Mentoring Worship Leaders
We need you to mentor. So why don't you do this right now? Ask the Lord for someone to mentor. (Did a name just pop into your head?) Then ask when to start. If you don't hear anything, assume that it's now. Seriously.
What's that you say? "I'm not sure I'm cut out to be one of those mentor types? I don't know if anyone would want me to mentor them?"
I get that. So here are a couple of things that you may need to overcome to get rolling.
Address The Lies
No one may ever ask you to mentor them. It's up to you to pursue them. Asking someone to be mentored by you is not saying "I'm better than you." Rather, it makes them feel valued and often relieved. You may say "But I'm not the most effective worship leader." Thing is, you're already a worship leader. And that's enough. It may scare you when you look in the mirror and realize "I've never done this mentoring thing before." Oh please. Don't act so old!
Be A Good Steward
I have talent. Things I was gifted with. I believe that I don't own the gifts I have. Rather, I'm a steward of them. So what does the Owner expect me to do with them? Manage them? Yes, but not just that. Manage them for increase. The story of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 reminds me that I have been given something of weight (talent) that I am given according to my ability. It isn't a question about how much I've been given or even what effort I put forth, but what I actually do with it! One clear evidence that I'm managing what I've been given for increase, is, well... increase. If I used to do something alone and now there are two of us doing it, that's increase. #DoubleIsGood It's so much better use of my energy to increasing by adding others than it is for me to just do more.
Avoid Burnout
Countless leaders are isolated and burning out. Leaders like you. We see it everyday. At Ad Lib Music, we're given in simple love and pure devotion to Jesus to eradicating isolation and burnout so that leaders bear much fruit. Mentoring someone will keep you personally from stagnation, isolation, burnout, and becoming dated. The best way to learn and grow is having to teach a concept or skill to someone. It will force you to reflect on your own routine. It may be painful, but I remember one of my professors addressing this. She said that any teacher that will video themselves and then invite a trusted coworker to evaluate and give feedback will be the most competent teacher after only six months. It's a terribly invasive and vulnerable spot to put yourself in, but it may add ten years to your effective leadership. They'll choose songs that you would never want to do. (for the sake of your congregation, that's a good thing!) You also get to share why "Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble," "Praise The Name Of Jesus," or "Lord I Am Fondly" are meaningful classics to you. And remember how you were at the beginning? Nervous, excited, dependent, prayerful, passionate? Walking with someone who is there will help you recover the freshness and newness of the privilege of leading worship. It'll be like discipling a new Christian. You'll look at the scriptures with new eyes, you'll want to tell others about Jesus, you'll pray more, and you'll see such growth personally!
Besides, they are asking for it. Your best worship leader might be just playing bass right now. Emerging generations need relevant voices. They need you to mentor the next round of leaders. Today. You can do it. Go get after it!
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To read the rest of this chapter (and the rest of the mentoring stories), click here.
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