The longer I lead worship, the more I see a problem.
I’m a professional worshiper. I get paid to be at church.
It’s my job to lead people in worship. I know how to “clock” it in, get it done well, and move on.
And you know where this hurts the most?
People can be blessed by my worship leading and have no idea my prayer life doesn’t exist. People can look up to me as a “man of God” but they don’t know that I haven’t read my Bible in a month.
I’m a professional – I know how to fake the spiritual life. But the truth is I can kid everyone except the one who matters most.
God sees. God knows. Nothing is hidden from His eyes.
Yes, it’s a problem when I’m so professional that I don’t weep in His presence anymore. I don’t stand in awe of His glory anymore. I don’t answer altar calls anymore. I don’t show up to God’s house with expectancy anymore.
A Plea to Those Who Lead Worship
Worship leaders, let me plead with you. Do whatever it takes to keep yourself from becoming too professional in God’s house. It may be your job. It’s possible you’ve been doing this for a long time.
But don’t lose the wonder. Never lose the awe. Don’t take your eyes off the miracle of entering into the presence of Almighty God.
Do whatever it takes.
Go over and above to keep it real. Do the things you used to do when you first saw Jesus.
Hit your knees. Guard your quiet time. Worship with abandon.
If there’s one thing to become a pro at, be a pro at humility, repentance, and standing in awe.
We all know greatness doesn’t come without practice. Your walk with God is the same.
A spiritual authority that scares the demons in hell and a radical closeness with Jesus doesn’t happen by accident. It’s about giving your life to it.
I like how Craig Groeschel says it:
“Its the things that no one sees that produce the results that everyone wants.”
Let’s live it.
[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]
Awesome Post! You absolutely can not let the daily grind supercede your personal worship. Its ok to lose emotion during worship(stop playing and raise your hands or the one I could never get the hang of is singing with a huge knot in my throat). Even if leader of worship is your vocation. Sometimes God may be speaking to you through the music and songs you are bring forward to the church. When you let yourself be lead by the praise and worship you are bringing that intern allows the congregation to engage on a whole new level…..that is true worship lead by the Holy Spirit. Thank you David for sharing.
Lol sorry the second post was supposed to be a edit not an additional post. Stinking auto correct. Lol
I deleted the other one, so I think we’re good 🙂
Good words for anyone who is a professional church employee. I have been a full time worship leader, a member of a large staff, and now work as a pastor, and the struggle is the same for all of us. Keeping it real. Authenticity. Vulnerability. True spirituality. It takes intention and discipline and work. But it is, as you say, worth “giving your life to.” Thank you for being a voice for greatness in our professional lives and in our spiritual relationship.
I’m thankful for pastors like you, Jim, who keep it real week in and week out. The pleasure is mine. Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for this great reminder. I’ve only been leading worship for a few months, but I’ve been part of a worship team for several years now. Your post is exactly what I needed to be reminded of. I’ve definitely been guilty of being too professional, so thank you for challenging us to not be so professional and reminding us that what we do outside of Sunday morning is just as important as what we do on Sunday morning.
That’s great, Josh. Where do you lead worship?
I lead worship at a small Methodist church in northern Indiana
I completely disagree. Professionalism and spirituality work independent of each other. One can be completely professional and still read his Bible every day as well as perform every spiritual disciple because he loves God. In fact, the best professionals [jn every industry] are those who are sold out for the company they work for. The very best professional worship leader will understand that to be a better worship leader, he must practice spiritual disciplines daily. Even if he does those disciplines because of a desire to be professional, they will eventually transform him. Professionalism is a must-have in every aspect of church leadership, without it you will have unpreparedness and eventually no church at all.
Good thoughts, Zack. What would you say to someone whose professionalism has become the goal? I like your thoughts but I tend to equate a professional with someone who “gets the job done” well but as ministers it’s not just about the getting it done. It’s about allowing God to reach people through us. It’s about laboring for people’s souls. It’s probably just a matter of semantics here, but I love where you’re coming from!
I was reading last week in Luke 6 where Jesus restores a man’s withered hand… and in the midst of that passage I found the question: “What is / has withered in my family, ministry, relationships, dreams, gifts… the question is humbling because it is Him who restores it and sheds light on it as something withered.
I guess all that to say: I apply that truth (Luke 6:6-11) to this one (your blog)…I pray what tends to wither (joy, wonder, awe… as you said) would be restored – the ‘work of it’ would be restored to the ‘love of it’. What am I going to do…. this last week I broke out my guitar and sang / played for an audience of one. It was an amazing time. I will continue to ask him to restore to me what has been withered.
Awesome word picture, Jason. May God restore what has withered in our souls. Love it!