The 4 Callings Of Every Local Church Worship Musician

When you pick up your instrument, do you feel the call of God?

When you lead your church in worship, do you feel the weight of responsibility?

Because you, my friend, are called, appointed, and anointed to do what you do.

My goal today is to inspire you to take your role as a worship musician seriously but not to take yourself too seriously.

I want to challenge you to steward your calling and anointing with responsibility, but not your ego.

You are called to more than music. You are destined for more than entertaining God’s people.

It’s time to rise up and step into the fullness of God’s call upon your life.

The 4 “C’s” Every Local Church Musician is Called to

I want to present to you 4 aspects to our calling as worship musicians.

Let’s do this:

#1: Called to Center on God’s Glory

Don’t step on stage again without the influence of 2 Corinthians 3:18:

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

When the people of God are centered up on the glory of God, transformation happens. And this, my friends, is corporate worship. Our goal is to center all attention upon the matchless glory of God.

And not just on stage. But a lifestyle of centering upon this glory.

How about this for a question: When you do what you do…are people brought to a deeper knowledge of the glory of God? Are they drawn into worship?

Does your life shine a spotlight upon the glory of God or get in the way?

The most effective worship teams are filled with people who are mesmerized by Jesus, not just great musicians. They’ve beheld His glory and will never be the same. They’re on a journey into the heart of God.

#2: Called to Create

Have you ever experienced art in a way that changed your life? For me, there have been numerous occasions. I remember hearing a piano concert by a young pianist that changed my 10 year old life.

I remember hearing the Passion: Better is One Day album for the first time…and the following 4,000 subsequent listenings. My passion for worship was marked by that music.

I remember seeing Delirious in concert for the first time. My worship leading would never be the same after that.

The music you make, the art you bring does (and will continue to) have that affect on others. It helps us see new facets of God’s glory.

Without art we have a hard time visualizing the glory of God. We reason…we debate…we talk. But when an artist creates great art, we see clearer. We feel deeper. We love stronger.

Don’t stop practicing. Don’t stop creating. We need your influence on future generations.

#3. Called to Connect with people

When I started leading worship at Allison Park Church post college, I had the “if you build it they will come” mentality. Or rather, the “if you’re awesome they will worship” mentality.

I didn’t realize that worship is about connecting with people. I was too absorbed with myself to see that.

But it changes the way you sing, play guitar, drums, and bass when you’re more aware of what God is doing in the room than you are your performance.

As 1 Peter 4:10 challenges us:

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

The local church is not a platform for your fame. It’s a place where people discover who they are in Christ and what they’re designed to do. Connect.

#4: Called to Carry out God’s priorities

I remember God speaking to me once: “David, you can be so passionate and vocal on a stage, behind a guitar, singing your heart out. But when you’re alone with me you have nothing to say.”

Ouch.

I was a passionate worshiper on stage because people could see me. I was more concerned with the praise of man than the approval and blessing of God. I was more concerned with my “worship performance” than I was connecting to the family of God, growing in Christ, reading Scripture, and prioritizing what God values.

Worship musicians…this is not a gig you show up for and leave. Get connected to your church. Be submitted. Grow in Christ. Reach the lost. Step outside yourself.

It’s just better that way.

Center your craft, ministry, and life upon the glory of God. Don’t stop creating. Connect with normal church people, not just creatives. Carry out God’s priorities, not just your own.

I’d love to hear from you. Would you add anything to this list of callings?

Do you view your role as a calling from God? Why or why not? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

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