Bible says about it. When the disciples asked Jesus,“ How do we bless you?” he said,“ Bless one another.” When I play guitar, for people who appreciate it, it blesses them. I’ m carrying out the way that Jesus said to do it.
But, I’ ve also heard people say that my style of music isn’ t worship either. They’ ve criticized my haircut and my clothes too. It’ s all just part of the deal. I mean, I’ m a Senior Pastor at a church, I’ m a worship leader, I’ m a Christian, I’ m an artist. It’ s like, take your pick. I’ m always getting fired at for something.
[ WM ] Tell us about your relationship with Pastor Ray Johnston and his vision for worship?
[ Lincoln ] Ray would tell you that from the day I got here, it wasn’ t his vision. I would say,“ Ray, what are you thinking?” and he’ d look at me and say,“ Gosh, do whatever you want.” We have a really close, unique relationship, and we share the same desires at the highest level, which is to reach people for Christ, and that the church would not be a church that stays within the four walls, but be a church that gets out and impacts the world and the community.
He has been very supportive of what I do. Years ago, I told him what I envisioned for Bayside. Obviously, it’ s changed over the years. Back then we were one campus with four services, and now we’ re eight campuses. It’ s very different, and it’ s been mind-blowing to see all that God has done. Ray is like family to me, and he would say the same thing. This is our life. The church is not just a job, it’ s my life, and it’ s what we do together.
[ WM ] Tell your thoughts about building a strong team, both on or off the platform.
[ Lincoln ] In any kind of team building, whether it be staff or volunteers, there are a few fundamentals that are really important. Encouragement, both public and private, is a huge one. Making sure that the people know that you value their life more than you value their gift, doing your best to get to know people, and be friendly. Introverts don’ t come off as friendly sometimes, and some leaders will say,“ Well, I’ m just an introvert.” But there’ s a thing called a“ professional extrovert”, and those leaders might need to grab ahold of that mentality.
Your team environment should be fun. We get to do this, we don’ t have to- this is a privilege! On our teams, we do not put up with jerks, at all. There’ s no room for it. If somebody comes with a bad attitude, there’ s a first warning. If it happens again, then we say,“ We’ re sorry, but this isn’ t the right ministry for you.” You want to extend mercy and grace, but you want to do it 360 degrees. When someone is acting like that, you have to understand that they are victimizing everyone who is having to deal with it. We need to extend those people grace and mercy too. Sometimes, by allowing someone like that on your team, you’ re actually injuring
May 2018 WorshipMusician. com
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