Worship Teams: Leading A Volunteer Army

Here's another excerpt from my new book, Worship Foundry, coming out on WestBow Press/ Thomas Nelson by late-fall of 2013. I am excited, to say the least, and hope you snag a copy of your own! I am also available to come to your church or organization to teach on the topics introduced in the book and certainly other topics, too, such as songwriting, if you like. I'd also love to join in with your worship team during weekend services to worship with you and your church while I'm there. Give me a shout at jamie(at)jamieharvill(dot)com.

Thanks for faithfully coming back to these pages each week, and I hope you've gained encouragement through the writings.

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With most church activities, the work is done through volunteers—people who have families, jobs, and many responsibilities in their personal lives. I highly respect the time given by volunteers for events, rehearsals, worship services, community outreaches, building projects, etc., and that’s why I start and end on time.

The best currency for volunteers is appreciation. It’s important to convey appreciation during and after each event. It’s also good to have “hi-five” moments when an event goes over well, and equally important to make necessary corrections, with love, when something doesn’t go as well. Volunteers want to be a part of something exciting, life-changing, and carried out with excellence and efficiency. As a leader, it’s my responsibility to bring direction and discipline to the whole process. Volunteers want to feel respected, protected and appreciated.

Becoming an effective leader is a life-long process, and it’s important to invest in leadership, as well as spiritual and musical training. This book will speak of leadership throughout, but there are so many resources available in Christian bookstores. Books by contemporary authors such as John Maxwell and Bill Hybels, and even classics like “D.L. Moody on Spiritual Leadership” are available in print or in e-book form. There are seminars such as the annual Willow Creek Leadership Summit, simulcast from the Chicago-area main campus to local churches throughout the world. Training videos are available on the Willow Creek website to help you become a more effective leader.

"Volunteers want to feel respected, protected and appreciated."

It’s not too late to finish your college or graduate degree. There are many universities that offer online courses on leadership. The opportunity to complete what you may have started years ago can be invigorating. Any investment that makes us a better person, leader, minister, and musician is a good one.

Jesus’ Method of Leadership

Jesus made sure the disciples knew that the true essence of leadership was being a servant. He taught them through the humble task of washing the disciples’ feet. Even though some relented, Jesus pressed-in to make His point. In John 13:12-16, we see Jesus, the ultimate servant, in action:

“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (NIV)’”

There is no greater display of true leadership than in the life Jesus. His way of dealing with people, prioritizing His time (He did what He was called to do in roughly three years), and making courageous and unpopular decisions, is a great example of true focus, passion and purpose. His obedience to God is our example to emulate. His behavior inspires us to get up, get out and be the leader we need to be. Our understanding of people, human nature, and how to inspire a diverse team of individuals, with a focused goal, is imperative to effective leadership.