After hearing of the dissemination of Mars Hill Church after Mark Driscoll’s resignation, my heart sank.
It’s sad to see an organization rise on fall on the personality of one leader.
Sure, there were other factors involved. But all of that has been teaching me lessons on how to be a better worship leader. If I’m a leader of worship, my goal is to lead people away from dependance on me and deeper dependence on the Holy Spirit – teaching them how to lead themselves in worship.
I’m asking these questions:
- How equipped is my congregation to worship when crises hits?
- How equipped is my congregation to worship when they are promoted?
- How equipped is my congregation to worship when they receive a bad diagnosis?
- How equipped is my congregation to worship when Monday comes?
- How equipped is my congregation to worship without songs, engaging atmospheres, and powerful performances?
I always long for worship to be more than simply songs and services and experiences. It’s so much more about what happens on Monday morning than what happens on stage. It’s more about prioritizing God’s presence in the day to day.
Steal the Show
But oftentimes…my leadership style makes the congregation of worshipers dependent on me. But if worship is a 24/7 activity, wouldn’t it make sense that we equip our people to be worshippers as they leave just as much as we encourage them to engage in corporate singing?
Sadly, worship often doesn’t happen unless there’s the right song, the right band, the right keyboard pad, the proper drum groove, the perfect alignment of melody & harmony.
But here’s what I’m discovering: the best worship leaders lead people to connect with God on their own. It’s not so much about how many fans a worship leader has or how many people love their ministry. It’s…
Are people learning how to worship?
Are they pursuing Jesus outside of church?
Are they taking steps to raise their voice, declare what’s in their heart, & sing out of their pain?
When it comes down to it, I don’t want to leave people in awe of me.
I want to give people the tools they need to lead themselves in worship – to follow the Holy Spirit in their everyday lives. The age of celebrity church leaders needs to die.
We need leaders who are willing to labor and strive to leave people with a greater taste of God’s goodness. A greater perspective of His glory. A higher vision of Majesty.
Fans or Worshipers?
You know what’s an interesting thought?
If the only spiritual input people received in my church was my worship leading, how close to Jesus would they be? Or would they simply be my fans and need me to lead them?”
Are we building fan-bases or worshipers? Are we fostering discipleship or entertainment?
It comes down to how you lead.
Being more aware of God’s presence than you are of your own performance.
Prioritizing the raised voice of your congregation over the pumping creativity of your band.
Choosing songs people connect with over songs that you sound good singing.
Let’s labor to develop worshipers – worshipers who love Jesus and know that He is all they need.
Question: How has this post challenged your thinking? What are some practical ways you are developing worshipers who can lead themselves day to day? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]
This is such a powerful post. It has really caused me to ponder over various issues. It is unfortunate that the modern day church is built around personalities rather than Christ. Its because people are creating their own little kingdoms rather than the Kingdom. I have been reading in ACTS and the main thing that stood out is that they would preach Christ. Our worship should be centered on Christ, never on an individual. Your article is so on point!
Thanks Tinashe! The book of Acts is so full of incredible language regarding this. Christ was totally at the center.
Very, very good post and fantastic thoughts . I have followed your blog for awhile and love your humility, your obvious passion for worship and worship leaders and your insights on spiritual matters. My question after reading this is … How? I am new to worship leading (have only been doing it for a couple of years) but I am not at all young (I’m 44, married 23 yrs with a 17yr old and 14 yr old). I feel an urgency to learn everything I can as fast as I can so I can honor God with excellency, and at the same time, lead my church to the throne. So. If you could hook me up with “how”, I would he forever grateful. What does all this look like on Sunday morning? Any input would be appreciated.
Hi Tandy, thanks for the encouragement! Glad to have you as a faithful reader 🙂 Your “how” question is a big one. I don’t think I could cover everything in one comment. But I think you’re doing good things. Consistently reading a blog like this will keep you in touch with best practices, needed encouragement, and necessary challenges. Also, just seek to love your people as much as you can. Be more influenced by their needs than the latest greatest songs and albums. Love, serve, point people to Jesus 🙂
I think what’s key here (both at Mars Hill, & on our stages) is to ALWAYS be about the work of DISCIPLESHIP, & constantly be replacing yourself. It’s not only Biblical, it’s healthy, & means the church will be equipped to go on long after you’re gone.
Absolutely, Shannon. I feel like the more inward, career-driven, and self absorbed we get in ministry the more downhill things go. Thanks for the challenge!
You’re such a blessing to me. I am deeply encourage and challenge as a worship leader.
I pay careful attention to every word you wrote trying to implement some of the thoughts and ideas you shared.
Thanks David
God Bless you brother
That’s awesome. Thanks Valerie!
I love you, bro David. You have been inspirational, over these short 2 weeks that I have connected with God’s ministry gift in you. You and I have the same passion and vision, to help God’s people get closer to Him. Looking forward, growing into true worshipers. Barb
Thank you, Barb! Glad to have you as part of our community here. Hope to hear from you again soon!
Hi David. I’m a recent follower of your blog and I am very thankful to God that I found you. Thank you so much too for sending me updates. Very much encouraged. also enjoyed listening the different interviews you’ve done with various churches in the Music Ministry including yourself . Great man of God. Please give me a piece of advice. How would you handle challenges if a member in the band is being mean, sarcastic to the leader in Music Ministry, specially if the person is the best musician? Thanks mate. God bless you more.
Glad to have you here! Well, I have a very low tolerance for being mean and disrespecting leadership. I would pull that person aside and have a conversation with them, bringing to light the ways they are influencing the team. If they can submit to leadership and change, great. If not, it may be time for them to move on.
Hi David, i want to ask about the sequences of the songs when leading the congregation. It is must be praise ( fast ) songs first or worship ( slow ) songs?. I’m joining the modem church today a Pentecostal Church Calcary Church here in Hong Kong. I like to learn more about your teaching in leading the congregation to worship God with all their heart. I’m bro. Julius humbly down myself to tell you I’m not highly skilled worship leader & musician. David, do you speak a phrase words in between the songs? If yes, how long you do that? 1 min. or 2 min’s? in doing this because my desire is to let the congregation to focus to give worship unto God. David how many songs do you lead every Sunday? I hope you understand what my thoughts. Thank you…God bless
Great post. I have been in full-time ministry for over two decades in a variety of ministry positions most including worship leading and have observed the shift you mention. A concern I have is using the word “stage” instead of “platform” to describe the place where worship and teaching occur. A stage implies much different activity than a platform dedicated to the work of the Lord. I am all about change and creating a modern way to present the changeless Gospel, but we need to ensure we do it for the right reasons and the the right objective.