Benefits of Co-Leading

Christians are called to make disciples. I think many worship leaders understand that part of leading worship is disciple making: training the team, and the congregation to see and respond in song to who God is and what He has done. Sadly, one area of disciple-making often overlooked is identifying, training and developing more worship leaders. Of course there many factors which contribute - a seeming lack of people willing and able to serve, a current worship leader managing just enough to serve weekly (much less training others), a fear that the quality or caliber of the music/leadership will decrease as a new leaders learn and grow, and sometimes it is just selfishness on the part of a leader unwilling share ‘their’ platform. Whatever the reason, I hope to give you a vision and a desire for the benefits of co-leading in this post.

I define co-leading as collaboration in planning, and shared responsibility for leading (the rehearsal, the team, the congregation, and the liturgy) during the service.

First and foremost, co-leading is another opportunity for disciple-making. Discipling our own hearts. In co-leading we are reminded that we have no right or entitlement to position or role, and that Christ’s Church and this ministry do not hinge on our presence or service.

We make disciples of the team and congregation when we co-lead. Our teams learn that we honor and value the heart, skill and leadership of others when we make space for leaders to serve. Our congregation learns to trust new leaders, and appreciate different perspectives and styles.

And finally, we make disciples of those we lead alongside. Co-leading is a safe space to train, develop and encourage new leaders in real time. When you co-lead it can provide a sense of familiarity, and stability as new leaders learn how to lead and serve.

Of course there are practical benefits to co-leading as well: someone who can step in and serve if you are sick or traveling, providing opportunities for men and women to lead together, training and developing others for church-plants and other ministry opportunities, and cultivating and stewarding the gifts and talents God has entrusted to our local congregation.

How have you seen discipleship and development of worship leaders done well in your context?

In a future post, I will spend time on learning to identify, train and develop new worship leaders.

Leading Through Transition

Change is a part of life. Change can be messy, overwhelming, painful, and exciting, all at once. Whether it is leading worship in the midst of a global pandemic, adding additional services, changes in leadership and staff, reworking the format, or just the natural growing pains of sinners in relationship being conformed to the image of the Son, in significant and subtle ways our teams and churches are changing constantly.

Although change is inevitable, I do not believe that it has to send us spiraling into dread, hand-wringing, and attempts at control. Change and transition can lead us to open our hands, soften our hearts, and be reminded that we, not just leaders, but the led. We are stewards of God’s people, Church, ministry, and resources. I believe there are at least four key elements to navigating change effectively:

NAMING

“We get into trouble whenever we do not name things properly,’ says Ronald Rolheiser. Life and ministry move in seasons, leaders have a responsibility to help name and shepherd through seasons. Pete Scazzero and Emotionally Healthy Discipleship have excellent resources at learning to identify and name seasons.

PRAY

The first response of many to something new is often control, to strategize, or deny, and some become paralyzed. What if our first instinct, our first response was to pray? Pray for wisdom to the ‘…God, who gives generously to all without reproach…’ (James 1:5). Pray continually, pray with people, pray alone, pray as you move, and make decisions. Linger in prayer, don’t just fill up the silence, but create interior silence for God to speak to you as well.

BE STEADY

When the world feels unstable and unsettling, be steady. If there is an outward transition (e.g.: changes in leadership, adding services, changing locations, global pandemics, etc) this is most likely not the time to add - but a time to pair back. Keep things simple, accessible, familiar - in song choice, liturgy, format, and team members.

REST

I mean this in both the physical and spiritual sense. Physically, transitions take so much more effort mentally and emotionally, you will be tired - rest your body. God is trustworthy. Change and transitions give us the opportunity to lean on the truths we sing week-in and week-out. Do we actually believe that God is good? Kind? Faithful? Trustworthy? Loving? In control? We can rest in the reality of the character of God - even in the midst of chaos - trusting along with the Psalmist: ‘You are good and do good.’ (Psalm 119:68).

As leaders, we are not immune to the discomfort of change and transition. We have a responsibility not just to lead our people through these seasons, but ourselves as well. We too must properly name our own season, pray continually, find places of stability, and rest our bodies and spirits.

There is a continual challenge for every leader - regardless of the season - to lead truthfully, and authentically, while also not using our people as the lightning rods or receptacles of our own internal frustrations and fears. This is not a call to stoicism, but to discerning what will build trust and community among those you lead, and what will unduly burden them with additional turmoil.

We all need safe spaces and people with which to bring our full selves - fears, insecurity, and all. Cultivate the posture of heart before God which offers your full self before your world feels like it is falling apart. Find a good counselor, therapist, spiritual director, or wise friend who will listen and walk with you. Change and transition are hard, but they do not have to be terrifying.