{"id":2796,"date":"2017-01-10T23:08:56","date_gmt":"2017-01-10T23:08:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/?p=2796"},"modified":"2017-02-10T20:36:22","modified_gmt":"2017-02-10T20:36:22","slug":"you-are-not-alone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/2017\/01\/10\/you-are-not-alone\/","title":{"rendered":"You Are Not Alone"},"content":{"rendered":"

Under qualified, over-zealous, and maybe just a little bit misunderstood. Your heart burns for an overwhelming response to every lyric that leaves your tongue.\u00a0 You search for fresh and cutting-edge songs that will inspire your ministry to experience the next level that you so desperately long to know.\u00a0 You\u2019ve had your fair share of blank stares and over-exaggerated yawns in the middle of your sets. Or maybe by the end, you open your eyes to more that are slouching in their seats than engaged in your favorite chorus. Be encouraged, my familiar friend. You are not alone.
\nI was fourteen years old in front of six or seven friends in my youth group when I first started leading worship. I knew four chords on my Washburn acoustic and the chorus to \u201cHow He Loves\u201d by John Mark McMillan. That was all that I had, but it was the cry of my heart. Slowly, I would learn more songs with more words and, thankfully, more chords. The more I poured my love on Jesus, the more opportunity He would give me to lead others to that same place. From youth events to women\u2019s conferences. From inner-city sidewalks to low-security prisons. In English, Spanish, and words that don\u2019t exist because I completely ruin lyrics. We all can\u2019t be great at everything, right? In my diverse experiences of leading worship, I have learned a few vital keys that have helped me through.<\/p>\n

1. Responses are not always outward.<\/strong>
\nWho are we to say that God cannot move in the heart of man in a way we do not see? Leading worship is much less a challenge when we are not looking for an outward response to applaud our performance. The goal of leading worship is not to get a response. The goal of leading worship is to offer an invitation. When we authentically lead in worship we offer an invitation for others to join and the Holy Spirit draws the heart of man to respond. Now, don\u2019t get me wrong. Is outward response a crucial aspect of worship? Absolutely. Is it our job to make people respond? No.<\/p>\n

2. There will always be someone that you think is better than you.<\/strong>
\nDo not let comparison steal your unique identity in Christ. It is so important to develop your gift, but it is much more important to develop your walk with the Lord. If you do not know how to reach heaven in your home, you will not know how to get there on a platform. Practice seeking Jesus by yourself. Let it become a regular part of who you are, and you will feel no need to compare.<\/p>\n

3. You will have a train wreck. You will be okay.<\/strong>
\nOne time, we went an entire set singing \u201cMore of me and less of You, Jesus!\u201d Enough said. (I took a long water break to recuperate from that one)<\/p>\n

4. Be authentic.<\/strong>
\nYou have a unique love that only you can offer to the Father. When you are open and honest in your worship it invites others to do the same. Regardless of how pretty it sounds, people connect with realness.<\/p>\n

5. Make Jesus famous.<\/strong>
\nLeading worship is not your time to shine or offer a five-minute sermon. If it adds to the service, go for it. Step out in faith and He will absolutely meet you there. But if it takes away from Jesus and puts the light on you, it\u2019s not effective.<\/p>\n

So. To the worship leader who feels under qualified, over-zealous, and maybe just a little bit misunderstood:
\n–\u00a0You are much qualified. In fact, He specifically chose you for a position that only you can fill. Rise up in confidence and take it.
\n–\u00a0You are zealous. You are fervent. You are passionate. Your love for Jesus is radical and inspiring. The church needs your example.
\n–\u00a0Maybe just a little bit misunderstood. Luke 7:36-50 speaks of a woman who anoints the feet of Jesus with an alabaster box. Her story is known as one of the greatest acts of worship, yet we never even knew her name. Misunderstood by the Pharisees when she poured her prized possession on the feet of Jesus.\u00a0 He chose an unnamed, misunderstood woman, as our prime example of loving worship. He understands you, I promise.<\/p>\n

You are exactly where He wants you to be, worship leader. Keep burning with passion. Never, ever apologize that your heart is on fire.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

About the Writer<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"katie_conrad_headshot\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Katie Conrad is currently a full-time student at Liberty University and has served in worship ministry since the age of fourteen. She has directed and assisted in directing numerous camps including Petersburg Free Camp, Virginia\u2019s first camp experience offered to any child free of cost. She has also coordinated several events including \u201cSongs in the Night\u201d encouraging others to pursue creativity freely. Katie has spoken at women\u2019s conferences, young-adult gatherings, teen retreats, and children\u2019s meetings across the southern states. She is a devoted learner, an avid adventurist, and lover of all things Target.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"excerpt","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":2799,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[569,45,573,572,570,571],"class_list":{"0":"post-2796","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-praise-and-worship","8":"tag-katie-conrad","9":"tag-praise-and-worship-2","10":"tag-redemption-ministries","11":"tag-virginia","12":"tag-worship","13":"tag-you-are-not-alone","14":"entry"},"title_es":"No estas solo","content_es":"Bajo, exceso de celo, y tal vez s\u00f3lo un poco mal entendido poco cualificado. Tu coraz\u00f3n arde por una abrumadora respuesta a cada letra que sale de su lengua. Que la b\u00fasqueda de canciones frescas y vanguardistas que inspirar\u00e1n su ministerio a experimentar el pr\u00f3ximo nivel que tan desesperadamente tiempo para saber. Usted ha tenido su parte justa de miradas en blanco y bostezos exagerado en medio de sus conjuntos. O tal vez al final, abres los ojos para m\u00e1s que son repantigado en sus asientos que participan en su coro favorito. An\u00edmese, mi familiar. No estas solo. Yo ten\u00eda catorce a\u00f1os de edad frente a seis o siete amigos en mi grupo de j\u00f3venes cuando empec\u00e9 a dirigir la adoraci\u00f3n. Sab\u00eda cuatro acordes en mi Washburn ac\u00fastica y el coro de \"How He Loves\" por Juan Marcos McMillan. Eso era todo lo que ten\u00eda, pero era el grito de mi coraz\u00f3n. Poco a poco, me gustar\u00eda aprender m\u00e1s canciones con m\u00e1s palabras y, por suerte, m\u00e1s acordes. Cuanto m\u00e1s Vert\u00ed mi amor en Jes\u00fas, m\u00e1s oportunidad que tendr\u00eda gracia sentar en mi regazo para dirigir a otros a ese mismo lugar. De los eventos juveniles a las conferencias de las mujeres. A partir de las aceras del centro de la ciudad a las prisiones de baja seguridad. En Ingl\u00e9s, espa\u00f1ol, y palabras que no existen porque arruinan por completo letras. todo lo que no podemos ser grande en todo, \u00bfverdad? En mis diversas experiencias de dirigir la adoraci\u00f3n, he aprendido algunas claves vitales que me han ayudado a trav\u00e9s. 1. Respuestas no son siempre hacia el exterior.<\/strong> Quienes somos nosotros para decir que Dios no puede moverse en el coraz\u00f3n del hombre de una manera que no vemos? Dirigiendo la adoraci\u00f3n es mucho menos un desaf\u00edo cuando no estamos buscando una respuesta hacia el exterior para aplaudir nuestro rendimiento. El objetivo de liderar el culto no es obtener una respuesta. El objetivo de liderar la adoraci\u00f3n es ofrecer una invitaci\u00f3n. Cuando nos dirigimos aut\u00e9nticamente en el culto ofrecemos una invitaci\u00f3n para que otros puedan unirse y el Esp\u00edritu Santo atrae el coraz\u00f3n del hombre para responder. Ahora, no me malinterpreten. Es la respuesta hacia el exterior un aspecto crucial de la adoraci\u00f3n? Absolutamente. \u00bfEs nuestro trabajo hacer que la gente responde? N\u00ba 2. Siempre habr\u00e1 alguien que crea que es mejor que t\u00fa.<\/strong> No deje que la comparaci\u00f3n robar su identidad \u00fanica en Cristo. Es tan importante el desarrollo de su arte, pero es mucho m\u00e1s importante el desarrollo de su caminar con el Se\u00f1or. Si usted no sabe c\u00f3mo llegar al cielo en su casa, usted no sabr\u00e1 c\u00f3mo llegar all\u00ed en una plataforma. La pr\u00e1ctica en busca de Jes\u00fas por s\u00ed mismo. Que se convierta en una parte regular de qui\u00e9n es usted, y usted se sentir\u00e1 hay necesidad de comparar. 3. Tendr\u00e1 un choque de trenes. Vas a estar bien.<\/strong> Una vez, fuimos todo un conjunto cantando \"M\u00e1s de m\u00ed y menos de Ti, Jes\u00fas!\" Dijo basta. (Me tom\u00f3 un descanso de agua mucho tiempo para recuperarse de que uno) 4. Ser aut\u00e9ntico.<\/strong> Usted tiene un amor \u00fanico que s\u00f3lo puede ofrecer al Padre. Cuando est\u00e9 abierto y honesto en su culto se invita a otros a hacer lo mismo. Independientemente de lo bonita que parezca, las personas se conectan con car\u00e1cter real. 5. Hacer Jes\u00fas famosa.<\/strong> Dirigiendo la adoraci\u00f3n no es su momento de brillar u ofrecer un serm\u00f3n de cinco minutos. Si se a\u00f1ade al servicio, ir a por ello. Un paso de fe y \u00e9l absolutamente le encontraremos all\u00ed. Pero si se aleja de Jes\u00fas y pone la luz sobre ti, no es eficaz. Asi que. Para el l\u00edder de adoraci\u00f3n que se siente bajo calificado, un exceso de celo, y tal vez s\u00f3lo un poco mal entendido bits: - Usted es mucho cualificado. De hecho, \u00c9l te eligi\u00f3 espec\u00edficamente para una posici\u00f3n que s\u00f3lo se puede llenar. Levantar\u00e1 en la confianza y tomarlo. - Usted es celoso. Est\u00e1s ferviente. Te apasiona. Su amor por Jes\u00fas es radical y estimulante. La iglesia necesita su ejemplo. - Tal vez s\u00f3lo un poco mal entendido poco. Lucas 7: 36-50 habla de una mujer que unge los pies de Jes\u00fas con un vaso de alabastro. Su historia es conocido como uno de los mayores actos de culto, sin embargo, que ni siquiera sab\u00eda su nombre. Mal entendido por los fariseos cuando ella vierte su preciada posesi\u00f3n a los pies de Jes\u00fas. Se eligi\u00f3 una mujer sin nombre, mal entendido, como nuestro primer ejemplo de adoraci\u00f3n amante. \u00c9l te entiende, te lo prometo. Usted est\u00e1 exactamente donde \u00c9l quiere que seas, l\u00edder de adoraci\u00f3n. Seguir quemando con pasi\u00f3n. Nunca, jam\u00e1s se disculpa de que su coraz\u00f3n est\u00e1 en llamas. Acerca del autor<\/strong> \"katie_conrad_headshot\"<\/a> Katie Conrad es actualmente un estudiante a tiempo completo en la Universidad de la Libertad y ha servido en el ministerio culto desde los catorce a\u00f1os. Ha dirigido y asistido en la direcci\u00f3n de numerosos campos, incluyendo Petersburgo Campo libre, primera experiencia de campamento de Virginia ofrecido a cualquier ni\u00f1o libre de costo. Tambi\u00e9n ha coordinado varios eventos, incluyendo \"Songs in the Night\" animar a otros a perseguir libremente la creatividad. Katie ha hablado en conferencias de mujeres, reuniones adultos j\u00f3venes adolescentes, retiros y reuniones de los ni\u00f1os a trav\u00e9s de los estados del sur. Ella es una estudiante dedicada, un aventurero \u00e1vido, y amante de todas las cosas Target.","author_name":"","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/01\/KatieArticle.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4T9u2-J6","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2796","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2796"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2796\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}