Chapter 7 - Underatanding God's Word

This chapter, Krauter talks about the importance of knowing God's Word to be an effective worship leader. He says that one of the best worship leaders he knew was great not because he was a phenomenal musician, but because he knew the Bible very well. Krauter says that if we don't know the Bible well, we can easily lead people astray. The more we know the Bible, the more it'll help keep you on the right track and lead people in the right direction.

I agree with Krauter and definitely concur that knowledge of the Word is essential as a worship leader. This can help make connections in songs and relate them to the words of God. I love it when worship leaders integrate verses of scripture into songs. It really helps to relate it directly to what God said. The opposite is also true. When worship leaders are not grounded in the Word, they can lead people astray without realizing it.

Chapter 6: Thankfulness to God

In chapter 6, Krauter talks about being thankful all the time in order to lead worship in a pleasing way to God. Krauter says that it's hard to be thankful all the time, but that's why we have to make it a habit. The Israelites were not a good example of this as they complained all the time. Instead, we need to be thankful in all circumstances. This will help us come to God in worship with a thankful heart.

I think Krauter's points are especially relevant as worship leaders. It's very hard to worship God when we come to God with a complaining heart. We definitely need to learn to be thankful in all situations and make it a habit in our lives. If we're always complaining, it's very hard to worship God with a sincere and thankful heart. I've definitely found this true when I lead worship. I find it hard to worship God when I'm in a bad mood. I need to be more thankful in all situations and learn to worship God with a sincere heart because there's always things to be thankful for.

Chapter 5: Living a Life of Worship

In this chapter, Krauter talks about living a life of worship in everything we do, not just while leading worship. Krauter says, "Worship in the sanctuary is meaningless unless it is preceded by six days of worship as a way of life." We need to give our whole lives to God, not just our Sunday worship. Krauter says that our Sunday worship should be a culmination of our entire weeks. Everything should be an act of worship.
I think this is definitely important and many times we forget this. We act one way during the week, and then act a different way while we lead worship. Our whole life should be pleasing to God. I think I need to work on this and make sure I please God during my whole life. Sometimes I act differently at church than at school or other places but my life needs to be pleasing to God all the time.

Chapter 4 - Having a Levitical Heart

In this chapter, Krauter talks about how the Levites were set apart from the rest of the Israelites. They were devoted to God and gave every part of their lives to God. Krauter's says that as worship leaders, we need to be like Levites and give our whole hearts to God. Krauter says that we can't just give part of ourselves, but our whole lives. We need to give every talent and everything we have.

I really liked how Krauter talked about giving everything to God. I think this is very applicable to us as worship leaders. We need to be examples of Christ not only when we lead worship, but in every aspect of our lives. Sometimes I choose certain parts of my life to give to God, but keep other things that I don't want to give to God. I need to give everything to God and not just choose parts.

Chapter 3: Having a Humble, Servant Attitude

In Chapter 3, Krauter talks about having a humble attitude as a worship leader. He talks about the difference between popular musicians nowadays and good worship leaders. Musicians aim to make it to the top, but worship leaders are satisfied simply with serving the Lord, even if nobody recognizes their talents. Krauter says that the Lord does not need our talents; he just wants our hearts focused on him. Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve and He asks his followers to do the same.

I really like how Krauter talks about how Jesus was a servant of all and how we need to be servants to lead worship. We can be servants by worshipping God, helping others, and honoring others and God with our words. Jesus says to be first, we must be last and a servant of all and that's definitely something I need to work on. It's very easy to feel prideful as a worship leader but we need to know that everything we have is from God and should be used for God.

Chapter 2

In the second chapter, Krauter talks about his struggle with grace. He used to feel unworthy to lead worship because of all the times he messed up. However, after studying the Bible and seeing what God said about grace, he was able to freely worship. He realized that it's not about how much you've sinned, but what you do after you sin. We have to accept Gods grace and become saved through him, not ourselves.

I love how vulnerable and honest Krauter is in this chapter. He admits that he is not perfect and that he's messed up countless times. I think this is very important for a worship leader to realize our faults. I like what Krauter said about it not mattering how much we sin, but it matters what we do afterwards. As a worship leader we need to realize that we are not perfect, but we are redeemed through God's grace and only His grace.

Chapter 1

Krauter begins by talking about how an elderly gentleman who's priorities changed over time. He then relates this to his own life and his growth in worship. In the beginning, it was clear that God wanted him to be a worship leader and he started off fine. As time went on, he focused too much on the process and didn't focus on God and the real purpose of worship leading. Thankfully, God redeemed him and brought him back to a life of honest worship with God at the center. Krauter says the only way to be an effective worship leader is to maintain a close relationship with God.

I really like how krauter was honest about how he fell away from God in worship leader. As a worship leader, it is so easy to get sidetracked in the technical aspect of worship and looking and sounding good. We need to realize that without God, all of these efforts are meaningless. The main point of worship is to praise God and if that's not our purpose, we're doing it wrong. I need to try my best to keep God at the center of my worship.

Intro to the book KEYS TO BECOMING AN EFFECTIVE WORSHIP LEADER

In Tom Kraueter's intro to his book, he clarifies that his book is not to tell people how to lead worship. Rather, it contains keys that will help worship leaders with the "practical everydayness of the position itself." The book started when someone asked him what some effective keys were to worship leading and he realized that it would take hours. He decided to put together a book of what he picked up from 30 years of worship leading that would be applicable to all kinds of worship leaders. He also notes that the book is not all inclusive and he doesn't consider himself an authority on worship.

I really like Tom's humility on the subject. Though he's been leading for 30 plus years, he doesn't consider himself an authority. He understands that everyone's situation is different and there are many people who are just as experienced. He doesn't expect us to use this book as the guidebook for worship. It's just some thoughtful points that are helpful to worship leading.