I find that sometimes repentance starts with a realization we didn’t expect.
During Praise Team rehearsal, I kept trying to get everyone to sing the same pitch. The parts were definitely clashing. I was confident I knew where the part should land. I corrected. I redirected. I pushed for unity. I banged out the notes on the piano. I even got some strange looks from the singers.
Then it became clear (thank you, Steve)—the problem wasn’t them. It was me. I was singing the wrong part. As the leader, that moment was humbling.
Repentance isn’t just turning away from obvious sin; sometimes it’s turning away from certainty. It’s quietly acknowledging that I might be wrong, even when I’m sincere, even when I’m leading. Repentance says, “Lord, realign me.”
What made the moment meaningful wasn’t just recognizing the mistake—it was that I wasn’t alone. The community helped reveal the truth. The musicians around me didn’t shame me; they clarified me. That’s the grace of the church.
Scripture tells us that iron sharpens iron, and sharpening always involves friction. It can be uncomfortable to realize someone else hears more clearly than we do. But God often uses community to tune us back to His pitch.
Repentance, then, is not a solo act. It happens best in community—where love is strong enough to be honest, and humility is safe. When we listen to one another, we don’t just find the right note—we find unity.
And sometimes, the most faithful thing a leader can say is, “I was off. Thank you for helping me hear again.”