Do you know that your style of worship leading could be hindering people from entering in? Could it be that, good intentions and all, you are a distraction to worship? Before you write me off, consider the possibility and allow me to explain.
When you prepare your worship services, the first thoughts on your mind are probably not trumpet solos and conducting. At least that hasn’t been the case for me. But they both have important lessons to teach us on how to engage a congregation in worship effectively.
This topic of engaging a congregation has really stole my attention the past few months. I’m not content to just perform well. I want people to truly experience God. And based on the fact that you read this blog, I assume that’s your desire too.
In a recent staff meeting, my pastor Jeff Leake talked to us about two philosophies of ministry: The trumpet player and the conductor. Analyze both with me:
THE TRUMPET PLAYER
- Defines succes by playing his part well
- Isn’t concerned with what everyone else is doing
- Doesn’t care if people pay attention
- Just blow the trumpet, and blow it well
THE CONDUCTOR
- Seeks to engage all members of the orchestra to play in unity
- Is concerned with what everyone is doing
- Does what he does well so everyone pays attention
- Isn’t concerned solely with his own performance
When you lead worship are you the trumpet player or the conductor? A ‘trumpet’ worship leader gets on stage, sings the songs well, prepares the band well, prays passionate prayers, pours his heart out. The ‘conductor’ worship leader may still do those things but is more concerned with the room – engaging with the audience, connecting with them on an emotional level, building trust with the people.
Many worship leaders are trumpet players. Few are good conductors.
The time we invest improving our ‘conducting’ worship leading skills will never be wasted. We’ll see people engaged, take steps closer to God, encounter God, and see breakthrough happen. That’s what I’m after.
Question: Would you consider your ministry approach more “trumpet” or “conductor”? In what ways can you improve?
Wow! What a great post! I am definitely showing this to my band… I would have to say that I am a trumpet player right now, but I want to be the conductor. It is hard and really takes some practice. You really have to have a different mindset!
It is a totally different mindset. Let me know how it goes!
Thanks for the insight…I have noticed all along you are a conductor..not just a trumpet player….Keep after God and you can not go wrong!
Thanks Janet!
David, I just couldn’t let this one go without a response!
I realize Pastor Leake used “trumpet player” as an analogical tool, but there are instrumentalists who read your blog, who would disagree with the labeling. I am a trumpet/french horn player, and most of the good instrumentalists I have had the privilege of playing with exhibit NONE of those qualities. Being primarily orchestra-trained, being a good follower is a skill that is ingrained into all trained musicians. We follow on multiple levels simultaneously: the conductor’s interpretation, the music in front of us, the blend of our section, and the overall blend with the rest of the orchestra. the only group we cannot afford to follow is the audience. Many times we only realize the audience is there when we stand for ending applause. Even a soloist, perhaps a trumpet player, must, in order for the solo to be properly presented, be continually aware of the balance with the accompaniment, which is achieved only by being aware of the conductor’s movements. Perhaps the early church may have considered Paul a “trumpet player”? and yet he was fully aware of the “conductor” at all times. He may have seemed to be doing “his own thing” to those who could not see the “score”. I apologize for making a big deal out of an innocuous comment, but some of this stems from the frustration of an instrument player who has little or no place for her skill in the average church setting.
Thank you so much for your shared insights, which I read and enjoy regularly. The Lord uses you greatly in so many avenues, and I know will continue to do so. Thank you so much for your ministry!
-Dee
Dee, thanks for the insight and for commenting! I always appreciate the discussion. It’s nice to hear the perspective of a true trumpet player 🙂 While the trumpet player in an orchestra is definitely concerned with the rest of the musicians, it’s not his MAIN FOCUS. His primary responsibility is to play his part well. The conductor’s job is to make sure everyone is playing together. That was the point I was making. Does that make sense?
This is a good post, you might recycle it some day. It’s pretty cool your pastor used a music metaphor.
2 thoughts.
1) The congregation is not an “audience”. They are the worship team. It takes intentionality to develop a church-wide culture that understands this.
2) The ability to develop and lead a worshiping congregation is an art, and like the conductor it takes time, study and a lot of work.
Rob, I like your points. So true. Sometimes I’ll explicitly say from the stage, “we are all the worship team this morning.” That’s a unique perspective for most people but it is helpful. Thanks.
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