Keys to Becoming an Effective Worship Leader Chapter 14

We are called to be more then just worshippers, we are called to be worship leaders. We are called to genuinely care about the congregation that we are leading in worship. Although worshipping God is our priority, we cannot call ourselves worship leaders if we are worshipping but not leading anyone in worship. We should be putting the needs of others before our own, even though it is not easy or comfortable to do so. To put others before ourselves, we should primarily be encouraging toward the congregation.

I liked that this chapter said that we cannot be called worship leaders of we do not care about the people we lead. If we are not being good leaders and caring for the people of our congregation, then we should not expect to be followed. It is hard to put others people's needs before our own, yet that's what God called us to do. It may take us out of our comfort zone but to be good leaders, we must be loving and encouraging to our followers. 

Keys to Becoming an Effective Worship Leader Chapter 13

In this chapter, Kraeuter talks about how we need to prioritize the things in our life. Of course we have to prioritize God over everything, however in this chapter Kraeuter talks about how we also need to prioritize family and the will of God. He talks about how as leaders, people will see what we do, including how we prioritize it. If we are prioritizing our position in worship band over family, other people will most likely follow our example. Also, we need to take sometime off the stage to worship with our family because we should prioritize our family over being on the worship team.

I liked that in this chapter, Kraeuter emphasizes that our actions are watched by others. If we are not being a good example of having our priorities straight, then others may begin to copy the way we live. Our first priority is God, and then family. I know that keeping my priorities straight is something I struggle with. Constantly I try to make everything my priority instead of deciding what is more important and cut out the extra stuff. Because of this, I am always tired and stressed out. Therefore, if I worked to make God, family, and God's will my priority, I could avoid extra stress that can distract me from working on my relationship with God.

Keys to Becoming an Effective Worship Leader Chapter 12

In this chapter, Kraeuter talks about how God has given each of us gifts. He also says that although we are given gifts, God wants us to grow and work on our gift. It is so easy for us to think that God is just going to work through our gifts and that we don't need to do anything other then use the gift. However, God gives us gifts and expects that we will be working on strengthening our gifts for his glory. We cannot excel at our gifts if we don't actually work on using them better. He will guide us on how to grow in our gifts, but it is up to us to work on growing.

I liked that Kraeuter said that we shouldn't just sit around and assume that a God will work through us. We have to be open and willing to let him use our gifts. However, by being open to let God work, we have to be willing to work on growing our gifts. God calls us to excel in our gifts, which means we have to try to strengthen our gifts. God gives us the gifts, but he expects that we will grow our gifts and use them for us glory.