Finding Freedom from the Spotlight: Lessons from My Journey in Worship Ministry
Hi everyone, it’s Adaeze, and I want to share something deeply personal with you about my journey in worship ministry. After nine years of serving as a worship pastor, I recently transitioned out of that role, and it’s been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I spent years in the spotlight, leading worship, and bearing the weight of everyone’s expectations. Over time, that weight became too much to carry, and I knew something needed to change. I want to share how I found freedom from being a slave to the spotlight and how this journey might resonate with you, no matter where you serve in ministry.
The Burden of the Spotlight
For nine years, I served as the Pastor of Worship and Care at Lighthouse Church here in Denver. Worship had always been my way of connecting with God since I was little—whether it was through singing or playing guitar, it was deeply personal for me. But somewhere along the way, worship started to feel like something I was doing for everyone else, rather than for God or for myself.
Every Sunday, I was under a microscope. Whether it was the way I worshiped on stage, how I led rehearsals, or how I interacted with volunteers and congregation members, it felt like every aspect of my leadership was being critiqued. I couldn’t even fully mourn the loss of a friend recently because I had to get back to work and stand on stage two days later. I was exhausted, constantly trying to be perfect in the spotlight, and it felt like I was carrying the weight of everyone’s expectations alone.
I realized I wasn’t being healthy in the spotlight because I wasn’t doing the necessary work to stay grounded and focused on God. I didn’t have strong boundaries or the right habits in place, and the Holy Spirit made it clear that something needed to change.
Stepping Out of the Spotlight
This past August marked nine years in full-time worship ministry for me, and I knew I couldn’t reach my tenth year if I kept going the way I had been. So, I made the decision to step out of the spotlight. I transitioned to a new role as the Creative Arts Pastor at Lighthouse, which allows me to work more behind the scenes. And you know what? I absolutely love it.
It was bittersweet at first—seeing my name on the staff page without “worship” attached to it for the first time in almost a decade was strange. But it brought me so much peace. Now, instead of leading worship from the front, I’m behind the camera, taking photos and videos, and I’m more accessible to our church community than ever. People come up to me during services for prayer, and I get to connect with them in ways that were harder when I was constantly on stage. This new role has been restorative for my soul.
We Were Made for God’s Glory, Not Ours
One of the biggest revelations I’ve had during this transition is that we, as humans, weren’t made for the spotlight. In Isaiah 43:7, God says, “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” We were created for God’s glory, not our own. And any glory we get here on earth is a cheap imitation of the glory that belongs to God.
In modern church culture, many of us have found ourselves in some kind of spotlight, whether we’re on stage, leading teams, or even just interacting with people in the congregation. But that’s not what we were made for. It’s easy to get caught up in it, but we have to be vigilant about giving the glory back to God. Otherwise, the spotlight can start to consume us.
Freedom from Being a Slave to the Spotlight
Whether you love the spotlight or hate it, the reality is that it can take a toll on your soul. I want to share four practical ways that have helped me break free from being a slave to the spotlight, and I hope they can help you too:
1. Remember Your Why
The first step in finding freedom is to remember your why. Why are you in ministry? Why do you do what you do? I had to ask myself these questions, and it forced me to confront some hard truths. Sometimes we lose sight of our God-centered why and start operating out of a self-centered why. When we get back to the core of why we serve, it helps us keep the focus on Jesus, not on ourselves or the spotlight.
2. Embrace Community
We need community—especially as leaders. It’s easy to feel isolated when you’re in a leadership role, but community is essential for growth. God uses the people around us to refine us, and even the difficult relationships are part of that process. It’s in community that we see our flaws, insecurities, and weaknesses come to the surface, and that’s exactly where God does His refining work. Don’t isolate yourself, especially if you’re in the spotlight. Let community help keep you grounded.
3. Be Open to Feedback
Feedback can be hard to hear, but it’s necessary for growth. Open yourself up to constructive criticism from those who lead you, those you lead with, and those you lead. It’s humbling, but it helps us grow as leaders and as followers of Christ. When we invite feedback, we start to care less about what others think of us in the spotlight and more about how we can better serve God and His people.
4. Partake and Receive
Finally, don’t forget to partake. It’s so easy to get caught up in serving every week that we forget to step back and receive. Take time to just attend a service, not as a leader but as a member of the congregation. Let others lead you. Get refreshed and refilled so that you can pour out from a place of overflow, not emptiness.
The Spotlight is Not the Prize—Jesus Is
As I’ve learned over these past few months, the spotlight is not the prize. Jesus is. Whether we’re in the spotlight or not, we need to fight the temptation to be slaves to it. The world doesn’t need more people who are consumed by the spotlight. The world needs people who are alive in who they are in Jesus, whether they’re seen or unseen.
So remember your why, lean into community, seek feedback, and take time to receive. Let’s all be people who live for God’s glory, not our own. Thanks so much for reading, and I pray that these words encourage you as you serve in whatever capacity God has called you to.
