WorshipIdea: Time To Leave Your Church?

WorshipIdea: Time To Leave Your Church?
by Don Chapman

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Yesterday I talked to a worship leader who told me he was planning on leaving his ministry. It's typical for January - worship leaders have come off a stressful month and many are just plain in shock. Shock and stress alone are no reasons to leave a ministry. Over the years I've found two major indicators of when I should expect to see a change.

1. Restlessness. I have a cousin who was a pastor in a fairly well known, affluent historic church in a major city. Things were going great and he was happy as can be. But restless. He said he felt change was coming. His church was wonderful, but my cousin had taken it as far as he could and things had plateaued. Sure enough, a few months later he took the call to another church across the country where he's been happily ministering.

Some people in ministry take the Apostle Paul approach - their gift is to help struggling ministries get healthy. then when the church has stabilized they move on to another struggling ministry.

Or maybe it's as simple as a worship leader growing in his or her own faith, realizing there's more to life than trying to politically please a stagnant leadership, and yearning for a church on fire where they can get busy for God.

2. Frustration. I had been working in one church for a few years and was as happy as a clam. A friend asked me "why are you still here at this church?" and I replied that I was having the time of my life and had no plans of leaving.

Two weeks later a new elder was elected who had an obvious vendetta against me. I suddenly went from doing everything right to being constantly "in trouble" - everything was wrong, from the songs to the style to the flow. I received another offer and was gone in 6 months (the same elder then proceeded to chase off the youth pastor and assistant pastor.)

There are two morals to this story. First of all, a message to the congregation: if things are going great, keep an eye out for certain pesky elders and deacons who are looking for trouble where there is none. Many of them are unfortunately chosen because they are simply successful businessmen and not Spirit-led. Encourage and defend your staff because they are probably under constant attack and criticism to the point where they wonder "why bother." That, may I add, is why churches are desperate to find good worship leaders - most have quit! I had three emails last week alone from churches looking to fill music positions.

Second of all, notice that I didn't go out looking for something else - I was given an offer. When I'm called to a ministry I assume I'll be there for the rest of my life. My personal modus operandi is to not make a move until God makes it for me - I've never once looked for a church job. This is a major confirmation as to whether I should endure a situation (and try to improve it) or leave.

If I were ever to see this elder again, I'd thank him for running me off. As Joseph said in Genesis 50:20, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good." If I hadn't left that ministry I would never have gone to Seacoast Church, would never have met Chris Sligh, would never have driven him to all his American Idol auditions, would never have had the exciting, wild ride of a lifetime with the hoopla of Season 6 and would never have had the chance to work with legendary producer Brown Bannister who crafted Chris's recording. Yesterday morning my clock radio woke me up to "Empty Me" and I chuckled at how funny it was to be awoken by Chris's lovely voice on his hit single. I could never have planned anything this incredible on my own so I'm just fine with letting God handle it.

Bottom Line: Ministry frustrations? My simple advice is this: life is way too complicated to figure out on your own - let God lead you. Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 25:4-5

Reposted from: WorshipIdeas.com

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All is well and I am just taking a moment to concentrate on fulfilling the purpose of God in my life. I have always been committed to loving my family, my friends, and those whom God allows my path to cross. I'd love to continue sharing with you all here on the Soulworshiper Blog site. If you'd like to stay connected and receive my daily inspirations, please join the soulworshiper community and subscribe to the blog on the right hand column of this page. Please also feel free to forward the site's link to your friends and family so that they might be blessed as well. I am committed and dedicated to sharing the Gospel thru the wonderful tools of technology. I plan to post more videos and audio files as well in the near future. Be sure and Bookmark this site and comeback every day as there will be something new for you. Well, I am so glad that we're staying connected and I pray God's choice blessings upon your life. Much Love to you and yours in this awesome new year!

-SoulWorshiper

No more distractions.

Are u in a place where you can hear God's voice clearly. There are so many things that fight for our attention and time while drownin out the voice of God to our ears. The word that the Lord speaks to our lives provides direction, strength and life. It's time to reasess the people, activities, and habits that are dictating our time and attention and refocus our attention towards God.

-soulworshiper

When you're weary.

When you get exhausted with life....just remember that Jesus is faithful to be with you until the end. Look up and live!

-Soulworshiper

Soulworshiper's Prayer & Tribute for Dewey Tucker!

Lord..my heart is heavy cause our brother Dewey is not here...the beauty that was his music has so suddenly disapeared...We know the gift you gave him and the sound that came from his heart was yours to give and his to share for you endowed him from the start.....though you know what's best and you love Him most, please Father hear our prayer...and please let him know that we miss him and love him but we know He's still playing up there.May the Lord Bless and Keep the Family of Dewey Tucker.

-Soulworshipers United!

Don't take the back seat....

It is really easy to take a second seat to the ambitions and dreams of others. We have within is us a heart that causes us to value the visions that our friends and family share with us. That is a God given natural reaction and does not have to be apologized for. However to the extent that the celebration of such becomes a blockage to those visions that have been placed inside of you and the goals you have ahead, it must be regulated. We live once and time is not as long as we would like to believe. We are held accountable for all that has been invested within us. Your talents and gifts were given you to bless,edify, enhance, motivate, transform, and revolutionize the world. We are in lack when you take a back seat to using what GOd has given you. We need what you got!
Don't make us wait too long. We love you and appreciate the gift of God in you!

-Soulworshiper

Ministry First......

You've got so much in you and I'm sure the start of a new year has given you so much enthusiasm to accomplish it too....Here's a perfect time to make sure that the motivations are rooted in truth, love and ministry. No frontin or side trackin in 2010....Your life, time, and gifts are too precious for foolishness.....first things first!
Much Love,

-Soulworshiper

If you would like to say thanks, Buy Kenny a Latte!

One Latte - $1.00

It's not in Vain....

you may never know the real affect that you have on people. Your smile, your touch, your words, your song, or your cards are just the thing that causes someone somewhere to experience love and compassion that sustains life for them. DO not count it lightly because a life saved is a soul saved. I encourage you to continue to love out loud and to be the best you that we've ever seen. It's not in vain!

-Soulworshiper

Leave it....leave it!

The reason why you left that (whatever your that is) in the first place was because it was not the right fit for you. You endured that place for such a long time and experienced all of the joys that would come from it. It was your manna at the time that you needed manna. You were covered and sheltered there because you were not ready for where you are headed now. OK, so now that we've confessed that truth...pull your hands back and take your eyes off of what you've just left....you cannot go back and you are not permitted to touch it. Comfort, convenience and mediocrity are all behind you. Where you are going is full of stretching, pulling, revealing, uncovering, truth, purpose, and meaning.....Where you were had a purpose when you were there, now its time to move out allow the gift and calling in you to be guided and directed by the spirit into this new place ordained for your life by God. (this is by no means an encouragement to abandon a covenant relationship ie..marriage) but a provocation to progress into your divine destiny by getting up from the table of spoon fed dining into a place of servanthood whereby all the spiritual food you have received is beginning to be shared and used to disciple others....Soulworshipers begat SoulWorshipers!!!

Onward!
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Right Now.....

Luke 15:11 tells the story of the prodigal son who left home with the portion of good that belonged to him....while out in the world he squandered his wealth and ended up with nothing in hand....His misfortune convinced him to go into places he would have never thought to go and to compromise his principles....but when what he had already knew inside his heart was quickened, he returned to the place of rest, safety and promise.....HOME! Thank Goodness we can always come back home to the place of our Calling, our anointing, peace, joy, strength, faith, and life...and upon the return all benefits apply to you once again....Truth is, you never lost them...but just Come Home! God's awaiting your return with open arms, a robe of distinction, a ring of authority, the shoes of a son, and the feast to celebrate....Come Home!

-SoulWorshiper.
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Building Stronger Marriages: Principle #1

Be Careful in choosing Relationships

It is really easy to become familiar with someone else who is not your spouse. Resist the urge to spend time flirting with other people. This is a door that if opened might cause u to look at alternatives to your own marriage should things get shaky and rough. You may think that now there is an escape route for you and lose the willingness to resolve. Guard this area and keep that door close. In addition, these types of relationships will cause your spouse to feel threatened. Protect your Marriage, and enjoy your life together.

More to Come.....

My Summary is......

Headed out to church and remembering the mercies of God. This year is almost over and I can't help but thank Him for all of the tests and trials He brought me through. I had many opportunities to learn from each one and there were some habits that He helped me to break. My summary is that God is faithful in all things He has spoken. He never fails to amaze me and His love is amazing. I Love Him.

-SoulWorshiper

SoulWorshiper's Devotional Journal - Video - "Not Forgotten"

"Not Forgotten" - Video Blog from "SoulWorshiper's Devotional Journal" God Has Not Forgotten You...... http://www.soulworshiper.com

Just a Test....You were Made for it.

You have already been through enough to stand this test. Tests only come to extract from you what was already placed inside you. They prove what you already know. Be confident in the Word, Truth, Experience, and God in You and Stand. It's not on you to kill you, but to reaffirm that you are an Overcomer. Go Through.

-SoulWorshiper