(Austin Stone Worship Note: This post is the third in a series developed from content from our Worship Leader Development Program, and the third in a three-part post from Aaron on this topic. Pastoring Your Band Part 1 can be found here, Part 2 here. Other posts in the Worship Leader Development series are here: Post 1, Post 2.)
In part 1, we looked at 3 ways leaders tend to sabotage themselves. In part 2, we looked at what your sheep are looking for in a leader. Now we’re going to look at practical ways you can implement this into your ministry.
Find musicians who have a heart for ministry. Find artists who are called to lead worship and pastor people. There are plenty of talented musicians they can use, but they aren’t ministry minded. Their worship band will be that much more effective and powerful if everyone on stage has the heart of a pastor and a heart for people.
Strive to create great art. We serve the almighty creator God, and we are made in his image. We have the ability and giftings to create. We need to lean into that and create art that reflects our glorious God. We can’t settle for status quo just because we play in a church. We have to always be growing and stretching ourselves as artists and pastors.
You have to be a person who loves and serves people. All types of people. You can’t just love from stage. You have to be able to love the audio engineer or the volunteers who help set up the stage you are standing on. People will respect you and follow you as a leader if you notice the ‘small’ people around you, acknowledge them, and truly love and serve them.
Practical ways I shepherd my band:
Right now, ask yourself, where are you currently strong in shepherding your band or team? Where are your currently weak in shepherding them?
