What Do You Think About When You Lead Worship?

This is a scary question, right?

Because often when lead, we’re not fully present. Our minds are somewhere else. And when we confront our true motives, we may not like what we see.

But I want you think about this. What is on your mind when you lead worship?

My mind races through a million things, from:

• Is my fly down?
• How does my hair look?
• Is my pastor digging this, or will we have a conversation this week?
• Man, I’m hungry…what are we having for lunch?
• Who can I impress today with my talent?
• How many compliments will I receive this morning? Maybe a couple facebook messages?

That’s just the typical, million mile an hour race that my mind is running. And I want you to know that’s OK. It’s human.

But I don’t want to leave it there. I want to fill my mind with truths and thoughts that will help me lead better. Food for thought that will inspire me to lead my best worship. I know my church deserves that.

3 Ways to Focus Your Mind When Leading Worship

So here’s a couple things that will help:

1. Recall God’s Word – There’s something inspiring about knowing that what we do is rooted in God’s Word. We are commanded to praise the Lord. It’s why we have breath. Here’s my recommendation: Keep a running list of Scriptures that you’ve memorized. Then, recall them to mind as you lead. Here are few suggestions:

• “Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!” (Psalm 47:1).
• “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Revelation 4:11)
• “Great is Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness none can fathom” (Psalm 145: 3)
• “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call on You” (Psalm 86:5)

2. Look at & Lead For Specific People – This may sound weird, but it’s helped me in so many ways. When I open my eyes as a worship leader, I can see those I’m leading for. I see people who I’ve had conversations with. I know their life situations and it inspires me to sing for them – to lead for them. I see unbelievers and those who are new to their faith and I begin to lead for them. It puts me in touch with the congregation. While you can’t personally know everyone, notice those you do and lead for them.

3. Be Present With Your Lyrics – A few days ago we talked about sincerity – about meaning what you say. To focus your mind as a worship leader, you need to be present and sing your lyrics with conviction. Pour your heart into each phrase. If the song doesn’t move you, your performance won’t move anyone else. This is why it’s so important to choose songs with strong, objective lyrics about who God is. Let the song lyrics arise from your life experience, from the very depths of who you are.

I’d like to add one more, that’s more of a precursor to leading worship: laugh a lot. You see, everyone gets nervous. It’s how you deal with it that counts.

A visibly nervous worship leader breeds a visibly nervous congregation. It’s a distraction because people are more preoccupied with you than with worshiping.

I have whole post on this, but let me just offer one piece of advice here: laugh with your team. Smile, joke around, have fun with each other. This will make not only for better music and stronger team dynamics, it will help you lead happily and with excitement.

What about you? What do you think about when you lead worship? What is on your mind?

Would love to hear from you in the comments right over HERE.

[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]