Gary Durbin is a worship leader I met at a conference earlier this year. Over at his blog he shares the following:
Most worship leaders are not in huge churches. Most worship leaders do not have big budgets, paid sound team members, paid musicians, and some are not even paid themselves. So, I have to remember, as the song says, “There must be more than this…”.
Read the full article here.
What is your experience with leading worship? I personally have led in small churches and in huge churches in the past years. Do you relate to what Gary is saying?
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tehillamusic: you relate to leading worship in a smaller church?? http://tinyurl.com/4am2zy 10/05/08 05:46am
I have led music/worship in a church start, in which it was just my parents and one couple for the first couple weeks…was still learning piano…no sound board or mics…when grew comfy enough, played and led from piano…when mics were added, it still was on stage with no sound workers…makes you very appreciative of good volunteers who give of their time.
I just left a position leading at a church of 10,000 that’s celebrating 20 years this year and took a position at a church not quite 3 years old and a whole lot less people. I’ve led for thousands on a weekend and on Monday night led for 10 at my parenting small group.
Leaders who think they “belong” on the big stages are a direct result of the “press” of big churches. The list that say who the biggest, fastest growing, or most influential churches in America are destroying the cultivation of authentic worship leaders who long for the audience of one. Instead these list and other similar press are breeding rock-stars longing for the “big” crowds.
If you struggle with longings such as these I would tell you to stop going to conferences and watching other churches online and take a season of focusing on the Lord and grabbing inspiration from Him.
Nate,
Thanks for the insights. I think motivation is key in it all. Another thing I think about is the simplicity that a smaller church brings. Much less complication.
Not all are called to the big church thing, and this is indeed OK! Less complicated? You bet. Regardless of your calling in ministry, our motivation is always a thing to keep in check. Thanks, Gary, for you honest and inspiring thoughts and questions. Keep up the great work you are doing in Florida!
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