Understand That You are a Spiritual Leader

But there is more to leadership than having people follow you. In Body of Christ you are a not just a leader. You are a Spiritual Leader. Your leadership skills must be in alignment with spiritual ideals.

Spiritual Leader Defined…

A Leader is someone who is called by God with God given capacities and God given responsibility to serve a specific group of God's people directing them in God's purpose for that group to bring glory to God.

Now that is a powerful! Go back and read that again. As a matter of fact go ahead and memorize that statement. It is basis for rest of this article. It is an important statement that will help you understand your place as a worship leader.

Now what I want to do is break that statement down. There are six important points that I will cover with you. Let's begin with first point…

God's Calling

1 Samuel 3: 8-17 And LORD called Samuel again third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that LORD had called child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. And LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto house of Eli, that iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. And Samuel lay until morning, and opened doors of house of LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli vision. Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. And he said, What is thing that LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all things that he said unto thee.

The ministry is a calling from God to do His work. God's works through His people. He equips them with proper tools. Things like temperament, abilities, talents and Spiritual Gifts. I believe that every Christian has a specific call in their life to serve God in ministry. Our focus is of course in area of music and how that relates to church. Along with ability to perform music there needs to be a calling. Let me pose a question to you. Can someone with extreme musical talents not be called to lead a group of people in worship? Yes, it is possible for a talented musician or singer to not be called to become a worship leader. They could very well be called to another ministry. That is of course God's decision and each individuals responsibility to do what God call them to do.

There are two types of people in ministry. Those that are called by God to do His work. And those who are attempting to do God's work yet are not called. Seems rather obvious. But it does happen on occasion that someone is assigned to do a task in church without regard to any calling on that individual's life. This usually happens when "The laborer are few". It is important to note - Unless you are truly called you will be frustrated and discouraged. Your ministry will be ineffective.

How do you know you are called? That is an age-old question and it's up to you to discover whether you are called or not. Just so you know - I believe that every Christian is called to ministry in one way or another. Each person has a place in body. There is a perfect fit for every Christian believer. God has purpose for your life. It is you job to allow God to reveal it to you.

Make sure that God has actually called you into your ministry. A good indication of your call is found in your natural inclinations, abliities and attitudes. Which leads us to next point…

God Given Capacity

Each of us is given ability to touch people's lives with Gospel message. God does this through individuals like you and me. God given capacity is made up of two parts. One part is natural ability and other part is Spiritual Gifts.

Natural Ability -- tools God uses to glorify Him

The natural ability covers scope of our intellect and physical prowess. We may be a great mathematical thinker, superior at throwing a ball or a technically skilled musician. From first day we are born we discover things that we are good at doing. We enjoy success we have at doing them. And because we enjoy these activities we continue to practice, study and learn about these things. Eventually it becomes a part of our identity. Our Natural ability is tool by which God can work through us to effect His Kingdom. As a worship leader your tool is music.

Spiritual Gifts -- method He uses to execute His purpose

Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.

Glory ye in his holy name: let heart of them rejoice that seek Lord. Let heavens be glad, and let earth rejoice: and let men say among nations, The Lord reigneth. Let sea roar, and fulness thereof: let fields rejoice, and all that is therein.

Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou, and ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein. They take timbrel and harp, and rejoice at sound of organ.

Serve Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. Be glad in Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Rejoice in Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for upright. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.

Let mount Zion rejoice, let daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments. The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth vengeance: he shall wash his feet in blood of wicked.

God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out valley of Succoth. Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

The north and south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name. In thy name shall they rejoice all day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.

Thou hast set up right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice. O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Let heavens rejoice, and let earth be glad; let sea roar, and fulness thereof. Let field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all trees of wood rejoice. The Lord reigneth; let earth rejoice; let multitude of isles be glad thereof.

Rejoice in Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at remembrance of his holiness. Make a joyful noise unto Lord, all earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

The glory of Lord shall endure for ever: Lord shall rejoice in his works. Glory ye in his holy name: let heart of them rejoice that seek Lord.

God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out valley of Succoth. This is day which Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. The meek also shall increase their joy in Lord, and poor among men shall rejoice in Holy One of Israel.