Worship Musician September 2017 | Page 62

TAKING THE STAGE [ HAVE YOUR HEART RIGHT – BUT DO IT RIGHT TOO! | Tom Jackson ] I’ve taught at a lot of worship conferences our skills in leading a congregation: over the years, and I love the desire of worship teams to learn! One of my favorite worship conferences to lot of extra time in my life! Fact is, it’s 8 o’clock at night and I’m writing this column, which I’d Drummers, when was the last time you put on a intended to do yesterday. But “things” get in the pair of headphones, started the click track, and way, don’t they? practiced on your drum pad? teach at (besides my own) is the Christian However, I made a commitment to both you Musician Summit. What I love about it is this: Bass and guitar players, how much time do and the Lord to write these columns. So here There’s real training going on at every one of you spend trying to develop a great sound or I am, dictating to my assistant when I would them. People learn practical skills to make their tone out of your guitar and amp – really fretting prefer to be watching the Lakers game. In some worship team better. over your sound just to make it as good as you ways that would be easier. But it’s important to possibly can? A great sound alone can raise a set aside some time (maybe turn the TV off) and song to the next level. do the work. theme at many of the others is, “having your Keyboardists, how often do you sit down and Whether it’s someone on a worship team, or heart right with God.” Don’t get me wrong… I practice scales to keep your fingers in shape? a worship leader, or even a worship artist, one I can’t say that’s always the case at every conference where I’ve taught. In fact, a huge want you to have your heart right with God! In of the things I constantly run across is people fact, you probably shouldn’t be on a worship Singers, when was the last time you took a saying, “when I get the opportunity, then I’ll do team if your heart isn’t into it for the right voice lesson, or that you did vocal warm-ups it.” For example, they say they’ll wait to work reasons. But I’m concerned about worship before you got to church? on their singing until someone gives them the teams who exclusively have their heart right opportunity to sing. with God, but who aren’t striving to be excellent Worship leaders, how long has it been since and use the musical gifts they’ve been given! you read a book on leadership to improve That’s backward. I submit to you (at least it’s those skills for your worship team? the way the Lord has done it in my life) if I work I think it’s important for us, if we’re on a worship on something first, then He opens the door for team, to regularly spend a little time educating This isn’t meant to be a guilt trip; I know we ourselves and working on our musical skills and don’t have a lot of time. I know I don’t have a 62 August 2017 me to do it more and more… for His glory! WorshipMusician.com