What does it take to be a great worship leader?

If I polled pastors and worship leaders across the world, I’m sure we’d see a common thread of common skills necessary to fulfill the role with excellence.

We’d talk about heart and passion. We’d talk about vocal ability. We’d discuss musicality and band leadership. We’d talk about leadership – the ability to lead a team, grow a team, and maintain momentum. We may even agree on discipleship – the ability to reproduce other leaders.

But what if there were other disciplines and skills that sustain a worship leader beyond mere leadership savvy and musical talent? What if there was something deeper than just have a “passion for worship” or a “passion for God?”

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Have you ever been so frustrated you don’t know what to do?

Or walked through a trial for so long that you’ve almost given up hope? Dealt with a mental illness that made you question your sanity?

Walked through sickness, divorce, death of a family member, or faced bankruptcy?

If not, you are leading people who are.

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The problem with worship songs is that we become dependent on them.

But I love songs. I really do. But they are a blessing and a curse. While worship is a song, it’s not only a song. And we can become so accustomed to songs that our hearts have forgotten how to worship.

When was the last time you were alone in a room without an incredible song, and just poured your heart out to God?

Have songs become more than they should be?

Preparation for Sunday morning becomes scouring CCLI for the top songs and picking our favorites. There’s no need to pray. There’s no need to consider our people. There’s no need for pastoral, theological consideration.

Instead of only picking songs, we should be asking these questions:

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