Tag: Humility

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A Song Leaders Guide…Pt. 2

As we continue to look at The Song Leader’s Guide, you’ll remember previously we talked about “Being Prepared.” Though we can never underestimate the importance of working with the preacher and coordinating the song service, the second point is of equal value. In today’s Humble leadershiparticle we’ll look at the next recommendation for song leaders. We must know and practice humility. Without a humble spirit, our song leading becomes nothing more than a stage for your assumed presentation. Not a good thing!

Not only should we be prepared…a good song leader will demonstrate humility before, during and after the worship services. Before worship services begin, walk down the aisle of the auditorium and visit with the members. Knowing them by name is an important connection you can make before you step up to lead. If you are too busy picking songs, or if you aren’t willing to visit with the members, you’ll never be able to properly lead them. A humble heart will see others as valuable, and be willing to invest time in them.

During the song service, demonstrate humility. Have a countenance of joy when the song calls for it, but avoid excessive facial expressions that draw undue attention to you. A smile will tell the congregation you believe in the message of the song. At all times, avoid a look of distress or frustration. If you mess up on a series of notes, or if you sing the wrong words, don’t let the congregation know it has ‘rattled you.’ Your brothers and sisters may not even know you made a mistake, but either way it won’t shake you because, “this is not about you.” When you lead a melancholy song, strive to focus the congregation on the seriousness of the song’s message. Remember, you can communicate the meaning of a song simply by the expression you have on your face.

And, humility must also be exhibited after the worship services. At times you may receive accolades regarding your ‘work’ following the worship. A common response by many song leaders is a simple ‘thank you.’ And to God be the glorythough there is nothing wrong with this reply, perhaps a better response would be ‘to God be the glory.’ However, if someone acknowledges my song leading, I prefer the phrase, ‘the congregation was in good voice.’ It is always best to turn the focus away from yourself, and towards our God and His church. Just remember that a humble heart cannot be seen in words, but in actions. Give praise to God and uplift His church or you run the risk of leaving the congregation feeling like spectators rather than participants.

Next month (April) we’ll conclude this three part series of a Song Leader’s Guide to Worship.
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Three Things God Wants From Us…June 2nd

what God wantsWe often ask God for safe travel and healing for the sick.  Ever notice how our prayers are often saturated with what we want from God?  But how much do we think about what God wants from us?  Does He have any expectations of His children?

Sunday morning at Waterview church of Christ we’ll examine some things that God desires from His children.  Consider how much you give to God when it comes to justice, kindness and humility.  We often are prepared to travel to foreign mission fields and sign up for mission trips to comfort those who are suffering. But is our justice and kindness reserved only for those who are ‘afar off?’  How willing are we to be just, kind and humble to those we see every day, or maybe… every Sunday?

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, June 2, 2013

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Let God Arise” – 471

Our call to worship is a contemporary song with roots from the 68th Psalm.  A simple statement Christians should always remember, “May God arise, may His enemies be scattered…”  How will it look when God’s enemies are scattered.  Will you be standing with Him or His enemies?

“Higher Ground” – no book

An adaptation from the original by Johnson Oatman, this arrangement features the same music (for the most part) and the same words, yet with a slight twist.  The above YouTube video follows the format that we’ll be singing this Sunday morning at Waterview.  Enjoy the adjustment, but don’t miss the message; “I’m pressing on the upward way,”…stilling praying that the Lord will, “…plant my feet on higher ground.”

“In Memory of the Savior’s Love” – 335 & “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” – 315

These two songs will serve as a medley for the Lord’s supper.  Verse one from the first song will proceed verse two from the second.  Notice the flow; “…where every humble, contrite (penitent) heart is made a welcome guest.”  “Forbid it Lord that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my Lord…”  We’ll sing this will be before the bread, then before the fruit of the vine we’ll sing verses 2 & 3 from this medley.  The songs will flow like this: “…The cup in token of His blood that was for sinner’s shed.”  “See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down…”  And as we close our time of remembrance we’ll switch the order of the songs and begin with verse 4 and close with verse 3.  The message: “…Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”  “Beneath the banner thus we sing the wonders of His love…”

“Pierce My Ear” – no bookbondservant...awl

Taken from Exodus 21:1-6, and yet many tend to shy away from this song because of the misunderstanding of (or disagreement with) the title.  But when we understand the Biblical reference behind this psalm (we are singing scripture) we can better understand that for a Hebrew slave to have his ear pierced was not a glamorous sign of independence.  Instead, it meant a permanent, visual contract that displayed his prearranged bondage.  To say you ‘wanted your ear pierced’ was a step toward giving up your every freedom to a life of slavery.  Read the text,  “If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything. If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.“But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’then his master must take him before the judges.  He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.”  Now who is willing to sing?

 

“Where He Leads I’ll Follow” – 417

In keeping with our theme for this lesson we need to look no further than the last phrase from the first two verses of this song; “He the great example is the pattern for me…”  When we truly Follow Jesus, we’ll be kind to the erring ones and faith like He is.

what God wants...1“‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” – 679

Our invitation song calls us to trust Him.  Personally, the second verse means more as we understand we’re singing about baptism.  Notice it again, “O how sweet to trust in Jesus, just to trust His cleansing blood, just in simple faith to plunge me ‘neath (beneath) the healing, cleansing flood.”  Sometimes I wonder how many have sung this song over the years and missed that critical message of baptism.

“Oh, to Be Like Thee” – 429

As we draw this song service to a close, this hymn reminds us of what God wants from us; to be like Him.  Again, see the second verse; “Oh, to be like Thee!  Full of compassion, loving, forgiving, tender and kind, helping the helpless, cheering the fainting, seeking the wandering sinner to find…”  Is Jesus stamped on your heart?