Champions Fax Archive

Rob Hewell is the Director of Church Music Ministries for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (SBC). His department assists music ministries in local churches throughout that state. He recently attended the Leadership Network forum for Worship Leaders. Here are his thoughts after talking with these leading edge worship leaders.

What skills and characteristics will music and worship leaders need in order to be effective and efficient in the opening years of the 21st century?

They will be life-long, multi-disciplinary learners, focusing on church health, worship, music philosophies, technologies and leadership, with the ability to draw from many worship traditions and multiple worship arts, implementing each with stylistic integrity.

Individual initiative and indigenous ministry to a local setting will be greater forces than musical consumerism. Unselfish choices will be balanced with spiritual and cultural sensitivities. Cross-generational needs will remain, requiring a healthy approach to diversity within many congregations.

A robust theology of Biblical corporate and personal worship will be reflected in their understanding that worship is more than a weekly event on the church calendar. Clear positions on congregational involvement, multiple worship services - possibly in multiple styles, quality, authenticity, culture and lifestyle in relation to the message and mission of the church will be essential.

A greater emphasis on pastoral ministry than on managing programs will mean music leaders will take a more active role in the worship, prayer, and sacramental life of congregations. Lay ministry development will be a central activity, growing worship leaders for current needs along with training future generations of worship leaders.

Additional characteristics include: courage, intentionality about change, perceptively, humility, creativity, endurance, patience, insight, foresight, vision, strength, inspiration, transparency and risk-taking.

Most importantly, these music and worship leaders will exhibit an unmistakable heart for God. This characteristic, above all others, will determine their impact in their congregation, community and the world.

What else do you see? Contact Rob Hewell directly via email @ rhewell@absc.org.