Keys To Becoming An Effective Worship Leader Chapter 7

In the beginning of the chapter, Kraeuter talks about a worship leader he knew and looked up to. This worship leader would start a song by giving the reference of the verses that the worship songs are based on. When he gave the reference, most people did not recognize the song until the music was played. Kraeuter points out that most of the time, worship songs are based on verses in the Bible, and we don't even know it. Kraeuter gives us this example to show that this worship leader was more concerned with having the Word of God in his heart then producing the most amazing worship music. Although musical knowledge is important, knowledge of God is more important and this is the area where most worship leaders are lacking. Most worship leaders do have musical talent and creative abilities, however without a firm understanding of the God we worship, we can cause damage because we are not able to lead worship if we cannot worship ourselves. Churches can split because of worship leaders lack of knowledge of the Bible. Kraeuter compares the Bible to a playbook for an athlete. An athlete at a high level is expected to know all the material in a playbook so that they can perform with confidence and be effective. However, if we as worship leaders are not familiar with our  "playbook", or the Bible, then how can we expect to be effective worship leaders? For example, worship leaders will introduce a song, however, the song may not fit with the sermon, but the worship leader may not have enough knowledge of the Bible to know it does not fit with the sermon. We have to keep in mind that whatever we say on stage is heard and received by the hearts and minds of the people in the congregation, and this also includes the lyrics we sing. The words we say and sing have the ability to affect someone's life, so we should be prepared to say things that are inspired by God and his Word. The songs we choose should not be based on what makes the band sound good, but instead what, based on the Bible, will make the biggest impact in the lives of the congregation this week based on the topic.

Overall, this is my favorite chapter of the book, therefore it's hard to say what my favorite part is. I liked that Kraeuter said that most of the time we sing lyrics, yet we don't know where those lyrics are found in the Bible. I find this fact so sad because we focus so much on the music that we don't focus on the power in the words we sing because the words are inspired by God. We have to become familiar with the Bible not only to help us lead worship better, but also to grow our relationship with God. One saying my worship leader says is that we cannot lead someone somewhere we have not been. If we are not deepening our relationship with God how can we expect to lead others to deepen their relationship with God. Another topic Kraeuter covers, is that our song choices should reflect the Biblical aspect of the message. For example, we should not pick songs just because they are super complicated and make the band sound good, but instead we should focus on the how the lyrics can fit with the message and thus help the congregation grow in their relationship with God. We have to remember that whatever we say or sing has the ability to affect someone's life because God has enabled us to be in a position of influence. Therefore, we should study the Bible so that what we say will be inspired by God.

Keys To Becoming An Effective Worship Leader Chapter 6

Kraeuter emphasizes that our society lacks thankfulness. Today, people do not say thank you for anything, and when thank you is said, it surprises the receiver of thanks. Christians are supposed to be the example of thankfulness. Everywhere we go, our interactions should show that we are thankful. We need to constantly be thankful toward God. God has forgiven us from sin that only he can forgive, and we have a hunger for a forgiveness that only he can provide. We, in turn, should have great love for God because he forgave the many sins we have committed. He continues to forgave us daily, not just when we receive him into our hearts for the first time. By understanding God's infinite love for us, we can become thankful people. It is not always easy to be thankful, but its better for us to be thankful instead of bitter. By living a life of thankfulness, we are able to lead worship more effectively. 

I liked that he said that if we are forgiven, we now should be thankful towards God. It is so easy for us to lead worship and complain about how bad we felt like it sounded. However, instead of complaining we should be thankful we have the opportunity to lead worship. As Christians and leaders, it's our responsibility to be an example for others in how to live a thankful life. God has forgiven sins that only he could, so why would we not be thankful for his grace?

Keys To Becoming An Effective Worship Leader Chapter 5

Kraeuter starts this chapter by saying that God wants our lifestyles to reflect worship, not just on Sunday mornings. We cannot expect to be prepared to worship on a Sunday morning if we haven't lived a life of worship the other 6 days of the week. In John 4:23, God calls for worshippers not worship. This means that he doesn't look for us to occasionally worship, but to worship constantly with our lives. Now it is not easy to worship God all the time. For example, Paul and Silas worshiped God while they were in prison, however, most of us would be unable to do the same. Worship in a difficult situation is not easy for anyone. Kraeuter says that we should be prepared for worship by living a life of worship, because when a crisis occurs, our response will be to praise God. God does not say that worship is only valid if we are singing along with the music. He wants worship to be our praising of him in our daily lives. Like Mother Teresa said, worship is finding the least among us and treating them like we would treat the Lord. Therefore, we must continually worship God our lives.

I liked how Kraeuter mentioned that if we worship continually, we are prepared for a difficult situation. If worship is our lifestyle, then in a difficult situation, we will praise God. God wants us to continually worship him and not just occasionally on Sunday mornings. As worship leaders this concept is important because as leaders, we must be the example for the congregation. Therefore, we are challenged as leaders to lead by example in our daily lives.

Keys To Becoming An Effective Worship Leader Chapter 4

Kraeuter starts this chapter by talking about his the Levites in the Bible were set apart. The Levites spent their lives serving God because they were set apart as an offering to God. Though we are not directly descended from the Levites, God has a similar set of guidelines for worship leaders that resembles the Levites requirements. Our main goal, like the Levites, is to give everything to God. Although talent is very useful for leading worship, God only requires our hearts to be fully surrendered to him. As worship leaders, both on and off the stage, we must be an example of living life fully surrendered to God. It is easy for worship leaders to become busy worrying about different things, that we forget to simply praise God. God does not care so much about what we do. He is more concerned about if our hearts are focused on him. The Levites did not serve God once in a while, but they served him with their whole lives. Our primary motivation in life should be serving God, not serving ourselves. God is not interested in how talented we are, he is interested in if we live our lives for him. If we do not live for him, he will not be able to do amazing works through us. We cannot think that we can put restrictions on God and what he can do. Kraeuter finishes this chapter with this question,  if God never uses us in a "big" way, will we still give him everything we are?

I liked that Kraeuter asks us if we are willing to serve God, even if it means we won't be standing in the spotlight. Especially as worship leaders, we get used to the idea that service is being on stage in front of the congregation. However, God does not always call us to be up front. Instead he may call us to serve behind the scenes, like in children's ministry. However, it is important for us to still praise him even when we are not in front playing music. Not being in front of the crowd should not change the fact that on and off stage, we are examples of Christ and we are responsible to follow him, even when he calls us to serve out of the spotlight.

Keys to Becoming an Effective Worship Leader Chapter 3

Most of the time, we focus on being the best musician that we can possibly be. Of course practice and the sound of the music is important, being humble is really important. David worshipped not in front of many people, but instead he worshipped God while guarding sheep. He was never recognized for his talent, yet God knew that he worshipped wholeheartedly. Sometimes as worship leaders, we try to focus more on if the sound of the music is top quality. But God doesn't need the best music in the world, what he wants is our hearts fully devoted to worshipping him. God wants our hearts focused on him and not ourselves.

As worship leaders, it is really easy for us to want to make worship sound amazing and do all the newest and coolest songs. However, the music is not as important as what we are saying to God in our hearts. We could be leading worship and thinking more about how great we sound or we can sing the words and sing them to God. Even when we are not leading worship, our attitude should be that God is first and not on if the music sounds bad or how we can make it better. We need to give our hearts to God in worship, on and off stage.

Keys To Becoming An Effective Worship Leader Chapter 2

I haved failed God so many times, so why do I deserve to worship him? This question is one that not just worship leaders battle with. Anyone who wants to worship will eventually struggle with this question. As worship leaders, it is easy for us to believe that because of our broken nature, we are not worthy to lead others in worship. Kraeuter says that he believes that the biggest struggle of any Christian is trying to fully comprehend the power of our God. We fail to understand just how powerful the Gospel is and we fail to believe in it fully. However, even though we constantly fail, God gave us a way to receive grace, and that's through Jesus death and resurrection. Jesus' blood washes away all sin and guilt. Kraeuter says, "The gospel does not just contain facts about the power of God, but it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes." The Gospel does not just save us from hell, but it also gives us forgiveness that we do not deserve. The best way to understand the power of God is living daily for him instead of relying on our own strength. If we make mistakes, we will not change by beating ourselves up but repentance to God will yield change. After all, God knew about your failures long before you were born, yet he still called on us to be his children. We will make mistakes again and our response may be to hide from God. However, if we could rely on ourselves to become perfect and sinless, Jesus death and resurrection would mean nothing. We can only be filled with the goodness of God once we understand his love for us.

I liked how this chapter is not just relevant to worship leaders, but also to anyone who feels like they have failed God in some way. However, Kraeuter encourages us by saying that God knows that we will fail, but he still loves us unconditionally and calls us into his kingdom. We have to believe that the Gospel is the power of God, not just facts about the power of God. We have to rely on him daily instead of  on ourselves. If we do this, then God will make changes in our lives and the lives of the people around us.

Keys to Becoming an Effective Worship Leader Chapter 1

In this chapter, Kraeuter starts by saying that his main purpose for leading worship was to thank God for saving him. However, he says that it is very easy to lose focus and worry more about how great worship sounds or about if you are playing the right part. It is easy to judge how good worship is based in the congregations reactions instead of what God wants to say through worship. As worship leaders we worry about if transitions are smooth and if our electric guitar player is playing the right solo. Eventually, the quality of worship deteriorates and instead of playing for God, we are playing for ourselves. It is most important that worship leaders focus on growing in their relationship with God instead of relying on the gifts God gave us to lead worship. Eventually, if we are not leading for God, we are simply wasting talent and time because God can take our abilities so much farther. If we are not filled by our relationship with God, how can we expect to give any genuine worship when we lead. Therefore, our anchor must remain in God.

My favorite part of this chapter was that we can all relate to being caught up in how great or how bad worship sounds. We fall into the trap of focusing more on technique and talent then on the one we should be worshipping, God. I agree that the most important thing a worship leader can do is focus on our relationship with God. I have often been told that you can only lead as far as you have been. How can we expect to lead someone in worship when we are faking a relationship with God? Instead, it is better to be genuine, grow closer to God, and let him be the center of our worship.

Keys to Becoming an Effective Worship Leader Introduction

          In Keys to Becoming an Effective Worship Leader by Tom Kraeuter, the author gives us one goal as worship leaders: toto lead people into intimate worship of God consistently. Although, as Kraeuter states, we cannot expect everyone to follow us when we lead because not everyone will.  Kraeuter says that we must understand that worship leading is an everyday job. The position of worship leader is more important then simply leading worship, it is bring people to the presence of our Creator.  Also we must understand that congregation can be 10 people or 1,000, but worship should still be the same and that is to honestly lead people to praise God. Most importantly, your life should reflect God, even off stage.

          Kraeuter starts his book with a challenge for worship leaders. He challenges each and every one of us to reflect God in every situation, even if it is not up in front with the band. I liked that the author said that there is a difference between being a leader and simply performing worship music.  We have to be honest and open, on and off stage. We have to try to be a part of the congregation, be an example to them, and to worship wholeheartedly off and on stage. Therefore, as worship leaders at school, the way we live has to be a representation of Christ and continually pastor them toward God.