Worship Leaders as Models

I recently saw pictures of a worship leader modeling in a way that left very little to the imagination. From the persona of the model to the persona of the worship leader, I asked the question, “What is her life modeling?” This is a question we must all ask ourselves. To make it personal, what is MY life modeling?

Worship leaders are models. This is not a call from God to flaunt what He gave you. So what should a worship leader model? What should any professing child of God model?

• Holiness – This must be biblically defined. Many have tried to define it as only your face and hands showing. Although holiness does manifest outwardly, the real measure of holiness is the heart. You and I cannot be Holy if the blood of Christ has not washed us clean. He must be in a relationship with Christ in order to be holy as He is holy.
• Humility – This is a difficult thing for many public ministers to model because of the pressure to perform. I laugh (and sometimes internally cry) as I see worship leaders (whether vocal or instrumental) doing moves on stage like other performers they idolize. Many conduct themselves in such a way that you must be honored to hear such talent as what they provide. Arrogance leads to an empty, shallow performance where people are often left untouched because people are exalted above Christ.

• Authenticity – The person on stage must be the same as the person off stage. I think that is all I should say about that.
• Approachability – Too many worship leaders show up on stage for their part of “the show”, go backstage and goof off while the pastor is preaching, and show back up for their part. Those in the church never have an opportunity to connect with them. I’m glad Jesus didn’t have bouncers who kept the crowds away from Him.

Worship leaders are models. Every child of God is modeling something. The question is, “What are you modeling?”

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Growth By Removal

I recently wrote a post about church growth and received some good feedback from many. I promised I would continue some thoughts on this subject, so I will follow through with my promise. God, however, enlightened me with something other than what I originally planned to write.

Someone has recently shared with me about a personal growth process. This growth process has involved the removal of some friends she thought were great, but she has discovered they were toxic. This removal was necessary for growth.

Let me illustrate this on a church level. Several years ago, a year had an issue with a secretary. This secretary had been in this role for a long time, had several family members in the church, and was married to a staff member. The “board” was afraid to address the issue. After several months, the pastor moved forward to remove this secretary, knowing that her spouse would also leave. Nearly 15 percent of the church left. The result was like any surgery. You grow through a healing process from the removal of the diseased organ, but health is restored in a better way than before.

You might ask what the biblical principle behind this might be. Galatians 5:9 says that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. In the context of Galatians, Paul was addressing a group of people who were attempting to make certain works necessary for salvation. When we tolerate a little false doctrine or a little immorality, it affects the whole body like a small area infected by staph infection affects a person’s whole body.

The biggest hindrance to your church growth or personal growth may be something that needs to be removed. You will feel the effects of the removal for a season, but the long-term results are what you must keep in mind.