What You’ll Learn
By reading this article, you’ll discover:
Why performance-based ministry can quietly erode authentic worship.
How to shift from striving in personal effort to resting in God’s power.
What Psalm 51 and Romans 12 reveal about the true source of worship.
How to lead students (or any congregation) without falling into the trap of self-reliance.
The role of intercession and prayer in cultivating genuine, Spirit-born worship.
A biblical reminder that only God can open hearts and create true worship.
Detailed Teaser Summary
Many worship leaders step into ministry with an achiever’s mindset. They are driven to perform, measure, and produce results. Here, Kenny Klinglesmith tells the story of a worship residency at The Austin Stone with that same mentality. From the world of LSAT prep and résumés to the world of student ministry, Kenny’s journey exposes a subtle but common temptation: defining ministry success by visible outcomes rather than spiritual fruit.
At first, the challenge seemed straightforward: get middle and high school students to worship. But despite creative setlists, humor, energy, and every leadership tactic imaginable, the congregation stayed disengaged. Blank stares and crossed arms revealed an uncomfortable truth: no matter how talented or prepared a leader may be, no one can make another person truly worship.
Conviction came through Psalm 51:15, which reads, “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.” David’s prayer reframed the entire calling of a worship leader. Worship isn’t something leaders can conjure; it’s something God initiates. Like David, leaders must recognize that only the Spirit can awaken hearts to see and savor Jesus. From that realization flows the humility that anchors this entire piece: worship must come from God, through God, and for God.
The article points worship leaders back to the foundation of Romans 12:1–2, which speaks on worship as a life surrendered, not a performance delivered. When ministry becomes performance-driven, even well-meaning leaders can drift into trying to inspire worship through charisma instead of prayer. But true spiritual leadership happens on our knees, not on the stage.
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