When it comes to worship leading influence, there’s a lot of things I notice in others (and myself).
- We listen to a lot of popular worship music.
- We listen to a lot of popular secular music.
- We read the Psalms and Proverbs.
- We read a lot of new, popular Christian books.
- We keep up with the latest gadgets.
- We keep a pulse on the best sounding gear and instruments.
Obviously, you are here – reading this blog.
All of these things are good – habits I keep myself. I like to keep a pulse on popular products, gadgets, and resources. But all of these things are not sufficient to help you become the best worship leader you can be.
Here I am, the writer of this blog and podcast, saying this isn’t enough. You need to be influenced in ways you may not be aware of.
Worship is…
Why?
You need a deeper, more robust influence because worship isn’t primarily musical, it is life. That’s why music isn’t enough to sustain your heart as a worship leader, even great worship music.
Books aren’t enough because worship isn’t primarily about thinking and ideas. Worship is what we do – our decisions, our actions, our priorities. Worship centers on who we are as human beings.
It is our essence as created beings to worship.
That’s why it is so important for you to understand this as a worship leader. You have an opportunity to shape and influence the worshiping life of your congregation.
You are telling them a story. Is your story a musical story? Is your story an emotional experience story? Is your story a rock show story? Or is your story an all-of-life-beating-for-the-glory-of-God story?
Worship leading isn’t predominantly musical or performance oriented. It is pastoral, spiritual, and more to do with your habits and priorities than your musical abilities.
10 Worship Leading Influences You Need
So what are these influences you need? That’s what I want to outline in this post.
1. The Bible – Of course I would say this, right? It’s the biggest “cop-out” answer in the book (no pun intended). But worship leaders, what we need is not just casual reading of Psalms and Proverbs. We need more than scattershot, occasional glances. We need immersion in the storyline, flow, thought, and arc of Scripture. The good, the scary, and the boring. No discipline can replace the transformation that regular gazing into Scripture can bring.
2. A Pastor – Without the influence of my pastor, I don’t know if I’d be a pastor. I may have simply just followed a more musical path in life. There’s nothing wrong with that but I’m thankful for his influence on me to lead worship for people, not to serve my own musical fancy. It’s been very rewarding to use music as a means to disciple others and lead others to Jesus.
3. Theological Reading – You know what should be on a worship leader’s job requirements? An ever-expanding view of God. That’s why I love to read books that are over my head, deep, and theological in nature. Theologians help me see depths of God that I can’t see on my own.
They bring to light the endless galaxy of His glory and help me orbit my life around the mystery of it all. Worship leader, if you stop learning, seeing, and growing, your worship leading will dry up. By the way, this is what I’m reading right now (I typically have one theological book I’m reading at any given time).
4. Outreach – Regular, recurring outreach is such an important influence on your life. Without it, life becomes self-centered. Included in this is all forms of giving of yourself – talking about Jesus, witnessing to others, sharing the Gospel, giving of your time/money, etc. Find a way to get this on your calendar on a regular basis.
5. Prayer – A worship leader who doesn’t pray or forgets to pray is like a concert pianist who completely forgets to practice. The only thing they should be doing is the one thing they forget. Prayer not only increases your dependence on God (which you need), but it makes you more sensitive to His voice and keeps worship as a regular rhythm of connecting with God.
6. Trials – I’m not saying you need to go sign up for getmytrial.com (is there such a thing?). Trials test the quality of your worship. It’s not easy to bring an offering when you feel you have nothing to give. It’s not easy to acknowledge His goodness when there seems to be no goodness in sight. This is the single greatest strength to your leadership – being able to identify with the suffering saints who worship with you every Sunday.
7. Lingering – I appreciate the value of tight, programmed services and leading worship with time constraints. It’s necessary and good. When I talk about “lingering” I’m talking about a worshiper who isn’t rushed in their heart. I’m talking about a worshiper who gazes upon Jesus without boredom. One who is so in love with Jesus that they can linger in His presence. Don’t use worship as a means to an end. Jesus is the means and the end.
8. Preaching – Worship leader, you don’t necessarily have to be a pastor or a preacher, but there are aspects to preaching that will help you as a worship leader. Being able to articulate truth in Scripture and communicate it with contagious passion will be so valuable to you. Also, the practical skills of stage presence and good public speaking will serve you well.
9. Your Congregation – Who is your congregation? What do they do all week? What are their trials? What are their triumphs? What is their story? This is such an important influence – knowing who it is you’re leading and learning about their stories. You may not know all of them but that gives you no excuse to not know any.
10. Inspiring Friends – As Pastors and leaders it’s very easy to be constantly giving, leading, mentoring, and discipling. We are givers and role models to others. But you also need those close friends who are in love with Jesus who can glean from. This will keep you from drying up.
This list is by no means exhaustive. Worship leaders, I’d love to see comments on this post from leaders all over the world on what their greatest influences are.
Could you help? It would be so awesome if you left a comment and shared this post with other worship leaders you know.
Let’s learn from one another and help encourage each other. Seriously, you’re the best.
Question: What are you top worship leading influences? Think outside the box. You can leave a comment by clicking here.
[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]
Thanks David’s Anti-Stevan… as I first read your name. I appreciate the focused reminder and practical definition of worship. Our worship is never exhaustive! The definition and understanding continually grows, which creates more heart worship, which then grows, and creates more worship.. that grows, and creates…well you see where I’m going.
Hey John – ha! Never heard my name pronounced like that 🙂 I love how worship will continue to grow as our vision of God continues to grow.
Thanks for the valuable post David. One thing I would like to add is; Other worship leaders. I went to a Desiring God / Piper conference one year and there was a guy leading the worship with such JOY on his face and in all he did on the stage. My heart was so ministered to. His worship was contagious and so anointed. It is a rare thing to see now a days. He’s a pastor in British Columbia; his name is Pat Sczebel; he leads worship a lot for Sovereign Grace churches and events.Here’s a video of him at another event: http://www.sovereigngracemusic.org/Artists/Pat_Sczebel?pp=1|3 I am not advocating “Man worship” but the Bible does say to imitate others who are godly and learn from their example. There are many worship leaders out there that should NOT be imitated. But find someone who is truly anointed and be inspired by them.
Hey Louise, thanks for sharing! Influence is a powerful thing – especially when it draws you closer to Jesus. Looking forward to checking out the video.
Really like this! Sounds like a healthy balance for ministry, thanks! Will save a copy in a file and revisit to make sure on track. Know I am now, but, thinking a person could be off track just because of lifes bussiness. Good focus to come back to – to make sure growing vertically and horizontally.
thanks for sharing. You are a big help. keep them coming and keep up the Faith. Jesus loves us all.