Be Prepared

Chapter 6: Cultivating Confidence.

Page 132: "Make sure you're prepared as you can possibly be every time you perform or create."

It's about leading people.  Yes, we're worshipping too, but our Prime Directive (nod to Star Trek fans) in our role as lead worshippers is to lead people into worship.  In order to do so, we must be ready.  Does excellence matter?  Yes, and for two reasons: First, it's the sacrifice we each bring to lay at the feet of our Savior.  Second, it's our best chance to lead others in worship without distracting them to what we're doing or to our personalities.

No pressure, right?  Yeah, right.  This is a burden not to be taken lightly.  So how do we cope, without allowing the stress to get the best of us?  Noland gives these tips for getting prepared, and I like them so much, I'm copying them here.  These are actual, practical techniques for alleviating stress before singing, playing, performing, speaking, or whatever it is you do creatively:

• Take one long deep breath.
  
• Relax your body.
  
• Take another deep breath.
  
• Imagine the toughest part of your performance going well.
  
• Take one last deep breath.
  

My favorite section... Draw confidence from your calling.  My father-in-law (a great preacher and very wise man) gave me great advice before I preached my first sermon; and believe me, I was nervous.  He said, "Just remember: You have something important to say, and they need to hear it."  Sounds simple, but true.  We need to remember that what the Spirit has led us to is for a purpose, and that purpose is fulfilled when we lead in worship. 

I must admit, I haven't always been as prepared as I should.  Just a couple weeks ago (I won't tell you which weekend!) was a good example.  It's rare, to be sure, but it has happened.  And when I'm not prepared, I get nervous because I know it affects my ability to "perform."  And if I'm not at my best, then I haven't been a proper steward of my responsibility to lead.  It creates a cycle that chips away at my confidence and makes worship about me/my distractions/my problems, and not about God.  And that's not good.