You WILL offend . . .
I could write a book. I won’t, but I could write a book about the offenses that people have taken to ministry decisions I’ve made in 15 years.
I’m a people-pleaser, and it took me a long time to realize that there are and will be people that are offended by something I do, or don’t do. Think about it for a minute. If you’ve got 500 people coming to church – all 500 of those car stereos will have a different set of radio presets. Musical preferences are subjective, and nothing gets people’s passions stirred more than whether or not they like a certain song or style. Be prepared. Be gracious, but also be confident that God has called you to minister in a certain way.
Worship leaders aren’t juke-boxes. There are styles that I can play well, and those that I struggle with. There are pieces of music that I can adapt easily for our style of worship, and those that would sound like the Mormon Tabernacle choir trying to sing Aerosmith. Just as there are different preaching and teaching styles, there are different philosophies and strengths in leading worship. Embrace yours. Be graciously bold.
