Hi, I'm so glad that you are doing this seminar and I'm sure its going to be such a help. I took over leading worship 2 Sundays a month (which aim to be more contemporary in style) However it is still otherwise quite a traditional C of E church. My main issues are more related to being able to transition from a very fixed format which includes the piano player reading music so finding the more upbeat ones unsuitable to play, the musicians being not seeing any need or desire to attend any training, listen to new worship music etc. I'm sure you know what I mean. When I suggested we did 'Mighty to save' I was told by a couple (who play piano and achordian) that they had listen to it and thought it totally unsuitable, how wonderful the previous person had been with his selections (very conservative) and did I know what I was doing. So it was great start. I think that knocked my confidence right at the beginning, although the Vicar did back me up with song choice and said that this was the way he wanted the services to move. I think what I find hard is working with some who do not feel the need for any change and also the mixture of instruments I have to work with, or even not knowing who is going to turn up on Sunday as I have been let down at quite short notice at times. I have even inherited a bassoon player who was used to playing along with the piano bass line. That is quite a difficult instrument to blend in with contemporary / upbeat songs. The trouble is most were used to turning up and playing all instruments all at once, so my 2 big issue are: Confidence with training music group to be more spontanious and to move away from having to sight read, (which makes being flexible with changing from the original keys hard, although have worked out now how the piano transpose can be used). But will have to write music for bassoon as appropriate. The other big one is not having everybody playing all at the same time, which is what they have been used to. Another is only having female BVs who have previously kept their distance from the microphones, so having to get them more confident and wanting to introduce some harmony. Also I have no male vocal which would be a great benefit. And don'1t have a drummer I do think that overall confidence in leading a band as well as developing it are likely to be the biggest issues linked to being female as well as the key issue for many male written songs, with the added fun of transposing. So I have plenty of challenges, however God is great and a number of people are responding positively within the church and we have made some progress. I just pray that more of the group will get a real heart and passion for worship. I know change is often difficult and a slow process. I think that what I would like to put over is that there are some of us that are working through change without all the slid basis some others might have. Thanks for your time to read this I know it sounds very complex, but this is why worship central is such a valuable thing. Must go now and get ready to come up. See you there. Sarah

Just a question - I'm really gutted I couldn't make it this weekend, but any of you who went to this seminar and made notes or whatever, could someone please post them up on here as i would love to read what went on (or if there was video/audio recorded by whoever, please direct me to it so i can have a nosey) Thanks, God bless xxx

I do hope so to as I would love to hear the seminar again (stopped making notes and just listened). I went to it and found it very valuable. It wasn't so much based on practical issues that we may face as women worship leaders in particular. Instead Nikki and Beth shared about their calling, identity issues and how we should always keep our identity in who we are in Jesus and not in the role we are. It was very encouraging and reassuring to hear about insecurities that they have experienced, some of which I also have at times. It's just not me!! They also encouraged the use of the forum to help each other with the more practical issues. So thank you both for being so honest and really wanting to share your heart with us. I feel blessed from having been there. Sarah Sarah

Hi ladies! I'm overwhelmed with the quality of women out there who are leading...and just musicianship in general among worship leaders.There is so much good stuff out right now... Challenges as a chick: Understanding gear. If I could start over, I'd learn more about gear and equipment. The audio board, running cables, subs, monitors, amps, sound, the snake, all that good stuff. I've learned quick by leading at a portable church, but I'd still like to learn more about mixing sound. And how to speak the language better. Finding the best key to lead those great "man jumps up an octave after this verse" songs. I still do the tunes but they loose some energy. It's a bummer sometimes. Why DO the ladies favor slow songs?? I don't know. I don't get it. Some of the gals who lead with me do favor slow tunes. What's up with that? On leading men: I feel like it's good as a female WL to lean on the connection that you have with the men on your own leadership team/staff. Let the philosophy that your leadership team puts in place regarding the authority that you have as a leader cover you, and lead with that. Being intentional to set aside the emotional tendencies that we have sometimes as women, and just "hang with the boys" so to speak, goes a long way. Once you have that mutual confidence in each other, add your preparedness going into the setlist to it, and that's a really good place to start to lead the whole body from. Thanks for the post!