Home Worship & Creative Leaders Articles for Worship & Creative 11 Things Worship Pastors Wish Senior Pastors Knew

11 Things Worship Pastors Wish Senior Pastors Knew

Recnetly, I wrote a post on What Pastors Wished Their Worship Leaders Knew. Today I want to suggest some things that worship leaders wished their pastor knew, or were at least aware of.

A few introductory thoughts. If you’re a congregational worship leader (music minister, song leader, music guy, etc.) you should do whatever you can to express support, encouragement and gratefulness for your pastor. Encouragement is oxygen to the soul, and “sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness” (Prov. 16:21).

Also, posts like these won’t apply to every church situation. This is meant to be a conversation starter, not everything that can be said. And if you’re the one who leads the music in your church, you might not be in the place some of these points assume you are.

Finally, I’ve had the joy of seeing many, if not all, of these points modeled for years by C.J. Mahaney, my current senior pastor and dear friend.

With those thoughts, here are a few things pastors might miss or forget in working with their musicians.

1. Communication in advance makes for a more unified, edifying meeting. (Prov. 15:22; 21:5)
It helps if I know before the meeting what you want me to do, rather than afterward.

The earlier I know what you’re preaching on, the better prepared I can be to serve you.

The church will benefit if we’ve coordinated what we’re going to do beforehand.

2. Consistent and specific encouragement and evaluation will make me a better leader. (Heb. 3:13; Prov. 9:9)
I will thrive and grow if I know what things I’m doing that are serving you and the church. “Great job!” is better than saying nothing, but not as good as telling me what was helpful and how God is working through me.

If I’m going to grow, I have to know what I’m doing wrong, could do better or should stop doing. Saying nothing for long periods of time tempts me to think what I do is unimportant, wrong or unnecessary.

3. God intended singing to be a means of teaching and admonishing. (Col. 3:16)
What I do is more than warm up people for the sermon, fill time or get people emotionally excited. You will serve me, yourself, the church and most importantly the Lord if you care as much about the words we sing as the words you preach. Your favorite song might not be the best song for the church to sing.

4. Your example and engagement when we sing says volumes not only about your support of me, but about your heart to praise God with the church.
It doesn’t look good to anyone when you regularly use the singing time to review your sermon notes, check your email or look distracted. Humanly speaking, you are the lead worshiper of the congregation. People rarely rise above the example of the pastor.

5. When I know I have your trust, I’ll lead more effectively.
We’re partners, not competitors. I want your leadership and input, but micromanaging what I do tends to negatively affect my desire to take initiative. I will lead better if you give me opportunities to earn your trust. If there are reasons you can’t trust me, please tell me.