Are You Being Followed?
Last week some of the guys from my lifegroup went to Chicago to celebrate one of our members' birthday. The birthday boy picked The Cheesecake Factory in the Hancock Building to celebrate his big day. After a couple of hours of great food, fun conversation, and, of course, amazing cheesecake, it was time to go. I was on the outside seat of the circular booth we'd been sitting in so I was the first out of my seat. I put on my coat and headed for the door without a thought. Then it me (the thought, that is). I had walked quite a distance without ever looking behind me to see if everyone was following me. If you've been to The Cheesecake Factory in Chicago, you know it's a pretty big place, and we were all the way in the back. I was nearly to the door when I finally turned around and looked back. Fortunately, they were all there following me.
I sort of laughed to myself and had the thought, "If you're leading, turn around and make sure someone is following." This is often true in life and leadership. Often times as leaders we are plowing our way through the restaurant of life without a thought of anyone else. Did someone get hung up along the way? Did they misplace their phone, meet someone else in the restaurant, or decide to make a detour along the way at the restroom? This happens all of the time in life. Things come along that distract those that are following you. Good leaders are aware of those that are following and turn around every once in a while and make sure they're all still with you.
No matter what type of person you are, there are those that follow you at some level. Just make sure they're still following while hurrying your way to the door.
Questions About Worship, Part 3
5. Please describe your theology/philosophy of worship.
My theology of worship has grown and developed over the years to the point that I believe that all my life is an expression of worship. I believe that we were created to worship, and everyone worships someone or something. Our culture worships the gods of self and stuff rather than the One that created self and stuff. If you ask anyone who knows me well, they would say that “worship as a lifestyle” is one of my life messages. (Beginning next week I’m actually teaching a four-week, 16-hour course, Lifestyle of Worship, that I have written, developed, and taught on a regular basis). As we live our lives throughout the week as true worshipers, our coming together in corporate worship will be a powerful expression and continuation of what God is doing through us daily.
6. What do you need from the pastor in order to create an effective corporate worship experience?
My thoughts on this overlap with a previous question about the relationship between a senior pastor and the worship leader. More than anything, I think I would like to know that the pastor trusts me and the congregation can feel that trust. I have seen the power of that in my current church. It brings such a settling affect.
The other thing that is important to me is that the senior pastor is actually the lead worshiper. I frequently refer to my pastor in this light. He is the main worship leader at our church. Where he goes, we all go. My job is to facilitate worship with him being the ultimate leader. Although the senior pastor never has to get on the stage, grab the microphone, or sing in public, everyone in the congregation can look to him by his demonstration of worship and know that he is leading the way.
Questions About Worship, Part 2
3. Describe a healthy relationship between a senior pastor and worship leader.
I think the biggest key to a healthy relationship between a senior pastor and worship leader is a strong sense of trust. I must say that my current situation with my pastor is amazing. I also know that many times this isn’t the case. What I enjoy the most about our relationship is that we both trust each other. How that relationship functions from there all flows from the element of trust. I also feel that it’s important that both truly know who they are and aren’t threatened or intimidated by one another. It’s obvious that the senior pastor and the worship leader have the most exposure with the congregation. If either individual is insecure or threatened by the other, I have seen it easily become a struggle for power. A truly healthy relationship is based upon both parities believing the best about one another and standing with them to see the goals of the ministry accomplished together.
4. What are your thoughts on intergenerational worship?
I absolutely love intergenerational worship and am a huge proponent for it. When I began leading worship at my current church, everyone there was older than me. Over time, this group has grown to range in age from a few in their upper 50’s, to most in their early 20’s, continuing all the way down to age 11. This is also very evident in our lifeGROUP. My wife and I have about 40 people at our house each Sunday evening. Half of my group is about 10 years older than me, and the other half are 15-20 years younger than me. The group dynamics with such an age range is incredible. I have seen the younger men ask honest, compelling questions of the older men. I’ve seen the older men challenged by the younger ones to go deeper and follow harder after God. This truly is one of my passions — to see multiple generations worshiping together in complete unity.
To My Spiritual Father
This morning I woke up thinking about my spiritual father — Pastor Ron Johnson, Sr. He and Pastor Carol are headed off this morning to beautiful Maine on the east coast to celebrate their 50th Anniversary which is on Friday. 
This morning as I was standing in the kitchen thinking about how grateful I was for his influence in my life. While thinking on this, I quickly broke into tears. If you know me well, that really isn't saying too much because I can hardly make it through a day without crying about something and definitely never a week! And for the record, I think I am emotionally stable. Some may disagree.
In any event, the point is that I honestly do not know where I would be if it weren't for my spiritual father's influence in my life. So much has happened in my life, particularly in the last year or so including among many things, losing my own father who passed away in September.
As I continue to age, grow, and mature, I am more aware than ever of the true significance and importance of having a spiritual father. Some have mentors; few have fathers. To some it may be a matter of semantics and actually may mean the same thing. However, for me, this isn't the case. A mentor is someone who gives you advice and you choose to listen or not. They are the person you go to when you have major life decisions to make, and you're not quite sure what to do. A true spiritual father is more than that. A spiritual father is one who loves their son more than their own self. A spiritual father is one who is willing to die to his own desires in order to see his son accomplish his. A father is there to listen, guide, and most of all protect the son at all costs; whatever it costs him, he is willing to give. If it's time, energy, money — whatever the cost — he gives it.
What every generation and this culture needs is true fathers who will lay down their lives for their sons. Thank you, Pastor. My hope and prayer is that I will become a father to many as you have been to me.
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