Worship Leader, did you ever stop and realize that what you’re doing on Sunday morning is impossible?
When was the last time you considered the tremendous privilege of entering God’s presence?
Think about it.
Step by step, you are ascending the hill of the Lord. You are standing in the presence of Holiness.
Even though you know this, it’s easy to forget. Routines have a numbing effect. But in reality, the corporate gathering of the church is a miraculous event.
A Routine Miracle
Why would our gatherings be a miracle?
Because we are in the presence of a holy God.
Corporate worship isn’t just a group of people singing about God.
Nor is it Christian karaoke for folks who have nowhere else to go.
God Almighty, Most Holy is near. Yahweh is present.
The cross has made a way for us to stand before God.
Worship leader, you have a tremendous privilege – a holy responsibility.
You are leading people into the presence of…God.
I was reminded this past weekend of the miracle of worship. We weren’t just singing objective truth about God.
Heaven connected to earth.
If your mind isn’t consistently blown by this truth, something is wrong.
Consider Romans 5:1-2:
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”
We have been given access into the presence of God.
Without the Cross, we are unworthy. Without the Cross, we stand in sin. Without the Cross, we cannot enter.
Why Does This Matter?
Because anything is possible in the presence of God.
But I don’t always remember this. Matter of fact, I often feel that the better I perform, the better worship is. The more I can whip the room into a religious frenzy, the more God’s presence comes.
Or, I don’t really care if God’s presence comes as long as I perform well.
But when I slow down and let go of my self-centered thoughts, I realize I’m simply a gatekeeper, inviting people into the greatest experience on earth.
And that thrills me.
You’re not just the resident entertainer, waking people up before the message.
No, worship leading is so much more.
Anything is possible.
The lost may be saved.
The sick may be healed.
Revelation may come to the hardest heart.
This is no routine. The presence of God is never routine. It’s always fresh, alive, and at work.
So as you lead worship, realize this miracle and pray for God’s glory to be put on display.
Question: What does the presence of God and the corporate gathering of people make possible? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
i totally agree David…
And i would even assume that this is why…most churches didn’t come around to a full praise band till in recent years to appeal to a younger and outer audience…
the stripped down worship the church used to have…put the whole focus on HIM…not on drums, or electric guitar riffs, or cool new Chris Tomiln or Hillsong songs to sing…
I don’t think the church regrets it…but it is more difficult to realize why we put on our sunday best, stand up in the pews, raise our hands to no where…and sing out into the air…
True. It’s easy for the modernization of our worship to distract from its essence. But I’m not sure simplifying and/or less quality helps us put more focus on HIM either. How do you think we can get more God-awareness in our worship?
I’m not sure…cause then we’d we talking about a congregation issue?…or individual issue…
we can certaintly do our part…
more Christ-Cross-Blood-Centered lyrics….with a moment of stripped down worship…meditation type thing…
but in the end…
We are the lead worshippers…
hopefully….they will follow…and imitate us…
just as paul asked the church to imitate him…
Well put! The presence of God Almighty Himself is the sole reason we gather and worship. Encountering Him is the only thing that can and will change lives. He is so in love with us and, in fact, obsessed with us, and He wants so much for us to experience His genuine presence. So amazing…
Well said. I’m reading this as I pack up and head out to worship rehearsal. I’ll be reading this to the team. And myself. Way too easy to forget. Thank you.
No problem, Neil. How did rehearsal go?
Ha! Our new sound tech misunderstood the rehearsal start time, so we started over a 1/2 hour late. Even though we were running WAY behind, I took the time and read your blog, then took some time to pray. Really set the tone properly. We chose the songs that I knew needed going through, and we’ll hit the rest at soundcheck Sunday morning. A little perspective goes a long way. Thanks again…
No problem, Neil. Glad to help!
Shaken by His Spirit is different from being blown away by the Bose speakers…or is it? 🙂 I have been shaken by His presence and by physical earthquakes and the internal shaking has affected me more.
We don’t have to fabricate and He is not a show off, or a noisy boaster.
He is just incredibly powerful as is.
How very rich modern man is to have a way to Him from Christ.
He is amazing and not one to take second stage for ever.