There comes a time in everyone’s life that no one looks forward to.
That time where the train takes off. Life moves at deafening speeds. Where at one point you were on the front lines of ministry, it seems you’re now being replaced with younger people.
You’re struggling to keep up. You’re getting older.
“Getting older” is sneaky, isn’t it? When you were a kid, life was slow – full of possibility, dreams, and big visions.
Now, you find yourself saying, “It’s my birthday…again?”
It can be a scary time. You don’t learn as fast. Your hearing is getting worse. Your style is no longer cool. You don’t know how to strum the guitar like those kids.
Are You Too Old?
Are you too old to lead worship? This is a very common question but I believe it’s the wrong question.
Of course, you’re not too old to lead worship.
If you no longer have a voice or can’t control your bowels, you may want to step off stage. But the Bible gives us no indication that age is a factor when it comes to ministry.
“Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days” (Job 12:12).
“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green” (Psalm 92:12-14).
History testifies that thousands of people were even more productive in their old age (Edison was 46 when he invented the light bulb).
The righteous still bear fruit – even in old age.
You have a decision to make right here. This time in your life is absolutely crucial. While you may not be too old to lead worship, are you doing what is most effective for the glory of God and the good of the church?
Reframing Leadership
You see, when it comes to being “used” by God and doing ministry, we all can be so individualistic and personal.
We want to be used. We want our chance. Nobody signs up to be forgotten.
Yet, that desire can blind you to what your best role is for the glory of God and the good of the church.
Isn’t that the goal? To see God glorified and to see God’s people edified?
So while you may not be too old to lead worship (you still should), let me ask you a few other questions to broaden your perspective of ministry:
- Are you mentoring a younger worship leader?
- Do you lead leaders who are better than you?
- Are you confident in who you are?
- Are you intentional about working on your personality? (age can breed cynicism)
- Are you excited to leave the limelight to see others step into their calling?
- Who are you encouraging?
You see, there is a lot more ministry for you to do. It may not be front and center. Or it may.
You’re never too old to lead worship.
But your worship leading may not be what is most effective for your church. You need to surround yourself with younger people. Ask them to help you. Invest all that you know into them.
Focus more on developing others than on demanding you’re own way.
There’s no need to languish in regret for what didn’t happen in your life. Life’s too short for that.
Your most effective years may just be around the corner. It’s time to start believing that.
Can We Have a Discussion?
My friends, I would love your perspective on this. You may be in this situation now. You may be getting old.
Or, you may be young.
If you’re older, how are you processing this? If you’re younger, what do you appreciate (or not appreciate) about the older worship leaders/pastors in your life?
Let’s discuss. You can leave a comment by clicking here.
[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]
Interesting topic… last week marked my 40th anniversary of entering full time music and ministry (I’ll be 59 next week and I’ve seen over 250,00 people come to the Lord, travelled to over 60 countries and worked in a number of great churches and ministries) … I’ve been blessed to have raised countless young men and woman into full time ministry and I’m still working on many… the end is not in sight yet but I’ve wondered when it would come. I’m singing and leading better than I ever have and can still beat everyone on staff in squash, tennis and biking… (I’m not getting older, I’m getting better) but I know that won’t last forever.
I still have a lot of goals ahead of me.. and I’m so encouraged by so many of the old rockers and singers still out there.. Paul McCartney (age 71), Bono (age 53) and Tony Bennett (age 87).
God has an individual plan for all of us.. My advice is to keep growing, keep learning, stay in shape, change, adapt, learn from the young and spend time with the Lord daily (I spend the first couple of hours every morning with the Lord and His word).
Moses was 120 years old and he was still in great shape… I think his secret to youth was how much time he spent in the presence of God and he also walked every where he went.
Let’s see what happens in the next 10 years… Serving God is exciting and God is faithful.
Mark – this is such a great comment. I LOVE your enthusiasm and passion for life. It’s so encouraging to hear this after so many years of ministry. I want to be like you when I grow up 🙂 Thanks man!
I’m right there with you. Same age, take inspiration from the same old dudes, LOL! I’m glad you wrote that!
Interesting topic! Being 24, the last thing I want to think about is old age! However, I greatly admire musicians who are rich in years. Every time I come across them, I am greatly challenged. It gets me thinking and praying that when I grow old, I would love to be as passionate and zealous as ever for my Lord. I see a glow in the old folk that we the younger generation don’t have. Truly, the Lord does renew. Its not just about advancing in years, but holding on to the faith and keeping the passion be it as you lead worship or mentor people.
Well said, Gloria! This is such a great perspective to have at 24 years old. Is your worship team a mix of old and young?
Not really old but yes. We categorize it as the married and the singles. That has its share of challenges but people easily blend because of the common passion, worship.
Hey Dave thanks for this article! Most important imo, is faithfulness to the “current” call of God on your life. We need to be gracious and willing to follow His leadership to re-purpose or re-assign us in different seasons. Nothing lasts forever.
BTW, I wrote a post on this (hey you’re in it too!) http://www.robstill.com/when-are-you-too-old-to-lead-worship/
Nothing lasts forever…this is such great advice. Probably helpful for even young people starting out in ministry to hear! Great post on your blog, Rob – and great discussion!
I’m laughing when I see you imply that Edison was in his old age at 46. My grandma (who died at 101) chided me when she was 84 after telling her that I wanted to introduce her to my old man friend. After meeting him, she said, “You told me that he was old, he is only 82!” I’m 49 (almost 50) and just started playing the bass and doing vocals with a worship team.
Edison definitely wasn’t in his old age…but he was in the latter part of his life. I know a lot of people around that age who feel it’s too late to try new things. Never!
My grandma that live to 101 (almost 102) is rolling in her grave. LOL She would have said that she wasn’t even half way there at 46. I do like the encouragement that your post brought. Keep writing….you have a terrific heart!
I know, I am a goofball. Thank you for the questions you ask and present David. Have a very good week at the shop and hope you do not shop till you drop this season 🙂 Love and thanks and prayers.
It is not a question of “when” are you to old to lead worship,
Maybe it is whether you can and do actually bring forth or burst out in pleasing and acceptable to Him worship, and where will you be, or not be doing that.
We don’t let old people drive cars once they have become a danger to themselves and the public at large. We do have to let those younger ones learn responsibility without smothering or abandoning them. Grabbing on, doing it with all our identity, and letting go overshadowed by His outstanding Glory, this is the dance of really living.
I’ve often assumed “I won’t be a worship leader forever” partly just because of this getting older thing. It just seems that most (certainly not all) musicians lose a little relevance as they grow older…they lose touch with where music is going. I doubt I’ll be the exception but who knows!
But then, like you point out, maybe that doesn’t necessarily mean leaving worship ministry as much as just changing your role. One of the most visible examples of this to me is Darlene Zschech who has surrounded herself with younger generation musicians. She still participates, leads, mentors but the music feels very current.
Great thoughts, opened me up to some new ideas here!
Darlene is a great example.. even though she is only 48 yrs old.. Her new recording is stellar and she’s raised a whole generation of leaders and worshippers.. ‘Good on her’
I agree, Neil. Darlene is a great example. Hillsong in general has done a good job of creating space for the next generation to rise up. You may not know the answer to this – but how do you anticipate your role will change as you get older?
I was asked to lead worship earlier this year after an abrupt change in senior leadership. Our worship team consists of my 66 y/o mom on piano, her 70 y/o husband on guitar, my 16 y/o son on drums and myself (no age given) on bass. We’re quite a group. My mom and step dad have agreed that learning contemporary music has stretched them as musicians. Although their style is more of a country flavor, they understand the need to connect with our young people through music. It’s been a great experience for all of us as a family. Thanks for your great blog and podcast. It’s been very helpful to a newbie who’s an oldie!
Thanks for the kind words, Jennifer! Wow – what a multi generational team. Love it! It’s great to see that they’re being flexible and willing to learn what is new.
Love your affirming perspective David. I’ve been in worship ministry since 1984. I’ve grown so much in those years, learned where I’m gifted and slowly gained the confidence to lead and assert my insights. But I do not like where worship has gone over the years (and I’m NOT a fuddy duddy!) When worship became “popular” and many hopped on the band wagon, it cheapened corporate worship. It became Pop worship. What was yesterday’s Christian Rock concert has become today’s corporate worship service. Many of the “Youth” are emulating other leaders who promote this. I think there is a lot of bad role modeling going on.Worship has drifted away from objective truth and into subjective “feelings”. They’ve made it more about the style of music (because it draws the youth) and have neglected content.I know I am putting my neck on the line here but if you’ve been around long enough, you’ve see it. So for that reason I do not want to follow what most youth are doing. I am careful as to what new songs I incorporated into our song set. It’s not style I’m talking about but lyrics/content. So although I don’t want to become old fashioned and lose my edge, I don’t do much of the popular songs being sung in churches around me unless it has sound Biblical content. There are very popular songs out there that have come out of “cultic” like churches. No one considers this. Well come churches do but others turn a blind eye because the kids like it. My husband is the pastor of our church. I am the worship leader. We are very strong on Biblical truth. Although I am 57 I have a young sound and play well. My team is old only because our church at this point is old. We are a new church plant so it takes time to get a balance of ages but that is our desire. Our youngest singer is 42. I do listen to younger worship leaders who hold the same conviction as i do about content. They are very gifted and produce great worship music but where I live (the west coast) most haven’t heard of them as they are from the East coast. I have to stay true to my convictions. Right now I am encouraged because we have seen our youth/college group grow and many play guitar. I am starting guitar lessons this week for those within this group who want to learn to play. Then we can rotate them into the youth group worship and develop them. Whoever I see that has real good potential, I can also put them into the main worship team that I lead. I’ve been looking for youth that I can disciple and pass the baton on to and finally some have arrived. But this is only the starting point. I love leading worship and as long as I have what it takes to bless our church I will keep on growing and serving in this way. I don’t have a retirement plan!
Hey Louise – way to lead! It’s cool to see your influence with your team. As for the state of worship in the church, we probably need another blog post for that 🙂 But my thoughts are there will always be those who we disagree with and those who may be a bit shallow. It will never be perfect until Heaven. We can only be responsible for ourselves – to lead faithful, Biblical, passionate worship that glorifies God and serves the church. Keep up the good work!
Thank you. Great article and timely for many of us, I’m sure. I was hired by my present church 28 years ago as the ‘choir director’. Boy, has music and worship ministry changed since then! Now, we have the ‘traditional’ praise band. Fortunately, we have several younger folks involved that help disguise my graying hair! And as you say, David, mentoring and encouraging seem to take on a greater sense of urgency these days. And not just for the worship team, but for the congregation at large. Considering all the changes in culture, worship style, technology and aesthetics over the last 30 years, the challenge, it seems to me, is to determine and pass on timeless principles that future leaders can rely on regardless of how worship style, culture and aesthetics change, because one thing is for sure – these things will change.
Timeless principles – I love that, Mark. If you don’t mind, what would you say are some of those “timeless principles”? You’re not helping me with a future blog post or anything 😉
Wow. Timeless principles. Three come to mind, although I’m sure there are more. 1. Worship leaders need to be avid readers and students of Scripture. I believe the Bible is, among other things, a record of God’s interaction with humankind. It’s hard to lead forward without knowing where we’ve come from and what God is ultimately doing, and it might help in avoiding pitfalls of the past. 2. Worship leaders need to understand the purpose and function of worship. One of my favorite sayings is, ‘form does not precede function.’ If we understand the purpose of worship, then we’re not as likely to get caught up in forms that feed themselves instead of feeding our true purpose. This would seem to be especially important in a time when cultural aesthetics and technology are so rapidly changing. 3. Worship leaders need to understand the character and strength of the congregation they serve. Just as Paul says in Corinthians, “even so the body is not made up of one part but of many,” so each church is not called to be everything in the Body of Christ. Some are mission oriented. Others might excel in evangelism, while others are a ‘turf farm’ with a history of producing future pastors and church leaders. Knowing the part of the Body your church fills and it’s function (there’s that word again) in the whole will allow worship leaders to help their congregation understand the totality of Christian ministry while especially feeding that part to which his / her congregation are particularly called. I’m sure there are other important ‘timeless principles.’
A year or so ago, on another site, I made the comment that I was the oldest member of our WT, and most of the members were under age 25, with the leader age 39. And that I had thought from the attitudes and remarks from the WL, there was definitely a preference by the WL to listen to the younger ones, Another snarky commenter on that site made the remark that maybe I needed to step aside for the younger generation to lead. I definitely didn’t think that was a biblical perspective. And you’ve shown it so above. So thank you for that.
Since then the WL, in front of the others on the team, berated me for not telling her of a last minute trip hubby and I needed to make on the weekend coming up, to help our son in another state (as a cop, he’d been injured in a shooting incident and we were going to help him). I had just learned we had to leave about 15 or 20 minutes prior to our bi-monthly rehearsal so there was no way to inform her that I needed a change in the monthly schedule before she sent it out — a couple of days prior. This was the last straw and I resigned from the team at the end of that month. There was NO respect. I knew others on the team had had last minute changes and none of them had been berated like that — especially in front of others. Neither she nor the pastor ever came to me and asked why.
And the WL is the pastor’s wife.
This lack of respect has carried over into other areas that the pastor’s wife has “led,” and a few other people in my age bracket have left the church.
My question — we are leaving too, it is a joint decision between my husband and me as there are other issues involving the leadership, primarily the pastor and his wife, and their unwillingness to let others step up and lead various ministries (they are extreme micro-managers). It seems like their attitude is that it’s the “Pastorchurch” rather than “Christchurch”. (As also their three children and son in law, all of whom are young adults are holding leadership roles where there are others similarly qualified and gifted who could be leading, but aren’t asked to.)
Should one them why you’re leaving?
Heather, could you ask the question again? I want to make sure I fully understand what you’re asking. Sorry about this situation – got to be tough to walk through leadership issues like this.
How does one handle this type of disrespect and favoritism when the WL is also the pastor’s wife. It would have been different if she was not related to him at all, then we could have had a mutual sit down with him and possibly others on the governing board to address this issue, but since he is related I didn’t bring it up and the issue wasn’t just that one time, it was repeatedly done, disrespect to me and favoritism to the younger team members.
Heather, I would still go to the pastor and tell him how you feel. If no one ever talks to him about his wife, how will things ever change? And if he doesn’t listen, you’ve got a bigger issue than just the wife. But at least the Lord could use you to be an agent of change IF they are willing to listen. You can always move on if they don’t. But if we avoid confrontation when it is sorely needed, we are doing a disservice to others. I say this from experience. My husband is the pastor and I am the worship leader. He chews me out when I need it and I am held accountable.
The bible does actually address this issue with some specificity. See Numbers 8:24-26. It lists the retirement age of the Levites as 50 (which is the new 30,right?). As I read it, an aged Levite can still help his younger brothers, but shouldn’t be the front man, anymore, so to speak. What do you think?
Actually I have NOT been the worship leader..I was more of the musical director, as I developed all the lead sheets, wrote out the arrangements and mentored the less experienced musicians (primarily those playing instruments) in learning the music. It was all under the direction of the WL who picked the music, and then I went from there, she’d forward me images for the song or songs she’d wanted to add to the team’s repertoire, and I’d access that version and create the lead sheets. She had no musical training and was so untrained that she didn’t understand that you cannot capo “down” the guitars! But there was no respect in how she treated me despite my service to the church for nearly three years, doing this extra work (and if you create lead sheets from scratch, it can be anywhere from one-two hours to five to create one, and learn the music well enough to teach others).
I see a lot of younger part-time worship leaders, who have other jobs. If the church has a full-time minister of music who feels his time has come, it could be a perfect fit that he continue all the work that goes on for the ministry, but have someone else actually lead the worship. That part-timer (young) leader may appreciate not having to take on the administrative side of the ministry, and can be mentored through what all that includes so he can grow into a more full-time position someday (if called to do so in God’s perfect timing). Obviously, the two would have to have a good relationship in working to understand God’s plan for that church’s music ministry and what they each bring to the table.
Just Ck out Don Potter, older generation WL but I haven’t heard anybody leading like Him.
Love the old school Morningstar CDs, though a bit weird at times. Still, I learned a lot from Don Potter over the years.
When I was younger I went to a traditional church and sang in the choir. I loved it and learned a lot. When they decided to add a “contempory service” I wanted to be on the praise team but it was sort of exclusive. 10 years later I am at a small contempory church and help lead worship every week. I learned to play the guitar at the age of 49 because all the songs we did were in a different key and I wanted to practice them right! Now I play along with my 21 year old worship leader (who taught me to play guitar!). I NEVER thought I could do this but the Lord called me and worked it out. I have led worship for women’s gatherings and feel so blessed to be able to do this without the fear I had when I was younger. I still get nervous but not like I used to. The thing is, I will probably be the one who stays at our church and the younger guy will be married soon and plans to leave to be a missionary.The other members of our team are in their 50s also. This has kept us diligent and responsible. When we had a few youth sing with us they never wanted to practice and put other things first, which is understandable. I just think it’s important to have “older” people involved in worship leading.I really don’t think I would have been ready at a younger age…although I wish I had taken up the guitar sooner!
Beverly – so many are your age and aren’t taking the step to learn something new. I love the fact that you’re stepping out there and refusing to settle. Keep it up!
Older people have such a potential to develop younger people. As a 20 year old, I have a great desire to build relationships with older people that I can learn off, and once everybody realizes that they aren’t too old to be used by God, how much more will this unite young with old people and demonstrate what the church should be – a family of different people (old and young) encouraging and learning off each other!
Well said, Dan! How long have you been involved with worship music?
I work in a traditional church. Our organist is “old” at 64. Many of us refer to him as on the “ROAD” plan (Retired on Active Duty). He refuses to go to seminars or join professional organizations to learn new things. Even though we do not use contemporary Christian music in our services, there are all sorts of new things coming out in the classical church music scene. The choir sings the same things over and over and even his prelude and postlude music are the same things he played the year before (and the year before). He is WAY too old to be leading the worship because he is settled.
Nellwyn – I like the point you make about being “settled”. Old doesn’t necessarily mean irrelevant. Being “settled” and unwilling to change is to become irrelevant.
David, I just want to say thanks for writing about this. It’s been bothering me lately, though I put off thinking about it, then rehearse and play week after week after week, (and year after year), loving (almost) every second of it and wondering where the years have gone. I just did my first CCM record three years ago though I made my living playing music while I was twenty-something and thirty-something. Then I “got a real job” and virtually stopped gigging. But having found a fantastic church about ten years ago, eventually was asked to join two of the praise bands there. The past eight or nine years, playing ever evolving CCM music with various groups of musicians of many different ages and skill levles, I’ve been inspired, challenged, have become a better player and even began writing again, which I had wondered if I would ever do. It’s exciting stuff. And so now I am 58. Getting ready to retire from that “real job”, built a studio in my home and am ready to ask God to lead me divinely to the next phase of my life and music, all to His Glory, the Lord My God. And I ‘pray to God that I am not too old’! Thanks for the encouragement through your article today!
Liz, I’m inspired by your passion to keep creating. Don’t stop! Keep up the good work.
David,
In my case it was when the new pastor and his select few deacons decided I was.
Spent almost a year unemployed and out of ministry.
But God had everything in His hand – we never did without and waited until another church found us – wanted us – asked us to come. I’ve moved up to Associate Pastor and Worship Leader and feel very loved by the pastor and congregation.
As my wife of 41 years (then) said – that year was “the most horribly – wonderful year” of our lives together in ministry – and it was both horrible [feeling cast away and unwanted after 22 years there] and wonderful [realizing God had something better for us] – we could have never planned it so good.
Bob
I hope the same is true here. I was just forced out at age 59. Pastor thinks we need younger faces on the platform……
Al,
Do not give into to discouragement or despair. If the God you serve is still God then He will take care of you and lead you in the right path. If He did this for me and my family He will do it for you.
May the Lord say of you as he did Job in Job 2:3 “…there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil and still he holds fast to his integrity…”
Bob
Being 44 years old and leading at a traditional-blend church has proved to not communicate to others that I “with it” and/or “now-a-days”. I have been attempting to find another church to serve where my gifts of music/leadership and guitar skills can be used more. At the present time, the emails and interviews have been few. I am wondering how much of it has to do with age, the church I serve now being around 250 in attendance and that I am not a hipster. I have a bachelor in commercial music guitar and a Master of Arts in Worship and seven years of full-time experience. It has left me a tad confused and wondering how much of it is age (or weight).
I just googled “no opportunities for older worship leaders” and stumbled onto this website. I have been fighting this issue lately. First off, I keep up to date with the contemporary music and my guitar skills. My conclusion finally comes down to nothing but *age* (the cover of a book).
I’m 53, been playing guitar for 30+ years and own 10 of them, mostly acoustics. I love playing and singing and I believed I have seasoned over these years. I have people telling me my music is much better than the younger musicians. Two things I don’t have anymore are my youth and my hair. Other than that, I stay healthy and not overweight. But its already enough to shut me from any opportunities.
My wife never supports me to get back into playing worship. And I’m getting very depress every time I pick up my guitar, feeling totally empty……
I have been seriously considering getting rid of all my guitars because they are of no use anymore. I try to convince myself against it hoping one day they will all come see the stage again, but I think I may be just making a fool of myself.
To me, it seems more difficult to find a spot in the worship team then to find a job, not to mention that I was always playing worship in a non-paid fashion.
I’m still hoping God’s unmerited favor will break the age barrier…..until then, my guitars are just dust collectors…….
Don’t give up on any of your talents. They are gifts meant to be shared. I am a worship team member who also plays guitar and ukulele for a small church in Honolulu. I also worried that I am too old. This July I’ll be 81 and never felt better. So keep at it, keep learning new songs and remember Who we’re doing this for in the first place. God bless you in your decisions.
Bubba
Are you anywhere near Louisville KY by chance? We’re looking for guitar players all the time. Our band ranges in age from twenties to sixties. No player who can play would be turned away because of age, that’s for sure!
Thanks I really enjoyed this post! I would add that even physical disabilities don’t have to stop a person from “speaking”. Got no voice? You can put your words down on a computer which can voice them for you. Quadriplegics and others with problems controlling bodily functions get the medical equipment needed so they can still go places and do things like others do.
God bless.
P.s
I teach people who are blind who also can do just about anything, just in a different way.
Patty
Stumbled across this post in an internet search. I am really re-thinking my music ministry as a 61 year old, with many musical skills, played in worship bands and choirs, etc., for years. I play a lot of instruments pretty well and sing well. What I have noticed is the tremendous duplication of people playing guitar and singing. I branched out the last 18 years and play a 33 string Lyon & Healy Troubadour I lever harp. Due to my husband’s and my health issues the past 5 years, I’ve had to step back and do music occasionally. I think you can still keep ministering in music but the audiences and venues change. I minister a lot now with my harp at art fairs, community/museum events, banquets, private dinners, weddings, funerals, where I am on my own as an individual musician, and not part of a “worship team,” although I would love to do it again. With CCM music so locked into primarily one kind of sound, it is very limiting in terms of available kinds of slots on worship teams these days. So I primarily look for other areas to bless people with my music. God knows the skills and abilities I still have and where He wants me to use them. Worship teams aren’t the only places to play and sing for God.
I’m 60 yrs old now.. and the emphasis of my music ministry has recently changed.. Now it’s not about being the ‘front guy’ but being the administrator, chart writer and MD (music director).. it’s all about mentoring the next generation…. teaching them the lessons I’ve learned from 40 years of ministry.
Now with the MD mike (for speaking into the band’s in-ears) I can help direct the band in live situations.. it’s fun.