The Effective Worship Leader

The Effective Worship Leader Daniel Musonda Kaira. Copyright 2018: Daniel Musonda Kaira i

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever without express written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. ISBN: ii

DEDICATION To every individual that has a passion, calling or desire to lead others in worship through songs. When you have learnt all about skill and like gymnastics, this is what matters at the end of the day. This is for you. iii

Acknowledgments A lot many thanks to the Household of Faith Church Worship team for the inspiration to do this. With what I have seen with my spiritual eyes, this lesson kept in this book is essential for where you are going. Guard it with your heart. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Thanks. iv

Table of contents Contents The argument... 1 In the beginning... 3 The special place during service... 5 Deliberateness... 9 A revelation-based act... 13 They set themselves apart... 15 Practical consecration... 19 The effective worship leader... 25 v

The Effective Worship Leader CHAPTER 1 The argument Every congregation just like every other organization needs structures in order that it functions effectively. While a congregation may be one with a single vision, we know it has different parts or what we conventionally refer to as departments that work with an aggregate goal to support the cause of the one vision. Every individual department or ministry if you may, is therefore pivotal to the overall success of the ministry. In a church set up, it has come to my attention that the worship or praise team as many preferably calls itplays a vital role in the ultimate success of the congregation. Singing to the lord more often than not, aligns our hearts to the position of God. People walk into a church service with many issues and others with expectations. Singing 1

The Argument to the lord bring us to one mind. A service requires people to have one mind to the best possible degrees. This is also why we will normally sing one song. Singing similarly brings a lot of spiritual realities into our world as we will see through the write up. If this is the case even as it is the case, then both physical and spiritual preparations must be deliberately pursued by those in the worship team. This is why this book has been written. This book was birthed out of a teaching I was giving to the worship team of my flock. You are therefore having access to some of my most intimate views and revelation on church worship. 2

The Effective Worship Leader CHAPTER 2 In the beginning As promised, I am going to teach an important topic for this group. For starters, I want to remind you of a dream I had. This looked like the biggest department in the Household of Faith Church. In that dream, I walked into the church and found that the numbers where a lot; like 200 or so there about. Then I went outside just to say wow! The Lord asked me to get back to see. I actually heard the voice of the Spirit telling me to go back. When I entered, I realized it was just the praise team. This means, the praise team should not rest until it hits such numbers. It must keep increasing numerically. But let s open our hearts to also increase in quality. 3

In The Beginning We must not rest until we see these things. The group will keep increasing, amen?! 4

The Effective Worship Leader CHAPTER 3 The special place during service There are some deliberate steps we can take to create an atmosphere in the church that allows God to move a certain way. In the same way, there are some things that if we neglect them, the church will be in a bad state. Here is the big statement I am about to make: in my view, this is not even the duty of the intercessory group. The worship team must lead us in the manifestation of the glory of God. While the intercessory department may be responsible for other prayer areas, the worship team must particularly be sensitive to the atmosphere of the church. After church, you must always find out how the atmosphere was. Were the people being drawn to worship? This includes people who play instruments 5

The Special Place During Service because I discovered they are usually the most careless people. I have not seen this here but elsewhere. I mean, I have been in churches and the instrumentalists just behave like some disgruntled but very gifted little trouble makers who we don t know what to do with. They seem not to have even personal discipline. Whenever the worship leader asks for silence, they are still pressing and trying to fix whatever they are fixing. They just want to play. The desire seems to overwhelm them. It s like they need deliverance from playing instruments. They just want to play. This shouldn t be the case. We must all be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit and to those leading in singing. When you are done with service and it felt dry, go and cry and repent on behalf of the team. You would have not done your job. You must always work and desire to have a shift in the atmosphere whenever we 6

The Effective Worship Leader worship. The worship team must not be careless with the atmosphere of church worship and we won t tolerate carelessness. This is sensitive work and God will judge us both personally and corporately about these things. They must be given the gravity they deserve. Look, most of you because of your very busy schedules only have Sundays to do godly work, and even with that short three hours you want to be careless? God forbid that any of you should give anything else more healthy attention than the work of the Lord. Studying must be given attention. School should be given attention. But godly work must be given double of it. Have you ever seen someone give a prayer request about the money they need? The emotions, the sincerity, the heart, it s amazing. Why can t we have the same approach when dealing with our desire to see the presence 7

The Special Place During Service of God flow during service? It should actually be more. Some of you should even be crying, asking the Lord to overwhelm us with His glory during services. 8

The Effective Worship Leader CHAPTER 4 Deliberateness Throughout the week, you should be interceding. Asking the lord father, let your presence be felt by everyone. By those who don t believe, those believing, those who do and everyone else. Do something new oh God, Shock us with miracles as we worship, and don t allow this to just be another service my Father (tears). Let every song carry a different side of heaven today in the name of your son Jesus Christ etc. The thing must burn in your heart. You must be deliberately intentional about it. Let me us get Biblical. Remember how the evil spirit left Saul? They didn t call the priests. They called a musician. Can you imagine? The Bible says: 9

Deliberateness 1 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah. 14 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented and troubled him. 15 Saul's servants said to him, Behold, an evil spirit from God torments you. 16 Let our lord now command your servants here before you to find a man who plays skillfully on the lyre; and when the evil spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well. 17 Saul told his servants, Find me a man who plays well and bring him to me. 18 One of the young men said, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who plays skillfully, a valiant man, a man of war, prudent in speech and eloquent, an attractive 1 1 Samuel 16:13 (AMP) 10

The Effective Worship Leader person; and the Lord is with him. 19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, Send me David your son, who is with the sheep. 20 And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a kid and sent them by David his son to Saul. 21 And David came to Saul and served him. Saul became very fond of him, and he became his armor-bearer. 22 Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David remain in my service, for he pleases me. Now, I want us to pay extra attention to the next verse: 23 And when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, David took a lyre and played it; so Saul was refreshed and became well, and the evil spirit left him. Wow! Did you honestly see that? They needed someone to do deliverance on a king. But they did not go begging the man of God Samuel or other priests. They went 11

Deliberateness to look for a musician; a worship leader for our purposes. And when the praise team member went there, he wasn t shouting and casting out. He just took his guitar and played. And guess what, the evil spirit left. Isn t that interesting? Praise God! Ladies and gentlemen, you have a sensitive assignment. Don t take it lightly. Be deliberate about it. 12

The Effective Worship Leader CHAPTER 5 A revelation-based act This was not just a once off thing. David s people had learnt how it works by now. As such, when they were in trouble, the Bible says they appointed musicians. Look at this: the Bible says: 2 When he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers to sing to the Lord and praise Him in their holy [priestly] garments as they went out before the army, saying, Give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! Look, those guys were facing an army and they began singing. Who does that? Who faces an army singing? It means they had a revelation the army never did. And then the 2 2 Chronicles 20:21 (AMP) 13

A Revelation-Based Act Bible says something very interesting. It says in verse 22: 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were [self- ] slaughtered; 23 For [suspecting betrayal] the men of Ammon and Moab rose against those of Mount Seir, utterly destroying them. And when they had made an end of the men of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another Oh my! Notice that it says and when they began to sing and praise this means the Lord was not going to do anything had they not sang and praised Him. It was a revelation applied without instruction. It had become knowledge to them. They knew exactly how God operated. It was a revelation-based culture. 14

The Effective Worship Leader CHAPTER 6 They set themselves apart You see, these people had learnt a lesson. Earlier, the Bible tells us that: 3 And all the Levites who were singers--all of those of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, with their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, having cymbals, harps, and lyres-- stood at the east end of the altar, and with them 120 priests blowing trumpets; 13 And when the trumpeters and singers were joined in unison, making one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and other instruments for song and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever, then the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud. 3 2 Chronicles 5:12-14 15

They Set Themselves Apart 14 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God. Oh wow! Praise the lord! These people had learnt the secret and they did these things with expectation. In fact, the previous scripture indicates that they knew what they wanted because it says in verses 11 and 12: And when the priests had come out of the Holy Place--for all the priests present had sanctified themselves, separating themselves from everything that defiles, without regard to their divisions; 12 And all the Levites who were singers--all of those of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, with their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, having cymbals, harps, and lyres. See that? They knew what they wanted. So, they set themselves apart. They went into the holy place of the tabernacle. They knew exactly what they wanted in that service. 16

The Effective Worship Leader King Solomon had told them that there was going to be a thanksgiving ceremony at such and such a day. So, they wanted God to manifest a certain way. Consequently, they took deliberate steps to see it come to pass. They went into the holy place. seeking God. Separating themselves from anything that defiles. There is power in setting yourself apart for holy work. To separate yourself from anything that defiles or that can potentially defile. You may be wondering what that means in this day and age. Some of the movies that you watch can defile you; can contaminate you. Some friendships are not worth it. Some associations and people must be avoided. There are certain jobs you must resist. Look, this is not just some Old Testament thing. In the New Testament, Paul wrote to the saints in Corinth and said: 17

They Set Themselves Apart 4 Therefore, since these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God. 4 2 Corinthians 7:1 (AMP) 18

The Effective Worship Leader CHAPTER 7 Practical consecration Did you just see that? In other words, there are things even today that can potentially defile both your body and your spirit. This is why we must consecrate or separate ourselves. There are certain chats we can t allow ourselves to be having. They defile us. We must be deliberate about these things. And being deliberate about those things means we must leave certain old ways where they belong. You can t be in the praise team and admire every girl there. I have heard of people who impregnated a third of the praise team or something. This is a true story by the way. When you sing, what kind of spirit do you think you will be releasing on the church? All that will remain is just your gift but the presence of God is not in your ministration. 19

Practical Consecration We must learn to separate ourselves. Your personal life as a member of the worship team is important to the move of God in the church. This is big. This is very big. Some of you will be shocked because what you thought would be a question for the pastor to answer on judgment day; you will be the one to answer. I love the priests in the book of second Chronicles 5. They were deliberate about what they wanted. I guess they also learnt from what their leader Joshua did when he told them: 5 Sanctify yourselves [that is, separate yourselves for a special holy purpose], for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. 5 Joshua 3:5 (AMP) 20

The Effective Worship Leader There are deep wells of revelation in this scripture. This means that there are certain works the Lord will work among us only when we deliberately set ourselves apart. See that? It reminds me of what Timothy was told by Apostle Paul. Look at this: 6 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also [utensils] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use]. 21 So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work 6 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (AMP) 21

Practical Consecration Oh wow! This generation needs to get back to this kind of deliberate thinking and practical effectiveness. And it is no coincidence that the very next verses talk about things that can disturb the flow. They read: 22 Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). 22

The Effective Worship Leader Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong. 25 He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it]. Saints, we have work. No amount of work happens until people become deliberate about it. Did you know that there are some people who thought God would do something but nothing happened and it was because as priests, they did not handle their duties well? I may not have enough time, but read about the sons of Samuel the prophet, Phineas and Hofni. 23

Practical Consecration I want you guys to take your personal lives very seriously. You must be individually an effective worship leader. 24

The Effective Worship Leader CHAPTER 8 The effective worship leader There is more to being efficient than just being awake to the atmosphere of the place during service. Remember, you are a team and not an individual. By all means, avoid the me and the pastor approach towards congregational functionalities. This has killed the unity and general progress of vision within church circles. Be willing to know everyone in the team by name. in fact, allow me to put some very important pointers that are each capable of being an individual chapter: 1. Support the unity of the group. Know each person by name. if possible, have times to just know each other. A braii is not a bad idea. 25

The Effective Worship Leader 2. Pray for the vision of the church and forth coming service together. 3. Practice together. 4. Leaders must be aware to the best possible degrees of each individual s state of spiritual life. 5. Have times not just to pray but fast. 6. Have seminars. Improve vocals or become better sound engineers. Don t be afraid to spend. It s worth it. No excellence comes cheap. Always be doing something to develop yourselves. 7. Celebrate each other s birthday. If possible and If you are few, make each person s birthday a big deal 8. Write songs. 9. Pay attention to your pastor s preferences. Sing the songs he or she loves. You are not the visionaries. You must adapt to him and not vice versa. 26

The Effective Worship Leader 10. Sing your pastor s doctrine and spread it well. Strive to be close to your pastor. Know his or her teachings. The oil flows from the head down and not vice versa. Don t be too excited being independent and looking up foreign songs. 11. During worship sessions, endeavor to sing songs that people know. Avoid very new songs; you may find yourself singing alone. If you wish to do a new song, send it to the contact of the congregation and sing it first as a ministering song before you can finally ask everyone to sing along. 12. Love what you do. Enjoy it. Have passion for it. Develop in it, never get discouraged. 27

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