Grow Your Team (Part 1)

At the top of 2019, we’re doing a blog series all about growing your team. Today, in Part 1, I want to challenge you to do something that will grow your team immensely! However, it’s also something that is very difficult to let go of as a leader: Give someone else the opportunity to lead!

This is one of the most difficult things for me to do as a worship leader. The truth is though, it’s the only way I can create new worship leaders. I have to give them a shot! I’m sure some of you reading this can resonate with that. I love the idea of it, but struggle with carrying it out.

If you understand where I’m coming from then you also probably understand that my hesitancy to give away songs isn’t just about me. I want to make sure the new worship leader is set up for success, has the ability to lead well, and that my church can follow him/her.

I do two things to make that happen:

1. I make them wait.

When a person joins my worship team, I let them know that it will be two to three months before I’ll let them lead a song. This gives them a chance to get used to the band and the congregation. It also allows the band and congregation to get used to them! Two to three months also gives me time to see what songs would be a good fit and how they lead from a background vocal role. Basically, it builds trust.

2.  I start with a piece of a song.

When I first start having someone lead, I don’t always give them a full song. I’ll often have them start off by co-leading a song. I’ll give them a verse and I’ll take the chorus or vice versa. This always leaves me much more comfortable! It usually makes them more comfortable too! Co-leading is also a great opportunity for feedback. 

For the new leader’s sake, I never want to throw them in the deep end. I always want to set people up to win. For my sake, it’s a lot less nerve-racking when I know the person and have seen a bit of what they’re capable of. For my churches sake, starting with the points above ensures they are led well. 

Letting someone else lead is one of the best things you can do for your ministry. It allows you to delegate, it teaches you to coach leaders, and it allows leaders to grow.

Oh and if you’re wondering - you’ll be less and less nervous every time! I very much enjoy the process now!

Give new leaders new opportunities to lead this year! You won’t regret it!