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Home > Articles > The Right One for the Job
The Right One for the Job
Un-confusing the process of hiring a worship leader.
Dan Millheim

Topics:Changes in worship, Hiring, Leadership, Recruiting, Vision, Worship leader, Worship ministry
Filters:Business administrator, Church board, Management, Pastor, Worship
Purpose:Ministry
References:Psalm 62, Luke 5, 1 Peter 2
Date Added:July 12, 2007

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Talk with any senior pastor or search committee in America who hires support staff, and one of their most challenging positions to fill is in the area of worship leadership. The unfolding reformation of worship in our nation is creating unprecedented opportunities in worship ministry for qualified leaders, yet frustration over finding them is at an all-time high.

One such pastor, responding to the analogy that hiring staff was like getting married after a blind date confessed, "I'm so worn out from making the wrong music decision (again) that I'm tempted to just stay single." Can you relate to that comment? I can, yet hiring a quality worship staff can be one the most tangible blessings any of us in leadership can give to our ministries. With this in mind, here are some suggestions for taking the mystery and confusion out of the process.

Put the Throne Before the Phone

When our music director announced that he was leaving to pursue the Lord's calling elsewhere, I did what any spiritually empowered leader would do … I panicked! Rather than stopping and asking the Lord for clear direction through an extended season of fasting and prayer, I picked up the phone and started working my network. During that time I never would have admitted to leaving God out of such a strategic decision, but in looking back, that's exactly what I was doing by trying to make something happen rather than allowing God to lead.

Don't get me wrong: networking is essential. Dynamic leadership is always developing peer relationships from which to share ideas and insights, but not at the expense of first going to the Lord. We need to slow down and communicate with the Lord. Realize that He longs to offer assistance if your spirit is quiet enough to hear it.

As a sign near my phone now reminds me, "Prayer is the work and ministry is the prize." It helps me always remember who to reach for first.

ACTION STEPS

  1. Set aside a specific day or two away from your office to commit your search process to the Lord.
  2. When you feel the urge to control your situation rather than wait on God, meditate on Psalm 62.
  3. Recruit an accountability group that will help keep your dependency on God balanced with your determination to accomplish your hiring goals. This group, when prayerfully selected, will offer tremendous objectivity and assistance to your search. Don't be afraid to include them throughout your process of identifying the right worship staff.
You've Got to Heal to Feel

I talk to a lot of numb pastors and worship leaders across the country who don't feel anything anymore. Worship renewal has, in their minds and hearts, exacted a heavy price for which they begrudgingly pay. Gone is their joy and sense of wonder toward the ministry of worship. How tragic. When this happens, a cycle of fear and discouragement are often set in motion which results in an attitude of control. In this attitude every potential candidate or ministry opportunity is suspiciously viewed as another failure waiting to happen.