That’ s a vision. Now we just need to get there. Which brings us to …
Handle # 2: Create Vision-Driven Expectations( aka, Stop Winging It) When I first started, I had vision coming out my ears. Problem was, my team was a symphony of stand-zombies and sonic pudding blobs.( If you’ ve never heard vanilla pudding play bass, you haven’ t lived.)
I told them to“ practice more.” But what they heard was,“ wing it better.”
Eventually, I realized: if I wanted a tight, dynamic band, I needed to say things like:“ Learn your part before rehearsal.” Boom. That’ s an expectation tied to a vision. And guess what? You don’ t have to turn into Captain Bureaucracy. Expectations can take a few forms:
• Expectation:“ Be on time.”
• Policy:“ Rehearsal starts at 6:30 PM sharp.”
• Guideline:“ Arrive 15 minutes early so your gear doesn’ t explode mid-chorus.”
Just be clear. Clear beats clever. Especially for guitarists.
Handle # 3: Uphold Loving Standards( Without Becoming a Worship Tyrant) Ah yes, accountability. Everyone’ s favorite topic.
Spoiler: If you’ re going to hold people to standards, you’ re going to need two things:
Relational accountability – Have the hard conversations. Do it with grace. Avoid snarky sarcasm like,“ Wow, sounds like somebody practiced today.”( Yes, I’ ve said that. No, it didn’ t help.)
Structural accountability – Build systems that reinforce your expectations. Start rehearsal on time. Post setlists before the rapture. When your systems align with your standards, the team feels the culture shifting— even if they can’ t put their finger on it. And yes, some will resist. We call them the“ late majority.” Or“ Gary, again.”
VISION, EXPECTATIONS, ACCOUNTABILITY: THE HOLY TRINITY OF CULTURE CHANGE
Here’ s the deal: if you only have one of these, you’ re sunk. Just Vision? You’ re a dreamer in a fog machine. Just Expectations? You’ re a rulebook with no soul. Just Accountability? You’ re that boss from Office Space asking about TPS reports.
But when all three work together? Boom. Culture shift. The good kind.
But I’ m Not a Visionary! That’ s OK. You don’ t need to be a prophetic guru with leather boots and a whiteboard.
You just need to know what a win looks like. And be willing to say it out loud.
• You want your team to show up prepared? Say it.
• You want vocalists who look alive on the platform? Teach it.
• You want a culture of worship, not just performance? Live it.
Even if you’ re not naturally future-minded, you can lead with vision. Just start small. We call it MVP: Minimum Viable Product.
Define your core expectations. Make them clear. Then build from there.
So, Where Do You Start? Right here:
• Clarify your vision. What’ s the desired future?
• Create expectations. Tie them to the vision.
• Uphold loving standards. Lead with grace and grit.
Is it going to be perfect? Nope. Is it going to be messy? Absolutely. But if your goal is a team that can make every Sunday exceptional without losing their joy or their minds, this is the path.
And if that feels overwhelming? Take a deep breath. Grab some green Jello. And remember: you’ re not nailing it to the wall all by yourself.
Matt Miller Matt lives in Cincinnati, OH with his wife Kara and their daughter Melody. He’ s the Head Coach of WorshipTeamCoach. com and WorshipWorkshop. com, two sites that help worship leaders make every Sunday exceptional. If you want to explore coaching or mentoring with the WorshipTeamCoach team visit this page. WorshipTeamCoach. com WorshipWorkshop. com
32 May 2025 Subscribe for Free...
Photo by David Nieto on Unsplash