Worship Leader Longevity: Key Lessons Learned from 20 Years of Worship Leadership (Part 1)

As I reflect on my journey, 2025 marks a significant milestone – 20 years of worship leadership. It's hard to believe how much has changed since I first began in January of 2005. From the early days of leading worship to where I am today, there have been countless lessons learned along the way. I’d like to take a moment to share some of the most impactful things I've learned during this journey and how they’ve shaped my leadership.

Celebrating 20 Years of Worship Leadership

It’s amazing to think that I’ve spent two decades in worship leadership. Reflecting on where I started and where I am now, it’s clear that growth has been a constant. But what would I say to the younger version of myself starting out 20 years ago? Stick with it and keep learning! The lessons I’ve gained over these two decades have not only shaped my leadership but have also deepened my relationship with God and the worship community I serve.

The Vision: Building a Thriving Worship Community

A major driving force behind my ministry is my vision to cultivate a thriving community where worshippers grow in character, competence, and cognitive health. I’ve come to realize that effective worship leadership isn’t just about leading songs—it’s about raising people who are spiritually mature, skillfully proficient, and mentally healthy. This vision has always guided my ministry and leadership decisions.

Character and Competence – Psalm 78:72

One passage that has greatly influenced my leadership is Psalm 78:72. It describes how God took David from shepherding sheep to shepherding His people, and He did so with “integrity of heart” and a “skillful hand.” This idea has shaped my approach to leadership. Yes, character (integrity) is important, but without skill (competence), you can’t effectively lead others. It’s about balancing both: being rooted in strong character and continually growing in your abilities.

12 Takeaways that I have learned over the past 20 years (First 6)

1. Overcoming Resistance to the Click Track

Early on in my worship leading, I was resistant to using a click track. I didn’t see its value and even thought it might take the "spirit" out of worship. However, over time, I began to realize the benefits of using a click track. It helps keep the band in time, improves consistency, and allows for better musicianship. Looking back, I wish I had embraced this sooner. Learning to play with a click track became a game-changer for my team and me.

2. Know Your Why

It’s crucial to know your “why” in worship leadership. Over the years, I’ve learned that having a clear understanding of your mission, vision, and values will help guide decisions, especially as your team grows. Early on, I didn’t have a clear set of documents or guidelines for my worship team, but as the team expanded, I began developing clear expectations. This clarity has helped ensure that everyone on the team understands what we’re about and what’s expected of them. It also makes the onboarding process less subjective and more aligned with the team’s core values.

3. Mentorship – 2 Timothy 2:2

One of the most impactful scriptures for me in leadership is 2 Timothy 2:2. It talks about how the things you’ve learned should be passed down to faithful individuals who can teach others. It’s about a four-generation mentorship cycle: Paul mentoring Timothy, Timothy mentoring faithful people, and those faithful people mentoring others. In my experience, this has been incredibly powerful. I've actively sought out mentors in my field and made a point of mentoring those who follow me. It’s not just about learning from those ahead of you but also passing along wisdom to the next generation.

4. Plan Ahead – At Least a Month in Advance

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to plan ahead—at least a month out. When you plan ahead for worship services, you’re not scrambling last minute. It frees you up to focus on other aspects of ministry, like pastoral care, team development, or personal growth. Planning ahead not only helps reduce stress but also ensures your worship services are well-prepared and thoughtful.

5. Reading for Growth

As a worship leader, I’ve found that reading has been one of the most effective ways to grow in my leadership. Since 2017, I’ve set a personal goal to read more each year. While I don’t always hit my target, even reading a little more each year has made a big difference. I focus on books that improve my spiritual practices, leadership abilities, and specific knowledge about worship ministry. Even if you’re not naturally a reader, I encourage you to start with a few books that can help you grow in your leadership.

6. Developing a Rhythm of Rest

Rest is something I didn’t prioritize enough early in my ministry, and it took a toll. Rest is essential for sustainable leadership. One principle I live by is to divert daily, withdraw weekly, and retreat quarterly. Finding a rhythm of rest helps prevent burnout and ensures that I’m fully present for my team and congregation. I also encourage leaders to think about taking periodic retreats or sabbaticals to recharge. The ministry monster will devour everything you feed it unless you create boundaries for rest.

Sabbaticals have become a crucial part of my long-term sustainability in ministry. Every seven years, it’s essential to take time off for rest and reflection. Whether it's three or six months, a sabbatical allows you to recharge physically, mentally, and spiritually. Ministry is demanding, and having a plan for intentional time away is crucial for staying effective in the long run.

As I continue to grow and lead in worship ministry, I’m incredibly thankful for the lessons I’ve learned over the past two decades. These principles have not only shaped my leadership style but also deepened my faith. To those starting out in worship leadership, my advice is simple: embrace the journey, learn from others, and don’t be afraid to evolve. Every experience—both the victories and the challenges—helps refine you into the leader you're meant to be. Here's to the next 20 years!

Stay tuned for part two soon!