17 December: Tuesday Refocus

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“God is more interested in the workman than the work.” - Warren Wiersbe

Life is as sacred as it is short. The Scriptures compare life to a vapor or mist - here only for a moment (James 4:14). We attempt to make our lives meaningful by following our heroes and historians, social media, and celebrities into earning, achieving, and accomplishing external signs of value, significance, and worth. Even as Christians, we can be tempted to believe that our lives are only as valuable as we have accomplished significant things for the kingdom of God. Yet Scripture teaches that all people are made in the image of God, and therefore their value is God-given, never achieved (Genesis 1:27).

While we are concerned with what we can create to outlast our lives, God is concerned about how we are being conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). We want a map; God wants to walk with us (Isaiah 41:10). We want to see the way; God wants us to hear and know His voice (Isaiah 31:10, John 10:27).

Father, help us to open our hearts and lives to your work increasingly. Help us lay down our external attempts and value, meaning, and worth, for Your glory and our good. Amen.

Amen,

AB

Slow

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Everything that we do as followers of Jesus is about making disciples. Whether we intend to disciple people or not, discipleship is happening. Discipleship is the long game - it is not linear and neat, it happens in process rather than formula, and it is often painful and always messy.

I have been reflecting recently on the idea of going slow in life generally, but discipleship specifically.

As a worship leader, Sunday is coming, whether I am ready or not. But how can I go slow as the Spirit of God is forming me, forming His people, and forming the team that I lead? How can I ensure that we are not simply executing a worship gathering, but becoming people more deeply conformed to the image of Christ?

God will always accomplish what He desires in the world, and in me. But I do believe that the pace in which I lead and live with be an indication to those around me how willing I am for God to do His work in me, rather than me attempting to do my work through Him.

So I can go slow as I pray for His will to be revealed.

I can go slow as I wait for Him to work in me and through me.

I can go slow as vision and accomplishment feel miles apart.

I can go slow as people mature - as I mature.

I can go slow in making changes, knowing that change is hard.

10 December: Tuesday Refocus

“Forgive me, Lord: I’ve died so little!” - César Vallejo

In an upside-down kingdom, dying to yourself is the way to true life. Suffering the way to glory. And humility the way exaltation. Every moment is an opportunity to choose again and anew to ‘Put death therefore what is earthly in you… (Colossians 3:5).’ Every moment is an opportunity to be further conformed to the image of Christ, yielding more to the sanctifying work of the Spirit, and to walk in step with our cross-carrying Savior.

Father, may this Advent season remind us of the life and death of Christ, and the life you have called us to live. Spirit, help us follow in humility and obedience. In Christ’s name, amen.

Amen,

AB 

First Disciples

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When in doubt, I default to task management. Checking things off a to-do list can seem to justify our existence like few things can. But in ministry and in the life of faith, discipleship, relationships, and community are not tasks that can be checked off a list - because they are not tasks at all. They are postures of heart, the calling of every follower of Jesus, and inextricably tied to our discipleship and formation as Christians and leaders.

Serving on a team is a great launch pad for relationship but insufficient in cultivating the kind of depth required for ongoing transformation. As a worship leader, how are you working to grow relationship with those you lead and among your team outside of a shared common task? Are you carving out time for relationship throughout the week? Are you curious about the lives and longings of the people who serve on your team? Are you aware of your own heart and how you are showing up in rehearsal, services, and the moments in between?

While we are called to disciple our congregation as we lead sung corporate worship, our ‘first disciples’ (apart from ourselves and our families) are those who serve on the platform and in the booth.

3 December: Tuesday Refocus

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“Faith is not opposed to knowledge; faith is opposed to sight. And grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.” - Dallas Willard

It is grace that saves us, sustains us, keeps us, and carries us - and this grace is not a thing, but a Person. By grace we are invited to cease striving and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). And by grace we are invited to fight the good fight, to finish the race, to keep the faith, knowing that we have received grace upon grace sufficient for the troubles of this day (2 Timothy 4:7, John 1:16). 

Father, sufficient for the day is the trouble thereof - but so is your grace. May we rest in that reality today. Amen.

Amen,

AB

More Than Sundays

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Sundays are important. I believe they are one of our greatest opportunities for the spiritual formation of the people of God. I believe that we should show up every week expecting that God will move in power, convict us of sin, comfort us, conform us to the image of Christ, grow our knowledge and affection for the person and work of God, and send us out on mission to live like the Gospel is true.

But I also believe that Sundays are insufficient for a whole life of formation for the followers of Jesus.

If our people commit weekly to the corporate gathering of the people of God, that represents one hour out of the 168 hours contained in each week. But the research shows that for many Christians, regular attendance at the Sunday gathering looks like attending a service twice a month - not once a week. That means out of 672 hours each month, many in our congregations give two hours to the corporate gathering. Is it any wonder then that we resort to gimmicks and ‘fire messages,’ and attempt to outdo the spectacle and production week after week in an attempt to get people to walk through the door?

Everything is formation, but ultimately, formation and entertainment are not playing the same game. Because formation is concerned about who we are becoming over months and years, not occupying our attention for minutes and moments. Yes, we should lead and serve with excellence - but not to entertain. We should lead and serve with excellence because the Gospel is true, God is worthy, and we care about making disciples of Jesus. Plan your set lists, choose your songs, lead your team, and speak with clarity and urgency, but never from a desire to outdo last Sunday or last Christmas - but continually put the truth in the hearts, minds, eyes, ears, and mouths of our people.

26 November: Tuesday Refocus

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“Faith is not opposed to knowledge; faith is opposed to sight. And grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.” - Dallas Willard

Faith is not blind but is informed by the character of God. As songwriter, Sam McCabe, sings: Faiths a gamble on His faithful history, cause if you want to follow Jesus, you can’t bet on what you see.” As the depth and knowledge of our relationship with God grows, so also does our faith. Faith exists on a spectrum of belief and unbelief, which is why we must make every effort to supplement to our faith and work out our salvation with fear and trembling (2 Peter 1:5, Philippians 2:12).

Father, as we move toward Advent - would you grow our faith and knowledge, affection, and attention in the person and work of Christ? For your glory and our good, amen.

Amen,

AB

Learning To Lead In A Church Plant

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Every church and context is different. Whether an established church with large resources, and a deep bench of skilled musicians, or a church plant that is scrappy and industrious, every church and context has strengths and challenges.

As I have reflected on my experience serving in a number of church plants, here are a few things I wish I would have been able to learn sooner:

What Sustains You

Energy, momentum, adrenaline, and enthusiasm can take you farther than you would expect. But ultimately they are insufficient in their ability to sustain the long-term discipleship work of planning a church and making disciples. Once the energy is spent, moment wains, adrenaline empties and enthusiasm turns to routine - if love is not the undercurrent animating and motivating your service, you will be hollowed out.

The People

The chaotic, entrepreneurial nature of church planting is often attractive to people who enjoy starting something new. Many people who join you in the beginning will not be those who stay for the long haul. And that is okay. Some people will be with you for seasons. If and when people leave does not negate the very real investment they made in the church, or that you as a leader made in them.

Learning

As a worship leader, it takes time to learn your people. But this can be challenging when you do not even know the people who will be showing up at your church! Take time to learn about your church, your people, and the songs and liturgy that will resonate with your people. Be consistent - bordering on stale - as you plan your gatherings. There is enough uncertainty for people arriving at a church plant, keep songs familiar and regular as things take shape.

Encourage

Set up and tear down, evangelism and discipleship, learning on the job, building a team - planting a church is relentless and can be exhausting. If God in his kindness has provided one or two other people to serve on your team with sound, lyrics, musicians, or vocalists, thank him! And thank them. Notice, celebrate, and honor your people for the way they serve and sacrifice. I have been on the receiving and sending end of thank you notes, and I am always surprised how valuable these can be in feeling seen and appreciated. Buy a stack of cards, and write to your team regularly.

What would you add?