Leadership Lessons in Worship

When you are leading teams of people, there are a few things that you should purpose to do-these apply to worship teams too!

1. Celebrate together-share the successes. The worship wasn't amazing because you were the leader. It was effective because the Spirit used a group of people together in unity to bring God much glory. When you hear affirmation, think team.

2. If you want to bring in new people, surround them with team veterans. This builds relationships, accountability and community. Each time I lead worship, regardless of the setting, I try my best to find an opportunity to bring someone along with me in order to let them grow. It could be a younger musician, or someone new to your team. Purpose to practice an open community-allow your team to grow through new people coming on alongside veterans.

3. You will fail. How often and how badly is up to you. Preparation, prayer, integrity, attitude-all these play a part in your leadership, but you will still mess up. Maybe it's a wrong chord, a pitchy note, or a forgotten lyric. Or maybe it's worse.
Make sure you are prepared and prayed up as a leader. It took me a while to realize that mistakes are always going to happen-it's how you handle the mistakes that reveals your leadership. The greatest NFL players still turn the ball over-maybe not as often as the benchwarmers, but they still make mistakes. The greatest hitter in the history of baseball only got on base safely 4 out of 10 times. If these world class athletes make mistakes with millions of people watching, what makes us think we'd be any different? The question is: How will you handle the mistakes and the failures?

It takes purpose, planning and prayer to lead your team. Continue to chase after these leadership principles, and watch God move among you!

-Andrew

Modern Day Persecution

I'll paraphrase this one.

A street preacher in the UK was arrested after answering a passerby's question. The question? "Is homosexuality a sin?"

His answer?- "Yes."

The passerby went to a nearby officer, who approached the preacher to ask him if he said it.

The preacher basically said, "Yes, homosexuality is a crime against the Creator."

The officer- "I'm homosexual."

The preacher- "It's still a sin."

Link

Developing Leaders

Some wise sage once said that it's better to lead leaders than to simply just lead. Obviously the reason is rooted in influence-if you are leading leaders, then your influence can affect multiple generations of followers, and you are coaching more than simply leading.

After trying to do that over the past 4+ years at my church, God has honored that effort. Lately I've been privileged to be surrounded by other leaders as I lead worship, which means that as I allow them to lead more and more, I'm able to step back and work on other areas of my ministry.

This past weekend I was the oldest person (31) on the worship team. The average age of the other 7 people was about 22. This has happened because of a number of reasons, but more importantly, it happened intentionally. God provided these talented leaders, and He simply asked me to be a good steward of their gifts and talents.

Out of these other 7, 5 are gifted and called as worship leaders. So I had (including me), 6 worship leaders on stage at the same time. No it wasn't a Hillsong re-enactment! But leading leaders presents a unique set of challenges. Here are a few things I ask myself, and maybe you might consider asking yourself as well, as we try to be a good steward of the gifts of the leaders around us:

1. Who is a leader around me? Identifying the person is the first step in intentional development.

2. At what or with whom are they currently showing leadership qualities? Find the sphere where their influence is growing and encourage it!

3. How can I help them own this part of their ministry and develop it? Creatively brainstorm how that person can grow and use those gifts to strengthen the body of Christ and allow them to own it.

One example of this at our ministry would be Danny's blog. Danny is a talented leader and musician, and we've developed a great friendship. My challenge is to keep Danny creative and growing, and we came up with this blog idea as a way to use his gift of teaching and also his talents in music and technology to build the body of Christ.

Some wouldn't like the idea of a guy creating music on his laptop and playing that as a part of a worship team, but Danny is bearing fruit with it, and inspiring others to do the same. It's amazing to be a part of a team that is creative and innovative for the glory of God!

So ask yourself today-am I leading leaders? If so, how can you develop them-remember that the end result is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:12), and to give all the glory to God.

-Andrew

New Songs 2010-So Far

Congregational Worship songs are hard to come by-sometimes I'll listen to 10 CD's and have only 5 potential songs, out of 50-60. Then I'll listen to them for a month or so, and see which ones stand up to the test of time. These are the ones we've introduced at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale (Plantation campus) in 2010.

Your Love Never Fails-written by Chris McClarney, arr. by Jesus Culture
Because of Your Love-Phil Wickham
Holding Nothing Back-written by Tim Hughes, arr. by Jesus Culture
A Mighty Fortress- Christy Nockels
To Know Your Name-Hillsong
Yahweh-Hillsong
The Stand (bridge only)-Hillsong
You are Here (the same power)- Hillsong

The psalmist encourages us to sing a new song to the Lord-what new songs are you introducing this year?

-Andrew

Worship Set Lists-Whaddya think?

If you are a worship leader and you read this blog, I want to know your thoughts on something.

There are different schools of thought on worship for local churches. Simply from a song selection standpoint, here are the models I know of:

1-The worship leader has total freedom to pick whatever songs he feels led to do.

2-The pastor picks all the songs, and the worship leader simply does them.

3-The pastor and the worship leader sit together each week and choose the songs.

Which one is the model you do right now, and what do you think about it? For example, our church is a #1, within reason.

Whaddya think?

The Author of New

i like new.

i'm always looking for new.

new clothes, new gear, new electronics, new technology.

new places, new people, new opportunities.

this is why we (window) shop. this is why we research and ask around.

it's no surprise that we love new, but why?

well, for starters, it's better than old. but perhaps there's something more. perhaps we were created for new, and old just isn't our original design.

think about it-we don't like old because it represents beat up. washed up. torn up.

we don't like old because we know what we're getting, and sometimes it's a let-down.

but if you remember the story of Eden, you'll remember a time and place before beat up, washed up and torn up.

a place where each day was full of something new-a new place, a new animal to be named, a new experience.

this is why there's something in us that loves new. we were designed for it. we weren't made to grow old, love old or be old.

but sin happened. and now old happens.

before sin, there was no old. there was only new. and that was the original design-the Designer made us for new, and new for us.

and He still does, if you look for it.

His mercies are new every morning. Lam 3:22-23
He gives us a new covenant. Matt 26:28
a new commandment. John 13:34
a new heart and new spirit. Ez. 36:26
we take off the old and put on the new. 2 Cor. 5:17
He will make a new heaven and a new earth. Rev. 21:1
The Bible ends when He says that He makes all things new. Rev 21:5

new is good-we love new because He who created us is the author of new.

today is a new day. put off the old and embrace the new.

What I Think About During Worship...

For those who might be interested, I thought I'd share what my (wacked) brain thinks about during worship. I realize that I'm supposed to think 100% about God during that time, but the truth for worship leaders is that we must spend most of our quality time worshiping God when we aren't on stage. So what am I thinking about? Here are a few questions I'm always asking myself...

1. Are people connecting with God? This is huge for me as a leader. If the answer is no, then I feel like I've failed that day. I know that some people aren't serious about worship, and I can't be responsible for their choice to or not to worship. But I also know that it's my responsibility to create an opportunity for them that they can relate to, and participate in, so this is always on my mind.

2. Are we (the worship team) together right now? Our heart is to do what we do with excellence, but sometimes that can lead to either being more focused on perfection/performance instead of God, or to not paying attention to our responsibility of preparation. Usually a glance or a nod goes a long way to getting everyone back together.

3. Where am I looking? Since I'm not always leading songs vocally, I try to be aware of where I'm looking. It's sometimes awkward to make eye contact with a single person during worship, since our attention should be fixed on Christ. I usually try to look up as I think about God, or look down at my guitar if I'm not singing (during instrumentals or other people's solos), although I try to sing along (far away from the mic) as I worship.

4. How are we getting from this song to the next? This is one of the major issues I see with younger or less experienced worship leaders. Smooth transitions are almost as important as the songs themselves. I try to avoid "dead air" (i.e. awkward unintended silence) or confusion as to who is responsible to get us into the next song. Bad transitions take the focus off of God and, like a good episode of The Office, create really awkward moments.

5. What is the Spirit prompting me to do right now? In my earlier ministry days I talked a lot more during worship. Then for a season I said very little or nothing at all during that time in the service. Lately I've been trying to discern the Spirit's moving during worship and what I'm prompted to do. Sometimes it's a few words said during an instrumental. Other times it's a stop and stay-where we end the song but I don't feel like God is done with the moment, which could mean a prayer or a reprise of a chorus or bridge.
It's tricky because my flesh wants to talk sometimes, and I try really hard to make my words count during worship. I even open my mouth sometimes and then stop myself (try not to watch me-take my word for it!). :D I'm always reminded of Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, which tells us specifically to speak less, if at all in the presence of God. Great wisdom-hard to do sometimes!

I'm not making this list exhaustive, because no one cares most of the time what I'm thinking. But I hope this gives you a little insight, and maybe helps another worship leader out there!

-Andrew

The Apocalypse is Upon Us

A church in San Francisco (not a good start, I know) has chosen to make Saturday night an art show/disco with DJ in their sanctuary. I think the thing that bothers me the most is the large psuedo-gold chain with the holy name of God as a medallion. Read about it and see the pic here.

What Happens in Church, Stays There

Another article by an "expert" tells us that those who claim faith (Islam, Judaism, Christian) rarely live out the practical tenets of their faith in their lives.

At the end of his article, he quotes from a speech by a Duke University sociologist- "What happens in church, mainly stays in church."

This breaks my heart because this means that once again the world believes:

1) The church is a building/place, not a group of people.

2) The people who claim to follow, mostly don't.

3) The things they say they believe they don't live out.

Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men." Matt. 5:13.

Encourage one another to live it out-many don't. One day we CAN show Christ's light to the world.

20 minutes away, 2 martyrs

If this story is what it seems to be, then 2 young men gave their lives to evangelize another guy on the streets of Boynton Beach. It's shocking to me because we're in America and because it's only 20 minutes from my house.

But I realize that we have an enemy who is seeking to steal, kill and destroy. Our faith is real, and it costs us something. For these two men, it cost them everything. I know we'll pray for the families of the two gentlemen who were killed. But also, please pray for the man they were evangelizing-his salvation could still hang in the balance.

God uses murderers (and other sinners). He forgives their sins and transforms their lives. (see Moses, David, Paul, etc) Please be praying church.

Churches Seeking Worship Leaders

Lately I've been speaking to a few worship leaders I know who have been looking for a church opportunity. I decided to look online at what "classified ads" were out there advertising positions for worship leaders, and what I found made my heart hurt.

Most of what I saw from these churches had to do with the desire of the search committee or pastor to have a particular style of worship. Something along the lines of "We are looking for a dynamic worship leader to lead our music ministry in the style of Tomlin, Crowder, Hillsong, etc."

Unfortunately for worship leaders, we are graded too often on how "dynamic" we are on stage, the style of worship we lead, or how we 'look.' There are actual churches I know of that are looking for a worship leader that dresses a certain way, or does their hair to look like the latest indie rocker.

Is this what we've become? Is it now style over substance for these who lead churches? I would warn any worship leader I know to run the other way if a church approached them with those requirements, but too often this has become the norm. What if the shoe was on the other foot? Maybe the ad might read:

Worship leader looking to work for a pastor who teaches like Andy Stanley and Erwin McManus. Must dress in ripped jeans and Affliction T-shirts. Must have cool hair and really good stage presence. Should consistently engage their staff and church body, doing all 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell.

Of course, if you're looking for a job at a church, placing an ad like this isn't a good strategy. :) As it's also not a good strategy for a church or a pastor to pigeonhole a "good worship leader" based on style.

The world is consistently judging people based on style and appearance. Meanwhile, what the church truly needs are worship leaders with a passion for bringing Glory to the Character and Acts of the triune God. We need worship leaders who will teach and train others, discipling the local body in a lifestyle of worship. We need worship leaders who understand how to love on, manage, and encourage creative people (which at times is similar to herding cats).

God doesn't need cool hair or the latest trend to declare His glory. And neither is He looking for us to return to the style of yesteryear. I Samuel 16:7 reminds us that man looks upon the outward appearance, but God looks upon the heart.

Young worship leaders, seek out the church that God is calling you to, but don't forget to look for the church and the leadership that shares that kind of heart. The heart of biblical worship, not simply culturally relevant appearance.

Electronics and Stolen Memories

I wonder about this a lot. No matter how much we push back, it still feels like more and more of our time is consumed with electronics. How much time each week do I devote between the television, cell phone, video game system and computer? Unfortunately, I'd rather not know because I'm scared of that number.

Chrissy and I promised each other that when we got married we would stay off Facebook, Myspace and instant messaging. Not because those things are intrinsically evil, but because it's incredible how much time can be sucked by those things. I personally can't own a video game system, because I can't stop after one level-there's a part of me that just wants to continue to conquer and discover.....one more level. And the next thing I know, hours go by.

Lately I've found myself completely engrossed by my phone and all that entails. Cell phone apps, games, texting, etc. It took my wife mentioning it to me for me to realize that these things made of silicon, wires and screens are taking me away from socially connecting with people in a real way.

In the last 10 years, I can't think of any good memories I've had while surfing the net, reading news sites, or IMing. Instead, my favorite memories are shared experiences, trips taken with family or friends, and new places that were explored! I don't think I've ever fondly looked back on that one episode of that one show I liked as a great memory....

But minutes and hours go by, often spent with electronics, and now I'm 31. All those moments are gone, never to be lived again. And now, as I stand here looking ahead into the future, I'm wondering not how many memories I've missed already, but if I'll miss out on meaningful memories in the future because I'm too busy in my own world. Blogging, twittering, gaming, surfing, watching a screen.

I want to look back in the end and never regret. I want to always play ball with my son, or take that walk around the neighborhood with my wife. I want my memories.

Jadon is here

My son was born at 6:28 am on 11/12/2009. Jadon Kenneth Wooddell- Jadon means "thankful; grateful," Kenneth is after my grandfather, who went home to be with the Lord this past March, and Wooddell because he's mine!

Zephaniah 3:17 -The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

I now understand a little more about how amazing it is when a Father sings over His children with joy. Every day I write Jadon a new song or two and sing it over him while he is in my arms. Thanks for all your love and prayers!

Andrew and Chrissy

*special thanks to Curtis Copeland Photography for the picture.

New Song....with Video Goodness!

One of my best friends is a worship leader about 45 minutes north of my church, and every once in a while we get to do something together in worship. I absolutely love working with this guy-he's an amazing leader and worshiper!

A few weeks ago we got together on a day off and wrote a song for his church. Last weekend they introduced it at a night of worship and a good friend posted it on YouTube. I hope you like it...it's still getting tweaked a bit, but I love the way it's turning out! (Lyrics are below the vid).



You Will Reign
written by Jay Boykin and Andrew Wooddell

Creator, You hold the stars in Your hand
the wonder of all that I can't understand
Father, how great is Your mystery

a rugged cross that gave me hope
hands that bled so the world would know
a perfect love that sets us free

on the cross He took my place
by His blood all my sins are washed away
He bore the nails and conquered the grave
death could not contain our God
forever He will reign

You died and You rose
forever You will reign
my chains are now gone
forever You will reign
forever You will reign

Worship Leader, or Leading Worship?

Ahhhh, semantics. Does it really matter if you flip the terms 'lead' and 'worship?' I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and I've realized that it does matter.

You see, leading worship is a task inside the body of Christ. I've seen many people lead worship in many different venues. I can break down what it takes to lead worship into a simple checklist that almost anyone could follow. And perhaps you, the reader, have led worship before! Just as it's always a privilege to preach a sermon or teach a lesson, it's always a great honor to lead God's people in worship.

But not everyone who preaches is a pastor, not everyone who teaches is a teacher, and not everyone who leads worship is a worship leader. Let me explain...

Being a worship leader is not simply a task, but a shepherding role inside the body of Christ. It is a responsibility much greater than the musical portion of the service. Let me use an illustration.

You see, I've had some amazing experiences in my life. I've gotten to conduct a 80 piece orchestra before. I've directed a 300 voice choir. Those are tasks I've done. But if someone asked me if I could be a middle school band director, I would absolutely say "No way!"

Could I direct the middle school band at a concert? Sure! But being the director is much more than just that moment of concert. It's weeks of teaching proper technique, rehearsing that group of people, loving on them and challenging them to grow. It's encouraging them after the concert and then working on the areas that were revealed as weaknesses. And then you do that again and again, sorta like 'shampoo, rinse, and repeat!"

Because it's a shepherding role and not a task, it would be cocky of me to say that I'm qualified to be a middle school band director just because I can direct a band. And similarly, I must ask myself each week if I'm leading worship or if I'm a worship leader. Is this a task I'm completing or a role I'm embracing?

Because at the end of my season here on earth, I don't want to be someone who only completed tasks. I want to be found faithful in shepherding and discipling God's people!

This week's sign that the Apocalypse is almost here...

If you're in the mood for a good bonfire this Halloween season, this church is hosting an event you might want to attend. :D

My favorite quote from the article-

"The book-burning is being promoted as a social event with a barbecue dinner."

Bonus: Other versions of the Bible might help barbecue that meat.

A sobering reminder

Sometimes it's good to stop and remember what's happening around the world. This story makes me want to simply say, "Thank you to all those who serve in our armed forces and a special thanks to those who are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan for our country."
Grab some kleenex and remember.

Ever feel this way?

New Album, Old Friend

Please don't be scared of the picture. :)

Every once in a while, I get the honor to write or co-write a song for someone's record. A few years back a few of my songs appeared on this guy's first album, and this week, my friend Chad Lister released his second album on iTunes, and one of my songs made it on the CD. Check out his record and support a young indie artist/worship leader from Raleigh.

-andrew

Waiting and Watching

Blogging.....wow. It's been hard to do this year-not for a lack of ideas or material, but because everything on my heart centralizes around what's been happening in my life these past few months.

Whether it's been saying goodbye to my grandpa or getting ready to meet my son Jadon and becoming a daddy, everything seems to go back to those two things. These are the defining moments and events in my life.

Lately, I've been wondering a lot about Jadon and what he'll look like. He has no idea what's in store, and I can't even begin to describe what life will be like for him. How do you tell a baby in the womb what it's like to fall in love, how his first kiss will feel, or even the excitement of winning a basketball game or graduating from high school?

I don't think I can tell him in terms he'll understand. I think he'll just have to experience it for himself. And as much as I can try to describe these events to him, and prepare him for those moments, he still won't understand until he walks that path and discovers them on his own.

This week I was getting his room ready-painting, hanging stuff on the walls, arranging the furniture. And it made me think a lot of my grandpa, who's in heaven right now. It may sound odd that a nursery made me think about heaven, but here's where my mind went...

Jesus promised us that He was going to go prepare a place for us. In the same way that I'm preparing Jadon's nursery, He's getting our room ready, so that one day we can be where He is. And like a baby in the womb doesn't understand what's waiting for them after they are born, we have no idea what God has in store for us in heaven. There really aren't even words in our vocabulary to describe what my grandpa is experiencing and doing right now! It's something we know we'll have discover and experience to understand.

All I know is that I can't wait to be with my son, and that I already love him like crazy, even if he doesn't know that I love him yet. And I know that God's love for His kids is infinitely greater than what I'm experiencing in my heart these 9 months. This journey is going to teach me so much about my Heavenly Father-I can't wait!