I feel it’s worth acknowledging that another reason people leave is because they aren’t being valued. Unfortunately in some churches, leadership is an issue, and have a bad habit of playing favoritism. They use some people more than others, and make others feel less important and unvalued. I, as a worship volunteer and intern for a season, I have been on both sides of this. It’s a terrible feeling when you feel like there’s specific people on the team that are used all the time, and you along with certain others are used just here and there. It’s important to value your team, and use everyone who is available, willing, and following the expectations. Not just those who you “like” more! It’s not a liking contest.
This is a very important topic of discussion. A few reasons I can think of why people leave worship teams are: 1. Members are not appreciated: It's like they're just expected to be present no matter their personal struggles or situations. When they make an effort to practice more or get better in their skill, it goes unnoticed. However if they do something wrong, it's highlighted and blown out of proportion. 2. The leadership doesn't invest in the worship team members: not every team has great vocalists or musicians and they need some help or guidelines to increase their skill. However the church/worship leader makes no effort to organize or pay for music/vocal classes or just create an environment for improvement. It's simple to set some time aside to work on simple things that increases the members' abilities etc. You find that these people do get better if they really try, but they either teach themselves or they learn from outside sources. 3. Members feel like the worship team keeps them back: This happens mainly with musicians/vocalists who have had more musical experience/knowledge than other members on the team or even the worship leader. Sometimes the leader is comfortable with what they know and wants to to stick to it for YEARS and that can easily frustrate a team member who wants to grow or knows how to make things not be so monotonous. These people hardly get a chance to feel free and actually worship God on their instruments cause they are so preoccupied with trying to stay within the limits of the worship team on a whole. 4. Some people just don't have the gift/anointing to lead worship: they may be able to play/sing, but their true calling is preaching or evangelism for example. And they're on a worship team but just can't understand the real purpose of that ministry. So sometimes you find such people lost or just coming cause they were asked to join the team cause there was a need at the time for their skill, but they're just not into it, and quite frankly being committed to the worship team may just be taking up time that they would rather spend working on their own gifting/calling. 5. Monotonous experience: There are some worship teams who do the same things over and over. Meet for practice, only run through the songs for the upcoming worship session, find the keys and go home, then do worship on Sunday and go home. No one really interacts with each other during the week unless there's some info to be given etc. And till next time to do the same thing. I think there should be different things a worship team can do to increase the bonds within the team and to bring new dynamics. Go to concerts together, have dinner, picnic etc. And as for practices, they can include discussions, Bible studies, watch videos on worship, try composing a new song etc. 6. Little to no worship training: a lot of people think that because you're on a worship team you should just automatically know what to do, when to do it and how. Churches are different and have different beliefs and standpoints so it's wise for even the pastors to guide the worship team according to the foundation of the church and where the Holy Spirit is leading in particular seasons. It's also important for a worship leader to teach and train the members on both the physical and spiritual aspects of leading God's people in worship so everyone can understand and be of one mind.
I’ve left a worship team because I felt like an employee before. I’ve never felt so free after getting out of that situation.The leadership was so controlling.
Maybe you are not prepared enough to join with. First,we should be Prepared Spiritually. Or maybe there's problem about musicality, so we should also be prepared with our skills too. Or what if you were hurt by some correction or some rebuke, we should be prepared Emotionally. Or maybe sometimes we lack of following the rules (duties and responsibilities) so we should know our commitment too. The reason we join is that we want to be used by GOD and to be a blessing in the ministry not a burden.There is no perfect ministry and leader at all. Take every piece of advice for improvement in order for us to grow. GODBLESS YOU Brethren😇😇☺🙏
@@braveheartconqueror5000 I am far too much of a human to get all the should be lines just right. I came to a place knowing that my heart with never be in the right place because I am a sinful human being, so I only play the music that I am excited about - that way I can express and my soul is in the right place where I am giving gratitude to God.
@@braveheartconqueror5000 I am far too much of a human to get all the should be lines just right. I came to a place knowing that my heart with never be in the right place because I am a sinful human being, so I only play the music that I am excited about - that way I can express and my soul is in the right place where I am giving gratitude to God.
I will typically not stay on a worship team if there is consistent disorganization, team members do not consistently take it seriously and personally prepare, and/or there is an unwillingness to rotate players when other skilled players are available. When some team members seem to "own" the position it kind of bothers me.
I am in the exact same position, it’s weighing on my spirit I can’t take it anymore. Because I am not ministering but singing. I can’t even complain because I am not experienced like the worship leaders. The experience card is always pulled up when you have a grievance.
Same here, it seems the leader to much of dictatorship.. Oh,but she's the daughter of Head pastor. . If she don't sing lead,nobody is allowed to..I only am "allowed" whorship prelude songs,solo..she said her group is not to back me up??? .i know I attended this church 10 yrs ..GOD please heal my hurt feelings..and others who have been hurt ? I would be happier to serve regularly,as I know music is a gift..should I seek another opportunity IM PRAYING..I do ,and will ..Jesus can direct me.. Shalom 🙏⚘
I think a bigger, more uncomfortable and main reason people leave is they're not treated well. Music groups in church are full of politics, resentment, envy and strife. Either you have less talented people in charge or untalented people who want to be in charge, especially in small churches where everyone's a volunteer. Atmospheres can become toxic and that's when you're most likely to leave when you're being treated poorly and nothing is changing.
Thank you for saying #1. I left a worship team precisely because they clearly didn’t care how well or how badly people played. And when I tried to speak to the leadership about it, I was told my standards were too high.
True. When the team aims for improvement and they dont back it up with effort and just words. And when you try to suggest what could help the problems and fix it but the Worship Pastor or the Music Director just ignores it because they dont want to correct a person coz they might get offended.
One undercurrent throughout the video (not said and alluded to here) is lack of relationship. No matter how competent you are, no one takes the time to know who you are.
I left my team a few months ago, I was really unhappy there. And it shows the result, the leader never provided a list of expectations. And when I got busy on Sundays, because I was going through health issues. I was the only guitarist. I was expected to be there very single sunday, and I was going through Chemo, so when I showed up sick as a dog, I got praised. But when I didn't show up and called in ahead of time. I got guilted into showing up. Since it was a small church, I was literally the only guitarist and I was needed, so I was never allowed to take a break. What made it worse, is that when I told them I needed to take a few weeks off, because I needed immediate surgery. They accepted it, but kicked me off the team, the email list, the newsletter and the group chat. i was all but excommunicated from my church, because i needed a break. I burned out and I felt like I was being punished when everyone else who took breaks or weren't even on the team anymore, were still allowed to stay in the newsletter. They were allowed to stay in the group chat and the email list. But, when I need a break. I'm kicked out altogether until I decide to come back. This leader has no grace, no patience and now, no guitarist. And I feel bad about, because its God's church, its not the worship leader's church. But, I'm in a new church now and I couldnt' be happier. I feel valued in this new church and I feel like I matter. And making your team know they are valued can make all the difference.
Some churches just don't speak any other language besides shame, and that's sad for so many reasons. I'm so sorry, and I'm glad you're in a healthier place
I may leave my team tomorrow. It depends on rehersal. We are supposed to start at 6pm but often don't start until 6:20 because people are late!!! We spend 30 minutes on a brand new song that most people haven't practiced at home and don't know their parts. We don't rehearse in advance. We are not a disciplined band. I feel like I'm wasting my time. I'm the only bass player, I never get a break and am being asked to play more.
Good for you dont leave .just hang in there .but tell the worship leader to give out a sheet of rules to abide by. Try to stick to them . To make things better.
Oh my God! Thank you for this video. I have gone through the ringer with talking with the praise team I’m apart of about the seriousness and the expectation and all they want to do is just get together for one hour or two hours per week, practice a new song every week almost and immediately try to sing it that coming Sunday. More than half of the praise team lacks reverence for the position and the charge on the position. The praise team leader has the potential to lead but not the training and she’s not really open to other individuals who do have some of the training and skill set. It’s pretty sad and it’s definitely frustrating. We signed it like trash as a group on this past rehearsal and I encouraged that we go over the song a few more times because it didn’t seem like we had it together and it didn’t go over well for me. The praise team leader told me that if I was uncomfortable with the way the song sounded that I could sit down for this weekend. That’s the type of stuff that makes a Christian curse somebody out Because I’m at every practice and I leave my job to get there and. It’s so easy to see the different things that would improve our Sunday performance and half of the praise team seems to believe that it’s OK to simply come together and make a joyful noise unto the Lord. The Lord didn’t ask us to come make a bunch of noise around him. My girlfriend seems to think I’m being prideful by insisting upon myself and encouraging team members to also embrace a commitment to excellence and a consistent effort to improve. It’s discouraging.
1. It’s OK to have high expectations. 2. I haven’t stuck to the expectations that I’ve set.... 3. Give people some grace, team membership can be understandable flexible. 4. You didn’t ever allow them to take a break, at least 4 Sunday’s a year. 5. People feel like an employee and not a part of a team. I appreciate your insight... sometimes I am the one who wants to walk away.
Music is more objective than we tend think. A singer out of tune, a weak drummer -. it is painful to play with them. Being asked to play non musically drained the blood out of me. Music leaders need to be both a bit techy and, solid musicians. Conversely, while it is fun to play with a talented music team, the musicians are sometimes flagrantly disobedient Christians, if they are Christians at all. I have experienced both ends of the spectrum. If I go back to serving on a team again, I want to be more a genuine part of the team, not just the instrument they are hoping to have that Sunday. The Worship Team leader needs to be a disciplined, discerning person, who holds the line on what goes on and who is invited in. This takes support from the pastor himself - and I get the feeling that this does not always happen. Tough job to be a strong worship leader!
We lost the musician who had the best musical feel and equipment knowledge. I think he felt he was asked to setup in a way that compromised his sound and nagged about volume while our biggest problems were other members' timing. His value wasn't valued. Instead he was critiqued.
Its sad to leave the worship team because politics, not appreciated, overworked, incompetent members. However, cheer up, God has better plans for you and me. Let us all do what pleases God and use our voice/ music to praise Him
I recently left my first worship team not because of the worship leaders but the churches leadership in general. So it’s not always because of the team sometimes it’s cause of the Head.
I'm stepping down for entirely different reasons. This year it's going to be 11 yrs as worship leader. When I started leading, there were only two adult worship leaders. One moved to another state and we're left with 2 plus the Assistant Ptr. Another one joined us. However, the other wl had family issues. She stepped down. After covid the other wl and his family just left without noticed! Knowing that our church is in need, I stepped up. Ever since I've been telling the head of the department that we have to raise the younger generation to step up to the plate. I do believe that my purpose is also to raise new leaders. I know that God will not allow me to step down unless we have other people that can step up. Thank God, we have now 4 worship leaders. That being said, I told the head that I am stepping on 2025. They don't want to say the word step down. They still want me to do other things but Im thankul that I will not be doing platform ministry. Let's pass the baton to the new generation.
Left 2 really great teams not because of the team but the direction of the churches were heading. The first team I also left because everyone on the team where semi "professionals" playing in various bands besides the worship team and what I notice is people were not even singing with us they where just watching the "show" even though there was no theatrics going on just really good musicians playing music, which to me totally defeats the purpose the worship team, the "band / team" leads the congregation but the congregation is part of the worship team, since it is for an audience of One.
I left because of a multitude of experiences with public humiliation and being shamed with God as the weapon. I intend to never go back. I have a rock and blues trio now and am playing all the music and songs that the church threatened me with all my young life. And I have never felt more liberated to worship God with my talent in that way. It is very sad though because I was once so committed and invested to that type of ministry
@Yolanda King I thank you for that. The experience that I had brought me to a place where I am motivate to love and appreciate those who are expressing their talents. And I am happy that I can express mine sometimes. :)
@Yolanda King This is precisely a good reason why I just can't do the worship team thing. The entire group can be a "click" within a church and then inside the group, there are clicks within clicks. I was with a worship team for 5 years and tried so very hard to prove myself and one day was simply ousted. Someone else who had done nothing was "in." So I know that feeling you have. I tried to address it and was unfortunately publicly humiliated in front of the congregation. At the end of the day, I think that a person on a worship team has to have their hearts in the right place and I could never make mine be okay. I got accused for the last time of trying to take the focus off Christ and I won't be back. But I did find a niche of simply being a musician and worshiping God in whatever forum I approach simply through gratitude. It is greatly liberating. I wish you well and I hope you find the peace that you need. :)
I also realized that the portions for the Levites had not been given them; for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work had gone back to his field. Nehemiah 13:10 NKJV We're not being taken care of...Period.‼️
I've been in the worship team for 19 years now, I've seen musicians/leaders come and go, watching this video got me thinking, how did I stay all these years in this one church? Haha, well I need to break it down to you that there's no formula, but there is purpose why, but lately, what really makes me wanna leave is disrespectful young musicians, and on the second note, leadership that sides with them. All I can do now is pray for guidance for the decision that I'm about to make.
As far as young musicians go they're usually given a chance due to talent vs anointing. If they are "groomable "keep them, but there should be an experienced elder there to guide them
I think a lack of Vision can be a huge problem, as I've seen it in my worship team. We have gone from a large team for a 200+- church (5-6 vocalists, 2 guitar players, 2 bass players, 3 drummers and our leader on keys) to a skeleton crew (1 vocal leader, 3 vocalists, 1 guitar, 2 drummers and a bassist/emergency drummer.) How did we get there? Slowly over a few years of not addressing things. Our worship pastor left for a better position he was part-time. Not having trained anyone to step up we struggled with several leaders, fortunately, the core group was strong so it didn't affect the quality of the music performance, however, it did affect the spiritual/personal aspects. Small concerns went on unaddressed so they grew into big ones or bitterness. In the end, people started leaving one at a time sometimes broken-hearted. We are 2.5 years in and on life support without any permanent leader in sight. What remains of that core band is still fighting to lead as examples, and are trying to go alongside the new members to guide them, but are all growing weary. Also as a result or maybe independently our church has shrunk, so we cannot afford a full-time worship leader either also feeding to the uncertainty and fragility of the situation. We are desperately praying for an upturn. So pray for us and keep doing this I love the videos and they minister to me immensely.
Hi Spencer, interesting that I have just come across your latest edition as I have just sent an email to my minister expressing that I just need to step away from the regular Sunday worship leader slot for a bit. I have been running the worship team / music group, most Sundays for 18+ years. With the Covid-19 lockdown shutting our churches in the UK it has given me the time to rest and consider my commitments as the week in week out person. It's true what you said as leaders we feel responsible to ensure that the sung worship part of the service is covered, not with just our favorite CCM songs but with songs that reflect the message that day or how your fellowship is at the time. All this stuff before the Sunday is what takes the time, prayer and commitment if you choose to do it correctly and with integrity. What is the solution is you choose to step away from a long season of leadership but there is no obvious person committed enough to step into your shoes. I just fancy being on team without the "If I'm not there it's not going to happen yoke around my neck". Bottom line feels like I am happy to support where and when I can but would dearly like to drop the responsibility of leadership. Regards and thanks for your insights and what you do ... Paul
Hey Paul! Thanks for sharing where you're at. The pressure to do everything is VERY real for worship leaders. Definitely stay in conversation with your pastor and other leaders in your church to find a solution. It's better to take a month or two off and allow others to lead than it is to completely burnout and never come back (even if you have guest leaders from outside your church come lead while you're gone). 18 years is a LONG time of leading! It's definitely time for a break if you haven't had one in a while. Praying for you! 👊
After 18 years why would you do this in an email? Why would you do it in person? In business our goal was that no one should ever be surprised when we fire them. That's because we had a series of conversations and programs we would take people through to help them get better at their role. The reverse should also be true. Before we fire our boss and team, we take them through a series of conversations. We want to help *them* get better at being the leader.
For me as worship leader or one of worship team member, I reason out with leaders and point out the things that needs to be addressed don’t just walk away. Because if you’re really called to be a worship leader or to be in worship team then carry your cross. I focused my eyes to the Lord and pray for those people whom you decern not doing good or not in line with the Lord. I pray for my leaders and co-worship and I pray for those people who loves offending other people. If you’re with the Lord and you know your ground as Christian you should not be offended for correction. You can also rebuke leaders in love. Don’t be afraid to Correct leaders too. We hace the right as individual Christian to care for each other. But rebuking and correcting our pointing to their mistakes will help our church grow. Don’t just walk away. Godbless
We have someone who is very biased on selecting who sings when, and with who, and they're giving certain family members the opportunity to see more often and with whomever they choose. The rest of the team members are a last thought it seems.
I left my worship team because 1) I felt like the standard of music and quality of praise wasn't high enough. This was apparently a me problem and I do agree to an extent. I do expect something more than what was currently being given. 2) I was forced to do things I didn't want to such as sing certain solo's or lead even though I was not comfortable. 3) I didn't feel a sense of community or fellowship between the members and myself. Maybe I was the problem, but there was no sense of team.
I just left a P&W team, today. It was painful because I wanted so badly to find a reason to stay, but there just wasn't one. I spent no less than 15 hours a week practicing for rehearsals and doing rehearsals. That, to me, is almost a part-time job, and this was a volunteer role. There were several 'elephant in the room' issues that no one addressed over the 3-4 months while I was there. Lisa Rush (comment) really hits home. Its hard to say the reasons for leaving, with love. We disagreed on simple things like whether or not we should rehearse the arrangement of the song, instead of just trying to wing it. After 3 months, we didn't even have one song we could play with confidence. I think that is a clear indicator of a problem. There a people that just want to be in a band, but do not want to take ownership of the responsibility that comes with that title. It smells so much like the Entitlement movement. Everybody wins, all you have to do is show up, and you get a medal. Putting forth effort is, "...something those Boomers always lecture us about."
@@LeadingWorshipWell please will like to get in contact with you personally Please I believe you are the coach for me if only I am favoured with such an opportunity I will be glad pls I do need to be in contact with you, concerning your teachings .
Played on 2 worship teams over an 8 year period. 1. Burnout. Being the only drummer and playing nearly every Sunday of the year. 3 Services on Sunday practice every week. Tell the worship leader I need to go on vacation and feel guilted that I won’t be available. 2. Sometimes worship leaders can be jerks. My First worship leader from my first church got in touch with me many years later after I had left, And apologized to me saying that when he leaded the band he was prideful and arrogant and that he was sorry if he caused me any hardship during that time. I very much respected him for that. 3. Becoming too familiar with the what goes on behind the scenes of the church. You see the arguments and the nastiness of how people can be to each other. 4. This may relate to burn out, but doing the services on the worship team every Sunday week after week year after year, it starts to feel like you’re putting on a show. A Sunday concert if you will. For me, I began to wonder why am I even doing this?. 5. This may seem like a no-brainer, but a process of questioning your faith can cause one to leave the worship team and also the church altogether… These were just some things that came to mind right away. I’m sure there are more. I personally am no longer a Christian or a believer. But these were some of the things I experienced.
Reasons why I no longer even want to pursue worship leading opportunities, despite being blessed with a beautiful voice: 1. Politics within the team 2. Overcommitment/burnout 3. My talent alone is not enough (ex. In addition to singing melody, I need to be able to harmonize on the fly, which I can’t do very well). 4. Expectations I am unable to meet or achieve (see #3 above). This results in me being turned down at auditions, thus setting myself up for disappointment. 5. I’ve always loved being on stage just for the love of being on stage. I don’t want to lead worship with the wrong motive. 6. People in church leadership roles will be judged by a higher standard and more severely. Does being blessed with singing talent mean that I am subject to more severe judgment, just because I have this gift? Right now I feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place in that I will be judged more severely if I serve on a worship team, yet if I don’t, I will be judged for not using my God-given talent to further the kingdom. Are there other (less-visible) ministries in which I can use my talent other than the worship team? If so, what are they?
Thanks man! Great video. I think it maybe goes without saying, but it’s important to mention that, sometimes, people just leave, despite the best efforts on the part of the ministry leader to love, serve, and lead their volunteers with excellence, passion, and Christlikeness. I say this because I have agonized in the past over why “so and so” left the team, and have been incredibly hard on myself and have placed all the blame on my shoulders. That is not healthy. So the one thing I would add to this video is that, truly, sometimes, people just leave. It’s part of it, and it is a bummer. But it can get unhealthy when you start overanalyzing to the point where you’re paralyzed with self-pity.
Why didn't you simply ask the person why they left? Not asking implies you don't care.. to me. How do you think they felt about leaving and not even being asked why?
I think the first four reasons are the exception. However number five is huge. But why do team members feel like that? Hopefully, it is because he or she is simply inexperienced. But could one of the big reasons be, because the worship leader is territorial and kind of a Nazi? 🤐 I'm a worship leader and played in my first worship band 50 years ago. You could say that I've seen it all. The number one reason people leave a worship team is quite possibly because the worship leader is being a jerk. Most worship leaders we'll just say I'm being unkind. But ask a team member and you'll find this is more common then you would think. In too many cases the worship leader is insecure and afraid that somebody will outshine him or be given his position. If a team member has a suggestion, the WL oftentimes blow it off because it wasn't his idea... He wants to be the expert and will feel diminished when a team member brings something to the table which he can't. What ever the problem, it's always somebody else's fault because after all, he's "Steve Stunning, Worship Specialist." Pride! That's the worst enemy of a worship team. I've been doing this long enough to know that... The more I know, the more I know nothing at all. That's because every time God gives me understanding, it raises 10 more mysteries to be unearthed...If I've "arrived" anyplace, it's only at a new point of departure. Here's a couple things that will keep you humble and make you a good worship leader, even if you are new at it or feel you are over your head. #1. REMEMBER YOU ARE A SERVANT, not a master. #2.GIVE IT AWAY! Let somebody else shine. As a leader, you are supposed to be mentoring your team. #3. Trying to bring as many of your team up to replace you as possible. #4. BE THE DONKEY! You are meant to carry the glory of God like like the donkey Jesus rode on during His triumphal entry. DON'T TOUCH THE GLORY. It doesn't belong to you. #5. LEARN TO SIMPLY SAY THANK YOU when somebody pays you a compliment... None of this: "it wasn't me, it was God" stuff. That's false humility. If it were God, it would have been much better! Follow these five suggestion and your problems will be few and far between. If there's a problem, look at yourself first. Hope I didn't sound too harsh! Be blessed,
Thank you for this video I have stepped back from the worship team twice - both times for the same reason. My return to the worship team was because of a personal request from another team member. I cannot please the worship leader, period. I sing well - many people in different settings compliment my voice. (just for context - it's not that I cannot sing) I even perform in public settings as a singer/pianist. However, I am seldom offered a lead by the worship leader - not even a verse ( like maybe once because someone else was sick and they needed a female voice). I am criticized for not finding the harmony imagined by the worship leader. I am asked to back out of the microphone frequently. I've tried and tried to do what's asked of me. My last time on the team, I was told the harmony I was doing just wasn't working. The sound tech told me after rehearsal that there was nothing wrong with what I was singing at all. I know it wasn't off pitch because I could hear myself. The worship leader just doesn't dig what I do. So I'd rather sing with all my heart and soul in the congregation than pull a Milli Vanilli on the worship team. To any worship leader, I would say that if you don't like someone's voice, please just say so and let us depart gracefully on our own terms. It beats feeling substandard in the house of the Lord.
That's how it was with me in my former church. I wasn't his style. I was lead singing with a Christian band outside the church at the time and he didn't think I had a solo voice. That's fine. I didn't care about solos. It was just weird how he didn't like my voice.
I would say a lack of creativity could be a reason. We serve a creative God and we are created in His image. There’s a fine line with this, I totally get that. Corporate worship needs simplicity in many ways to be inclusive, but there can be some creative chord substitutions or other creative additions that can make it more engaging or interesting. There’s also a fine line between being interesting and engaging and encouraging consumerism. You spoke of giving people a break. The opposite of this can also be a problem. Our leader feels like I’m on a lot and rosters me off to give me a break, but could be, and would like to be, on 2-3 time a month but am rarely on twice. This is very discouraging and leads me to believe I’m not valued.
I was pressured to leave a team, it what is the most bizarre thing I’ve ever gone through in church, so I just had to leave because it was just a lack of honor and at the same time, like I said I was getting pressured to leave. There is no discipleship and no leadership within the team
Team leader does not really include everyone, tardiness, lack of practice, make people feel unwelcome, simply the leader does not listen… I’m leaving after 11 years
I am not going to leave my worship team....Because I was called by God to serve in anyway and under aby circumstances....we don't want to listen or obey those over us...
That last one #5, Lord help me. I'm in a current situation where the director knows that myself and another lady have experience with teaching parts and directing etc but when we volunteer to help his reply no I dont want yall to help in this area just do the part you are in. Or when someone in the group voices a concern it gets overlooked... ex. One sister whose been saying for years now, "I can no longer hit the super high soprano notes. I practice, take care my voice, but I'm struggling." His reply "no you got it, im gonna keep pushing you guys to open your vocal register." But in reality her voice due to older age and health issues hasn't been a 1st soprano in probably 20 years. Until about 3 weeks ago he listened to a suggestion to move her to alto/tenor. Its very frustrating when you see and hear things from a singer perspective but you are basically ignored. I feel like Terrel Owen's when he played football "I run the plays that are called" 😔😔
I haven't left a team lately, but a problem I had in my former church was that the leadership disregarded multiple people who had legitimate issues with how loud the music was (not the style. the actual volume). Worship wasn't accessible for everyone. Currently, I struggle with having convictions about lyrics and feel a lot of pressure to go against those convictions to "keep the peace." According to Romans 14, I should be allowed personal convictions (I'm not judging anyone else, just convicted I can't sing certain songs or lyrics). I feel like I'm being asked to sin (Rom 14:23). It's so hard to navigate
I have left a worship team because of the people being used were outwardly in sin and not willing to repent and stop their behavior. I understand that everyone has sin, but to be flaunting it online and in public made me uncomfortable. Worship teams should be checking their heart for a true spirit of worship.
I'm contemplating leaving my worship team because 1. our senior worship leaders seem to be inclined towards word of faith and proserity gospel when they "free worship", and I don't feel comfortable with that. 2. i feel that us junior members are being under-utilized for the shallow reason that were not as good singers as they are even though they frequently complain about being burnt out by how much they serve the ministry. (The senior singers are also the ministry heads) 3. The team seems to value more the dynamic worship "experience" with perfect performance and complicated arrangements, and I believe that there can also be genuine worship even with simpler arrangements. They are unwilling to give more opportunity to the musicians and singers who are quite good, just not the best, and only do so when they want to go on vacation or as last minute stand-ins when they fall ill. I havent left yet because I'm consulting the Lord and waiting for Him to clarify my path, but meanwhile I feel low, and here I am watching your video
I backed out of a program (not the whole music ministry) because there was such a lackadaisical attitude about it. When I didn't know my part (because of lack of good planning on the leaders' part, not mine), I was literally told "JUST SING SOMETHING." Is that really how I am supposed to present worship to God? I prayerfully decided it wasn't a program I was supposed to be part of... worship should be excellent, not half hearted.
Another reason may be because the team values talent over heart. I go to a Christian college and im on the worship team there but they are signed under a label. I was given the expectation that I would be on soon but haven’t been communicated well about it and based on my observations of chapels; they only use the people who will make em look good rather than usin the genuine people who work hard to better themselves for God’s glory. There are good souls on the team but its hard to see that with all the other people who treat others differently if they are not in the core.
I've been so frustrated being on my churches worship team for a few years now. I go to a smaller church where the only musicians in the church are the people on the worship team . They are very unorganized. We usually end up playing the same songs every Sunday and that gets tiresome. I work 3rd shift and will come in on Saturday morning to practice at 9:30 am after working all night and people will still be screwing around pulling music and talking and I'm setting there half asleep. Being on the worship team feels more like a chore sometimes more than anything.. I love playing my drums on Sundays but it gets so frustrating. I've been playing a really long time so I'm kinda a perfectionist with music and the rest of the worship team isn't. Most of the time they don't even know where they're at in the song. I find myself complaining about our worship team and I know that's not right. They will also throw away songs that are more than a few years old. They're too old they say ... I'd feel bad If I left because there isn't anyone else in the church that plays drums and the congregation would be disappointed...
Our current pastor hired an 'out of work pastor' to take over the worship team. He doesn't play music or sing but wants us to do musical 'things' his way. No musical training at all, never played in ANY band yet tells us what to play and how to play it! I've been involved with church band and music for over 50 years and this new guy is just draining the band. My next stop is just to retire, I guess. Sad to say...
I know this is late and I haven’t read all comments. However one reason is at my church we just got a new pastor and they didn’t like the new changes as well as the direction the pastor was changing way too fast and it seemed like they couldn’t keep up with the changes.
I left one worship team because the junior pastors in charge and the sound crew, were all clueless maximus, and didnt listen to input from the musicians.
I am currently facing this situation. A brother has silently left the worship team. Uncertain on what to do as he has completely stopped being involved in the group chats but also has stopped attending service on Sunday. Definitely would love to hear some feedback. Thanks and God bless you guys.
people are not being valued. Wherein the quality or results are much way more important than the volunteer. Feedbacks, are also not accommodating by the leaders and people are always less heard and reached. Silence is a killer or maker. There is no shared responsibilities within the team the leader always takes the burden because of the product of lack of communication and expectation difference. No organized set ups and detailed responsibilities are not specified.
I left a worship team recently due to favoritism. The same musicians were being selected most weeks, but on the weeks that they weren't on an instrument, they were absent from the church. They are absent during regular events and are never present when they're not on stage. I would rarely ever get selected, in fact only once I was selected. On top of the fact that I keep getting selected for an instrument and then get replaced last minute by one of the favorites. I tried to address this problem with the leader, and he said that hes not there to judge anyone's walk with God. But he expects new prospects to be present every week, but members on the team only show up when scheduled, while Im committed warming the pews. I've expressed interest in worshiping, but Ive only been selected once in six months and I was assigned an instrument that I was not proficient at. Like I was setup up to fail. Favoritism and an unfair preference over passionate servants.
The worship team hands the songs out half hour before they sing never practice. Sang once on the worship team felt uncomfortable because didn't know the songs well enough.
We are on a worship group discussing worship before practice. They are a very happy group with one another but everytime I suggest anything like..... Would you like me on board they do not respond to me or answer me. This was with the Christmas carols 😒🤣still waiting for their answer and the Christmas carols evening has come and go. I lead the English service and they are involved with Afrikaans and English. Very frustrating. Really want to say to them just get on with it and lesd English as well. 🙈
I'm a part of the team for a quiet some time now. I enjoy so much playing with my team specially w/ best friend, and 2 extended siblings. But the setback is no other than their mother of the 2 siblings (who happens to be our leader/and our pastor's wife). I would never understand how she decided things specially in the worship team and so on (mostly, because of her favoritism attitude). I heard others as well complaining in silence and doesn't want to speak. We don't need to be one of her favorites, but it's a nerve wracking thing to address our issues towards her authority and being pastor's wife. No respect as well during practices (bcoz they usually forgot/or atleast didn't learn their parts). And my leader, always used someone to get it touch with me instead of leader reaching out to its members. I'm not perfect and a sinner, too, but I'm not dumb to felt these things. Thinking about leaving
What to do with my current situation. We established rules inside the team to be guidelines and surely to be followed and one member violated it more than twice and very insensitive. And the authorities just let it pass. And ignoring the rules and not doing what must be done. It frustrates me because that person is not listening and accepting corrections and discipline.
Spencer! I have a question... as a worship leader is it too much to ask from the pastor to actually communicate with me? Ever since i've had to step into the roll it's almost like my pastor and the leaders of that church have purposely thrown the responsibility to me but at the same time they don't want to give me the exact acknowledgement of my roll there.... and now since march our sister's church worship leader has wanted to partner up with the church... my pastor communicates with that worship leader all the time now and he's now calling all the shots without even talking to me to the point where he suddenly told the team (not me) that there's two more players coming to play with us next week (this week) and how there will be 3 sundays on Novemeber where I will have to take full responsibility because he'll be busy with his church. I'm so..thrown off and ill about how my pastor and the leaders treat me. We're not a big church, but it just feels like it's chaotic with no respect for others and their hearts (like mine). There's so much I can say but just knowing they're excited for "a pro bass" and "a bro drummer" to be playing on the team... at this point... i'm just so confused as to what dream are we building? The church's dream? mans cream? people's dream? or... God's vision for his people for this time...? i'm so confused what's going on.
The cornerstone to successfully operate a worship team is respect, communication, and Love for one another. As I have been involved in worship teams for 20 plus years I've seen the good the bad and the ugly, when a team works great you have the Trinity I mentioned above . You can't be an effective team if you feel unappreciated, un loved or unrespected
When I first started being a worship leader my pastor wouldn't communicate but I had to understand that the pastor isn't a worship leader so he doesn't know the answers to give you sometimes pastors don't want to give you the wrong advice you should connect more with your sister churches I used to go to other churches practices and I would bring some team members that we're willing so we could grow it also gave us more respect in our region and at conferences so I would get to see some of our players or even myself being used at conferences and major events and it gave me a better vision for what God wants to do not only in our church worship but the world's worship. This also gave our team some respect not just locally but nationally and connecting with other worship leaders helped me and the team that I was intrusted with to get so much better
Just what kind of expectations are you talking about? If you're talking about showing up for rehearsal and service that's understandable and like you said best with some breaks.
What if a worship group doesnt have a specific leader? Mine is everyone, from my own observations, is a leader and sometimes i dont know which one to follow? Especially, i'm only english worship and the rest are chinese. I sometimes feel an outcast.
I was sad the day, one of my members is not attending our rehearsal and Sunday service. Because her expectation not happen. Do we serve because of our member's expectations? 😔 Or the right thing to do is to expect what God is doing in our service to Him?
Please talk to the pastor. Tell him you have personal issues and step down from P&W. Praise and worship plays and sings music that covers the congregation. It's a very serious role. Do not get into fornication. That will affect your pastor and the whole church. Work on your marriage. God bless.
I currently have many issues and planning my exit. You covered three issues that pertain to me (1,2, and 5) but there is more.Too much to cover in a comment but I’ve overstayed. 15+ years I think at this church down the drain. I feel further away and insulted. I’ve raised a few issues to start conversation but they insulted me and said it’s my misunderstanding.
How about bit of more than they can chew, job with long hours or two jobs and three kids. How about it's a volunteer position someone has high expectations and pushing a non paying gig to hard taking the fun out of it. This is reality and what your doing is trying to draw attention to your self and you should stop or you will be judged
@@JdawgTheBoss yeah happened to me almost a year ago and I'm still not back playing on that worship team. I ended up leaving the church over being treated the way the Pastor was treating me.
The pastor is on the team and is to controlling and have no respect for the team leader,and the musicians don't practice enough and expect to know the music on Sunday ...unexceptable.