Leading worship. It’s a term we throw around a lot.
We idolize the uber talented ones. It’s a key position in churches across the globe. But do you know what’s interesting? It’s not in the Bible. God never calls or commands people to lead in worship. That terminology is simply never used.
Sure, there is plenty of music in the Bible. We know we are to make a joyful noise and praise the Lord with loud, clashing cymbals. But there are no commands to lead worship. Why is this? Is this just a human construct that we have completely off base?
I don’t think so. Entirely. We just need to clarify what it means to “lead.” What does it mean to lead people in worship? What is the role of a worship leader? We hear a lot of catch phrases surrounding this:
- “Wow, you really led us to the throne room today!”
- “You ushered us into the presence of God.”
- “The presence of God is so strong on him(her).”
- “Your anointing shifted the atmosphere.”
If I’m honest, some of these statements make me queasy. Why? Because we’re placing too much stock in the worship leader person than the person of Christ.
Have we become too dependent on worship leaders and not dependent enough on Christ?
Consider Hebrews 10:19-23:
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Have you ever lost something that was literally right under your nose? I’ve searched near and far for my phone only to realize I was talking on it. I’ve spend hours looking for my keys only to discover they were in my pocket.
In the truest sense, a worship leader doesn’t lead people to God. We simply draw attention to His nearness…to His presence. We don’t lead our churches into the presence of God. That is a miracle reserved for Jesus Christ.
But what do we do, then, you may ask? We highlight Jesus. We trumpet what He has done. We shine a spotlight on His finished work. Nothing more, nothing less.
If I can give you one piece of advice, worship leader, it won’t be about what you’re using to run your loops and click or what songs you’re singing or what new creative elements you’re implementing. It would be this:
“How well do you know Jesus? How familiar are you with the finished work of the cross?”
This is the essence of worship leading. The best worship leaders are immersed in Jesus. They seek to know what He’s like. They want to know what He is saying. They want to move his heart. They move closer and closer.
The Difference Between Worship Leading & Performing
Worship leading. It’s an interesting activity and vocation. We’re on stage performing with many of the same creative elements as a Coldplay concert in Madison Square Garden. If you put on a concert and perform music for a living, you deserve to be lauded, recognized, and “praised” for your performance. It’s your life’s work and it deserves attention. It blesses people.
But if you’re a worship leader, it’s not about that at all. People should leave your services with a stronger theological backbone. They should have strength to persevere under trial. They should have their faith strengthened in the promises of God. If all they’re talking about is you and how talented you are, you’re not drawing attention to the right thing.
Of course, compliments will come. Anyone who is on stage will receive them. But you must know your role at the core of your being.
If you want to be a rockstar, don’t lead worship. If you want to have a career in music, worship leading isn’t the path. If you want to perform, the local church isn’t your fanclub. There are plenty of other noble, beautiful musical vocations to choose from.
Lead worship if you have a burning passion for people to experience God. Lead worship if you love the local church. Lead worship if you care about people knowing and responding to the presence of God.
Because that’s what we’re doing. We’re not in this for fame or recognition. Highlight Jesus.
What’s your take on this? How do you see yourself as a worship leader? Let’s talk about this in the comments.
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There’s a good reason “Worship Leader” isn’t in the bible.
Because worship will not be led by a human being any further than the Holy Spirit will.
(won’t stop us from trying though)
There’s a good reason the term “Worship Leader” sticks around anyhow. Because it fully represents the collective egocentric ambition of those who grasp its deceptive tail for the ride to stardom. One little word is missing however.
Is it really fair to set up a church building platform in the model of a performing concert–load it up with wedges, strats, in-ears-SVT’s, Mesa Boogies, Orange County Drums, Twins and the like—Mega watt line array sound system (digital with i-pad a must) –put on a light show to match a Matchbox show–fill the room with people who have been pumped and primed for a show by great PR and glossy posters of the “band” who is hoping to strike a recording contract with today’s performance and some day win a Dove award–THEN CALL THIS LEADING WORSHIP? One little word is missing.
No, it is not fair–not fair to the musicians–congregation–to anyone in that congregation attempting to join a Christ-centered fellowship minus all the hype and showmanship.
Solution: Build or purchase a performance hall and do concerts until the cows come home, but stop the charade of calling it worship. It’s not necessary. Just be honest. Both concert and corporate worship have valid meaning in a Christians life.
One little word “IN” is missing. Leading “in” worship will mean the band goes off to the side out of view, the audience once again becomes a congregation, and the platform is once again void of tools of the modern Worship Band Leader fiasco. Who will lead the way Mr. Elder, Bishop, Pastor? You have turned your backs and allowed this to happen, if not supported it all.
You said this: “There’s a good reason “Worship Leader” isn’t in the bible.” Yep. That’s because everyone met in really small house churches back then. They didn’t need worship pastors, or community pastors, sunday school directors, or facility directors back then.
Today’s churches require something different from the church of yesteryear, and that’s ok. Today’s church loves singing – pretty awesome, and pretty biblical. When you have more than 10 people singing, someone has to lead it.
That’s where the worship leader lives. And I love what David says in this post – our main job is to highlight God. We’re like tour guides – “there He is!”
Great post!
Well said! Years ago, we experienced wonderful worship–with first class music–at a church where the band was not in front, but off to the side & back. It was the best of great music, without all the rock-star celebrity temptation. Seems to me it’s a simple way to eliminate this too-often disappointing distraction to worldliness.
Just sayin’.
Hi there
Here is my story,,,
I am 24 years old and I have been in our church’s worship team for 8 years. I taught myself to play drums at the age of 15 and then our worship leader gave me an opportunity to play drums during some of our services. At the time I played drums for our worship team, I was 16. After a year, I became interested in playing guitar. So I taught myself and then after a while I was playing guitar in our worship team. In few years past and I switched from playing guitar to bass to drums. Currently I am playing drums for our worship team.
Our youth is very small (we are about 8 people including the youth pastor and his wife). The ages of our youth group goes from 14 – 30.
When the youth started about 3 years back, I had the desire to start a youth band. So I did and at first, every member of youth was in the band.
Me, not being a loud person that can make a statement and stand up for herself, started this band, but after a while, the people in the band started to lose interest and also started to try and ‘take over’ and lead. The band was not establish and was stopped for a lot of months.
After a while, some people left, and new ones came, but still our numbers were the same.
I tried the same thing I did when we started, and again it did not work out. Yet again, I cancelled the band.
A few months passed by and at the beginning of this year our youth pastors took a stand to make our youth official (with structure, etc) and I decided once more to start the band. But, this time I did not invite everyone in our youth group to join.
I waited for persons to come to me and tell me that they want to join.
At first we started off with only 3 people. Myself, my sister and my best friend.
I was on guitar, my sister as well, and my bestie would sing.
After a while, my bestie’s little brother joined and I taught him basics on the drums.
And a few months after that, one of the people that left youth a year ago, came back.
I asked him if he was willing to join our band and I would learn him to play bass.
So now we had 2 guitarists, a bassist, a drummer and 1 singer. (My sister and I also sing).
So now here we are… we have been going strong for about 5-6 months.
We still have a lot to learn.
It is a challenge to keep them (and myself) motivated.
Most of the people in the band do not have any musical experience and they only know what i teach them…or what they have experienced themselves while practicing…
I would love to get any advise…anything!
I want us to become better as a worship team and be worshippers and performers.
I also know that things take time.
All i know is that i have a passion for people seeking God through praise and worship and I want to just be what God intended me to be.
Marilize
correction… *and NOT performers…
Hey Everyone,
I have just started the Methodist Worship Leading Course as I feel that God is nudging or (calling) me to be a worship leader within my home church and the local circuit. I know its not about standing up at the front singing, its about saying prayer or doing the children’s address etc I’m just really passionate about God and for people to experience his holy spirit through prayer, worship, sermon, reflection however I’m a little worried about my home church and their response to me being involved in the services more often. Does anyone have any advice on this and how to tackle it? Many Thanks