Worship Team Members,

Please take some time and read the following thoughts taken from a worship devotion by Tom Kraeuter, worship leader, author.  Good stuff!

"Those of us involved in the ministry of praise and worship in the local church often view music as the most important thing.  Oh, certainly we understand that our hearts must be in the right place.  That's a given.  However, after that, as long as we come in and play and sing well, that's what really matters, right?  In his book "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire", Jim Cymbala, pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle, said it like this:"

"Prayer is the source of the Christian life, a Christian's lifeline.  Otherwise, it's like having a baby in your arms and dressing her up so cute, but she's not breathing.  Never mind the frilly clothes; stabilize the child's vital signs.  It does no good to talk to someone in a comatose state.  That's why the great emphasis on teaching in today's churches is producing such limited results.  Teaching is good only where there's life to be channeled.  If the listeners are in a spiritual coma, what we're telling them may be fine and orthodox, but unfortunately, spiritual life cannot be taught." 

"You see, information alone does not fully empower people.  Even if the full counsel of the Word of God is preached, unless it is undergirded with prayer, it will not have the fullest possible effect.  Likewise, you may sing or play an instrument very well.  However, if you don't pray for the people to whom you are ministering, it will not have the same impact in their lives.  Please understand that I am not suggesting that you must spend hours and hours praying for the people in your church. (I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't either!)  It is not so much a matter of how long you pray or how often you pray that is important.  Psalm 34:15 says, 'The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.'  God is waiting for us to cry out to Him.  He wants you to pray for those people you're leading in worship.  And not just a quick sixty second prayer right before the service.  Throughout the week, pray that their hearts would be open to all that God has for them in the service and in their lives.  Pray that they will come to the service prepared not just to sing, but to worship God with all their heart.  What would happen if everyone on your team would do that?  Would it make a difference the next time your church gathers corporately?  What about praying for the other team members?  Pray that the peace of God will reign in their hearts, in their lives, and in their families.  Pray that they will be ready to minister, not just to play or sing.  What would happen if everyone on your team did that?  Pray for the worship leader. Pray for your pastor.  Oh, you get the idea.  Don't just be content to sing and play.  Cry out to God.  Pray!"