PEACE! DOES YOUR TEAM HAVE IT?

Hebrews 12:14 says, "Try to live in peace with everyone...." Look at how that verse begins with "Try". The author of Hebrews is challenging us to live in peace with everyone. But he knows it is not an easy task to fulfill. So does David in Psalms 34:14 and Peter in 1 Peter 3:11 .So why does this task seem to be impossible in most worship teams? I hear many worship leaders, directors, pastors, and even members say, "Why can't this team just get along and work together?" Have you asked this question? I have. Peace is a tough "Fruit" to consistently produce. Especially in the times that we are living in. Remember that no two worship teams are exactly alike. No two people in your worship team are exactly alike. Each person comes from a different background and experience and each one has unique strengths and weakness. But we must remember that we all worship the same God. So keeping that in mind, the goal of a worship team is to come together in one mind set to provide an atmosphere of worship for the congregation to our God. So worship leaders, directors, pastors, and members how can we bring or maintain peace in our worship teams?

First we must pray hard and allow God to strengthen us and guide us. Second we cannot not allow pride, selfish ambitions, favoritism, disrespect, anger, gossip, etc to linger in our worship teams. For these are some of the roots of an unpeaceful team. So if you see these things going on in your worship team, amongst individuals speak to them privately about it immediately. Third, we must remind everyone of the common goal. The Bible says in 2 Samuel 3:1 "That was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David. As time passed David's dynasty became stronger and stronger, while Saul's dynasty became weaker and weaker" Where I am getting to with this scripture? Well the events in chapter 2 of second Samuel led to a long war between David's followers and the troops loyal to Abner and Ishbosheth. This war occurred because Israel and Judah had lost sight of God's vision and purpose; which was to settle the land (Genesis 12:7), to divide out the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7:1-4) and to obey God's laws (Deuteronomy 8:1). Instead of uniting and being at peace with one another to accomplish these goals, they fought each other. Fourth, we must hold everyone accountable to fulfilling there responsibilities with love and respect. So remind everyone that they are accountable to God and to there church and like Habakkuk 2:2 says, " Then the Lord said to me, 'Write my answer in large, clear letters on a tablet, so that a runner can read it and tell everyone else.'" Fifth, every three to four months have a one on one evaluation with each member, ask them questions (if you don't know what to ask or where to begin, here is some helpful information from our friend worshiptrench! Free tool-comprehensive year end review process) and be ready to listen.

This is not a magic formula that is set on stone, it might work for your team and it might not, but understand that a team that does not have peace and unity, is like a car going 75mph without brakes, it is going to crash sooner or later. If you are a worship leader, pastor, or director and you feel that there is not much peace in your team, take theses steps and customize them to work for the your team and be ready for whatever else God asks for you to do. If you are a worship member pray and present this issue to your leader, if your leader hasn't recognized it occurring. All in all, let peace dwell in our worship teams.

Has there ever been disharmony, disagreement in your worship team? How did you get over it? Please share your PEACE stories!

Until next time

Stay blessed