Worship Musician August 2018 | Page 118

YOUTH WORSHIP TEAM DEVELOPING SERVANT HEARTS | Vance & Michelle Shepherd One of the responsibilities of pouring into the in the role they’re serving in this weekend’s treat with special honor. And the parts that next generation of worship leaders is being service, with the emphasis on verse 27: are unpresentable are treated with special called to help shape their outlook on worship, ​ modesty,  24  while our presentable parts need and helping them to understand their personal “Now you are the body of Christ, and each no special treatment. But God has put the body role in leading people in expressing their hearts one of you is a part of it.”​  (our emphasis together, giving greater honor to the parts that to God. On the one hand, we’re teaching them in bold) lacked it , 25  so that there should be no division to strive for excellence and dedication in their in the body, but that its parts should have equal musicality, but on the other, we need to help concern for each other.” cultivate a selfless heart of worship that isn’t In the Spirit, seeking the limelight or the accolades for themselves, but always strives to give the glory If we can get our youth to understand this passage, it will change their outlook on worship, we will be to God. and their heart of service to the church. moldable This month, our students were invited to lead at So whether you’re playing a percussion egg and go where a new church, and for that particular weekend, not all of our students were able to be there due shaker (in the dark) on the backline of the stage, or leading a song vocally out front and and when we to summer vacations, etc. We ended up having only 3 lead vocalists, with 4 worship songs in center, it’s great to constantly remind yourself why you’re there. are needed the set, which meant that we would be able to give the 3 vocalists each a song, with one Here are 2 things to be aware of in our attitude to serve, in song left over. The vocalists wanted to know of service: whatever how we were going to “split” the fourth song between all of them, and we realized then that WHEN WE’RE IN THE FLESH ... it can be easy for capacity that we had a teachable moment. We asked one of the vocalists if any of them would be upset if us to want the spotlight and have a bad attitude if we feel “left out’, like we’re “taking the back we’re needed. we gave the fourth song to just one of them to seat,” or we feel that someone has a “greater” role than us. lead (meaning that someone would get to lead 2 songs, while the other vocalists only led 1), and she said that the other girls would probably This whole passage draws a parallel between WHEN WE’RE IN THE SPIRIT ... we naturally want feel bad if they only led 1 song, and someone the human body and the church body; that the to serve as a team player to achieve the ultimate else got to lead 2. So then we asked her what human body has many parts: ears, eyes, feet, goal of the local church, which is to save the would happen if we gave her 2 songs to lead, etc., that all work together, making it function lost and bring people to a closer relationship and she said that because she and the other in unison to accomplish everyday living and with God. In the Spirit, we will be moldable and vocalists were such good friends, they would tasks. The church body has many people go where and when we are needed to serve, probably be fine with that. We explained to her with different skills and gifts that make it work in whatever capacity that we’re needed. We that any service that we do unto the Lord is together to serve His purpose. If we look at will have joy, compassion, and fulfillment in the same in importance, whether it be leading verses 22-24, we see that the service of one whatever role we’re placed in. a song vocally, or backing up on harmonies, person is no greater than another and shouldn’t or playing an instrument. It’s all service to the receive any special treatment; that the service May you be blessed as you pour into the next Lord, no matter what you’re doing, and it’s all of another that may appear to be less glorious generation of worship leaders! just as important to the body of Christ. is not less valued. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 is a great section of 22 scripture that you could share with your youth seem to be weaker are indispensable,   and worship team this Sunday, to re-focus them the parts that we think are less honorable we 118 August 2018  “On the contrary, those parts of the body that 23 Vance & Michelle Shepherd Founders of The Shepherd School Of Music in Las Vegas, NV, where they work with youth to raise up the next generation of worship leaders and musicians. www.ShepherdStudiosLV.com WorshipMusician.com