Chapter 7

In this chapter Krauter writes about investing our lives into reading the Bible. Krauter states in the beginning paragraph, "I did not really understand worship, let alone how to lead worship" (Krauter 325). By saying this Tom is saying that even when he wanted to be in worship he did not know how to lead or what worship was really about. But once he opened the Bible and started reading, he started to gain an understanding of what service through worship is really about. "The Scriptures were references for songs that we sang," Krauter stated in the chapter (Krauter 325).  Without the Scriptural reference then we wouldn't have context as to what we are really participating in, in regards to worship. At the end of the chapter he writes that you don't need to memorize Scriptures to understand and learn what worship is truly about but it is best if you read the Bible to gain context as to worship.

I really enjoyed this chapters complex message. As christians, we are told to read the bible repeatedly and if we don't do so then we aren't learning. But Krauter says we gain more then learning, we gain an understanding especially in the songs we are singing. How can we put emotion behind the songs we sing if we have no context as to what they are referring too. Krauter really teaches us that lesson in this chapter and really appreciate that. This chapter overall was interesting and intriguing because of its concept on reading the Bible.

Chapter 6

In this chapter, Krauter talks about how we should be thankful for God. We should be thankful for God everyday not just part time. Every minute of every day. He even uses scriptural references that says,"Being thankful through Christ is a blessing" Krauter then states, "It does not say to worship only once." If we don't lead the lives as worship leaders and give thanks by have this ongoing connection then are we really worship leaders? Krauter makes us ponder this question. At the end of this chapter he states that God wants us to continually have an attitude of worship in all that we do and say and show our thankfulness through our worship. This life of worship will, in turn, enhance our worship in the corporate setting.

I enjoyed reading this chapters detail about living a thankful life as worship leaders. If we don't lead thankful lives as real worship leaders then we truly aren't leaders at all. I really liked how this chapter makes you question if you have been living your life as thankful as a real worship leader should. Even through the personal reflection, when it gives you the questions necessary to ask oneself. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter and the questions it brought up.

Chapter 5

In this chapter, Krauter talks about how we should live a life of worship daily. We should not just be worship leaders part time, we need to maintain our relationship of worship every minute of every day. He even uses scriptural references like John 4:23 that tells us,"God is seeking true worshippers." Krauter then states, "It does not say He is looking for worship, but worshippers." If we don't lead the lives as worship leaders and have this ongoing connection then are we really worship leaders? Krauter makes us ponder this question. At the end of this chapter he states that God wants us to continually have an attitude of worship in all that we do and say. This life of worship will, in turn, enhance our worship in the corporate setting.

I enjoyed reading this chapters detail about living a real worship leaders life. If we don't lead our lives as real worship leaders then we truly aren't leaders at all. I really liked how this chapter makes you question if you have been living your life as a real worship leader. Even through the personal reflection, when it gives you the questions necessary to ask oneself. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter and the questions it brought up.

Chapter 4

In this chapter, Tom Krauter was trying to express the importance of giving glory completely to God. Krauter explains the history of the twelve tribes of Israel and even more specifically the tribe of the Levites. The history of the Levites is that they were set apart from the other tribes in the fact they were main worshipers of the tribe. That was their job, to glorify God and to give him honor. Krauter then explains how as worship leaders we have a direct connection to the Levites because they themselves solely worshiped God and praised him. Krauter then states, "We do the same with music, He requires those involved in the ministry to praise and worship" (Krauter 209). He also gives specific bible verses to refer too his message, for example, Chronicles 16:4-6. Overall the message that Tom is trying to convey is that as worship leaders we must give ourselves to God during worship and give him all the glory, by doing this we are transcending the lifestyle of the Levites.

When reading this chapter, I thoroughly enjoyed the historical background that Krauter threw into this chapter. His comparison with the works of an worship leader and the Levites, really make you think about the generations of worship and changes in which we glorify God. He helps us as readers realize that we are apart of something so much bigger than us. Glorifying God has been done for decades and it is important to glorify him in every way possible. If we are not worshiping whole heartedly are we really worshiping? Are we doing the Levites justice? I really enjoyed reading this chapter and learning more of the historical background on worship and better ways to glorify God.

Chapter 3

In this chapter, Tom Krauter talks about the twenty first century version of an American musician. He goes into detail talking about how they work hard and study all of their life but the minute they achieve their goal they become arrogant. Even with christian singers today, some are not staying rooted in their faith, they are focusing more on heroifying themselves and not God. This leads Tom into his topic for this chapter, Having a Humble and Servant Attitude. If we don't remain humble while serving God are we not hypocrites? God says to always remain humble and to never think of yourself has higher than any other brother or sister beside you because we are all children of God. To emphasizes this idea, Krauter says, "Ultimately the Lord does not need our talents, He wants our hearts," (Krauter pg.193).

I really enjoyed reading this chapter because Krauter really goes into how we should all remain humble in this process of worship. We shouldn't be thinking that one person is better than the other, but we should be focusing more on God. We can be servants in many ways, but through worship we must lead other people and if we are just thinking about ourselves and not God, others are not going to focusing on God either. Remaining humble is the most important factor through this process of worship to me and i thoroughly enjoyed reading this chapter because it really does make you reflect upon yourself.

Chapter 2 (KTBAEWL)

The second chapter of, Keys to Becoming an Effective Worship Leader, starts off with a question, "How can I lead worship?" In this chapter, Tom goes into how we all have doubts especially with God and the way he leads us. We question ourselves asking if we can actually lead people or if God is really behind the work that we are doing. "We have failed the Lord on numerous occasions so why would he stick with us?" (Kraetuer 147). Kraeteur continues with saying how much power we have because God is with us. We all have doubts but if we focus on Him and have unconditional faith for him then he will lead us. We will fail him time and time again but God will never leave us.

This chapter was intriguing because he talks about a sensitive subject such as doubts. Everyone has doubts and we all know it but it is wether we acknowledge it or not that matters. We have to stay focused on God especially through worship. If we don't then our connection with him and the connection we are trying to make to him through the audiences will not happen. This chapter teaches us to stay strong and to always know that we always have God to lean back on. No matter how many times we fail, he will always be there, watching out for us. "When we understand that His mercy can cover any failure, it will be easier for us to continually believe He can use us" (Kraeteur 165).

Chapter 1 (KTBAEWL)

To start off the first chapter of Tom Kraeuter book, he begins talking about reassessing one's values. Tom had interviewed an elderly man, the man starts going into detail as to how he has abandoned all of his ideals from his youth. But he also goes on to say how his revisal of his values changes all of time, the things that you think are important right now wont be important years from now. He realized his values when he was in his youth did have a lasting value but they are not meant to be held on to forever. Tom then reflects this conversion into his worship, he goes on to say how he worshiped the Lord mostly with deep and intense gratitude but then he realized you don't always have to verbalize your appreciation for God...He knows. He had hit bottom when he realized he was not leading worship with all of his heart but the never ending mercies of our Savior touched him and showed him the right path. Tom says in this chapter, "Here's the bottom line: if I am not in constant pursuit of a close relationship with the Lord...then I will have nothing to give" (Kraeuter 116).

I liked how Tom was talking about his values and the values of an older man. It really makes you think about the future and how your life right now will be completely different years from now. He talks about all different areas of his life and his values at the time especially in worship and how his mindset changed while he was getting older. Also he helps me help understand how I want to worship. I want to let God use my body as a vessel for him to go through and touch other people. I don't want to close myself off to him and let that be expressed in my worship. Chapter 1 was very interesting and I can't wait for the next chapter :)

Keys To Becoming An Effective Worship Leader Intro

The intro to Keys to Becoming an Effective Worship Leader began with the author, Tom Kraeuter, talks about how he was first naive when it came to worship and leading others. He thought it would be simple but instead it was complex. He went on to saying that his desire is to be a worship leader and that we should all beginning building that desire if it has not yet been built. Tom also explained how this book is not "How to be a Worship Leader", it is simply a book compiled of a few keys that will help the reader learn valuable lessons on leading worship. He ends his introduction by saying, "My prayer for you is that the Lord would abundantly bless your work and ministry for His kingdom" (pg. 80).

I enjoyed Tom's introduction to his book. It was short and sweet and he covered all of his bases. I especially liked how he but the definition of effective right before the beginning paragraph. Even though I have just read the introduction of his book, I can tell that he wrote it with a passion with good intent to the reader. He really wanted to emphasize that he does not know "how" to be an effective worship leader, he only knows what helped him become a worship leader. He hopes that we can apply these tips to ourselves so that we can learn from his shortcomings, and not have to go through much heartache. This introduction was a great start to Tom's book and I am looking forward to reading more!