Archives for November 2009

This is the fifth and final post on “What Makes a Good Worship Leader?”

One of the worst mistakes you can make as a worship leader is to think you know it all. Even if you are Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Paul Baloche, and you are reading this, it applies to you too.

Now the word “study” is a very broad term. What to study? We’ve already covered that we need to be students of the Word of God. That is of premier importance. In this post I am answering the questions, “Who are your ‘unofficial’ mentors?” And, “How are you improving the practicalities that make you more effective?”

Mentors. I have many mentors that I have never met. Even mentors that are dead. Listen to great worship leaders. Study the songs they write. Study the way they lead worship. Study how they interact with a congregation. Study how the drummer and bass player connect. Study how the band has trained themselves to ‘play less’ to contribute to an overall sound. Also, read great books. When you stop reading, you stop growing. I’ve found that some books dedicated to ‘worship leading’ can be a bit unhelpful, but books dedicated to exploring the wonder of God are wonderful for growing in your leadership.

Also, how are you improving your practical skills? I once heard Don Potter say, “The reason we practice our instruments is so that when the Holy Spirit decides to use us, there is less resistance.” Do you practice your vocals so that when the Holy Spirit wants to speak through your singing, you aren’t out of breath? Do you practice your instrument so that when the Holy Spirit wants to prophesy through you, you aren’t trying to figure out what key you’re in? Do you study/memorize the Word of God so that when the Holy Spirit wants you to speak into the moment, you’re not trying to figure out what Scripture to say?

The more you study, work, and sweat behind the scenes of a worship service, the more the Holy Spirit can use you. Our preparation and His sovereign intervention go hand in hand.

Are you ready?

This is the fourth post in a series on “What Makes a Good Worship Leader?”

There have been many weekends that I’ve led worship where I’ve poured every ounce of my strength into the set list. Impeccable arrangements, great guitar tone, a kickin’ mix, well placed scripture reading, etc. I’ve done this only to find no one was really worshipping with me. Crap. Not a good feeling. I feel like saying, “Can’t you see all the work I’ve put into this? At least pretend you like what’s happening!”

A good worship leader is someone who connects well with people.

I mean, think about it. Random people are stepping into a room – some old, some young, some brand new, some having just lost their temper during the morning family commute. Some really wanting to be there, others just thinking about pajamas, pizza, and football.

We invest so much energy in the programming that we forget about the people. Worship leader, you are not a performer. You are asking people to join you in declaring the greatness of God. If you are depressed, impatient, mean, or insensitive to who you are leading, you will have a hard time. But a passionate, sensitive, likable personality can go a long way!

Invest time, prayer, and energy into relating with your band and congregation. Pray for them. Joke with them. Genuinely care for them. People in a congregation are there to meet with God. I’m not saying ignore excellence. I’m saying pursue excellent programming and excellent people skills. It’s that important.

People don’t really care about your guitar solo. They want to connect with a leader who loves God and loves to be WITH them.

Reading this title may have made you laugh. I mean, isn’t that what worship leaders do? Worship? Well, you would hope and pray so. But there are a lot of factors that contribute to this not happening. Lack of spiritual maturity, routine, boredom, stressful church life, etc.

Worship leaders must maintain a constant discipline of worshiping God behind closed doors.

We’re good when it comes to the stage, but how are we when it comes to the silence? We’re good when it comes to picking out hit worship songs but how are we when we are alone with Jesus? Do we have anything to say or are we bored out of our minds?

If you long for a successful worship ministry you have to fight for a vibrant prayer life. I say ‘fight’ because it will not happen naturally. Weekly church ministry can be very busy and the secret place crowded out.

Here’s a healthy practice: remember why you started leading worship in the first place. I hope it was the result of a work of God in your life. You then desired to be in His presence. You wanted to see His glory. Have you maintained that desire? Have you stoked the flames of your passion for Jesus Christ?

I remember when I first started leading worship. I truly felt God’s anointing – almost like He was right there with me, pushing me out there to lead. I didn’t really want to at first, but I really did want to worship. True, heartfelt worship was the center of all the music I did. God help me keep that passion.

Here’s the takeaway: begin a discipline of worshiping when no one is watching. Close the door and spend time with Jesus. Sing, dance, shout (don’t disturb your neighbors), cry, pray. This may seem elementary, but the more ‘professional’ we get, the less we do the most important things.

This is the second post in a series on “What Makes a Good Worship Leader?”.

Sometimes I’ll look at worship leaders and see a huge passion for music, songs, and even God, but not for Scripture. Great worship leaders love the Word of God. They know the Word of God informs their worship. The more they ‘see’ of God in His Word the more their hearts are expanded to worship God in a greater light. Matt Redman always says, “The more we see the more we love”.

I promise you with all my heart, you WILL burn out as a worship leader if you don’t have a regular pattern of Scripture reading. Not just reading but worshiping through the text. Music can only sustain for a time. Songs can only sustain for a time. But the Word of God is enduring and will light your heart on fire when you are dry. When I’m dry (which seems to happen often!), I’ll read Scripture and realize how massive God is. It helps to realize that when you have to prepare a set list and lead worship multiple times a week!

Your roots must go beyond Guitar Center, CCLI, and Worship CDs. Make your main inspiration the Word of God and how He reveals Himself in it. Take time to worship as you read.

This also helps with leading your team. Lead them to what God says in His Word. Expand your view…expand your worship.

DS