Worship Fertilizer from Dave Helmuth and Ad Lib Music
 

 

I have some exciting things to tell you!

 

  • Ad Lib Music now has a team of 10 worship coaches that I'm leading.
  • I'm now on staff at a small Mennonite church.
  • I wrote a chapter in a book called Mentoring Worship Leaders.

All true.

 

I'm not even sure where to start with the magnificent opportunities that I've been given! I mean, after a ten year hiatus, I'm back leading half-time at a great church in Elizabethtown. If you'd like to track my journey or find out why I'm there, read this.

 

Over the past 18 months, the team of coaches has expanded to ten. (10!) What does this mean for the church? Oh my!! We've never been able to have the depth, the width, or even the bandwidth that we have now. Our coaches range from a 22 year old professional guitar player turned college student who knows intuitively how to build a worship team in churches where "we have no musicians" (hi, Jim); to an executive pastor at a church of 14,000 who's servant-hearted humility and grounded perspective has followed him as he leads at a church the size of Hershey, PA (hello, Andrew). We're launching several new services (including a Service Evaluation and Instrument Coaching). I'm giving the other half of my time to leading this amazing team.

 

Last, but not least, longtime worship friend and Worship Seminar veteran and author Tom Kraeuter asked me to write a chapter in a truly unique book, subtitled "Training the Next Generation." It's unique because it shares ten different leader's stories, perspectives, and principles on how to mentor worship leaders. It's both inspiring and practical. And so needed! The Kickstarter is almost funded, but I'd love to have the Fertilizer community push it over the top. I know that many churches will benefit from this resource.  See details here.

 

Thanks for listening to my excitement! Now, onto the Fertilizer...

Mentoring Worship Leaders

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!


 

--

To read the rest of this chapter (and the rest of the mentoring stories), click here.

 

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WORSHIP LEADER GATHERINGS
How you can get connected!

Harrisburg Alliance of Worship Leaders
(March 28, May 30, July 25, September 26, November 21 at 9:00 AM at TBA)
Every other month, worship leaders in Harrisburg and the surrounding areas gather to enrich, educate, and encourage each other. Visit us on Facebook!.
WLgatherings 
First Mondays at Prince Street (March 2 at 6:30-7:30 AM, first Monday of each month)
Coffee up with other worship leaders. Great conversations. Encouragement. Friendship. Details.

Lititz One (March 4 at noon)
On the first Wednesday of each month, worship leaders in Lititz gather for lunch and to encourage each other. Join us at noon at Beijing Szechwan. Details.

Ephrata Guild (March 5 at noon)
On the first Thursday of each month, worship leaders in Ephrata gather for lunch and to encourage each other. Join us at noon at La Borimex. Details.

Strasburg Cadence (March 3 at 6:00 PM)
On the first Tuesday of each month, worship leaders in and around Strasburg gather for dinner and to encourage each other. Join us from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Pizza City. Details.

Reading City Worship Leaders (March 3 at 7:00 AM) 
On the first Tuesday of the month, worship leaders in and around the Reading/Berks County area gather at Wyomissing Family Restaurant for breakfast and encouragement. Email Kevin Denlinger.
 
Elizabethtown Cohort (March 31 at 7:00 AM)
This is a newly forming group that meets on the last day of every month. Email [email protected] for the location.

Columbus, Ohio (TBA)
This is a newly forming group led by Coach Loren Miller. Email [email protected] for the details. If you know a leader around the Columbus area, pass it on!

The Church Collective: Philadelphia Connect Group (TBA)
This is a yet-forming group in the Philly area. Click here for details.

Your town! Do you want us to help you start one in your area? We're game! Just email [email protected].
WORSHIP TRAINING EVENTS
How you can get training!

How To Do "Contemporary Worship" (whatever that is!) (Monday, February 23, 7:00-8:30 PM)
This workshop at the Parish Resource Center is led by Dave Helmuth, Ad Lib Music, and Andrew Martin, Executive Pastor of Worship and Art at LCBC, will explore several different perspectives and strategies for integrating a contemporary service in the life of your church. Register here.

The Worship Link Spring Workshop (Saturday, March 21, 2015 from 8:30 AM to noon plus optional lunch)
Workshops include: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano/Keys, Vocal, Tech, Video Tech. Check www.theworshiplink.com for details.

Dave Helmuth
You are receiving this email because at some point in your journey, Dave Helmuth, Ad Lib Music, or someone connected to us, helped you grow in your relationship with the LORD through worship. If you ever find this resource unhelpful, simply unsubscribe below and continue on your merry way. 

 

�nimo!

Dave Helmuth
In simple love and pure devotion to Jesus, we are eradicating isolation and burnout so that leaders bear much fruit!

Email: [email protected] 

Phone - 717.468.6428
www.AdLibMusic.com 

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�nimo: courage, refresh, transform, bring to life, encourage, inspire, intentionally cheer up,
come on, it's not far now!