worship leaders connect on our Facebook group page.) Some lead worship as a full-time employee, others are either part-time workers or volunteer entirely at their churches. Some lead at large churches. Some at smaller churches. Worship leaders already are a tribe of cats, so when you also consider the different expressions it may seem hard to find connection. You could not be more wrong to think that. In fact, not only do these connections provide immediate encouragement, they might save your life. After all, there are some hidden things about the role of leading worship that those not in your shoes miss. Let's not get tired in our work simply because we are not there for each other.

Here are a few questions that you need to ask and be asked. Having safe connections with other worship or creative leaders might be the thing that saves you.

What are your challenges? Practically speaking, there are surely unique issues to resolve from recruiting the right team to equipping the right gear for your church. Theology is a challenge as well. How does what your church says play out in what your church does on each weekend for worship? There are challenges in living as a creative in a left-brained world. Heartburn comes from unexpected events such as the exit of a pastor or a church split or even a new building. Connections with the right people may aid in processing and problem solving. And, sometimes its good to know your are not the only person dealing with a particular challenge. After all, guitar pedals and software issues are just a couple topics of the trade that we face.

What are your wounds? Every leader has wounds. And, we must keep the depth of these hidden–or so we think. The pain of rejection, spiritual abuse, harsh micromanagement, misunderstanding, and missed expectations weigh on you and I. The myth is that we are not allowed to bear our own wounds in ministry. Worship leaders are supposed to be invisible, after all. Having a safe place to share these might be the ticket to healing and to expressing your wounds in your ministry in a redemptive way. This means we need to help each other move on from whining to maturity. It means also protecting a brother who needs to get out of an unhealthy pit.

What is your story? Worship leaders are generally in the "creative" camp of people, which means there is likely some messiness to our narrative. Safe connections with those that empathize not just with wounds but with our unique story–mistakes and all–puts us in context. Who listens to you? We all need to be heard. When you take a journey, it's a blast to share the highlights with your tribe. It's healing to share the low-lights. To be known is a gift we should be willing to give each other. In a narcissistic world based on Instagram filters, the raw face-to-face with those who "get you" contrasts.

What are your dreams? The busyness of being a church worship leader may mean your task in getting things done gets in the way of finishing that song you hope to record. Or, it may mean losing your chance to take that mission trip. You want more kids, but the years tick by with no regard. Time is the enemy of dreams when dreams are ignored, but their hero when respected. Who around you knows of the unique dreams you have and is there to cheer them? We all need a dose of courage as we cross the seemingly impossible–a kick in the butt at times. Who are you gonna let do that for you?

What can I give? Contributing to something big is what drives us as worship leaders. In fact, church work is a big contribution in and of itself. However, beyond that can we give and benefit each other? If one has knowledge, will he share it? If one has time, will she offer it? And, is there a way to be there for each other. A lot of our churches will only be there to take from us, which is part of the role. Who is there to give back to us? It might be your peers. In fact, it should be.

Now, simply hanging out at a restaurant is not going to supply all of that. But, in our area we are trying to help each other thrive in what God has called us to do and be. The more freely we can ask these kinds of questions to each other the stronger our churches and community will be. And, it may save us, too.

For Easter, Aaron created a hollowed-out old piano to make as a keyboard station. (Aaron is going to write a guest post about that project, which came out super cool for our church The Bridge.) The church supplied a Yamaha Motif7 controller that fits perfectly in the old piano. Huge issues for me to solve where how to trigger two separate tracks of audio for our click and loops while sending two channels of live keyboard (R-L) to the FOH for mixing and monitor sends. This is a total of 4 audio sends and the more separated things can be, the better for the in-ear monitors as well as the Front of House mix. I need to be able to change patches, advance the audio tracks, and do this all live for our worship services and of course for rehearsals. I did break a sweat when I realized all that was involved. You surely can take vintage and make it modern cool, folks.

MainStage by Apple is a program that allowed me to do all I needed, including use of my Native Instrument patches I previously purchased. The digital audio conversion and mixing is pipped through my MOTU 828mkII. This older Firewire 400 device has 10 analog sends and has been a staple in my home studio while its mixing features make a live use fitting as well. I used four of the sends for my setup easily patched through with MainStage’s interface. MainStage allows me to put EQ, limiters, and anything else I want through the patches and sends. I have MainStage bus a custom mix of what I am sending to the 828’s headphone outs to physically monitor when no FOH operator is present.

My keyboard patches have synced delay to the tempo of the prerecorded loops and clicks. The triggering is all done on a nice interface showing me in a custom way what I want to see–even our church logo. I named each patch by song and added a couple generic patches (pads and piano) for prayer and transitions. Based on the prominence of the patch in a particular song, I can adjust the output. This saves a lot of knob, fader, or pedal action when playing. Using two of my favorite Native Instrument piano patches layered with MainStage’s sound generators so far has provided the sounds I need. But, I can always add more and will as I learn more of our band’s song list.

Here is the equipment list on my current setup. Of course, I say “current” as it is a work in progress:

• Apple MacBook Pro 13”  (Mid 2010 with 8gb RAM, 2.66 GHz Core Duo processor)
• Software/Sounds: MainStage  (Apple Store), Native Instruments (Berlin Piano, Upright Piano) I’m setup on MainStage with Rewire, so I can also use Reason sounds I have, but have not done so as of yet.
• Yamaha Motif7 76 and/or M-Audio Axiom Pro 61  (use as keyboard controller)
• MOTU 828mkII Firewire Audio Interface. (use to mix and send audio)
• Aviom IEM with Westone UM1 (green ones of course and they sound great!)
• Mighty Bright Hammerhead LED lamp 
• Aaron’s custom AMAZING hollowed out piano (more to come about this soon)

In live worship, a lot of our band guys own custom, molded in-ear monitors. I wish for that, but I have found the Westone UM1s surprisingly comfortable and full-sounding. I forgot I was wearing them! Also, MainStage has the ability to map anything, so as I experience more issues I can solve things by creating a key to start and stop the track, go to markers in the track, and to advance patches. The AxiomPro 61 will next be on the side to trigger some additional sounds, layers, and actions. This way I can work on my next project which is adding a second screen to view the Planning Center Live order and the Music Stand software (to view the music charts). 

What is your keyboard setup? And, please ask for clarification on my setup. I left out some detail as to not create a mammoth post. Happy worship keyboarding!

The ascetics of the early church lived in caves, whipped themselves, and made vows of celibacy or silence. Monasteries were founded. Many of these did some amazing work, from copying by hand the scripture to creating beer for the masses to make something useful and drinkable during the unsanitary Middle Ages. The dark side of monastic life is the whole idea of living in a conclave, removed from the world. To be “holy” literally means to be “set apart” for God. So, why not focus on the “ apart” part of it while living for God? Some brilliant things happen when sequestered to study and learn. University time does this. But, when and how do we forge a path in the secular as we grow in the sacred? And, our times these days are filled with technology that allows us a separate life. Do you live in a virtual monastery?

When you search Google, Facebook a friend, shop on Amazon.com or Ebay.com, use the grocery store frequent shopper card, you and I leave a digital breadcrumb trail behind. Each time you revisit such places you might notice it shows things you like. Or, in Facebook’s world, things they hope you like. Eventually, your edited content becomes a ghetto in honor of you. You live in a virtual monastery, set apart from information that based on your posting and browsing edits out things you don’t like and people who like things you don’t. It’s a mirror at times, not a community. Christianity in America these days already does this with our message T-shirts, church programming, and Christian media. The truth is that most of our society is being sequestered as much as possible for political, marketing, and other agendas.

Most of us in the American Church live in a ghetto where the language we speak and the things we like mirror us. It is then an us-and-them divide walling us in our sacred space. We want to reach “them”–the secular–and hope not pollute ourselves in the process. We rather not be “left behind”  like them and speak against culture that they make, while we mimic popular music for our liturgy and borrow Hollywood movie cues for illustrating our sermons. Do we not have enough of our own story, both historical and current to trump modern film? We have the illusion of being relevant and of making church “cool” to reach them, while it makes us feel better. Is being relevant then at times more about us or them?

The monastery of old offered creation, enterprise, and transformation. Our new virtual monastic order is a disorder, sometimes more about cool plastic edifice than warm, gooey honesty. The mess of them makes it hard for us because we soon realize how much more more like them we truly are. Paul in the book of Romans makes this point. “So also were you” follows a laundry list of the most guile-filled behaviors and where they lead in the second chapter of that book. Surely, as most think, this list is about “them”, but Paul turns the tables in the front end of Romans. “For all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.” Boom. Our bubble of perfection bursts. Reality hits. Now what?

Create! The largest vacancy is  inaction and unwillingness to promote the creation and innovation from within our church institutions and supported by them. But, we do see many giving us hints. Toms shoes as a for-profit company that gives a pair of shoes away every time one is purchased. Non-profits like Food For The Hungry showed me recently how hunger and poverty can actually be solved by the innovations they employ. So much is within our grasp, but are we too afraid of being “left behind” that we dissolve the passion the let the Kingdom come? Where is the fun in that? We fight culture, mimic culture, critique culture, but why not create culture?

Here are six myth busters about culture and possible antidotes to the “Us and Them” way of thinking.

1. You are allowed to think critically and it is healthy to do so. What source is the authority or the author or the curator of my faith basing his or her thinking upon? Ask this, carefully, but ask it. We don’t have to be jerks, but if some way of thought is out there that is being treated like a creed when it is not even biblical, we have lost our way altogether. We often read a book about a fellow believers experience and find inspiration, but is that theology? What are the anchor points of my faith?
2. Not everything is black and white. Am I waging a war that God is not asking me to fight? Now, there are our creeds, then there are our convictions based on our experiences. We should hold to both, but not fight for the latter over relationships. During the Revolutionary war there were sincere followers of Jesus on both sides. We have Democrats, Republicans, and other stripes who love Jesus. When we take sides, are we better than those who don’t follow Christ to the other side? And, can you believe in absolutes and still see some gray areas? I think the answer is “yes”.
3. Respect each others differences in conscience. Is my entertainment or personal issues in the gray areas causing my brother to stumble or am I simply demanding my preferences? People are allowed a bandwidth of conscience as long as scripture allows it. Meat sacrificed to idols bore out differing convictions that were acceptable. Someone who has a conviction to not drink is not going to be uncomfortable around me if I know this fact about them. (I drink occasionally). I spent years in abstinence from alcohol and would again if God called me to do so. But, my preference (liberty or weakness) should not be your conscience on some issues. Do we show charity with differing convictions?
4. Contextualization is OK while syncretization is not. Am I communicating or am I mimicking? This means we learn the language and culture of the land for our mission rather than appease a people by adopting their ways entirely. There is a difference. The term “relevant” is a buzzword we should define as it is misspoken at times. Connect like Paul on Mars Hill while keeping firm about the message of the Gospel. It is tempting to make things “cool” but do we love that as much as we love our very message of grace? Let’s not get lost in the translation, no matter how alluring the process becomes.
5. Creation is the best way to leave our ghetto behind. Does our method of ministry encourage or even allow innovation? Institutions at times become more successful at their survival than their mission. Innovation and creation is a counterbalance to that tension. As we send people out to the secular places they live, the sacred is there with them. Do we empower people beyond the upkeep of our church? Do we lift the value of passing on something more substantial than our building and branding? Our communities need empowered entrepreneurs in business and faith. Encourage them.
6. Break the walls of “us and them” and join the ranks of humanity. Do we live too much like this life is temporary? We are fallen, but have Jesus. We are more “we” than “us and them” and our focus on being better humans may very well be the most overlooked missional strategy. How poorly does the professional clergy practice self care? What is the track record on our family life compared to the culture? Do we treat our bodies with dignity? We are surely citizens not of this world, but this is where we live. This is our mission–to share a gospel that begins with justification and ends with all of creation’s reconciliation. With the heat in politics about many hot issues of late, it is time we focused on the bigger picture. We all need Jesus.

This is of course another discussion starter. Do you agree we are in an “us and them” ghetto? Do you agree creation is overlooked? Can we truly have some gray areas? Is it OK to think critically?

Betrayal. There is nothing that can seize sleep from the night like re-living each strand in the web of betrayal. To some degree, all of us lose oxygen from the sucker punch of opposition dealt from unexpected sources: friends, spouses, co-workers, and even fellow church people. What if even your own leadership at church betrays you? It can and will happen. Are you ready for it?

Lowering expectations to reality walks closely to the line of negativity, cynicism, and defeatism. But, it is a far better choice than denial–the drug we spiritualize as faith-ridden patience. We are addicted to our passive aggressive tendencies, duped into the more “spiritual” choice the humble-yet-forgetful servant employs. Betrayal then turns from what is happening on the outside of us to something we do to ourselves. After all, it is spiritual to suffer for Christ, right? So, why not bring it on yourself to yourself.

Gossip stings, and the words spoken cannot be retrieved. The art of denial is that we then move from self-betrayal to perpetrators of it to our own kin. The addiction is an insidious infection. We are all capable of living in this state of spiritual immaturity–one that denies dignity to people as we use them to further construct our false world. Or, we become so out of touch that we act as zombies devouring the next person in our wake.

If we are to survive and thrive in the Christian community, we must learn to confront the “spiritual” bullies in our lives. And, that means a mirror check, too. Here are several ways to map a successful path. What do we all need? Put expectations to reality. Here is the reality check.

EXPECT TO SUFFER FROM YOUR OWN TRIBE.

Christians, even your closest friends and even yourself, are capable of hurting and wounding your brothers and sisters. In fact, count on all of the above. The solution is to not manage this by escaping it through denial. Why be hit in the same place more than twice? Forgiveness is free while trust is earned. The reality is that you can forgive a person, but you don’t have to be anywhere near them if they are threat. It is still loving a person if keeping them at bay prevents damage to you. However painful this reality is, you have to realize that suffering from your own tribe is a given.

EXPECT LEADERSHIP TO RAISE THE STAKES.

Leaders, those of us who are clergy or in spiritually influential circles, can both hurt others more deeply as well as become greater targets. These two things are not mutually exclusive which is a hard reality to resolve for both those that are in positions and those that follow. What often happens is the preemptive strike. A dangerous thought arrives: “If I’m going to be hurt badly as a leader, I might as well take out those that are threats.” Instead of paranoia, the more mature thing is to invite critics that actually help you. It is better to see yourself for who you are from a friendly source. After all, you are human, leader. You bleed.

EXPECT TIME TO HEAL.

Denial says that “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” so I can jump off a cliff. We speak such words of betrayal to each other when we are most down because the reality that we might be taken out for a season because of wounds is not acceptable. If this person is your star volunteer leader, you might keep her leading a class while she heals from dealing with a divorce. Yes, we need to keep active. But, if we are wounded we need to be agents of healing not taskmasters who squeeze life out of each other. When we suffer, sometimes it is too embarrassing to admit the depth of the pain. Reality says we need space to heal. Leaders, we are especially faulty in this matter. It takes a real man or woman of God to declare their need for God. Remember, our gifts don’t compensate for the needs of our heart and soul and body.

EXPECT YOUR FAITH TO BE TESTED.

Doubt of your worth, God’s presence, and of all that you have been doing in your life creeps in when betrayed. The reality of God when emotionally wounded causes us to feel so far from him yet creates an opportunity for faith. This is not the faith that declares reality does not to exist. It is a faith that proclaims inwardly and outwardly the reality of our kinship to Jesus, the Sovereignty of God, and the constant empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. These become more real when we shun denial, and embrace our creed. No matter how long you have walked with God, a thing like betrayal will rattle your faith.

EXPECT NEW THINGS TO COME.

Denial keeps us focused on what happened, not what could be. Being ostracized is so painful, that dreams are shattered–or so it may seem. The fire of betrayal’s pain may be the very thing God uses to propel you to something bigger than you had the space to see. But, you will not see it without the pruning any pain brings to our lives. You can either re-run painful scenes in your head, or you can choose to dream about possibilities. Nothing good is birthed by ease. No woman welcomes birth pangs, but the goal of the child is greater than the thought of the pain.

In summary, betrayal is exactly what Jesus faced, even from those closest to him. During Holy Week we recount Peter’s denial of Jesus, and the kiss of Judas. We remember that at the cross the ambitiously valiant Sons of Thunder cowered in hiding. What few knew at these moments was that the suffering of the cross would bring new things. New life. A new beginning. I am praying and claiming for all of us these things this season. May the Lord of Peace be with you.

Recently, a visiting ministry leader shared with our church a short snippet of what God was doing with him and the work to train pastors overseas in Europe. Then, he mentioned that out of say 750 million in Europe there could be 700 million heading to hell. A friend sent me a text saying it felt weird to hear it that way. I agreed. It is unsettling to be faced with a reality of people not finding God and then the personal responsibility of being called to make followers of Jesus wherever we go. Granted, we don't like using the offensive "going to hell" phrase, and prefer "lost" or "unchurched" or some other euphemism. The reality is disconcerting. It should be. But, instead of focusing on how our world is going to hell in a hand-basket there are even simple things we can do to invite people into life with Christ.

Those of us as ministry leaders who are not using social media to connect are missing out. Yes, there are misuses. Please, stop the political bickering Christian! What are we for? We are for reaching people who otherwise may not hear about or see the gospel. I read an article this week that explained how our culture simply is ignorant of the Bible even as a piece of literature. The series "The Bible" on the History Channel is hugely popular to the surprise of Hollywood execs and experts alike. I suggest taking about this series to your friends. After all, "The Walking Dead" is talked about, so why not inquire how your social media following is tracking with it. 

Simon Seow, a digital ministry friend of mine shared with me a tool I think is a terrific in introducing people to the story of the gospel. It's in the form of a four-minute video: Falling Plates. It is well-done and I challenge you my readers to check out the clip and start some conversations. Making disciples or followers of Jesus is not an event. It is a process that we need to engage in every day and whenever the opportunity arises. And, one has with this video and the TV series "The Bible". Tools are just that. They are there to help us do work strategically and effectively. 

Are you in? Here is the site to #FallingPlates with tools for you to share. Let me know what you think and if you are with me on this or not, please comment below!

Yep, this is what a Macbook looks like when you take the back off panel off to remove the old memory and replace it with the new.

Geek Alert! Ever upgrade your RAM in a Starbucks? I did. Today. I own a Macbook Pro 13" Mid 2010 that I picked up on Craigslist. It works great, but needed some boost for my Adobe CS6 and music software. Going from 4GBs of RAM to 8GBs of RAM will do the trick.

There is a link at Apple that gives you instructions. In fact, you are taken there when you open the "About This Mac" and select "Memory" where you will see the link on upgrading. You will find some YouTubes on Google, if you hunt. Some of them are great. The upgrade process is easy. You will need a couple things to make it go smoothly, however.

First, proper tools make a difference. There are Apple tools available online and use of a plastic tool to pry open your back panel is far better than a metallic flat head screwdriver. You are gonna want to be careful to count and keep track of the screws.

The fun part of this is realizing how many times I failed as a home car mechanic as the businessman next to me said, "Wow, that is f----in awesome! I have never seen the inside of a Macbook before!" For a second I was in childhood glee, living a fantasy that geeky people are actually cool. What a minute. That is indeed the truth.

Frugality means you buy on older, used machine and "pimp" it up rather than splurge on brand new fancy things. I really love the new Apple products. However, for less than a third of the price I am enjoying a previous year's model. And, when you have lived with a machine that is five-years-old then 2010 or 2011 does not sound too bad.

The next projects are going to be upgrading the hard drive and self-installing a replacement battering in a few months when the current one will cycle out. I dare you. Try upgrading your computer in a Starbucks. It's fun! More than that, try doing something yourself to save money.

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

If you are not familiar with the term “Streisand Effect” and you work in leadership where you certainly deal with church communications you are missing a very important phenomena in our culture today. Barbara Streisand in 2003 sued a photographer in order to ban her coastline home from public exposition on a website about soil erosion. As the story goes, only six downloads of the photo existed, with two downloads of the photo logged by the plaintiff attorney regarding the case in question. Due to the notion of a impending banned photo, the public downloaded the photo 420,000 times within the next month.

Here’s the point: common sense says that if Streisand had allowed the scientific photographer to continue his work unhindered, this now famous photo would instead live in obscurity and exist as only a footnote for those researching soil erosion on the California coast. And, Barbara Streisand’s home in theory would remain unrecognized to the public. The notion of controlling information by withholding it no longer exists in an online-bathed word. In fact, “controlled information” is an oxymoron. In our church settings we need to let the whole idea simply die. Let’s explore for a bit how this plays out in church communications.

In one story I will tell, a church stated on the departure of a staff member, “It is not a firing nor a resignation” in its communication to their parishioners. This kind of attempt to perhaps protect all parties actually had the reverse effect because people’s curiosity was perked, even those that need not be involved. The Streisand Effect is in full force. What is the “true” reason this individual is leaving? Who is responsible?  What am I not being told? I confidently assume rightly godly motives on both sides in this example, however controlling the information like this tempts people into gossip, distrust, and disillusionment. What can be observed often in church communication is that when you burry something you put a huge spotlight on it. This is true even if you are burring it for good reasons, as well.

In a perfect world, leaders leave without a cloud and the church left behind is unscathed. But, we need to be realistic and understand that controlling information in this age only weakens our point of leadership. There likely are some dark things in any event, even when all have good intentions. Our fear and patterns of control damage our ability to focus on the main thing since they draw people’s attention to what we hope they wont see. The more we desire to hide, the more the very information that once benignly exist is used as fodder for the worst in human nature. Paul the Apostle does not refer to Christians “devouring one another” twice in separate Epistles for no reason. He knew very well what churches experience on a daily basis.

In a church I served, we had volume complaints for the worship team–which happens in almost every church I know of. I was in charge of the weekly worship service programming and worship which included our audio team. In a business meeting, the pastor mentioned the volume complaints and then said we were working on it and that it was due to “operator error”. As those words came out of his mouth, the entire volunteer audio team sunk in their chairs. The desire to spin information in the form of control can easily lead us to blame shifting. To put things in a better light, is using a political tactic that means we automatically assume a winner and loser. When you choose this game, you will force someone to lose that otherwise may not have to.

The behind the scenes politics in this referred instance had nothing to do with operator error. The sound system had a terrible EQ setting in the install in the back fill speakers. When a concerned member desired to help by pointing this out, his collaboration actually proved this point and the problem was resolved. Our all volunteer tech crew did not need to take the fall to reduce the heat to the leadership. No one had to take the fall. When we control information, we create winners and losers. And, that does not have to be the case in many situations we fear reprisals.

One of the most refreshing things I recently heard recounted was a leader who shared openly the reasons why he was letting go a staff member. It honored all involved, even though the information was quite difficult for all to hear. In the long run, a leader who is willing to take the heat in communicating truth will earn the trust and stripes to deliver bad news when needed. He or she will also garner support when he needs to put the heat on the people to move in a different direction together. Control and fear can be exchanged for openness and trust. Which will you choose to employ in your church leadership communications?

I just uploaded a lyric video to my song "Heaven Hear Our Voice" that many of you may have never heard. Please give a listen and share with your friends!

You can also find the music on iTunes here.

I am writing this to my core audience of creative leaders who are faith-based, but  any business or non-profit leader can learn from this. If you are tired of being beaten up by all the reasons why you SHOULD do Twitter, then this post is surely for you.

1. I know enough interesting people: Sure, if you actually want or need to connect with people who stimulate your thinking and will interact with you Twitter might be your thing. Otherwise, why bother networking with more people than you currently know?
2. I don’t need to control my information flow: If you would rather just take media content as it comes to you rather than stream it and express it intentionally then why even consider Twitter? You likely have enough bandwidth and free time to take in information as it comes, not needing to filter things through silly hashtags.
3. Enough of the right people already know about me and what I do: If you are famous and your personal branding is massively potent, Twitter could be a waste of time. After all, more people knowing your passions and projects and contributions just is no aide to your enterprise. Right?
4. I have nothing to say...really: Yep, you would rather not see your breakfast tweeted to everyone, and your professional contribution and growth both tower to a level that you need not share generously your real-life wisdom. Twitter means you have to give. Why do that?
5. I already have everyone’s attention: In the noise of today, you have mastered all by your lonesome self the attention that you need. Why use a tool like Twitter and add your voice to the scene? It’s not like you need people to do what you do, right?
6. I believe in broadcast over grass roots: If you think billboards, TV ads, and slick brochures will garner influence, why consider a medium that requires relationships? That is actually more work than you probably want to expend. It is much easier to spend money on marketing than time with people. You “hope” that works, right?

Any other reasons NOT to use Twitter? Please share your thoughts and discuss why you use or don’t use Twitter.

This is a guest post from artist-worship leader Jon Shabaglian.

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller

The power of collaboration has been evident throughout the ages. And, I feel like more and more I’m experiencing how dynamic collaboration with kindred creative’s can be. When you connect at the core with another gifted artist and God provides the spark...there’s no ceiling. 

Collaboration #1: Just recently I partnered with a dear friend from Mexico, Sean Cates. He’s gifted hip-hop artist and a missionary...nothing like Jesus and hip-hop! This last fall he came up to California and we talked about if God would inspire a creative spark...aka a song ;) After praying about the initial conceptual seed, “to know you is to love you,” that night Sean wrote 2 verses.  And the following morning while driving to work, I got the chorus & the bridge. He rapped, I sang; he’s done music videos, I’ve done more audio editing. We both had strengths and weakness...but coming together the single/music video “to Know you” was just released Tuesday Feb 19 and we’re at nearly 900,000 Youtube views. Collaboration with God’s kiss...power unleashed!

• Watch the Single (YouTube): http://youtu.be/__6HNHlqLts
• On iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/to-know-you-single/id589206045

 And then in this tender moment I reached out my hand and said, “Hey bro, my name’s Jon.” He shook my hand and with an accent said, “My name is Orhan.” So I asked him, “Hey, uh, what’s your ethnicity man?" And, his reply was a shot through me when he said, “I’m Turkish."

Now being Armenian, I had never even met a Christian Turk (My grandparents fled the Armenian genocide and my great grandfather was taken up on a death march and shot…simply because he was Armenian. Soooo, I took a breath and responded, ”I’m Armenian...” and, we sort of stared at each other. It was becoming clear that God had set us up…at least me. He had me embrace the enemy….and yet he was my brother. We had already worshiped together, embraced…and now we realize we’re on opposite fences…but united in God. The God of reconciliation. So long story short, after getting home I ended up writing a song called “Reconciliation Song” with the help of another Recreator McKendree on the bridge. And then Orhan ended up playing his breath taking viola on it (which was built in the 1700s) and played like a virtuoso :).

I know God is a God of reconciliation…and so I choose to follow and bless! Here’s a copy of the demo we created: “Reconciliation Song”.

• On Sound Cloud: https://soundcloud.com/jonshabaglian/reconciliation-song-demo

These 2 personal encounters I hope demonstrate the importance for influencers all around, to look for kindred spirits and allow the Creator to write on our canvases!

Landmines are those not-so-easily seen hazards that damage your ability to serve and lead. They are put there by real people, sometimes out of planning and sometimes out of impulse. The intention is always to protect something. A depraved human quality exists that whenever power is held, the next step is to keep it, not wield it. Power is meant to be a tool, not a drug. Our weakness for it warps our theology, distorts our ethics, and train wrecks our intimacy.

It is disconcerting to think that inside a church and along side its trusted leaders landmines exist. But, the reality is that wherever there is power you will see the darker side of human nature.  We are all susceptible to temptations to keep power. Here are some pointers to help navigate the landmines of church politics while keeping your conscience intact.

Four common landmines on the menu...

• Kindness wrapped agenda: The best thing you can do sometimes is to be judicious about how much information you divulge about yourself or projects. Being honest does not mean giving all the information. When people demand or probe, be careful. Sometimes that nice coffee, invite over for dinner, or friendly gesture has a string attached to it. In fact, it is better to assume this. “Can I pick your brain?” Generosity is a value we all easily can have until things don’t benefit us any longer. Beware.
  
  
• A stepping stone: When you have a platform, others desire to use it for themselves to step to the next level. That means you are stepped on, by the way. You can be adored, complimented, and as soon as the other party has siphoned your platform’s energy, they move on, leaving you nothing in return. Well, the lesson here is to be careful to guard your role, platform, or influence for the mission and vision you have committed to. When people want to use it, steer them to your vision and purpose. If it fits, then a “win win” is possible. If not, you get stepped on. There is nothing wrong in a true exchange. But, your purpose and conscience should never be in the equation.
  
  
• Unsavory favors: There will be times when you might be asked to help a teammate out and “chips” are asked to be cashed in. The lure is that you can earn such a favor for yourself when you are in a tough pickle. Don’t bite, especially if this is not done openly. If there is anything done in leadership that cannot be posted on the wall of the church, don’t do it, speak it, or go there! It is better to deal with the pain of living out your conscience than please a person playing politics.

• Over-sweetened flattery: While most of our attention is on “critics” some of the most dangerous people might be the our biggest fans. The inner circle that always shows up and never speaks a cross word to you might either be super nice like your mom, or there for other reasons than you. Why? None of us are that good! Who in your inner circle of fans has agendas that are not healthy? The best way to scatter those that flatter is to invite friendly critics to the table.

Have you observed, experienced, or participated in any of these landmines of church politics? Are any of these points helpful to you?

Charlotte, North Carolina has a local church producing a God-sized wake across the country with a growth to over 9,000 members in less than six years. People are coming to Christ every week at Elevation Church and to see God's hand on this church is exciting. Captured in this is their worship team's musical offering "Nothing is Wasted" that is released Tuesday, February 19. I have to reveal that I met these guys and fell in love with their enthusiasm for God.

This double disc features a live set as well as a whole version in the studio that uses unique synth and techno vibes in it. Twelve songs and a bonus.

Clearly, this group of local worship leaders models some things I hope spread beyond the songs. For one, they write the songs out of their local ministry experiences. Second, they are mentored and birthed from a local church. And, after meeting these guys a few times I know they are the real deal. This sincerity comes across in their new recording. My only question is for the rest of us. When are we going to start writing and capturing the move of God in our own place of worship and ministry?

To celebrate the release, the label guys let me give away FIVE COPIES this week. That's right! I will be drawing after midnight tonight a winner every 24 hours from those who comment on my blog post below. If you twitter my blog post or Facebook share it then you get additional chances to win!

WINNERS:  To claim your prize, email me your mailing address! (Use the button on the sidebar or the contact form).

1. Amanda Sims - PRIZE CLAIMED!
   
2. David Tatum - PRIZE CLAIMED!
3. Javier Contesse M. - PRIZE CLAIMED!
4. Anson Sexton - PRIZE CLAIMED!
5. Michael Bells - PRIZE CLAIMED!

This is Part 3 in a blog series “Church Politics: Navigating land mines while leading your church."

Blog series: Read part 1 here and part 2 here.

The last three behaviors of politicking may be more or less present in your church leadership culture, but hopefully one of them is shunned outright. Dirty tricks should never exist, but they do. When it comes to trading favors and shading truth, however,  the valves are wide open. These seemingly benign tactics erode morale and promote leadership from  the lowest common denominator. It's one thing to relate to human nature. It's another thing to validly walk people into gutter politics.

Quid pro quo - giving favors only to get something.

Often, if you give something you can get something. If so and so’s wife is on the worship team, her husband will give more to the church. If I let the women’s ministry have there way on this event, then I can ask them to budge on using a room on a certain night. It is healthy to have back and forth, but priorities should filter decisions before engaging in trading and bartering influence or other perks. Cashing in chips is relating to people with the lowest common denominator, not challenging them with vision and principles. Values set priorities. The logistics of navigating power is simply the climate of any institution. But, be careful to not make the activity of quid pro quo one of those values.

If we view discipleship as a transaction, are we not creating a crowd of entitled infants rather than an army of recruits for the cause of Christ?

Dirty Tricks - getting downright ugly to win.

Forcing people out of the tribe is one way to keep your post. However, in a church we are more of a family and spiritual tribe than a business. The cost is too high to ostracize a family member simply because he or she is a threat to your seat of power. If  perhaps a youth leader has more charisma than you, there can be a temptation to constantly downplay that person. Erode this persons place by gossip, rumors, and flattery. Set him up to fail. When he does, make sure everyone sees it and strike hard. Yes, church ministry at all levels contains this type of activity. Dirty tricks are often subtle, but never redemptive.

Most of this perhaps exists behind closed doors, but the effects are clearly seen in division, church splits, and disunity. Why would we allow anything that goes against maturity and unity in the church?

The Spin - wordsmithing a seed of truth to your advantage.

One way to keep yourself on top is to never admit fault, or anything for that matter. The tactic here is bend information that is true to reflect the best possible version of that information which may not be true. This is what an illusionist does, but should a pastor or church leader? We all know that when a church says “pastor is leaving to fulfill his call” that more is involved. Had the truth about him being fired come out, the pain of facing that reality may actually be healthy. Leaders should be willing to give bad news and will build trust by leading from principles rather than protection.

Why do we often say one thing in private and other in public? As leaders this is cancerous and while it may seem to quell anger or misunderstanding it actually creates those to a greater degree than might have never existed.

Have you seen any of these three behaviors of politicking the church? If so. what other leadership tactics could be used?

Emilie Kirkpatrick just released her first recording of 2013, a single titled "Disguises" produced by Beau Trembly and Greg Johnson of the band On Being Human. This project was fully funded by supporters using IndieGogo.com by some of who ready my blog. With massive drums and strings, this darker side of Emilie explores a common question about our identity, powerfully messaging a culture in need of a new generation's voice. Emilie shows she is ready to give that voice with conviction.

Now as her dad and an artist, I am very proud to watch Emilie's talent grow. This year of creation and performing will surely be one to watch this young woman seize. Please click over to iTunes below and spread the word! Its only by word of mouth and your sharing that indie artists get out there. Thanks so much for you support!

ITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/disguises-single/id602847217

This is Part 2 in a blog series “Church Politics: Navigating land mines while leading your church.”

In the introductory in Part 1 we listed the titles of some political behaviors. Today, we take the first three of them and offer a possible principle to contrast. The conversation I hope is not to bash the idea of Church, but to ask the question as to the possible better ways of working through the human reality of politics in human institutions. Surely we have options beyond Machiavellian tactics to lead people!

Stall Pulling The Trigger - the NON-decision decision.

Making no decisions is the surest way to not lose. In an organization that is politically driven never making a decision means there are less points that work as strikes against you. Imagine, you are in your post because you really have not accomplished anything because to do so means you have to offend people, challenge the process, or push the boundaries. If you actually create something, that can and will be used against you in the court of church politics.

Let your yes be yes and and your no be a true no. Yes, we should perhaps wait and pray, but delaying a decision must be owned as a decision. Leaders make decisions.

Don’t Make Anyone Look Bad - the no-backbone keep all happy thing.

In one church setting, I was asked by my department head to make a newsletter. At that time desktop publishing was new and I happened to have the latest software to layout a decent piece. In fact, it was too good. Because our department piece ended up looking better than the main church newsletter we were told to shut it down. Why? If we were to publish the better newsletter, it would expose the inferior one. Excellence will be acceptable only as long as it will not offend. 

Again, leaders have to choose and sometimes that choice will offend. If you lead, you must expect that there will always be people who think you are doing things the wrong way.

Compare and Contrast - the deflect critics by pointing out you are not AS bad as others.

If a pastor chooses a terrible speaker to fill his pulpit he is choosing to look good not based on his improvement but by comparison to the unflattering. A lot of marketing is based on stating you are the better choice. In politics the goal is to make sure this is the case, even if it means putting people in the wrong place or intentionally surrounding yourself with people who cannot compete with you as the leader. How does this serve the church? It doesn’t. If leadership is about passing on to others, then this will put a wrench in the machine of creating the next generation of leaders.

A leaders job is to serve the institution, not keep the seat of power. In fact, if it mean stepping aside to allow someone better to take over then by all means do it. This is our goal with our kids. Let’s see them succeed more than we ever could have. Right?

After looking at these three political behaviors, have you seen any of them at play in your church. How did you respond?

After serving for many years as a staff pastor and leader in the local church, I quickly discovered that what I thought was a purely spiritual activity called ministry required another skill beyond communication, theology, and coaching. Being a politician is how a pastor survives. And, if a pastor survives being a politician perhaps there might be enough left in him to thrive. It takes a navigation in the realm of politicking to remain in the seat or role of a leader, be that youth leader, women’s director, choir director, worship leader, or lead pastor. Many good intentions collide in a church, much like what family life is like. But, as we all know, intent is one thing. How we behave is another.

Politics are about how things appear to the crowd and to the people who pull strings and levers. They are about winners and losers. In a family, this is not a good thing. Politics are about compromise in order to hold power. Winning is how you keep your post. But, its not the kind of game that births altruism. So, if you are in a church and not trying to win someone has to lose. Playing not to lose is how politicians win, however. As long as you are not the loser, you are the winner. You are the last one standing and you then get to hold the keys. Its often not about merit, heart, innovation, or lives changed unless touting these allows you to not lose. So, don’t lose. No matter what!

I thought it might be helpful to have a discussion about common behaviors that poison our leadership. If we can identify the traps, perhaps we can avoid not the politics as much as letting them be the servant in our leadership and not the master. Even so, there are particularly toxic modes of operation that would be better outside of spiritual leadership. The ones I will list in this series of posts may allow you to win politically but lose spiritually. Beware church leaders.

So take this list and let me know if any of them ring a bell. And, how do you treat church politics? Is it a game to master? Is it a necessary evil? Or, is there another way to lead?

• Stall Pulling the Trigger (non-decisions)
• Don’t Make Anyone Look Bad (no-backbone)
• Compare and Contrast (deflect critics)
• Quid Pro Quo (favors)
• Dirty Tricks (getting ugly)
• The Spin (wordsmithing truth)

Being a leader is great. I won’t make any bones about it. Leadership definitely has it’s perks.

Sadly, it also has it’s downfalls.

Now, I don’t want to be a downer. That’s not what this post is for. It’s actually to uplift and encourage you. To let you know that you’re not the only one feeling this pain. Other leaders have felt this way and it’s okay.

That Bad Feeling

Having been involved with leading the youth group at our church, I can tell you one thing. Hearing the news of one of your followers failing is heart wrenching.

You’ve poured your time and energy into giving someone the best of yourself. You’ve encouraged and loved on a student who has so much potential. Only to see them “throw it away.”

I’ve read news stories about the failings of our students. I’ve run into other students who have shared the bad news of young men and women making bad choices. I’ve seen students put into the back of a police cruiser due to their bad choices.

This is the worst thing about leadership. Knowing I’ve poured into someone and they just didn’t get it.

The Good News

I know I’ve made leadership sound depressing. It can be. But it’s not the be all end all.

There’s great happenings in leadership.

A lot of times leadership is a waiting game. The influence and wisdom you impart to someone doesn’t always take hold right away. And we see the negative results of the years of previous negative programming.

They struggled to overcome it but they couldn’t. At least not right away.

The good news is you’ve had influence on those you’ve lead. It’s not fully developed in the person’s life but it’s taking root. Even when they’ve messed up and made horrible life choices.

These same students that have made bad choices, I’ve seen them turn their lives around.

The young girl who got pregnant at 15. She decided to keep the child and is raising it the best she can. She made the choice of life.

The young man who went to jail. He’s struggling but knows he needs to change. He’s decided to straighten out his life after 6 months in jail.

It Takes Time

This is the key to leadership. True influence will take time.

And during that time there may be mishaps along the way. But you know that something great is just under the surface.

It’s waiting for it’s time to shine. It’s waiting to change the life of that person you’re leading.

Give it time and cultivate the influence. Eventually you’ll see the fruits of your labor.

Question: How do you stay encouraged when you’re leading and nothing seems to be going right? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Doomsayer or realist, you can decide. But, this year will continue a negative trend for worship leaders set in place by a variety of cultural, economic, and other changes in the Church in America. Basically, the outlook is not good when seen through anecdotal and insider data. I talk to many worship leaders on a regular basis and the stories are heart breaking. I also talk to lead pastors and am disappointed about how decisions are currently being made across our country. This year will be a tough one if you are a worship leader.

For whatever the reasons, the following trends will make it harder on those who feel called to lead worship. Some of these are not new, but perhaps a surprise or two is included. I believe that every negative does not have to brand us all. I applaud the many out there who are not beholden to the popular and look to the effective. What values do you sift your worship leadership decisions through, pastors? I have listed some values under each item.

1. Production value rules the roost. More specialty workers needed who know video, audio, and other communication technology. This means less resources for actual “creative” talent as far as those who write, present, and create music. Yes, a good sound system is now a non-negotiable for a ministry and intelligent lighting is now becoming coveted. One wise man said to me, “if you can’t do it well under cafeteria lighting, a $20,000 lighting system won’t help you.”

Excellence does not require out-of-scale facilities or production gear to achieve.

2. Contractors win over pastors. Worship pastor or Worship Arts Pastor will be seen less and less. The role of being upfront and on a platform is so important, that leading and pastoring a team of artists is just not what we want to pay for any longer. Who will shepherd the team? Who will mentor and raise up younger worship leaders? If the role of being a worship leader is that of a contracted platform performance we have lost the value of discipleship. The trend that most pastors call themselves a “communicator” or “teacher” over that of a shepherd reflects this. Leadership theory trumps grass roots connection. So, why would the guy leading music upfront need to think about anything other than that activity? This is bad news for the worship leader who desires to partner in shepherding his team and the church in worship. Either there is not time for it or it simply is not valued.

If you want spiritual impact, a worship team is far better than a bunch of guys playing a gig.

3. Pay to play. Full time employment as a worship leader will almost disappear. The trend is that volunteer worship leaders are growing in all sizes of churches and that full time church employees who lead worship are shrinking. If you are a volunteer, its like paying to play. The expertise, political pressure, and specialized skills required are bigger than most volunteer positions. There needs to be a lot more training for these new leaders who have less time to get to reach the same high expectations. This is not good news because with the amount of younger people expecting to make any kind of living on leading worship has created a huge gap from what is really available out there.

A worker is worthy of pay, so in the long run you get what you pay for. 

4. Cattle call. Tenure will be remain short for worship leaders. You are even more expendable now. Because more and more worship leaders are part time, even larger churches see this contracting as a way to throw ideas on the wall and see what sticks. This means if you are a young worship leader and after a short time your leaders are not just feeling it, you are out. There is a cattle call full of eager talented people to jump up and plug their Fender in and give it a go. The idea of being developed is gone. Worship leaders are now a commodity and that is just not cool when you think of these people as people.

Value and develop people over time instead of stealing and buying talent off the shelf.

5. Cover band. The pressure to “sound like” someone else will continue to grow. Think about it, if you have less time to achieve a good result you won’t be able to innovate. Besides that, most pastors and leaders want you to sound like someone. You essentially are asked to mimic a vibe rather than craft an experience. The worship “industry” feeds this, too. It is so much easier to “cut and paste” than to create something new. When programming, we borrow what we can download. Likely, in a larger church there are many creative people able to be tasked to create content custom to your culture, city, and theology. But, it takes a skill we lack and money we think we should not spend.

Cultivate and empower creative gifts in your church to help you lead worship over cutting and pasting from people you don’t know.

In summary, it is going to be a tough year for worship leaders. But, if we learn to apply higher values in making our decisions it is possible to spiritually impact our church and community in surprising ways. We can do the predictable and borrow what God has done last year in a famous church. Or, we can trust the Holy Spirit’s gifting in our own house of worship to lead us. I know it is not the popular choice these days, but does anyone think we should at least try it?