Ten mistakes of worship leaders

Rex Miller, author of the Millennium Matrix, posted several articles about mistakes that worship leaders make. They contain much food for thought.

• The On Ramp
• Introduction: The Epic Story
• Mistake #1 - Assuming.
  "Worship cannot be taught ... It has to be tasted."
• Mistake #2 - Means or end.
  "Worship leaders have a tendency to redefine other [service] components as 'worship'."
• Mistake #3 - Talent Over Heart: Talent & Beauty Over Heart.
  Some churches are about first impressions and attracting people who want a show. They trade worship for talent and "on-stage" appearance.
• Mistake #4 - Talent Over Heart - Worship in a box.
  Packaging our worship experience "perpetuates a consumerist church and militates against spontaneity and mystery."
• Mistake #5 - Worship Equals Music.
  "Music is not an essential element of worship."
• Mistake #6 - Excellence Equals Complexity.
  Keep it simple! People should understand the words they sing, for example. Choose music written for singers, not for the composer or arranger. Complex arrangements can obscure the musical message. Worse yet, a choir may not "perform" a complex piece well and thus distract from the message. Complexity can degrade excellence.
• Mistake #7 - Latest & Greatest: Fads.
  "[Worship] content has to become not just familiar but very close and personal."
• Mistake #8 - Latest & Greatest: The Secret Formula.
  "Worship is not a formula."
• Mistake #9 - Praise Equals Worship.
  Worship leaders need to train their congregations about worship.
• Mistake #10 - Jacuzzi Worship.
  "Future worshipers are not going to be content with [a performance]."
• 10 Mistakes bonus post: Familiar vs. Routine.
  Worship should be familiar but not routine.