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.