From: kathy@duke.cs.duke.edu (Kathy Redding)
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian
Subject: Re: Praise and Worship Song Leading
Date: 5 Nov 92 18:55:59 GMT
Organization: Duke University Computer Science Dept.; Durham, N.C.

In article <1992Nov4.071129.29005@iti.gov.sg> jameslow@iti.gov.sg (James Low (RC)) writes:
>I have been assigned to train up a group of musicians and worship leaders in
>a very, very short period of time.  
>
>....But how do people become worship leaders?  Do they started
>out as singers? as musicians? received a calling from God? etc.
>
>What are your experiences?  Have you train any?
>
>I think a basic criteria is that the person must be a worshipper.  What do
					     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>you think?
>-- 
>                             James Low Teck Koon
>        Information Technology Institute, National Computer Board, S'pore
>               Email: jameslow@iti.gov.sg jameslow@itivax.bitnet
>                     Phone: (65) 7720438 Fax: (65) 7795966



James, I've been involved with church music for many, many years (I started
playing piano for church when I was 10 because there was no one else to do
it; I know that dates me a little bit, but sooner or later ya gotta accept
the passage of time, ;^>  ), and have been able to observe many "song
leaders," as they were called when I was a kid, or "worship leaders" as they
are called now.  I've been a worship leader in the past and am one of
them at my church now.  Just a little background on me so you know where I'm
coming from.  

I think you hit the nail on the head that a person must be a worshipper.
How can someone show someone else how to do something if they have never
done it or do it infrequently themselves?  And I must interrupt myself here
to state that I believe there are degrees in leadership abilities, as in
some are "better" or more trained/experienced than others are.  But none of
us are to stay at the same place.  We are to strive always to learn,
practice, experience, etc., so that we can become better.  (See the parable
of the talents in the Gospels.)  And I put myself at the top of the list as
far as needing to always be trying to "grow the gifts" God has given to me,
and needing to spend more time in His presence just worshipping Him.  

Start with the people you have, people you know who love the Lord and love
to worship Him.  Even if you are "assigned" people by your leaders to train,
you can emphasize and re-emphasize over and over again that they must be
worshipper themselves, whether or not you know if they are worshippers (as
opposed to people who just want to "perform").  Pray about it and ask God
to bring the right people in to do the job.  And above, all, practice,
practice, practice.  Then when you get in front of the congregation, you
will know where you are going and, as the Holy Spirit leads you, how to get
there.

I'd better quit for now.  I tend to be verbose, and leading praise & worship
is a subject close to my heart.  I don't often have time to post, but read
this group almost every day at lunch.  I'm glad to see this thread.  Wish I
had more time to become involved w/ it.  Anyhow, God bless you as you begin
this new team, James.  God honors a willing and available heart, and He'll
honor you for you efforts.  

In Him,

Kathy Redding

*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*
Kathy Redding						Duke University
Computer Science Dept.					Durham, NC
Opinions stated are my own, and are not intended to reflect those of Duke
University's, or the Duke Computer Science Dept.
*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*