The hardest conversation a worship leader can have isn't saying no to someone when they want to join the team. The hardest conversation is when someone is already on the team and has to be removed. Maybe you've inherited a problem person. Maybe in a moment of weakness you let someone on the team who wasn't quite ready yet. So what can you do?

Here are 3 things to remember when someone isn't working on your team:

1 | Give them every chance possible to remain on the team

Give them as much opportunity as possible to stay on the team. Schedule one on ones to work on their problems. Make sure they are adequately provided for when it comes to having songs in advance and chord charts and lyrics. Actually communicate how they could do better. Often times we store those thoughts up but never communicate them. At the end of the day, do everything you can to set them up to succeed.

2 | Guide them to make the decision on their own

What if you could move them to a place where they realized they aren't able to serve any longer? This comes through setting expectations. You've got to be able to communicate what the expectations are for your team. Then, when someone isn't meeting the expectations, ask them what they think: do you feel like you're prepared for rehearsal? Do you show up on time? Give them recordings of services and ask them what they hear. If you lead them through the thought process, they might come to the conclusion on their own.

3 | Speak the truth in love

Finally, sometimes you just have to do it. If not for yourself, do it for your team. If not for your team, do it for your church. God has given that person a specific gift to be used in the church and if that gift is not related to being on the worship team, you are doing them a disservice by lying to them and keeping them there. Don't let them try to be a foot when they're really a hand. Help them step into the role that God has actually called them to.