We’ve all been there.
Sunday is almost here and we’re not quite sure what to sing. What do we do? Throw it together.
When in doubt, just find some killer songs and sing them, right?
But what about being present? If you think about it, every service is unique. Never again will that exact group of people gather together at that exact place at that exact time.
It’s about presence – being present.
You see, worship leading isn’t about templates. It’s not a “let’s see what other churches are doing” and simply copy it. It’s not a matter of finding the perfect worship set that gets hands in the air every time.
As a worship leader, you are pastoring people. And in order to pastor people, you need to be present.
But doing this is another story. You have your “go-to” songs. You have your worship phrases you say all the time.
What does it really take to be sensitive to your people – to move beyond songlist execution to the real thing? Because I am desperate for the real thing. I am hungry for the congregations I lead to experience God.
Are you?
Relationship Over Entertainment
Think about your average church-goer. They didn’t wake up Sunday morning wondering what your songlist is. They weren’t kept awake all night in anticipation of your guitar solos.
Their lives may be filled with disappointment, pain, crushed expectations, and chaos. They may be rejoicing that life is good.
Whatever the case, you are not serving your church well if you simply are trying to impress them with music. It’s about relationship not entertainment.
Rather than thinking, “What songs will my church enjoy?” – think – “What truth do my friends need to declare in this season?”
3 Tips For Improving Your “In the Moment” Presence as a Worship Leader
How does one develop this skill of being present in every worship service?
1. Be in Relationship With People – This is what it’s all about. In order to truly be present in your congregation, you have to know them. Of course, you can’t know everyone intimately, but you can know your team members. You can know some. Sharing in their joy, struggles, and pain will give you empathy as a worship leader and cause you to lead with greater sensitivity.
Learn the skill of being a friend. Invest in relationships. It will help you lead better.
2. Internalize Scripture – There’s no quick fix for this. There’s no “5 Steps to Memorizing the Bible in 1 Week or Less” blog post I can write. But the truth is – the more you get Scripture in you, the more your presence as a worship leader will improve. You will naturally lead people to truth and not simply emotional singing experiences. Here’s a quick tip for trying this today:
- Choose a systematic reading of the Bible (I use the One Year Bible on Kindle)
- Pick out a verse you like today
- Write it down (preferably, with a physical writing utensil. Extra credit: a quill pen)
- Say it out loud 10 times
- Set a timer on your phone for every hour and continue to quote it throughout the day
Creating a new habit is best formed with a simple step, repeated over and over. Try this for 3 days and see how your mindfulness of Scripture increases.
Practicing this is more important to your worship leading than learning the latest Chris Tomlin song.
3. Learn to Enjoy God – I know a lot of musicians who love music, but don’t seem to really enjoy being with God. Your worship leading will never go to the next level without fostering a love for God’s presence.
If God took your guitar away, would you still worship? If Matt Redman never wrote your favorite song, would you still have something to say? The best way grow in your love for God is to simply get in His presence.
Share your heart with Him. Listen. Sing. The best worship leaders love to soak and dwell in the presence of God. They know that’s what they were created for.
OK, it’s time to hear from you.
I want to know how you love and serve your people as a worship leader.
Let’s connect! You can leave a comment by clicking here.
[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]
Well said. I’ve been trying to focus more on your first tip (building relationships) in recent weeks. It’s one of those things I thought I had all figured out years ago, but then let it slip. I’d become more focused on prepping for what would happen on stage and have only recently realized how much that effected my connection to those offstage.
That’s awesome, Shawn. How are you working on building relationships? I always love new ideas 🙂
I am always so impressed and inspired by your candidness and getting to the root of what is important. For sometime it seems that the Lord has truly blessed my teams worship Sunday after Sunday, but I always feel like there is something I am missing. Lately your posts have been about connecting with the people, the congregation and really being real and honest. I appreciate your advice so much. I want to have a heart that is open to the people and personal. I want them to feel they know me and can trust me. Too often we put our performance and mask on and then wonder why people to bare their souls at the alter time….well if the leaders are not open and vulnerable then why should they be. Thanks David for every single post you write. I feel that God has you right where you are supposed to be, you ministry of encouraging the worship leaders and saints is so very appreciated. I seriously look forward to your posts and read them and digest them thoroughly. They are truly helping me in my walk with God and worship leading. You are such a blessing to me. Stacy
Thanks so much, Stacy! That means a lot. I like what you said – “if the leaders are not open and vulnerable, why would the congregation?”
David you are a Godsend. I recently moved into a leadership role in my church, and the insights you disclose, the comments of your readers… I’m drinking it in. For so long I have focused on music, on flow and transitions, and people responded positively! I believed this was what the congregation needed, better quality music. But as I’ve matured and come in contact with amazing individuals such as yourself and Paul Baloche, I’ve been floored with the reality of worship. The reality of the Holy Spirit moving. My own worship has exploded, and my leading of worship has improved. It’s all about God, and we are just lucky enough to be able to praise Him. Thanks for helping me man.
Wow, Jason. That sounds awesome! What do you think was the catalyst for improving your worship leading?
Thanks David, really enjoy your articles. I always find there is something I can take away and apply. I totally agree with this post. Sometimes as worship leaders/musicians we can hide behind our instrument or become detached, albeit untintentionally (I know I have!).Now I make it a point to pack quickly after the service and go out and connect with people at the foyer, get to know what people are going through and where they’re at.
I also find going home and reflecting on our Pastor’s sermon that service and meditating on a key verse/point that stood out to me as you mentioned helps me prepare while being more in tune with where our congregation is at. I’ve found in time as my maturity as a worship leader has grown, the shift of emphasis has become less about me (favourite songs & music/melodies) towards seeking God for what He desires to speak to His people during the particular service & being fully dependent on His anointing. A small shift goes a long way. It’s amazing what He can do when we make it all about Him and not about us! 😀
This is great, Clinton. I love how you’re being intentional about the right things.
Hi David. I have been reading your posts for quite some time. Although I haven’t responded with a physical reply, I do respond “in my head” and apply your advice. Because of your willingness to share your insight, I am growing as a Worship Leader. Thank you for that and thanks be to God!
In this post, as with many others, you hit-the-nail-on-the-head with something I know that I do and I know that I need to change…..Hide behind music. I’ve felt justified to hide behind music up until recently. Isn’t that what musicians are supposed to do? Hide behind our guitars, keyboards and microphones….hide behind the songs? Music says all I need to say. Find the right lyrics and play the right keyboard nuance and I’m complete. Fact is, I allow music to shield me. Protect me. Complete me. OK, well there’s really nothing wrong with that. God created me to be a musician, find the right lyrics, play the right keyboard parts.
However, take the songs I sing and the keyboard away from me and my relationship with God stops in it’s tracks……because I don’t take time to nurture that relationship with my own quiet time and scripture.
Hmmm, maybe that’s not entirely true. I do read scripture sometimes and I do pray while I’m rushing through my daily routines…..but not CONSISTENTLY! Not as if MY LIFE DEPENDED ON IT! I’m not taking care of ‘my part’ of my relationship with God the way I should be.
I’m going to take your advice on “internalizing scripture”! Thanks for the constant flow of advice!
Great comment, Michaela. There’s nothing wrong with what you mentioned – music is a beautiful thing and it’s Scriptural for you to express yourself that way. Worship leading just puts a whole new spin on music, though. It has a different goal and because of that, you need to learn how to connect and lead people.
By simply reading through your writing
my heart is echoing
it ‘s something I long lost
and I felt the spirit man in me is stirred and is comforted.
You spoke my heart and thus this is what’s needed for the worship teams at our church.
Can I take your article and translate them into Chinese/Mandarin (I live in Taiwan)
I thank God for stumble upon this website.
I am a Worship Leader and a Full time Staff at a very busy Church with not enough time for most things…
My priorities has been replaced … I must make a decision now.
Thank you David
Hi, Paul. Absolutely. Feel free to translate the articles!
Hey Dave so good! Really appreciate the time you put into these.. just a quick question, on a practical note, do you find yourself communicating with the Holy Spirit for direction during the worship time at church or do you usually plan most of the service before it begins? Thanks
Dan, I do most of the planning before it begins. But the better I do that, the more I can listen to the Holy Spirit in the moment. Without good preparation, I’m too stressed to listen well. My plans help me lead in a more relaxed way.
David this article is so timely.
Just this past weekend, I shared a thought with my team. I got them to imagine what each member of the congregation is currently going through. Their joys, their woes, their wants, their needs and to try to see how us through worship can usher them into a place where, despite what’s going on in their own lives, they can lift their hands, hearts to praise and worship God, not with the expectation to receive but with the realization that we serve an awesome God who has already done so much for us and is worthy of all our praise. In so doing our needs typically get met, or we receive peace over the situation.
Your article goes one step beyond imagining what the congregation are experiencing in life. If we develop those relationships with our fellow Church goers, we’ll know and understand their needs.
God bless you man love you blogs/advice…!
Thanks Joe! What a great question to ask your team. Love it.