Being a Praise and Worship Leader is Something I actually love! I love the calling, I like seeing the congregation lost in worship and I even love the preparation, practice and set up! Being a praise and worship leader is an integral piece of my life, whether or not I'm active in leading, traveling to new audiences, recording or simply sitting round strumming a guitar in my cell group. I would rather be involved in the worship of the church than in some other department, even though the work calls for from being involved in this facet of ministry could be higher than in many other areas of the church.

I know lots of you like being a praise and worship leader too! While a few of you may be frustrated or discouraged in your calling, I hope that this discussion of why I love what I do is an encouragement to you in your personal situation.

Are You Really Called?

I love the truth that I'm called to be a worship leader! God has not only laid this ministry on my heart and given me skills to make use of, but He has additionally challenged and developed it over time. In fact, while some people in the various audiences around the world where I ministry would see my ministry as the finished product, I can assure you that my worship leading is a part of the lengthy, sometimes painful and still currently continuing education process! You never really arrive as a praise and worship leader, you keep developing and learning through the years!

All of us faced disappointments, discouragements and tough times in our lives and in our ministries. One of the greatest sources of encouragement in these tough times is the sure and steadfast knowledge that you have been called to this ministry. If being a praise and worship leader is a part of God's calling on your life, then do not give up and do not turn aside from the way that he is ordained for you, it doesn't matter what the discouragements or exterior pressure might bring. You are called, whatever the circumstances, and that's enough!

The Massive Challenge You Face

Another thing I love about being a praise and worship leader is the challenge that it makes on my life, my walk with the Lord and on my musical and singing skills!

In any ministry there'll always be challenges and it is our triumphs over these challenges that create character into our lives. Worship leading will not be so much about self-esteem and self-confidence as it is about self-discipline, because we need discipline to meet the challenges that we face, and to beat them in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Some challenges revolve around music. We must learn to select the best songs and arranged them in progressive and engaging ways. We can be challenged in our singing and musical capacity, so we must continuously be enhancing our talents, honing and sharpening them regularly.

Spiritual challenges also face us, so it's up to us to make sure that our walk with God is solid and vibrant. How are you able to look holy and all together on stage when your personal walk is a fraud? Who we present as onstage have to be a mirrored image of who we are in the prayer closet, and this is a constant challenge to keep humble and seeking the Lord at ALL times.

One of the unrecognized challenges of being a praise and worship leader is in leading our team and again we need the Lord's wisdom as we lead. We need great leaders of teams within the worship ministry more than great musicians or singers. We need to inspire them, sometimes rebuke them and always be accessible to them to cope with any challenges that they face. We need to deal with conflicts between team members, and recognize that we are responsible for the spiritual walk of all the team members if we're to develop into great and effective worship leaders.

The Real Joys

Yet there are joys in addition to challenges. When I overcome challenges this will bring me joy. Watching your team grow in their lives and musical abilities also brings a lot joy. Even little issues like hitting an incredible harmony or arranging a song in a brand new and thrilling manner deliver me joy.

Looking across the congregation and seeing people worshiping God is probably the ultimate joy! Leading people deeper into a relationship with the Lord is pleasure like no other, and witnessing this makes up for all the challenges and difficulties, the hours of practice and everything else.

This is the complete payment for me! I need to know that I've served faithfully after I come off the stage, and this is the greatest satisfaction and pleasure I know! Standing on stage in seeing people within the audience losing themselves in worship and adoration of the Lord fills my heart with pleasure, and if you have the same calling as me I know it'll bring you pleasure as well.

It's why I really love being a praise and worship leader.