Session 4 was about creating excellence in worship. My hope is that these ideas from the worship summit could also be used in your youth ministry. Ross Parsley spoke about this with a foreword by Darlene:

Darlene – Excellence in worship.

What is excellence? I don’t want to bring him my left overs. Excellence is when you come and bring your finest. When we do this – it’s almost like there is magic in the air. It patterns the whole glory of God. Don’t equate excellence with performance.

Developing a ministry of worship. What is the goal that you are after? If you are after the things that the world says it will lead you into disappointment. But if you want the outcome to see people’s lives transformed by Jesus Christ. Work out what drives you. Truth is the premium ingredient that the enemy comes after again and again. Keep your heart with all diligence. Always be working on your theology of worship. Make sure your a person of the word. And it’s through that you will help those enter into God’s presence.

Ross Parsley – A Call to Excellence in Worship.

Family of 7. We are always working on things to get better. All of us as artist are extremely sensitive to this idea of excellence. When people like what we do we feel good and when not we feel bad. It’s obvious that the bible gives us a challenge to do things well.

Old testament: sacrifices (first and best) tithing (bringing your first fruits)

God gives us his best (Christ).

I John – Jesus laid down his life for us. We are responsible to give our all. Psalmist – play skillfully I chronicles 15:22 – It’s all about being appointed. People were appointed because they had skill. I don’t think I have to convince you to be excellent – I think the American church has done this in the worship context that we lost something.

Worship leaders feel a tremendous pressure to do what the congregation or pastor will like. The perfectly designed service. The problem is we are missing something. Our culture understands excellence. American Idol examples.

So important that we get the why. Why do we believe in excellence? What is the reputation your church has? We tend to focus too much on this skill thing.

Skill is a thing that we all want.

David Psalm 78:70 He chose David

Excellence – there is a bigger picture

Some churches are obsessed with: Personality, Tradition, Skill, Music Style, Authority Structure, Ministry Philosophy but what about the WHY? Biblical Principles – this is where it starts. Biblical principles has got to be on the bottom.

Half of my rehearsals are teaching.

Col. 3:20 – It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Most people do it for themselves. I want excellence as a tool for ME. Your going to have to go deep into the scriptures.

Excellence is an attitude perfection is bondage.

Stewardship to explain excellence – Matt. 25

The master gives each according to his ability. It’s okay for your team to have different ability levels. Sometimes we get full of ourselves if we are better than the person to the left of us. Make sure your people know that it is ok to still be growing.

Position is nothing direction is everything. We got to be okay with our ability levels. I have to be the steward of what god gave me and when I do that God is pleased with me.

There is this fairness thing: It’s ok to be at a different level.
We are after the master’s happiness not our happiness. This is why your view of God is important.
We have to use what God gave us and be satisfied with it. Use and invest your talent that God gave to you.

The kingdom of God is about producing. You produce what the master wants you to produce.

Excellence is not a skill.
Excellence is not a sum
Excellence is a stewardship of the resources that God has given you. We are responsible to use them.

Excellence is best practiced in a relational atmosphere where priorities are clearly defined. What’s the best way to get better with your skill? PRACTICE (practice is not enough – they need someone else to speak to them and show them how to get better)

II Cor. 3:18 – You got to be willing to be a cracked pot and allow the spirit of God to work.

I had a little trouble trying to put Ross’s thoughts down in an orderly fashion, but they were great thoughts and he was interesting and animated. Using this along with the other sessions can impact your youth ministry worship too.

What say YOU?