Chapter 29: Ministering Beyond Your Comfort Zone

In this chapter, Krauter talks about how it is important to get out of our comfort zones. God calls us to make disciples of all nations, and not just if we're comfortable. Sometimes God calls us to do things that we aren't comfortable with. Krauter was called to teach others in worship even though he wasn't comfortable with it. We need to do the same and listen to Gods calling, even if it's something we don't want to do.
I think this chapter is very important because we can't just stay comfortable. Many times, God will call us to do things that we don't want to do. We need to stop thinking about ourselves and follow Gods calling in our lives. Many times, I don't want to do things but I need to humble myself and listen to His voice. This is a constant struggle but it is very necessary to grow in my faith and my walk with Christ.

Chapter 28: Understanding the Dynamics of the Worship Service

This chapter talks about understanding the dynamics of the worship service. That means choosing songs that not just sound good and have good meanings, but songs that flow together well. The service should be looked at all together so that it works and flows well. It should not jump back and forth constantly between fast and slow songs. This also means that we need to prepare beforehand and plan so that this works out. Lastly, we need to remember that worship is for God and we're doing it to please Him and not man.
I think this information is very important because many times we just choose songs that sound good and forget about flow. We need to keep in mind the whole set and the theme so that it all lines up. It's also easy to forget about the meaning behind worship if we get so caught up in the technical. We need to make sure that we line our hearts up with God and make sure our motives are in check.

Chapter 26: being spiritually prepared to lead worship

In this chapter, Krauter talks about being spiritually prepared to lead worship. He says that it's hard to center your heart on Christ when you are unprepared. You should arrive early so that you have time to center your heart in Christ. This way, you can be totally focused on God during worship. Being spiritually prepared is necessary to lead others spiritually as well.
I think this chapter has some great advice. I have led worship before when I felt spiritually unprepared and it is very hard. It's better to come prepared spiritually so that I can focus on God and leading others to a Him. If the worship leader is not spiritually prepared, it is hard for them to lead the congregation in worship. We need to be ready and center our hearts on Christ before we lead.

Chapter 27 - Being Mentally/ Musically/ Physically Prepared to Lead

This chapter talks about preparing ourselves so that we can lead worship. We need to be ready in a mental, musical, physical, and spiritual sense. Krauter says that it's not wrong to plan, but we can't let our plans get in the way of the leading of the Holy Spirit. We need to fully prepare ourselves for leading worship, but also be ready for God to work in the service. This can be a hard balance but we need to make sure that we prepare ourselves but also be open to the Holy Spirit's leading.

I liked this chapter because it describes the balance of being prepared musically, mentally, and physically, but also being open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it's easy to get so caught up in the planning of the worship service that we forget to be open to what God wants to do. We still need to prepare ourselves musically, spiritually, mentally, and physically. If we are not prepared, it's even harder to be open to the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 15: exercising diplomacy

In this chapter, Krauter talks about confronting our problems and conflicts. We can't just walk away from our problems. We also can't just ignore them because that affects the band and the church. If one has a problem with someone else in the church or band, they should confront each other or get somebody with more authority to help. This way, there won't be tension in the band that affects the worship.
I think this advice is very important to us as worship leaders. I have had conflicts with others in worship before and it can sometimes affect the worship. Instead of just being passively bitter, I need to confront those who I have problems with so that it doesn't negatively affect the worship. I can't just ignore conflicts; I need to confront them.

Chapter 14: caring for the congregation

This chapter talks about how leaders need to lead with care. As leaders, we need to listen to others and encourage them. The book says that "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." I think this statement is great advice because we can be the most knowledgable, talented leader, but if we don't care about others, nobody will listen to us. Worship leaders need to listen to the congregation (student body) so that they feel heard and valued.

I think this chapter is so relevant for us as worship leaders at valley. We need to be respectful and caring to others and encourage each other. When students give advice or suggestions, we need to take them into account. I need to work on leading with care and valuing others' opinions. It's easy just to breeze through a rehearsal and tell everyone what to do, but I need to lead with care and make sure everyone's opinions are heard and that nobody feels unimportant.

Chapter 13: Keeping Priorities Straight

This chapter talks about how it is very necessary to have priorities life and actively strive to keep them at the top. Krauter has three main priorities - God, then family, then ministry. Even though ministry may seem like it has more immediate effects, Krauter strives to put family before his work. I think this is definitely an important thing to realize because it is easy for work to get ahead of other things. However, we need to constantly be reminded of our priorities and strive to keep the, in order.

This chapter really resonates with me because I am involved in many things so it's sometimes hard to keep my priorities straight. Many times, my activities and responsibilities take away from spending time with people that are important to me. Other times, I spend so much time with my friends and neglect my family. Family is very important to me but many times I don't show it and I don't spend as much time with them as I should. I need to constantly remind myself of my priorities so that I don't let other things get in the way.

Chapter 12: Cultivating the Gifts God has put within you

In this chapter, Krauter talks about how everybody has different gifts. However, it is not enough just to have gifts; we need to cultivate them. Even if we're already good at something, there is always room for improvement. We cannot get so cocky that we do not practice and aim to improve. God has called us to work hard and aim to get better so that we can better serve Him and serve others.

This chapter is very true. We can't just be satisfied with what we're good at. We need to work hard to improve. I think many times I feel confident in what I'm good at and I fail to practice and strive to improve. I should always be aiming to improve in whatever talents I have because adequate is never enough. Even if I'm already good at something, God calls us to do our very best since we're working for him and not for man.

Chapter 11: Accepting the Role of Being an Example

In Chapter 11, Krauter talks about how Worship leaders are examples for others. It's not a choice we make to be an example. When we're constantly in front of people, others look up to us whether we want them to or not. This means we can't just talk the talk, but we must walk the walk outside of worship because people are watching. We need to set an example for others as worship leaders.

I really liked this chapter because it's very true, whether we like to admit it or not. I've definitely realized over the past few years that people look up to me and watch what I do. Worship leaders must act in a way that's pleasing to God all the time. People look up to worship leaders as role models so we need to make sure that every aspect of our life is pleasing to God, not just when we lead worship. I need to live my life to a higher standard as a worship leader because I may be influencing people that I do not know.

Chapter 10: self-discipline

In chapter 10, Krauter talks about self-discipline. He acknowledges that self-discipline isn't necessarily fun, but it is necessary as a worship leader. We need to spend time in the Word, prayer, and practicing our music. Krauter quotes Paul who talks about how athletes go into strict training to be successful. In the same way, we need to discipline ourselves in our spiritual life.

I definitely agree with what Krauter says in this chapter. It's so important as worship leaders to be self-disciplined. Although practicing constantly isn't always fun, it's necessary. We also need to discipline ourselves in our spiritual lives through prayer and the Word. We need to make God a priority and spend time with Him constantly.

Chapter 9: Holding Loosely to the Ministy Position

Krauter's main point in this chapter is that we should not hold too closely to our ministry positions. Being a worship leader is great, but it should not be valued too much. Worship leading should be viewed as a gift that God gave and can take away. God is the treasure; the position is not.

I think it's really important that we don't value our positions too highly as worship leaders. It's easy to let pride get in the way. We need to put a God at the top and make him our treasure. This way, if we lose it, we will still be content because God is more important than any position. We can't get too attached to our position that we forget what the purpose is.

Chapter 8: Spiritual Maturity

Kraeuter main point in this chapter is that worship leaders need to be spiritually mature. It's not enough for them just to be good musicians. Many times the best musicians don't do well as worship leaders. One quote I like is when Kraeuter says, "The responsibility falls on the worship leader to be a solid, mature Christian who knows God and knows His Word." Though musicianship is important, spiritual maturity is more important.

I really like what Kraeuter says in this chapter because I have definitely seen conflicts where a worship leader's pride gets in the way because they are not spiritually mature. I have to admit that I have had this problem before when I focus too much on the music and my pride as a musician. It's a process to become spiritually mature and I'm still working on it. I think it's a process for every worship leader and that no worship leader becomes spiritually mature overnight. I hope to continue growing in my maturity so that I can be a better worship leader.