Blog | The Power of 15 Minutes: Why Worship Pastors Should Make Time for One-on-One Moments

98 Tweet

---

As worship pastors, we often find ourselves buried in charts, setlists, planning meetings, and Sunday prep. We’re managing gear, navigating personalities, and trying to stay spiritually grounded through it all. In the middle of this hustle, it’s easy to overlook one of the most powerful tools God has given us for leading a healthy worship ministry: intentional one-on-one time with our volunteers.

Yes, your volunteers show up for rehearsal. Yes, you might pray with them before service. But when was the last time you sat down—even for just 10–15 minutes—with one of them, just to check in?

It’s Not About Quantity—It’s About Intentionality

Spending time with every volunteer doesn’t mean carving out an hour-long coffee date with each person every month. That’s simply not sustainable for most worship pastors, especially in mid- to large-sized churches. But even 10–15 minutes of undistracted time—before rehearsal, after service, or over a casual lunch—can build trust, open communication, and deepen your team culture.

The goal isn’t to add more to your plate. It’s to invest wisely in the people God has already placed on your team.

Why It Matters

1. Volunteers Need to Know They’re Seen

It’s easy to feel like just another guitar player or background vocalist. A short one-on-one conversation says, “I see you. I value you beyond what you do on stage.” That simple acknowledgment can be fuel for weeks.

2. It Builds a Culture of Shepherding, Not Just Scheduling

You’re more than a music director. You’re a shepherd. And shepherds know their flock. When you take time to learn what your team members are walking through—whether it’s burnout, a new job, a breakup, or a spiritual dry spell—you build a culture where ministry is mutual, not mechanical.

3. It Helps You Catch Problems Early

Volunteers don’t always feel comfortable voicing concerns in a group setting. One-on-one time gives them a safe place to share their questions, frustrations, or even suggestions—before those issues snowball into disengagement or conflict.

4. It Encourages Spiritual Growth Beyond the Platform

Use these moments to ask simple but meaningful questions:

• “What’s God been teaching you lately?”
• “How can I be praying for you this week?”
• “Are you finding time to rest and be with God outside of worship leading?”

You’re not their pastor in name only—you’re their spiritual leader in this space. These small conversations open doors for discipleship, even if you don’t have a full curriculum in your back pocket.

Keeping It Appropriate and Healthy

This is especially important: always keep your interactions above reproach, especially when it comes to one-on-one time with the opposite sex. Meet in public settings or leave your office door open. Group settings work well too, like grabbing lunch with two or three volunteers together.

The key is not the format—it’s the heart behind it.

Start Small

If this feels overwhelming, start with just one person a week. Create a recurring calendar reminder: “Text [Name] to see if they want to catch up for a few minutes before rehearsal.” Rotate through your team. Over time, you’ll start to see the fruit—not only in your relationships but in the unity and spiritual depth of your worship ministry.

Final Thought

The stage is where we serve, but it’s not where ministry ends. One-on-one time with your volunteers may not show up in the Sunday livestream or the post-service metrics, but it’s in those quiet, intentional moments that God often does His deepest work.

So don’t underestimate the power of a few minutes, a few questions, and a heart that says: “I’m here for more than just the music—I’m here for you.”