Chapter 28: Understanding the Dynamics of the Worship Service

This is the only chapter in the book where the author attempts to outline the order of a worship service. He offers suggestions for transitioning in between songs. Some of the suggestions are to introduce medleys of songs so that there is minimal stoppage in between songs. This allows for the people to fall into the music and not worry about what's going to happen next. If we are going to stop after every song, the author tells us to keep the focus on God during those transitions.

The author also tells us to be prepared should there be an alteration to the original plan. This is so that we will not be knocked off balance of something were to happen in the middle of a service.

My favorite part about this chapter was when Kraueter said "any service will only be as successful as the foundations you have laid for it." This reminds us that while service order is important, other aspects such as skill, team compatibility, spiritual readiness, and focus will set the tone for the service no matter how well planned it is.

Chapter 26: Being Spiritually Ready to Lead

In this Chapter, Kraeuter speaks on being spiritually ready to lead worship. He states that we should come to the Lord in white robes ready to meet with him. He does not mean physical white robes. He meant that just as we would prepare to meet a human of high status, we should prepare ourselves even more to meet with our Heavenly Father.

Just as I have to warm up before a water polo game, I should also warm up to meet God and lead others to him. I can't just in cold turkey and expect to have the best experience and most impact. Before chapel, I focus on slowing my breathing down and direct all my thoughts towards God. Preparing to meet with God helps me focus on him and quiets my thoughts down enough to feel his presence.

Chapter 15: Exercising Diplomacy

In this chapter Kreauter explains how we as leaders should go about solving conflict and cultivating a leadership system that works well in the church. The structure of church leadership is a delicate aspect of fellowship that needs to be carefully considered in all worship spaces. Diplomacy is the art of building and strengthening relations between various factions of a community. Sometimes emotions will run high in a situation. At these times, we need to stay level headed even if those we are working with do not. We need to set aside our pride and maintain our attitudes of compassion so that we can collaborate to solve problems between groups.

As worship leaders at valley, we are constantly working in conjunction with Mr. Rubin's, Mr. Smith, the speakers, and each other. It is important to be able to work together with respect even when conflict comes up. I think we have done a good job of this throughout the year.

Chapter 14: Caring for the Congregation

In this chapter, Kreauter makes the distinction between working in ministry and ministering to people. He reminds us that Jesus died for people. It was more than simply paying a debt, it was a personal act of love and sacrifice. So as worship leaders, it is not just our responsibility to witness broadly to groups of people, but it is also our responsibility to pursue individuals and make personal connections and genuinely CARE for them.

I find that leading worship feels more natural to me when I approach it remembering that each person in the student body is their own personal unique self. When I go into chapel actively caring for those around me, i am able to feel the greater purpose of what we do as worship teams. John 13:35 say "By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another." We aren't just there to play good music, but we are bringing the love of God to the students through our love and care for them.

Chapter 13: Keeping Priorities Straight

"What is most fun should not determine how we appropriate our time."

As God's children, we have 3 main priorities: knowing God and cultivating our relationship with him, spending time with and living our families, working to further God's kingdom on earth. Kraeuter expresses how he finds it easier to do accomplish the third priority here because it yields nearly immediate results, whereas it can be hard to see the results of spending time with God and family right away. God comes first,our family comes second, and then sharing the gospel and ministering to the world comes after that. He reminds us that not every ministry opportunity may come from God and that we must first asses if it will take away from our priority that we have with our family. He tells us that having these priorities set in place will help us be more directed by God in everything we do.

I feel like this past year has been a good one for me in that I have been keeping God and my family at the top of my priorities. I have been tapping more I nto my relationships with my sisters especially. I found that they are both great people to talk to. I'm really glad that I get to establish good relationships with them before I leave for college. I've also really been analyzing my relationship with God and asking hard questions so that my faith is built on a solid foundation. I have been reading God's word more recently and thinking about where all my relationships fall in the scope of God's plan for me. He is in everything I do and in my thoughts at all times. This causes me to feel our relationship deeper than I have before. Having God as my number one priority has lifted a lot of stress and worry off of my shoulders this past year which proves to me that I am doing the right thing.

Chapter 12: Cultivating the Gifts God Has Put Within You

In this chapter Kraeuter references scripture to remind us that God has given us all gifts. He emphasis that despite our possession of these gifts, we still need to do work ourselves to develop them to their full potential. He suggests going to seminars or taking courses to further our musical knowledge and abilities. Being well educated and wise in our gifts will allow us to serve the church and honor God significant ways.

I believe that God has given me multiple gifts that I need to utilize. I am good at talking to people, public speaking and playing music. In order to further develop my ability to talk to people, I should continue to do so and maybe take a psychology class. To work out n public speaking, I can attend workshops and practice at church and in class. Finally, to get better at playing instruments or singing, I need to practice, practice, and practice. Through all this, I will pray to God and I know that he will push me in the direction he needs me to go to fully take advantage of the gifts he has given me.

Chapter 11: Accepting the Role of Being an Example

In chapter 11, Kraeuter shares about how he hated the idea of others looking to him I as an example of a Christian. He enjoyed praising God with gifts he blessed him with, but the idea of serving as an image of what praise looks like freaked him out.

To be quite honest, this scared me too when I first took up my guitar in chapel. I was worried about whether I was good enough to lead. I fought with myself in my head because I went back and forth in between worrying about how people would see me and reminding myself that it isn't about me, that it's about God. I try not think about being a role model too much because I don't want it to go to my head. But it is important to recognize that people do see us as leaders. It's important to be aware of this so that we can strive to live healthy and non-hypocritical lives that point towards God.