Performer or Worship Leader?

This is an excellent video by Paul Baloche, one of my favorite writer/leaders, as he talks about worship leadership and the claim that sometimes it's performance and not leadership.

I get that response from time to time and I tell people that if I'm performing for you then you need to ask me for a refund.  I'm not a performer  but listen to Paul say that there is a performance "element" of playing an instrument or singing.  That's just inherent.

I like what he says about practicing your "craft" privately during the week.  I do that as I go into the worship center to play through and think through the flow of worship.  It's some of the sweetest times during my week as I sing through and imagine what God is going to do in that service.

So, do you think it's performance or worship leadership? I'm dying to know.

Worship Confessional, July 25, 2010

This post is part of Sunday Set Lists over on The Worship Community Blog.  It's where worship leaders from all over the country post about their worship experiences today:


We're coming to the end of our series BECOMING A HEALTHY CHURCH.  We've been doing it since the end of May and Lord willing, we will have a new Sr. Pastor in place (he comes in view of a call next Sunday).  Today we focused on CELEBRATION and being aware of what God is doing in our midst.

The set list today was:

The Lord Reigns (Gateway)-- I love this song.  We haven't done it in awhile.  It has such a celebratory feel to it.  Tried to get our people to shout (hey, football season is only 1 months away).
Video: Wrap up from Student Life/ Super Summer Camps

STUDENT LIFE SUMMER CAMP WRAP UP from Jim Drake on Vimeo.
Baptism (4 from Student Life Camp)--this was a celebration for us too as we celebrated this 4 kids who made professions during our recent camp.
Welcome/Announcement
Missions Moment--Kenya ( Interview and video with Tara Moore who just completed a 1 month internship in Kenya with Buckner International)
Offertory Prayer
Do It Lord (Walker)-- Again, this has been our theme song for 2010.. We continue to cry out to the Lord to "Do It Lord that your glory may be seen"
Glory To God Forever (Beeching/Fee)-We learned this one last week with Rich.  The kids did it at Super Summer.. I'm ready to dig into this one. It will be on our screens for a bit.
Morning Message:  Becoming A Healthy Church: Celebration--Dave Bilderback
You Gave Your Life Away (Baloche)--I love this song--such a simple melody and message.  I've been impacted this week reading JESUS MANIFESTO.  This song says so much!

Worship Confessional, July 11, 2010

This post is part of Sunday Set Lists over on The Worship Community  blog.  It's where worship leaders from all over contribute their set lists and experiences from Sunday.  Check it out here.

Today was a good day.  We were down--but lots ( I MEAN LOTS ) of people that I know were on vacation, and our team of kids/sponsors were on their way back from Student Life camp.  Regardless, we had a good day of worship.

Set List:
Announcements--up front this week....got them out of the way.
Opening Video:



HAPPY DAY- Hughes--Great opener...just wish we had more folks today

Mission Focus- Germany (We had our friends Jason and Cheryl Dietz and their family here as they talked about their work in Dresden and the Saxony Region.  They lead HOPE FOR SAXONY.  It was good to talk to them and realize that some of the same work they are doing there in starting churches (healthy churches) is what we are trying to accomplish here.

Dresden Video from Amy K. Harris on Vimeo.

Offertory Prayer

Jesus Messiah (Tomlin)--One of our favorites!
The Stand (Hillsong)--- I love, love, love this song!
Mighty To Save (Hillsong)  Only the pre chorus and chorus... worked well and they came on strong to sing at the end.

Morning Message---Becoming A Healthy Church:  Family-Dave Bilderback

Your Name (Baloche)
(Wanted to close with Song For My Family by Michael Gungor but it didn't work out---will save that for another week)

How was your Sunday?