Gifted for Leadership

Comments

Maybe being an introvert has allowed you to lead worship in a way that puts all the focus on Christ. In not calling attention to yourself, in not providing entertainment or a show, in refusing to crave the limelight, you are able to simply point people to Him.

And that's what leading worship is all about.

I celebrate your giftedness - and can only hope and pray that more introverts will step out of their comfort zone and into this important call - to lead us to Jesus.

No one does this better than those whose hearts' desire is to "serve where nobody but God would notice."

Posted By: Linda Stoll | February 24, 2010 8:29 AM

Linda, thanks for your encouragement! I hope that you are right--that my personality allows the attention to not be on me, but on Christ. Maybe it's a gift after all. ;)

Posted By: Bonnie M | February 24, 2010 9:55 AM

Is there no room in God's economy for an extrovert? Is there no room for someone learning humility and living it out?

I lead music also and I'm an introvert. I wish it were otherwise because I feel I'd do a better job if I were drawn to this job rather than assigned there because I can sing and doing so in front of a crowd doesn't make me throw up.

Posted By: Tami | February 25, 2010 11:13 AM

I have served almost 25 years in the role of worship/music pastor and the consistant comment is "I appreciate your transparency - authenticity. You do not get in the way of worship". I do not have all the 'flashy' tactics/antics of the highly visible worship leaders. As my wife always reminds me, "just be who God made you to be. You can be no one else."

Posted By: Brian | February 26, 2010 7:43 AM

Tami,

I definitely think God has gifted and equipped extroverts for worship leading. I deeply respect and admire all the extrovert worship leaders I know (including my husband)! Being an extrovert never has meant a lack of humility. I don't know if that's what you were saying or not. I think, however, that when I learned to accept who God has made me to be, I was able to grow into a beautiful gift. I didn't know it was there. Because of my shyness and anxiety, I didn't know I could offer something transparent and profound to the congregation. Praise God that he makes beautiful things out of those traits we deem unredeemable!

Posted By: Bonnie McMaken | February 26, 2010 8:33 AM

To me, an introvert simply means we experience a depletion of energy a lot more, when we are "out there among people" than an extrovert experiences.

Being a pastor's wife (my husband is an extrovert. I am an introvert), and the Women's Fellowship Director, speaker and involved all the time with people. I love them. I am just exhausted afterwards and need to find an escape faster than my husband does. People energize him. I am drained, even though I love what I do.

So, introvert or extrovert don't have different experiences in humility, we all are on the journey to being humble. It is simply how people affect us.

Posted By: pat | February 26, 2010 10:08 AM

I know that God has a calling on my life. I am a teacher. Periodically, I teach Sunday School, too. Wherever I am, there are ladies who develop an attitudinal problem/behavior, that is directed toward me. I am rejected in some fashion. I love clothing! Its a part of me. Any comments?

Posted By: Beverly | February 26, 2010 10:19 AM

Thank you for being so honest, I needed to read this today. I have been in the ministry with my husband for 28 years, but behind the scenes, knowing fullwell that God wanted me to be more involved with people and upfront. Anyway, I obeyed and did the course of study and now am a licensed minister alongside my husband, I lead small groups, preach now and again, etc. More people want me to be more vocal than I am, but I feel so insecure and stupid, no one has ever said that, but me myself. Thanks for sharing, maybe I can follow your example and do what God wants me to do. To preach for 25 minutes every now and again, really is not such a difficult task, but oh my goodness, tell my knees and my insecurities that.

Posted By: Sharon Hurkens | February 26, 2010 12:35 PM

Thankyou for the concept of "growing into" gifts. Its what I needed to hear today - preaching tomorrow, new to it and still intimidated by it, even if I'm also convinced that God has called me to do it and is equipping me as we go along.

Posted By: Alison | February 27, 2010 9:57 AM

I'm an extrovert in every sense of the word but God had to arrange the circumstances of our ministry so that I was the only one available to lead worship before I did it. Extrovert or Introvert we all have issues. Insecurities, fear of failure, fear of criticism, fear of the awesome responsibility of leading people into the throne room of God.
It is true that extroverts are usually thought of as more arrogant because they are comfortable being upfront, comfortable with people and more demonstrative in style. But is that really arrogant? An introvert can be arrogant with a smug self-righteousness.

Being a Worship Leader is a ministry that receives a lot of criticism because each person has their idea of the songs and styles that should be sung. You must die to being a people pleaser, die to the fear of criticism - die.

Whether you're an introvert or extrovert you can be self-conscious. If you are self-conscious then you will get in the way. We must be God conscious and lead with a Holy confidence that He who called and gifted us will take our prepared heart and voice and use it for His glory.

Because we are gifted doesn't mean we don't need to add knowledge, practice and skill. That is what is meant by growing into the gift. We need to prepare, practice, pray and then step out and just focus on the one we love and worship. Be mindful of the people and if they are following, where are you sensing God is taking you in worship. Its difficult to do that if you're worried about how you look and what people are thinking. Get over yourself and get into God. He who called you is faithful and He will do it. Step out of the boat and walk on the water.

Posted By: Angela C | February 27, 2010 1:04 PM

A HUGE "AMEN" to Angela's last three paragraphs!

If we are focused on our inadequacies we get in God's way! Being extrovert or an introvert has nothing to do with how you handle the gift and ministry. God created you and he knows who you were (extrovert/introvert) before you were born, so if he has gifted and called you to this ministry, you will be able to do all things "in Christ."

Posted By: Eloise | March 2, 2010 1:12 PM

I'm not a worship leader but do have a prophetic gifting. When the time of praise and worship is focused on God, I find the anointing comes upon me to receive and share a word. Though I am extremely shy in front of people, I have always found that the minute I step out in faith to give the word, my knees stop shaking and I can speak clearly and coherently.
I always thought this happened to everyone who was doing ministry. I hear you saying it doesn't. Hmmmm.
And another thing, I am always full of joy afterwards and strength too, even though I have fibromyalgia. Go figure!

Posted By: Maureen | March 3, 2010 12:29 AM

Thank you for sharing what goes behind the scene for a Worship Leader. As one of those who sits in the comfort and security of the pew, I always thought that beign a Worhip Leader must be one of the more glamorous ministry in church. I have never quite "see" the ministry or in truth the person who is up and out there. So thank you for opening my understanding.

Posted By: Dorothy | March 5, 2010 3:25 PM

It seems in "Worship" we can often confuse skill with giftedness.
At our fellowship we now group our Creative Ministries under Celebration.
Worship is a whole of life response to Gods unmerited favour. See Roman 12:1-2 open your heart to a number of translations the Message version is beautiful. Google, The Message Bible Romans 12:1-2
Those we look to, to lead us in Celebration are growing in their wholelife response to God, it makes a difference. Fewer "superstar" But God continues to bless these decisions.
Lastly our Celebration, infact all our Worship is an offering to The Most High God. If you find yourself saying, I think this morning is good or bad worship, remember what our Lord Jesus said in Luke 21: 1-4 Our offerings are for God and only God truly knows the motive of the offering.

Posted By: Michael | March 7, 2010 5:48 PM

I think this is a great discussion as well. I am also a worship leader, and my personality is that of an extrovert over all. But as someone said above, that doesn't mean you don't have insecurities. Being an extrovert can be hard if you're in a room full of, and trying to lead, introverted people! :-)

I think maybe we should break up the two words though. God has called us for two reasons, 1) because he has given us the heart of a worshipper, and 2) he has equipped us to lead.

I think it's the leading part that we struggle with at times. Everyone's leadership style is not the same. Sometimes, it's hard to give instruction or to lead by example (I'm speaking of the element of exhortation as well lead-some people employ this, others may not) But I think standing with 200-2200 people looking at you, anyone would rightly feel shaky...

I'd also like to agree that an extroverted personality does not equal arrogance. Arrogance comes when we think way too highly of ourselves, and sometimes, interestingly we see arrogance where there is less talent or giftedness than that person believes. It really all comes down to our yieldedness to God, and then to use the gift and personality that he has given US-and to use it effectively.

If we all led the same, used our gifts in the same way, or were in any other way carbon copies of one another, we would not be able to see a panoramic view of our King.
So I am so glad Bonnie, that Christ has made you free from the insecurities that you once felt.

Posted By: Glenda Williams | March 17, 2010 9:15 AM

hi, i have been newly appointed as a worship leader and would realy appreciate your prayers, i am quite an intravert person, but i believe that with Gods grace we will work together to remove in time, all my insecurities and any boundaries i have, its all a learning and growing process and just to say these comments have realy blessed and helped me thankyou everyone and God bless you all in your ministries, tina.

Posted By: tina | May 15, 2010 4:20 PM

tell me more about being a worship leader

Posted By: alice | September 9, 2010 10:28 AM

Hi Bonnie. I believe that God can help us in many ways and that together with him, we can move through anything. I had a fear of failure myself and I moved through this, back into faith and trust through working on myself, on the inner, to release layers of myself that were holding me back. I no longer hold this fear of failure and am enjoying life so much more for it. I am not a worship leader, but am a leader in my community and family.

Posted By: Sikaal Vrenssen | September 13, 2010 2:20 AM

Bonnie,

I know what you mean by not being comfortable on stage, I had the same problem, until the moment that I changed my focus...

I was focusing on myself, my presentation, and all the mistakes I could make, but not on what I bring to the audience.

One day I decided that no matter how bad my presentation is, there is only one thing that matters... and that is how much the individual listener gets out of it!

I believe in God, and I believe in my purpose, even though I'm teaching people how to see naturally without limitations, which ultimately leads them to see the beauty of the world.

For anyone involved in leadership, I think it is important to realize that you focus on the listener, on the audience, no matter how bad you are on the day.

If you provide the best value possible and inspire and lead the people that come to you for guidance, you did your job.

True leadership comes from the focus and caring about your listener, not from the words you say. It comes from how you say them and what meaning you evoke in the person you are touching.

With love,

Evgania

Posted By: Evgania | September 13, 2010 10:14 PM

Bonnie,

I know what you mean by not being comfortable on stage, I had the same problem, until the moment that I changed my focus...

I was focusing on myself, my presentation, and all the mistakes I could make, but not on what I bring to the audience.

One day I decided that no matter how bad my presentation is, there is only one thing that matters... and that is how much the individual listener gets out of it!

I believe in God, and I believe in my purpose, even though I'm teaching people how to see naturally without limitations, which ultimately leads them to see the beauty of the world.

For anyone involved in leadership, I think it is important to realize that you focus on the listener, on the audience, no matter how bad you are on the day.

If you provide the best value possible and inspire and lead the people that come to you for guidance, you did your job.

True leadership comes from the focus and caring about your listener, not from the words you say. It comes from how you say them and what meaning you evoke in the person you are touching.

With love,

Evgania

Posted By: Evgania | September 13, 2010 10:16 PM

Being gifted is a wonderful thing, though it does have it's challenges. Being an introvert and being gifted is extra difficult, but seeing results by sharing your gift is extra sweet when this is the case.
I really love your statement about the hierarchy of gifts. Sometimes we think we know what's best, but God makes us in the way He does for His ultimate reasons. And that's what we need to rely on.

Posted By: Gifted for Life | December 9, 2010 1:23 PM

Why on earth would you even be leading a worship service. I do not believe you are speaking about a service with only women attending.

The NT is very clear about this. A woman should not be leading a man, and that means at home and in the church. There is no indication that is is not what God meant, other than people who feel they have to be politically correct, which means going against God's Word, and say that this does not apply to worship, and any other excuse they can think of.
I just critiqued a dissertation on the decline of the church and its members. There are numerous reasons other then poor leadership. But in this case you have it. A leader of the flock is to be a man, and many people are in for a big surprise when udgment day comes and they have to account for improper interpretation of this verse, a thousand days is a day to God, touch not my annointed (black churches really misuse this, and I know because I worked in one and the pastor is on the radio); right up to Harold Campping believing that God told him and not jesus, the last day is May 22, 2011.
Churches are not being fully blessed by God because of bake sales, and rummage sales and bingo night. They simply do not trust in God for all their needs and neither do most christians.

Posted By: David Lobato | March 16, 2011 10:13 PM

Maureen, Better be careful how you use the term, prophetic gifting. There are no such things as prophets today. Say one thing that does not come true and you are to be stoned.

Posted By: David L | March 16, 2011 10:21 PM

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