{"id":901,"date":"2014-10-24T15:21:17","date_gmt":"2014-10-24T15:21:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/?p=901"},"modified":"2021-02-22T16:02:18","modified_gmt":"2021-02-22T22:02:18","slug":"6-lessons-to-learn-from-david-practical-guidelines-for-worship-leaders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/2014\/10\/24\/6-lessons-to-learn-from-david-practical-guidelines-for-worship-leaders\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Lessons to Learn from David- practical guidelines for worship leaders"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"6<\/a><\/p>\n

Many anointed worship leaders have gone before us and paved the way. Perhaps the most overlooked worshiper whose legacy lives on is David, the \u201cman after God\u2019s own heart.\u201d Was David perfect? No. However, he possessed a tenacity and integrity that would serve us well to emulate. In 1 Samuel 16-18, we learn many practical guidelines that can be applied to a worship leader\u2019s lifestyle.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Looks can be deceiving! <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    When Samuel was sent to anoint a new king, he first saw Eliab, Jesse\u2019s firstborn, and thought he was the one. Speaking of Eliab, God reminded Samuel to \u201clook not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him\u2026\u201d (1 Samuel 16:17). If we are not careful, then it is easy to get caught up on our outward appearance as worship leaders. Women especially may at times feel insecurities about their bodies, hair, or clothing; therefore, they may be hindered by fear instead of leading with authority and single focus of mind. You would be surprised at the thoughts that run through our minds as we are ushering in the presence of God Almighty!\u00a0\u00a0 God created us in His image\u2026how could we be the judge of whether or not a worship leader is \u201chandsome\u201d or \u201cattractive\u201d enough to lead?
    \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

    On the flip side, worship leaders must take care to present themselves in a manner that is not distracting to the congregation. Comb your hair, iron the clothes\u2026don\u2019t look as if you just crawled out of bed! God doesn\u2019t require a model-like or body building physique; however, our physical presentation IS an important element in the worship experience. If we are drawing attention to ourselves in a negative OR positive way, then we are defeating our purpose as people who are supposed to point others to God.
    \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

    David was the youngest brother of eight sons. His own father called him \u201cthe runt\u201d. In 1Samuel 17:33, Saul declared to David, \u201cYou can\u2019t go and fight this Philistine. You\u2019re too young and inexperienced-and he\u2019s been at this fighting business since before you were born.\u201d Looked down upon because of his age by his father and King Saul, David did not let his age or rank in birth hinder him from boldly doing what God had called him to do.
    \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

    I am grateful that \u201cwhen others see a shepherd boy, God sees a king\/queen\u201d\u2026I am royalty in His eyes no matter how others may view me. The anointing on your life does not depend on your outward appearance or age. So relax, chin up, and lead on!
    \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Be Faithful in the Small Things!<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      In 1 Samuel 16:11, we learn that David was \u201cout tending the sheep\u201d when Samuel came to anoint a new king. Tending the sheep, the everyday, mundane, no fame, no glory, menial task, called to greatness, yet being faithful in the small things! How many seemingly non-important tasks do we as ministers face every single day? If we are not careful, we will negate the insignificant for what society deems significant. However, God is looking for the leader who is faithful to complete the small tasks that He has set before them. How can we be trusted with the big if we can\u2019t handle the small?
      \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Many worship leaders long to do big things for the kingdom, but they fail to show up to rehearsal, to prepare for that difficult set with diligence, to follow up with discipleship amongst your team, and others. Verse 13 declares that when David was brought in from doing the mundane, everyday task, watching and protecting the sheep, Samuel anointed him and \u201cthe Spirit of God entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life.\u201d What a beautiful example of a man after God\u2019s own heart faithfully doing what he was tasked to do by his earthly father, then being empowered for the rest of his life to do even bigger things! David wasn\u2019t a diva! He was a faithful servant!
      \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

      I appreciate that while David was doing the \u201cgreat\u201d, he remained faithful by tending his father\u2019s sheep in Bethlehem. Verses 15-23 tell us that when Saul was elevating David, David was out in the fields tending his sheep. David had rehearsed and honed his skills in his private time and was now called upon to soothe the king\u2019s tormenting moods. David was able to bring peace in a troubled situation. 1Samuel 18:5 says that \u201cwhatever Saul gave David to do, he did it well.\u201d What a testimony of someone who was faithful in the small things!
      \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. David was considered to be an \u201cexcellent musician\u201d (1 Samuel 16:18). When duty called, David was ready to play music and fight giants because of the practice he did on his own, in private, in the field, no bright lights, fog machines, or crowded venue. We must hone our skills so that when the time arrives, we are more than ready to play, to sing, and to lead with a spirit of excellence. I never want my lack of ability to hinder what the Spirit wants to accomplish in a service. The anointing breaks the yoke and carries us far; however, we must do our part to get past the technical aspects of what we do so that we can easily go right in to the Holy of Holies and take others with us! Have you ever been in a service where the musicians seemed to be playing in three different keys simultaneously? The vocalists were singing in the wrong key for their voices? The group didn\u2019t know the song well? When we don\u2019t present with a spirit of excellence, then the congregation can feel the uneasiness and lack of confidence. The only way to present with confidence is to rehearse, rehearse, then rehearse some more. Hone your skills to the best of your ability, then attend workshops, seminars, private lessons, online teaching\u2026then practice the presence of God!<\/strong>
        \n<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        On the flip side, don\u2019t lean too much to the technical side and negate the spiritual aspect of what we do. We depend totally on the anointing of the Holy Spirit. You may have every note and rhythm correct, then be thrown off when God moves in the midst because you haven\u2019t practiced the presence. His presence must not be foreign to you. There will be times when we have to \u201cbe still\u201d and we won\u2019t know exactly what to do because of the sovereign hovering of the Holy Spirit. I never want to be guilty of not being comfortable and familiar with His presence. My ultimate goals as a worship leader are to lead others to Him and to allow Him to change me and make me more like Him in the process. David had to \u201cpractice war\u201d with lions and bears before he went into war with Goliath. He practiced God\u2019s presence and warfare. Worshipers do spiritual warfare every service! We must prepare spiritually and musically to go before the army and lead the way.
        \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Maintain a strong work ethic and dependability.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          David, in 1 Samuel 17:20-23, was sent by his father to check on his brothers. The Word tells us that David didn\u2019t leave a mess! He \u201cwas up at the crack of dawn and, having arranged for someone to tend his flock, took the food and was on his way just as Jesse had directed him.\u201d His work ethic was amazing and lacked nothing. Jessed didn\u2019t have to take care of David\u2019s fields because David did his job. He was up at it early and made preparations for the journey ahead and for his responsibilities behind. Man, what a work ethic that this generation needs more of in this day and age! Practically speaking, if you know you won\u2019t be at particular service, then make preparations to find a trained replacement, get the set list ready ahead of time, clue the pastor in\u2026simple things, yet disastrous results if we don\u2019t take care of business.
          \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Don\u2019t wear other people\u2019s mantle\/clothing.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            When Saul tried to give David his armor to fight Goliath, David had to refuse. He couldn\u2019t wear Saul\u2019s mantle. It didn\u2019t fit! He had to be himself and who God had called HIM to be. We all have worship leaders who have gone before us who have paved the way. I respect so many of the leaders whom I have watched and learned from down through the years. However, if I try to be them instead of me, then their anointing and gifting and talents won\u2019t fit me! I have unique abilities that never made sense to me as a child and teenager. In fact, at times I was embarrassed and tried to hide the abilities because I didn\u2019t quite know what to do with them. But over time, I have come to see how the God-given abilities have aided my musical path. I no longer despise the abilities or hide them, but I have found ways to use them for the glory of God.
            \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Be careful when your gifts make room for you\u2026other people will notice. Saul became jealous of David\u2019s rise in popularity with the people. Sad, but true. 1 Samuel 18:5 shows that \u201cwhatever Saul gave David to do, he did it-and did it well\u2026Everybody, both the people in general and Saul\u2019s servants, approved of and admired David\u2019s leadership.\u201d Eventually Saul becomes jealous and creates an interesting life for David. He even wants to kill David. Be yourself, stay humble, and resist pride. \u201cFirst pride, then the crash-the bigger the ego, the harder the fall\u201d (Proverbs 16:18).
            \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Be wise in your friendships\/relationships. <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              David and Saul\u2019s son, Jonathan, became as close as brothers. Where you found one, you found the other. Inseparable. 1 Samuel 19 portrays the level of Jonathan\u2019s commitment to his friendship with David. Saul called his servants and Jonathan and commanded them to kill David. Because of Jonathan\u2019s deep love and loyalty to David, he found David and warned him of Saul\u2019s plan. As worship leaders, we must choose carefully our friends. We must ask God for discernment in this area of our lives. Wrong relationships can devastate a ministry. We must show love and compassion to all\u2026we must not bear our souls to everyone we meet in the congregation! Honesty, transparency, authenticity, yes. However, there will be times when the enemy will use people to bring confusion, lies and division into your life. Remember, he seeks to \u201ckill, steal and destroy\u201d and will use co-laborers to assist if necessary. I don\u2019t believe that we have to walk around leery of everyone around us. That is not God\u2019s plan for our lives. We should guard our hearts, minds, marriage, and family from the attack of the enemy. The Word teaches us that we don\u2019t have wisdom because we don\u2019t ask for it. Ask for wisdom. Seek discernment. Wisdom and discernment will carry you far down this road called ministry. There have been several occasions where I didn\u2019t have a peace about a person or situation in my life. I was always glad in the end that I listened to that still, small voice. Find a Jonathan in your life. In fact, you are blessed if you find two or even three Jonathans! Hold them in a special place in your life. They are rare and precious!<\/strong><\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

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

              Julie Ely is the worship pastor at Passion Church (www.passionchurch.tv) in Oklahoma City and an Elementary Music teacher in Piedmont, OK. <\/em>Julie and her husband, Steve Ely, planted Passion Church in 2007. They have two sons, Devin and Tal.<\/em><\/p>\n

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