Question:
hello all... forgive me if this has been asked a million times, but here goes time million and one...
In a nutshell... I have a desire to lead worship and an opportunity to do so in a few weeks... should I put myself forward?
my worries are... is this ungodly to volunteer like that? are you supposed to be 'chosen'??! .. what if I'm no good? if nobody asks me to lead, is it a 'sign' that this is not what God has planned for me? is there such a thing as 'signs' from God anyway??!
I have such a strong desire to serve God with everything that I am... I have played in bands before, but never led. I only want to lead if it is God's plan for me... but how do I know if it is or it isn't?
I'm attending a day of seminars on worship soon (before the opportunity to lead) and I'm praying God talks to me then!
Thanks for reading (sorry about all the questions - I ask a lot! :S )
Answer:
Check out some of the posts in this thread. There's some great wisdom there (omitting my posts, actually).
As for a "calling", strong desire is certainly one of the indicators of call. Giftedness is another. Depending on the seminar that you're going to, I suspect you'll hear a few good insights as to how to know.
My basic belief is that all believers have gifts and abilities, and that it is your responsibility to use them in the context of the Body of Christ. There's certainly nothing wrong with looking for ways to apply yourself to service at your church. Talk to one of the leaders at your congregation.
Answer:
Thanks, thats really helpful. I've been reading articles about worship (some great ones on Tim Hughes blog www.aboutlife.com/timhughes) and they've brought my focus right away from the music and my own abilities to... well, God!
Unfortunately its been my experience that worship bands can be full of people's egos and I want to remove mine completely from the equation. But I just want to serve God... somewhere, somehow! I'm desperate for an opportunity to do that. I'm worried that desperation could become unhealthy tho...too many worries, argh!
Oh, also.. the leader of my church is my dad... and the other leader who I could talk to about music is my brother... you would think that would make it easier to talk to them, but somehow its the opposite
Answer:
Know that leading worship is so much more than singing songs in front of people. IMHO, that activity really doesn't take much effort or skill at all. Look at most any pop band for proof...
Serving others, serving God and living a life of worship (away from the stage, away from the people and apart from the music) is, again imho, what makes a worship leader.
Mix those traits with some musical abilities and I think you'll have something.