5 Actions of a Great Worship Leader

Great leaders focus on developing each team member's talent and encouraging them to become all that they can be. You have the opportunity and responsibility to develop each worship team member. Here are five actions you can implement to become a great leader.

Put others first.

Being a great leader is not about you looking good because you have an awesome team. Leadership is service to and support for the team. Look for ways to serve each team member. It could be through prayer. It could be defending their reputation. It could be support through a tough personal issue. It's God's love in action through you.

Listen to what they say.

Pay attention to their words and their nonverbal cues. Care about them and their thoughts. You'll be a better leader and a better person when you listen to and try to see other people's perspectives.

Encourage them the way they need to be encouraged.

Find out how each person receives affirmation. When I was a worship pastor, the team and I took a test that showed us the ways in which we preferred to be affirmed. It was eye-opening. I realized that I had been affirming the team in the way that I wanted to be affirmed. Some of them were feeling unappreciated. We talked about test results and committed to support each other, encouraging each other in the way we each needed to receive it.

Give them the training they need to succeed.

Look at each person's unique talents and personality, and help them to achieve all they can. Look for ways to develop them. If you aren't focusing on what they need, then you're not really leading them. If you have a team member who struggles with finding harmony parts, give them some private coaching. If you have a team member who only reads music and can't play chord charts or by ear, make the time to develop their skills. If you don't have the skill to do that, find someone who can coach them.

Provide the resources they need.

Not everyone wants to play their personal instruments at church. With planning and budgeting, you can augment a musician's personal gear and build instrumental resources for the church. I worked with a drummer once who brought his own kit to the church to play. When he left the church, he took his kit with him, and the church was unprepared. You'll also want to have backup gear for the days when a drum head breaks right before a service, or a chord stops working. Plan and prepare. You're honoring the team and their time and gifts when you do that.

Being a great leader isn't difficult; it starts with doing what's best for the team.