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.

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.