So where [...]]]> This past weekend at TBC, our 2nd hour worship gathering came to a screeching halt before it even got started. There were two minutes consisting of a very awkward pause and silence. Nervous laughter ensued.  What was going on? They were waiting on me to arrive on stage to start the first song.

So where was I? Here’s the story. My oldest son needed to use the bathroom right before the service. And I was hungry — so I went with him to grab a donut while I waited for him to come back. Then my daughter met me in the lobby — telling me about her new dress. As my oldest son exits the bathroom, I hear someone tell me in the lobby, “They’re waiting for you.” I told my son and daughter to go find grandma and sit with her — and I dashed backstage.

Bottom line, I wasn’t distracted by earth shattering stuff. It wasn’t anything more than waiting for my son to return from the bathroom, talking with my daughter about her new dress, and cramming my face with a pastry. Worship didn’t start because they were waiting for someone to follow.  What would have happened if I never came out?! What if I was taking care of “more important” matters at the time?

Why is it that we are conditioned to follow a leader in worship — or in any situation for that matter?
Listen — God is waiting for us to worship Him at any moment. The question is — what’s stopping you and I from worshipping Him right now?

Let’s not keep God waiting this week. Engage. Think about Him. Set your mind on His Word. Take action on His priorities. Put away the things that so easily distract us. Stop trying to fulfill the stomach with human desires. Cease the petty and nonsense chat. Don’t wait for someone else to follow Christ first. No one is responsible for stopping your worship — not even a late worship leader. Worship Him now. He’s waiting.

It comes down to how the church (people) and its pastors function in their roles. You see, empowering volunteers and developing leaders are highly valued. [...]]]>

Where's Bryan go?

From time to time, people ask, “Where have you been? You haven’t been leading worship lately. Is everything OK?” Not only is it OK, it’s on purpose. And here’s why…

It comes down to how the church (people) and its pastors function in their roles. You see, empowering volunteers and developing leaders are highly valued. Some churches hire a front man for a band. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. Sometimes churches need exactly this situation. Other churches hire a worship coordinator, someone who administrates the worship environment. And again there is no problem with this. It’s not wrong, it simply is different than how we do it. I’d like to think we are more in the middle…which sheds light on why you don’t see me every week as the leader on stage.

I’m a talent broker of sorts. A talent broker’s role is to find, assemble, and delpoy talent for a set purpose. I discover talent in others (find it). I assemble and organize the talent in such a way that it’s effective (the administrative part). Then I deploy the talent (allowing YOU to serve). This is all done for one of the greatest purposes on earth…to meet people where they are and move them closer to God.

Listen, in many ways, this makes sense. Here are three reasons to elude worship leading on stage.

1. Variety Brings Broader Connections: People are wired differently. You and I aren’t the same. The more qualified people who can lead worship, the better rate of connectivity over time. It’s the velcro factor that we’re after.
2. Avoiding Personality Driven Worship: Having one worship leader may bring consistency and quality to a higher level quickly. In some situations this is not really needed, but the only way (a church plant for example). However, worship may take on the personality of this single leader in the long term. Worship could become more personality driven. If something were to ever happen to this one leader, it’s more difficult for a group of worshipers to compensate.
3. Unpaid Staff Minister, Paid Staff Equip: In other words my role is to set up the bowling pins, so that you can knock them down. Having an environment where a pastor is serving in the equipping role is valued more than a pastor who is doing the ministering. This doesn’t mean that I get out of the serving role as a minister, but it does mean that that is not my primary focus. My primary focus is to get others to serve, not set myself up to be the only one serving in the leadership role.

There are obviously some disadvantages to this method. We have to fight for consistency. It takes more time to create a worship environment with others than just one person. We’ll probably make more mistakes along the way. It takes a little longer to do it this way. But in my book, the advantages are greater than the short term cons that can be overcome.

The bottom line is when new people come to TBC and they cannot figure out who the paid worship leading guy is - it’s a win. It may lead to more focus on God (our ultimate purpose) than focus on the one leading them in worship of God.

One of my favorite crews that works on the light show during the day. They are fun, energetic, and willing to do about anything. This is why the light show gets off the ground. Thanks guys.

And here’s another worship experience at the WFX Conference (not at Gateway Church).

Either connect with you?