Raise you’re hand if, like me, you went straight from your mother’s womb to a saved seat in the sanctuary of your local church. Now keep your hand raised if you knew from an early age that music was going to play an important role in your future. Keep your hand up, still, if you began singing on your youth group worship team the minute you reached the allowed age and continued all the way through high school and even through college as part of your respective campus ministries. One final round . . . keep it raised if, at some point during your time as a maturing worshiper, you had a seasoned leader intentionally pouring into you, helping you fully understand what it means to step into the role of a worship pastor. If your hand is still raised, you and the person or people who discipled you deserve as many rounds of applause as one might hear during the annual State of the Union. 

Why? 

Because somehow over the years, this incredibly important piece has gotten lost in all the stage fog and bright lights, and much of the Church has been left with a whole bunch of good song leaders and musicians with no pastoral legs to stand on. There’s been a universal confusion placed between the role of worship pastor/leader and worship artist or song leader. My friends, would you agree that these are vastly different roles? 

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. - John 4:23

If the people in our congregations only see the experiential (Spirit) side of worship, and don’t leave having been filled with truth as well, we have missed the mark. Don’t get me wrong, I love a well-executed version of this month’s top CCLI songs as much as the next gal, but where appreciation turns to disappointment is when it becomes abundantly evident that the person leading us has nothing else to offer besides a good voice. Do I believe that the Lord can use a song with or without a teaching moment stuck in there to expound on the message of the lyrics . . . absolutely. But I also believe that on the whole, those charged with leading our congregations in worship, week-in and week-out, are to be just as called, equipped, and anointed to shepherd His people as the other church leaders.

Indulge me for just a minute. 

Say you start hearing strange sounds coming from your car. You take it to the nearest auto shop and you’re greeted warmly by one of the mechanics. He seems perfectly nice and seems to know a lot of the lingo, as he throws around words like carburetor and fuel pump, but as you get further into the conversation it starts becoming clear that perhaps this guy doesn’t understand quite as fully as he’s letting on. You ask him, “So exactly how much experience do you have in fixing cars?” His reply is something like, “Well I’ve been hanging out here for several years observing these other mechanics fixing cars and I’ve watched several YouTube videos about it. They even let me turn a wrench every now and then when they need a bathroom break.” Something tells me you’d be hightailing it out of there to find a more experienced technician.

To my fellow ladies . . . if you walked into a beauty salon for a cut and color and the beautician available next is completely disheveled and her hair looks like a 3 year old styled it, how likely would you be to trust her with your coif? 

And yet, week after week, the hearts of many church goers are being entrusted to people with no pastoral training, no teaching experience, and a Biblical knowledge that is shaky at best. But whose fault is that? Is it theirs? They’re simply operating out of the amount of knowledge and equipping that they’ve been handed. I’m inclined to believe that it is we who have failed this forgotten generation of disciples and left them unprepared to carry this mantle to its fullest extent. Something desperately needs to change, wouldn’t you agree? 

Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. - 2 Timothy 2:2b

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up… - Ephesians 4:11-12

We clearly have been tasked not just with leading songs, but with discipling those who will one day fill our shoes.

But how? 

It starts with you, right where you are in your local context, finding those worshipers who you believe have been set apart to usher God’s people into His presence through music; who have the gifts that it takes to pastor the men, women, students, and children of your church; who desire to know God’s Word in such a way that they are ready to wield it from the stage in a manner that supports the songs they are leading; and who have the humble, teachable spirit necessary to step into this role. That could be a handful of high school and college students, green but eager. It could also be a few men and women who have already been serving on your team, but have never been poured into in this way. It may not even be members in your local church. It may be 3 or 4 people just a little younger than you who you know could really flourish with a little mentorship. Whoever it may be, find them. Reach out to them. Lead and guide them through more than just the “glamorous” and visible sides of worship leading. Dig into scripture together. Talk about what it looks like to really pastor and shepherd a church . . . the good, the bad, the ugly, and the uglier. 

My boss and dear friend, Michael Farren, says “a true worship pastor will have muddy boots and bloody knuckles.” Our job is not to stand up each week, sing some songs, quote a couple Bible verses, and give emotional cues in hopes of people experiencing an encounter with God. Our responsibility, to both the Church and her future leaders, is first to LOVE these people well, to TEACH them about His presence, to DEMONSTRATE what it looks like to worship Him both on the stage and off, and to LEAD them into a deeper relationship with the Lord.  Let’s not forget any longer that we are not the last generation of worship leaders. We are setting the bride of Christ up for failure if we don’t do our part in loving, teaching, demonstrating, and leading those coming up behind us.

To those of you already in the depths of discipling, bravo and keep at it. You are positioning your churches well. Thank you!

Maybe you’re reading this and you feel like perhaps you’re one of the very people talked about here who were thrusted into a position of leadership with little to no equipping. Don’t be afraid to ask another worship pastor to mentor you. We will never “have it down” this side of heaven. There is always more to learn.

If you’re a worship pastor out there who knows this is something that needs to be happening in your church, don’t wait. It’s never too late and you can never start too early.  Our team here at All About Worship is for you in ways you can’t imagine! We are cheering you on as you step into this crucial role! We’d love to know what kinds of resources and tools would be helpful to you as you start your journey. Feel free to comment below with questions or with things that have helped you in your experience.

This week James and Dustin talk through the importance of discipleship and how it can strengthen our day lives. Do we really need it? How does true discipleship function? See what the guys have to say in this weeks episode. 

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The Worship Podcast is powered by All About Worship in partnership with WeAreWorship.

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On this week's edition of The Watchman, we're joined by Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jerry Boykin of the Family Research Council and Kamal Saleem of Koome Ministries to discuss their thrilling new novel about radical Islam, "The Coalition." Click on the ... ...

DNA tests are uncovering family histories. In some cases they're also revealing mixed bloodlines and the buried history of slavery. For African Americans, this can be emotionally-charged. What do you do when you find out one of your direct ancestors was a slave owner? And does it open the door to new conversations about racial justice and social healing?

Original Air Date: March 10, 2018

Guests:

Alex Gee — Erin Hoag — Annette Gordon-Reed — Anita Foeman

Interviews In This Hour:

How Do You Know Ruben Gee? — Searching for America's Racial History in a Graveyard — Uncovering America's Buried History: The Story of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings — Changing Our Conversation About Race Using Genetic Testing

Further Reading:

"Black Like Me" podcast

“I had 911 on the phone, and fully expected to find a-a dead body there in the parking lot. Her body was broken and bruised and-and just not laying in a normal way, I thought there is no way that anyone would ever be able to get up and walk from something like this ever again. It was just the most traumatic thing I've ever seen in my life.”  On September 13, 2011, Eddie Wilson was returning to work after a walk on his lunch break, as he approached the building something caught his attention...

In March 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. This legislation calls for wide-ranging, union-friendly revisions to the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). 

An Insulation Contractors Roundtable

Today we talk through that terrible, horrible, uncomfortable word; Discipline. How do you effectively correct or discipline your team when/if it’s needed? Should it really come down to that? Oh boy.

James and Dustin dig deep into the realities of this topic within our worship teams and how to make sure we are the best we can be.

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The Worship Podcast is powered by All About Worship in partnership with WeAreWorship. This episode also features Song Capture.

Subscribe to the podcast:
theworshippodcast.com
linktr.ee/theworshippodcast 

You can also connect with The Worship Podcast on social media:
The Worship Podcast on Facebook
The Worship Podcast on Instagram
The Worship Podcast on Twitter

It was a year or so ago when my article intimated to a result, to a given test, to a controversial subject, to confirm what us plasterers have known for years. When it comes to control joints in relation to cracking in stucco, let me boldly state: Lath cut or continuous performs the same.

MTIdry formally announced a major milestone in its journey: the launch of its newly redesigned website and refreshed company identity. The transformation from Masonry Technology Inc. to MTIdry reflects its evolution beyond traditional masonry into a comprehensive provider of high-quality moisture management solutions for all cladding types – as well as below-grade basement waterproofing and retrofit applications.

CISCA’s Leadership Conference will be held September 25-26, 2013 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

On Sept. 24, Shirley Wodynski marked a significant milestone, celebrating 16 years of dedicated service as executive director of the Ceilings and Interior Systems Construction Association.

CISCA has a new, free publication for members.

Washington – The National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health is scheduled to meet June 18 in Washington to discuss key OSHA initiatives, including best-practice language for protecting temporary workers.

Washington — The House Education and the Workforce Committee has advanced a resolution aimed at repealing the Department of Labor’s rule on determining if a worker is an employee or an independent contractor.

An alarm company allegedly failed to obtain the required approvals before disarming a customer’s video surveillance system.

Washington — The COVID-19 pandemic understandably occupied much of a May 11 panel discussion that featured three OSHA experts presenting updates of agency activities, as part of the National Safety Council’s Impact Tracks webinar series.

At ISC West Booth #20045, Genetec Inc., a leading technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, will showcase the latest version of Security Center, Streamvault Edge^TM hybrid cloud solutions, and Cloudrunner^TM vehicle-centric investigation system.

This morning, Theresa Payton, the first female White House CIO, technology thought leader and cybersecurity expert, will deliver ISC West 2023’s opening keynote address. Payton will brief audience members on the current cybersecurity threat landscape, what to watch out for, how to respond if targeted, and what businesses can do today to be prepared for the future. Attend the keynote at 8:45 a.m. in Venetian Ballroom F.

Paxton, the global brand of access control, video surveillance and intercom systems, is launching their brand-new customer loyalty program, Paxton Rewards, at ISC West Booth #14075.

Snap One, an industry-leading source of A/V surveillance, control, networking and remote management products for professionals, is demonstrating a range of new and existing products at ISC West 2023 Booth #26089.

The Wallflowers and DJ Spencer Ludwig scheduled to perform an after-hours concert tonight, exclusively for ISC West attendees and exhibitors.

This morning, Admiral Mike Rogers, Former Director, National Security Agency; Former Commander, U.S. Cyber Command; and Former Chief, Central Security Service, will deliver ISC West 2024’s opening keynote address. Attend the keynote today at 9 a.m. at the Main Stage.

Looking to boost your career in the security industry, make connections and have fun at ISC West? Join the Security Industry Association (SIA) and ISC West at the Career Zone on the ISC West show floor! This offering, presented by SIA and ISC with support from the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST), SIA’s Human Resources Working Group, the SIA RISE community for young security professionals and the SIA Women in Security Forum, was created to help you grow your skills and get expert insights to propel your career. 

CIAS Security, a global manufacturer of physical perimeter security systems based in Italy, is celebrating 50 years of perimeter security systems innovation at ISC West at Booth #7064.

Start your ISC West Day 3 off right by joining the Security Industry Association (SIA) Women in Security Forum (WISF) for a complimentary keynote event featuring special guest speaker Crystal Washington today from 10-11 am in the Venetian Ballrooms Main Stage. 

Video Mount Products will celebrate its 30th anniversary during ISC West 2024 in Booth #1046.

Barrier1 Systems is showcasing a lineup of crash-rated barriers at ISC West 2024 in Booth 4109.

3xLOGIC, a provider of integrated and intelligent security and business solutions, will debut its recently launched edge based deep learning analytics cameras at ISC West 2024, Booth #23059.

Washington – The next webinar in NIOSH’s Total Worker Health series will provide an “overview of theory, research data, obstacles and potential solutions for addressing the challenges and opportunities posed by an aging workforce.”

Boulder, CO – Researchers are calling on Colorado to require reporting of all fires and explosions in the state’s oil and gas industry, after an analysis showed an incident rate significantly lower than that of neighboring Utah, where reporting is mandatory.

SDM editors share thoughts on their ISC West 2024 experience, plus check out a gallery of images from the exhibit hall and ancillary goings-on during the big show.

Gainesville, FL — Knowing when to log off and unplug from work can make managers better leaders, results of a recent study show.

Rosemont, IL — The OSHA region that Bill Donovan oversees will soon be renamed, but what won’t change are the agency’s efforts to promote and protect worker safety and health.

It’s used in many different ways by different people, but the primary objective of the SDM 100 remains the same after 25 years: to measure consumer dollars gained by alarm companies, in order to present an account of the size of the market captured by the 100 largest security providers.

This year’s keynote presenters include five high profile individuals who are widely-respected for their professional and lifetime achievements.

Here's a summary of ISC West 2023 activities, networking events and more to help you plot and organize a daily schedule.

Atlanta – It’s vital to keep family in mind when creating a workplace safety culture. Former Navy Commander Mike Abrashoff shared this message during today’s Opening Session at the 2015 NSC Congress & Expo.

Washington – The House Armed Services Committee recently adopted a proposed amendment that would exempt many federal defense contractors from disclosing labor law violations.

Washington – OSHA has scheduled an informal public meeting to discuss potential updates to its Hazard Communication Standard. The meeting is set to take place Nov. 16 at the Mine Safety and Health Administration headquarters in Arlington, VA.

Watertown, WI – New legislation in Wisconsin doubles the maximum and minimum fines for traffic violations that endanger sanitation workers.

Chicago — A new Local Emphasis Program from OSHA is aimed at protecting workers in Wisconsin food manufacturing establishments from machine and amputation hazards.

Washington — OSHA’s Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health has scheduled a virtual meeting for April 18.

Washington – The Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health has scheduled a public meeting on March 31 and April 1 to discuss a proposed revision to OSHA’s crane operator qualification requirement.

DeKalb, IL — Could altering the language on disability disclosure forms encourage more workers to disclose their conditions? A recent study explored this idea.

In Episode 38, the S+H team examines the April issue’s feature story on workplace fire drills. Also, Lori Guasta, senior director of consulting services at NSC, discusses fatigue in the workplace and beyond in the “5 Questions With …” interview.

Washington – The House of Representatives has voted to block the so-called “blacklisting” rule that sought to force federal contractors to disclose previous labor-law violations.

Washington – After a narrow vote in the Senate, the so-called “blacklisting” rule that sought to force federal contractors to disclose previous labor-law violations is all but eliminated.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule on asbestos intended to keep manufacturers from reintroducing “discontinued uses” of the known human carcinogen into the market without EPA approval.