Booking

Q. Why do you use a booking firm?

A. When I started in Itinerant preaching, I took invitations on a first-come, first-serve basis. Unfortunately, I ended up in a lot of places that either did not match my gifts and abilities, or conflicted with my philosophy of and approach to ministry. Consequently, much of that time was not well spent.

The booking firm allows me to book events that match my vision and passion. I realize that I am not the best person for every event, and I do myself and others a disservice when I go places that don’t suit me. Also, I avoid spending time with people who have little or no idea of what they wish to accomplish (aside from booking a popular “speaker”). I believe Paul says it best in Ephesians 5:15,17 when he writes, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Q. Why do you sometimes say that you are “booked” when there are still empty dates on your calendar?

1. A.My first priority is to be a husband and father (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1). I refuse to sacrifice my family on the altar of ministry. My goal is to book no more than 8-10 days per month. Once I reach that number, I consider a month to be completely booked. Any less, and it is difficult to make budget without eliminating smaller events. Any more and its tough tell my wife and kids that I love them with a straight face.
   

Q. Why do you have some months with more than 10 days worth of events?

A. There are a few times per year when I exceed my limit. However, there are rules that I follow in doing so. First, there are times when I have a large number of Houston Area events, in which case, I am at home while I am working (I like that). Next, there are some events that my family and I turn into mini vacations (I.e. a recent student conference in Honolulu). Finally, there are some months that precede “slow seasons;” those times when I know I am going to be home for most of the month (like November and December). Sometimes, I will do a few more dates just before or after those months.

Q. Why do you place so much emphasis on Who leads worship at the events in which you participate?

A. I have a very high view of the role of the worship leader. I view leading worship as a sort of pastoral responsibility to which one must be called, and for which one must be equipped. Unfortunately, we live in a time when every kid who knows five chords and ten songs thinks God has called him or her to be a worship leader. Hence, there is a flood of young, inexperienced, untrained, and often biblically illiterate worship leaders who have done nothing more than learn the top songs off of a few worship CD’s. This is a travesty!

These guys go on to steal songs from men and women whom God has anointed and gifted to write songs, and use them to make CD’s of their own. All of this is done in the name of having “product” to sell on the road, or to promote ones self as a worship leader. Imagine John Mayer going into the studio and saying, “forget the hard work of producing an original album, lets just take the top ten songs from last year and put them all on my new CD this year.” That would be unthinkable! Nevertheless, that is what is happening every day with so-called worship leaders in this current generation; and they think that paying someone a few cents per copy makes it ok. I would rather not be a party to that.

I also do not think it is a good idea to work with people with whom I do not share a ministry philosophy, or theology of worship. I do not think that a worship leader and a preacher should just be thrown into the mix together because they are both “good at what they do,” and they both “love God.” That’s like putting a wishbone quarterback on a run-n-shoot team and expecting him to do well because he has great athletic ability!

A good voice and a love for God is not the sum total of a worship leader’s qualifications. Nor is it the ability to “move a crowd.” There is the question of the depth of one’s theology and how that depth is communicated in the songs one chooses to use, and how one chooses to use them. There is the ability to choose songs that are appropriate for the given audience and occasion. There is the ability to sense where God is leading and moving during a service, or a series of services (I.e. choosing response songs that suit the manner in which God is calling people to respond to what they’ve heard).

These are just a few things that must be taken into consideration. Unfortunately, they rarely enter into the decision of whom one will invite to lead worship. Often, the only questions asked are, “does he do the songs our people like?” and “does he sing well?” That is the type of shallow, carnal approach to ministry I try to avoid.

Q. Do you go to “small” churches?

A. Yes. Not often, but I do.