leadership / discipleship

hey gang,

i've been thinking much lately about how to be a better leader/disciple of leaders/disciples...

to that extent, today, i just ask you one thing...

please respond openly and honestly to the following question (you can email me, call me, or set up a time we chat):

"am i consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that i am better than i am? in other words, in what ways am i a hypocrite?"

i know it cuts to the heart...and so, before responding please pray for God to speak clearly to you about this...

and then let's confess to one another...

 

chief of the hypocrites,

craig

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craig eakright ::::: www.craigeakright.com

worship GUY :::: grace gathering :::: 3157 minnich road :::: new haven :::: indiana :::: 46774 :::: 260.749.5165 ::::

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"do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." phil 2.3

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craig@eakright.com

title i haveth not...

...wanted to say hi.  miss you guys!  seems like this summer has passed so quickly, yet i feel like it has been forever since i have seen many of you.  anyway, just showin' some love

OK my turn. So i just finished chapter 8. Labberton talked all about exodus and exile, but i wasn't completely getting it at first. not until the last 2 pages.

EXODUS
So, if we are living in exodus, we praise God because of His grace and mercy He has on us and because He has saved us from eternal death. We are ensured a spot in heaven and that is our joy. If we do anything good, our motive is probably our promised reward in heaven. We'll just view ourselves as foreigners on the Earth, awaiting to go to our real home and be with Christ. What's wrong with that?

EXILE
If we're living in exile, of course we know we're saved and have eternal life. But while we are on this Earth, we're gonna live our lives to the full. We're gonna live Micah 6:8 lives. We don't just love other's as a religious duty to God, but because we truly care for them and are compassionate for them. We want to make a difference in the world while we are here and have a chance, and showing others that there is no object or person worthy of praise other than our Heavenly Father and Savior.

This really was a good reminder and eye-opener to me because I definitely used to live in Exodus and have that mindset. But I would say that is a selfish perspective to be living from our whole lives, as opposed to truly picking up our cross and loving God and loving others self-sacrificially.
It would be great to see this team leading our church by living in exile. Let's do it!

~Thanks for reading, and if you would like to give your input on the subject please post a blog on it so Craig's not the only one blogging!! : )

Focus on Projecting Lyrics

"...the person handling the projection of lyrics plays a crucial role in enabling people to engage with truth about God. If they're frequently late in putting up lyrics, show the wrong verse, leave a blank screen, or project misspelled words, that can counteract whatever good leadership you might be exercising. That's why I want that person to be humble, trained, and faithful. It also helps when they attend rehearsals."

Bob Kauflin - Worship Matters

Leading Worship by Example

Hopefully people aren't watching me the entire time they're praising God, but I never know when they'll happen to glance in my direction. When they do, I want my example to inspire them to look to the Lord as well.

The issue of example also applies to other musicians on the team. When they appear uninvolved or only concerned with music , they miss an opportunity to encourage the congregation. That's why I ask instrumentalists to sing as often as possible. It's helps them remember who we are focusing on.
The issue here isn't exuberance as much as authenticity. D.A. Carson put it like this:
"Some who publicly lead the corporate meetings of the people of God merely perform; others are engrossed in the worship of God. Some merely sing; some put on a great show of being involved; but others transparently worship God.

Which describes you? Are you simply mouthing lyrics? Do you only pretend to be engaged, moving your hands and bowing your head at the right moments to look "worshipful?" Or are you seeking to be a transparent worshiper - naturally, genuinely, and obviously demonstrating a desire to exalt Christ? If we want the church to be inspired by our leadership, we have to begin with an authentic example.

Bob Kauflin - Worship Matters

June Worship Gathering Part Two

OK...

So here's the skinny:

Who: Worship Team and families
What: Worship Team Family Gathering
When: Saturday, June 28 - 11:00am - 2:00 or whenever
Where: Franke Park outside the Zoo
Why: Cause it's nice outside and we need to get together
How: Bring a dish to share and eating gear/drinks for your fam...

Carry in lunch at Franke Park. Bring a side dish to share, drinks and eating gear for your family. I will bring a cold meat assortment, bread and my guitar and we can eat & sing a bit and then just hang out and have fun - maybe even walk through the zoo.

Oh yeah, anyone have outdoor games (frisbees, football, soccer, whiffle ball/bat/bases, jarts, etc)?

If it's raining downtown, stay home and we'll schedule a rain date later.

craig

Adjust Your Musical Arrangements and Volume

Came across these words as I was reading my latest book, "Worship Matters":

Most play-by-ear musicians think that being up front means you should always be playing. Wrong. Varying when we play, how loudly we play, and what we play affects how people hear the words.

The larger the team of musicians, the more each member should be listening to and making room for what others are doing. Believe me, this takes practice. Lots of it. If this a new concept, try having one instrument accompany an entire verse alone. It could be an acoustic guitar, pianist, percussionist, or synthesizer player. It may seem unsettling at first, but the effect is often dramatic.

Try combinations of instruments in rehearsal. Be clear in your direction, and insist at times that people not play. Help them see that your silence makes someone else's contribution more significant.

...the sound of the musician's shouldn't dominate or overpower the congregation. In the New Testament, the predominant sound throughout the meeting is the singing of the congregation. They are the real worship team.

I know we've discussed this before, and we are growing in this area. I'd really like us to focus through the summer on this as a musical team.

I hope you realize how much I love serving with you all. Your hearts and desire to lead people in humility is seriously attractive. I hear many comments about how people appreciate the transparency in what we do - no one of us is looking for personal glory. I am proud of you all.

This concept from the book is right up the Philipians 2 alley.

Be humble. Consider others as better than yourselves.

Congregational singing takes precedence over any one of us being heard. This concept refined will only increase our leadership abilities with the people.

Let's work ourselves toward being invisible in their eyes and visible in His only.