Resources For Worship

Jim Snedeker has been a church musician for over 30 yrs. He has led worship in a full time capacity for 10 yrs in 2 different churches. He’s led teams as large as 20 people as well as youth groups. When you have a chance check out his website at Church Musician Jobs. Much like this blog there is a lot of useful and inspiring information there. I’ve only had one opportunity to partner with Jim in a church music atmosphere and I was truly blessed by and impressed with his patient, teachable heart. I learned a lot through that experience and saw many areas where I personally needed to improve my approach to music in the context of worship. Please read his words below.

If you could name one bible verse that comes to mind regarding “worship” what would it be and what is the significance of that verse to you and your ministry?

1Peter 2:9 is one of my favorite verses regarding worship. Being one of a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, belonging to God, reminds me of the privilege, and the responsibility I have to “declare the praises” of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. Because we receive mercy we begin to understand who God is. That is why we must declare His worth, His goodness, His faithfulness, His holiness. As His church we have a special mission, or calling to do this. In terms of ministry, this means that each of us, regardless of our role, brings his best to each rehearsal or main event.

How do you spiritually prepare for any given Sunday of leading worship?

Worship is all about relationship, so for me, spiritual preparation consists of living my everyday life consistent with what I sing about and declare to people who look to me as a leader.

I practice a daily focus on the Word and prayer to be tuned in to God’s direction. I have a small group of believers I’m accountable to. This helps protect me from the pride that can make my leadership ineffective.

But another aspect of being spiritually prepared, for me, is to know the music as well as possible. The more comfortable I am musically, the more sensitive I am to the Holy Spirit in leading the team and the congregation.

What is the one thing you want every one of your worship team members to understand and incorporate into his or her act of worship on any given Sunday?

The one thing I want is for each team member to enjoy the Lord as their main act of worship. This assumes they know the music, get along with the team, have a growing relationship with the Lord, and practice the habit of worship in private. The intimacy and authenticity of their public worship depends on what happens when they are not serving up front.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to a young worship leader who is building their ministry from the ground up?

Be accountable to a more mature believer who can mentor you. This will help you get along well with your pastor and church leadership, develop stronger relationships, and improve your musical and leadership skills. It will help you develop compassion and learn to laugh at your own mistakes.

Mike Lukens  has been an incredible friend and mentor to me in the past 18 yrs. His influence is a major part of who I’ve become as a father, friend and, worshipper. Mike is the Worship Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church . He has been in that specific position for 3 yrs and has been in full time ministry for 18yrs. The worship planning team at FBC consists of 6 very gifted individuals who meet weekly to seek God’s vision for each Sunday’s worship service. Mike works with over 75 volunteer artistic and technical types to pull together each service. Please take the time to read his insight derived from many years of serving God in a full time capacity.

If you could name one bible verse that comes to mind regarding “worship” what would it be and what is the significance of that verse to you and your ministry?
Rom. 12:1-2.  I think this is a key verse on worship because it lays out worship as a response to the mercies of God.  It also defines worship as an offering of our lives to God.  Helps us see that worship is much more than singing.  Worship is a response of lives offered over to Him because of His mercies and grace toward us.

How do you spiritually prepare for any given Sunday of leading worship?
I have been thinking about the words to Come Thou Fount where we sing “tune my heart to sing thy praise”.  I think this is what you are asking, how are our hearts tuned to sing God’s praise.  I think the best preparation or tuning is a focus on the gospel.  We need to constantly keep in front of us the cross and its meaning for us.  It is only through the cross that we can approach God (Heb. 10:19 ff).  The cross humbles us reminding us of our desperate need for salvation.  The cross motivates us to worship (in view of God’s mercies)

What is the one thing you want every one of your worship team members to understand and incorporate into his or her act of worship on any given Sunday?
I want each person involved in worship to remember that we are there to serve the congregation.  We are not up front to do our thing or to impress anyone.  We are not there for ourselves at all.  We are successful when the congregation worships, not when we pull off a great set.  So if there is something that we are doing (solos, vocal improves, etc.) that hinder the participation of the congregation we have not done our job.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to a young worship leader who is building their ministry from the ground up?
Be a student of the word.  It sounds funny but I believe that it is more important to be a pastor than a musician.  We can perform great music but if we have not helped people get a grasp of who God is and what He has done we have not served them in worship leading.