Worship Musician August 2017 | Page 62

TAKING THE STAGE [ WHO DO YOU AND YOUR WORSHIP TEAM REFLECT? | Tom Jackson ] I’m sitting in my office, looking out a window. The moon and a big, bright planet right next to it look awesome! My first thought is that it makes me realize how awesome God is. But truthfully, it only gives me a glimpse of how incomprehensibly awesome He is! As worship leaders, we’re called to lead people into the presence of this incomprehensible God who is such a mystery. When we are in God’s presence and we’re leading people there with God is exciting; and we need to reflect who [ When I see a God is. We want to show the Living God to worship team Wednesday, or whatever day it is! that “plays it I’m not talking about putting on a show, being safe,” it drives me strange, or irreverently shocking just to get a crazy. It breaks compelling, creative, and unique from the my heart. ] an invitation and come to worship with us, us, there is no better place…not while we’re still here on earth anyway. people who come to church on Sunday, or response. What I  am  talking about is being platform. That way, when new people receive it  IS  compelling, creative, and unique! We So, when I see a worship team that “plays it can lead them into the presence of God safe,” it drives me crazy. It breaks my heart. Not using the skills each worship team has been The God we worship is not a milquetoast only that, if we wonder why more people of “the equipped with. God. He’s truthful… unfailing… powerful… world” don’t come to church, and why those compassionate… full of grace… creative… I that come don’t come back, maybe it’s partly Every worship team has the potential to reflect could go on and on with superlatives, and they because everything we do is so “safe.” many of the attributes of God in their own still would not fully describe the Living God! unique way. As a worship team our goal is to Our worship needs to be exciting – dangerous! reflect God, not another popular worship team or artist. Bayside Church's Thrive Worship Team // Photo: Doug Doppler 62 August 2017 WorshipMusician.com