“It’s not that you shouldn’t lead worship.
It’s just that your passion to lead others has overwhelmed the necessity of leading yourself.
The best worship leaders are those who are in tune with the Holy Spirit – so engaged in the Person of Christ – that they help others to be vulnerable. They lead with an honest, open heart – freeing others to surrender all.”
When I first wrote that, I was preaching to myself. I felt God challenging me to step up my leadership.
I mean, how could I lead a room in worship if I was unwilling to lead myself?
Lead myself in worship – that’s something we don’t think about right?
But when your personal times with God drift to few and far between, when you’re more excited for the things of this world, and when your passion revolves around the spread of your own name and influence, something needs to change.
Cliche as it is, It’s easy for worship leaders to make worship about us.
How we sound.
Our opportunities.
Our reputation.
What Do You Really Love About Worship?
Is it OK if we ask some scary questions?
Sometimes I wonder if we’re more obsessed with being used for the glory of God than we are the glory of God Himself. Are we more concerned with our careers and platforms than the name of Jesus? Are we worshiping our own egos over Jesus?
Sometimes I wonder if we chase a certain feeling over running hard after Christ Himself. It’s easy to enjoy the emotional impact of a well written song but do we enjoy His presence on Monday morning when the feelings have left? Do we still have any passion left? Do we have anything to say?
What would it look like to be “all-in”, “sold out” for the glory of Christ?
What would our services look like?
How Vulnerable Are You?
Vulnerability. It’s a scary word. It conjures up thoughts of being exposed, found out, known.
But it’s the only way effective leadership happens.
What would our worship look like if we were completely honest? Our vulnerable worship just might free the gathered church to find her own vulnerability. To not just sing the songs, give in the offering, and listen to a sermon. To not just attend services and check church off the weekly to-do.
A better option? Lay bare your heart – with all its secrets, fragility, hurt, and history – and run. Run with all your might into the wide open arms of your Savior.
God sees it all anyway. What He wants is for His children to come home – to be exposed to a love that will change us.
One more scary question, I promise:
Think about it: what if at the end of your worship leading days someone took a survey of your effectiveness. Would people love you and your leadership more than Jesus? Were you leading people to find refuge in Him or your fan base?
I don’t say that to fill you with regret; but instead, to reevaluate. Use today as a fork in the road – a chance to recommit your life and ministry to the fame of Jesus Christ and the spread of His greatness in everyone’s eyes.
What do you think?
What keeps you from being an honest, vulnerable leader?
Come share your story in the comments. It’s always better that way. You can leave a comment by clicking here.
[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]
My husband and I lead worship. At our previous church my husband took some time to be vulnerable in front of the congregation on the subject of forgiveness and offered an opportunity, during worship time, for others in the congregation to take a moment and directly go to someone they felt led to offer forgiveness to or to quietly pray and offer or ask for forgiveness. At the staff meeting 2 days later our head pastor told him to never do that again because showing that kind of vulnerability shows weakness to the congregation and undermines your ability to lead. We had already been discussing whether or not the church leadership here was a good fit for us and that statement sealed the deal. We knew it was time to move on.
Thanks for sharing your story, Beth. I actually think vulnerability empowers you to be a better leader. It shows you’re real and helps your followers face their own vulnerability. But I don’t think everything necessarily should be shared from the platform. That definitely needs to be thought through.
how about singing psalms hymns and spiritual songs to one another? most people today are not able to just say in a group of believers “who has a song or word to share today?” and just open that up. Is that culture or fear or difference in gifting? I asked once if we could include 5 minutes of music at a study group, which included professional to novice musicians, and all believers. the response was “well we can’t just do music without having all the words, instruments, preplanned songs set up, etc.” and to me that just wretches every bit the Spirit could use to edify, or at least hinder it. But I have songs going through my head all the time, especially scripture ones, and I pull them for my lessons or we let our senior church request and so I will end this by saying whether it is preplanned or off the hip, it is prayer and His Spirit that does the leading and working in any music, and it don’t always have to be church music or in the church to work. God made music and we together are made to worship the One Who Wrote and Made each and every note possible. He knows and works within all the flavors and styles and hearts better than any of us ever can or will. (I am off topic a bit-thank you for writing about worship David. I pray your life sings, sweetened and steeped in His Strength and Joy, surrounded and overflowing in power to extend the blessing and cure of the Gospel of Christ our Lord) ” my cup overflowed as Heaven poured out its blessings, covering over my earthly doubts. I became so full that I tipped over and spilled, then spun until I was all emptied out. He set me upright upon This, the Rock, as the windows of Heaven, they opened again. I am made full to overflowing and this shows I belong to Him, made for the giving and to be given in. We are given and spent, this is the gift of our repent. We are not defined by our past, we are defined by the One Who Made us and Knows us and Loves us each. Thank you Jesus”
this race is worth finishing 🙂 24/7 days a week,rain or shine.
“I mean, how could I lead a room in worship if I was unwilling to lead myself?”
I don’t necessarily disagree with what you’ve said, David, but I’m not sure I understand the above question. We aren’t supposed to lead ourselves – a true spiritual leader is led by God. I don’t always understand where He is leading and there are plenty of times I flat out don’t like it, but as a disciple of Christ, I have to accept that He isn’t leading me astray and has a plan/purpose. My job is to shut up and follow. 🙂
While I certainly have no interest in telling someone they aren’t cut out for leading worship, I have met too many people in a worship leading role that don’t have the spiritual gifts for it. They may be a great musician or have a nice voice, but to me, those are the at the bottom of the list of qualifications to go by when looking at a potential worship leader.
Being open is great and having the humility to be vulnerable is commendable. Having the spiritual gifts to complete the task is the most important thing though. At least that’s my opinion…
Damon
BTW – if anyone is looking for a venue that will help you grow in learning to be open/vulnerable, find a Celebrate Recovery program and ask if there is anything you can assist with in regards to the worship time. Leading worship for people at that level of searching is beyond humbling…