Dear Unknown Worship Leader,
You, who lead week in and week out at a church no one has heard of…
Who may never write a worship song that anyone will sing…
Who may never sell out a stadium with your leadership charisma…
Whose passion for the Presence of God is so pure…
Who doesn’t need recognition to keep serving so faithfully…
Who loves and cares for your team with such hospitality…
Who works a full time job in addition to the hours you serve at church…
Who’s the first to arrive and the last to leave…
Who still answers altar calls…
Who doesn’t have the talent that draws attention…
Who loves the local church…
Thank you for keeping it real. You’re a living testimony…
Of what really matters…
To keep our hearts set on Jesus…
To serve faithfully in the shadows…
What else can we learn from the unknown worship leaders – from those who serve in the shadows with little to no recognition? Let’s discuss in the comments!
It’s inside me to want to make a splash! To be known! To make a difference! However I wonder if being unknown, invisible, means that I’m doing my job better.
Thoughts?
PK
BTW David, what a great post! I hope someday we can meet in person and have lunch or coffee or even…dare I say…work together!?
PK
Let’s do it!
Being unknown doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing your job better. When you’re doing great things, it eventually gets attention. I think it has to do with your heart, not craving center stage, and being content to serve and shine a spotlight on God’s glory.
Amen! Only God can discern our hearts.
Yes!
Yes it’s true. Yes it’s SHORT!
AWESOME!
Powerful, David. This is the guy (or gal) who “gets it,” whose heart for serving the Body of Christ outranks his drive for fame or notoriety. His dedication might go unnoticed, but his impact for the Kingdom won’t. Great post.
Thanks Stephen! How did you get to that place? What lessons have you learned along the way? Thanks for the comment.
Great post, David. While I may not be out in center stage leading worship with my acoustic guitar, I know that the rest of us in the background are equally vital to making our worship services what they are – an environment conducive to allowing people to experience a revelation in the presence of God. I can honestly say with humility that I could not imagine doing anything else each week and I immensely enjoy my time and service to my church and to the awesome worship team we have.
For me, it is not about gaining the recognition of being on stage or being “seen” in service, but rather anticipating what God is going to do in my community because of my willingness to serve (and He always over-delivers on His end!). I am not seeking to serve my church to be rewarded with praise; I am seeking to honor Jesus by serving His bride with excellence and with no restrictions. His Joy will be my reward.
Thanks for posting this!
Wow, Josh. I pray this comment is echoed in every worship team member across the earth. So powerful! Thanks for sharing.
The stage is not a place of honour, or to become famous/recognised; it is a place where God honours Himself. A worship leader’s job is to minister to the Lord and to bring others into His Presence. May we all see ministry to the Lord as the highest reward not our ministerial duties – whether seen or unseen; off the stage or in the secret place. Our great reward is HIM. We minister to Him because He is simply worthy of it!
“The stage is a place where God honors himself. ” I love that! Thanks Mary!
Awesome. I used to think success was having a CD in Walmart. Now I have realized that true success is having intimate knowledge of Jesus. I want to know him like Paul did. I want to be a trusted advisor of His like Moses was. I want to understand his heart like David did. I want Him to be so anxious for my arrival in heaven that He just takes me like He did with Enoch. I want his fragrance to fill every place that I walk. That is success!
Dude, you need to write a song based on this comment. So epic! I echo every word!
Amen! Amen! Amen! You know, it’s funny, as I follow this new musical passion/calling set for me while in my 40’s I think I’m so humble in my old age, but then I find MYself looking for ways to promote MYself instead of Jesus, to fulfill MY desires instead of His, to pat MYself on the back instead of seeing the tremendous grace He has bestowed on me. Thank you for keeping me real and keeping Jesus real!
No problem, Cindy. Thanks for commenting. And being in your 40s is hardly old age!
I work with that worship team in the small church that is never going to make it on the map and I work with such a great group of humble people. We are so thankful to those worship teams who have “made it” or at least sound/look like they have for taking the time to come and mentor us and teach us. Making the move from the one song leader next to the piano to a stage full of lead worshipers sharing their gifts is a scary and often difficult move. We’ve had some great folks share their wisdom and expertise free of charge and now that we are starting to get things together we so want to share our experiences and ideas with other congregations who are looking to make moves in their worship as well. So if you’ve “made it”, share it!
Great challenge, Cassidy. Love it. So when did you make the switch to a full band?
This was beautiful, and almost heart wrenching. The first comment reminded me of a post you wrote just after Adele won a lap-full of Grammy’s. In many ways, I am the unknown worship leader. Honestly, for me it’s a dreadful, sobering, constantly waiting, place…But what I have learned about God and about myself through the Holy Spirit continues to build, strengthen and encourage me. And it makes my calling sure! It also helps me to be confident in my anointing.
Glenda, you may be unknown to most, but your ministry is making an eternal difference. Wait till you see!
This is what the Sermon on the Mount lifestyle is all about. This is Jesus’s idea of what leadership and greatness looks like. Although, the reason for paying a worship leader on staff is so that he can give his full, undivided attention to the church for the sake of excellence and consistency. I would encourage those on staff to never lose Jesus’s vision for Kingdom leadership and greatness by going lower.
He must increase. I must decrease. My constant prayer.
Yes! Yes! and Yes!
My yes was meant for the way Jarret phrased everything.
David, we started about 4 years ago, adding a few guitars and some contemporary songs. Now we have full drums, bass, lead guitar, acoustic and keys. Our service is blended with contemp and traditional. About a 70/30 mix.
This is brilliant, thank you!