As worship leaders, we love those times when the congregation is with us.
We ask them how they’re doing, and they respond. They sing the songs we chose. They are visibly expressing themselves to God.
Maybe they’re even chanting your name as you take the stage. Ahhh…worship leading bliss.
But what happens when people don’t worship – when the room feels frozen over?
Sometimes, it’s because you’re violating one of the rules of engagement. Other times, it’s difficult to diagnose what is going on.
Sure, you could scold them for not showing up ready for worship:
“Excuse me, before we launch into this next brilliant arrangement of a song, I just have to ask, ‘Why in God’s name are you not worshiping? How dare you show up to church with your arms crossed and a blank stare on your face. Do you know how hard we worked for this? Show a little respect!”
Might not be the best option.
A more productive question to ask is, “What can I do now to engage people?”
Maybe your song list isn’t working.
Maybe what you said was irrelevant.
Maybe your plans aren’t what’s needed right now.
It’s time to take courage and change direction.
5 Leadership Actions to Take When People Aren’t Worshiping
Here are a few actions I take. Get your comments ready, because I’d love to hear how you approach these situations.
1. Pray – It’s in these moments that I allow a little extra space between songs. The main reason I do this is because I want to pray. I’m asking God – “What are you doing right now? What direction do we need to take?” I try and tune into the theme that the Holy Spirit is emphasizing. Don’t be afraid of the in-between moments. Your best worship leading is waiting to happen there.
2. Simplify – Sometimes the moment calls for something simpler and you need to change direction. So many times I’ve had these grand arrangements planned that just didn’t connect the way I thought. What to do? Sing a simple, familiar song on your acoustic guitar or keyboard. Stop what you’re doing and simplify. Sometimes “I Exalt Thee” is more effective than the latest and greatest worship hit. Because this isn’t about innovation or songs. It’s about connecting people to Jesus.
3. Speak – Oftentimes people aren’t worshiping with you because there hasn’t been a genuine human connection. People will follow those they trust. But they won’t trust you unless you speak to them on their level. Put them at ease. Endear them to yourself. This is all about the deliberate practice of public speaking. Learn how to break into a dead moment with a few words that connect.
4. Read – When songs and words fail (which they do), don’t forget about the power of Scripture. Find a passage of Scripture and read it. God’s Word is live giving. It penetrates. It cuts deep. Sometimes you just have to let God do the talking.
5. Share – This may or may not apply to you. It only sometimes applies to me. But sometimes I lead worship with another capable worship leader. In these moments when I don’t know what to do, I’ll pass the baton. This takes humility but can be so empowering for other leaders. I’ve seen services break open because I had the courage to share my platform – to allow others to step out.
Here’s the main lesson: Be courageous. Don’t be afraid to change direction. Become skilled at changing direction.
It’s in these moments that you have to make decisions, flex your leadership muscle, and rest in the anointing of God. He’s called you. And if He’s called you, He’s equipped you to do what you’re doing. Rest in the confidence that the Holy Spirit is moving through you.
When you’re in a situation when nobody seems to be connecting, how do you change direction?
Let’s discuss in the comments!
[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]
This blog post is unbelievably helpful to me! As a “beginner” in leading worship at a fairly small church, I’ve been stuck on how to face the issue of no one engaging in worship several times. And it’s been very tempting to scold the congregation. But yesterday we finally had a break through and it was through a simple and gentle invitation. Simply encouraging everyone to go a little further or a little deeper in their worship than they’d ever gone before. If they’d never closed their eyes, try that. If they’d never knelt before God, maybe they needed to do that. Simply stoping and giving an open invitation to lavish their love on God. Something as simple as that released people to engage in worship.
Ultimately, I was reminded of Proverbs 25:15, “Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.”
Again, really enjoyed this post! Your blog has helped me out a lot as a newbie in leading worship!! Appreciate you!
The Book of Proverbs is so needed in our culture and society today !
Ashley, that is awesome. Isn’t it encouraging to make progress? Keep up the gentle, patient, leadership-by-example. You’ll see such progress over time. Trust me. Thanks for sharing this verse, too. I wish I would have included that in the post, but I guess that’s why comments are so great!
I love what Paul Baloche said once, We are not worship leaders, we are lead worshipers.. My wife and I always try to be lead worshipers so others will feel at ease to follow..
Of course there are going to be those who refuse, I like what Ashley said about a simple invitation.
We’ve encouraged people before to just forget about everything that happened up to a few seconds ago and just focus on God, because that’s why we are there, not to ask for anything bu to just worship God… once we’re there requests can be made later.
Great point, Charlie. Our personal worship is the best way to lead others.
i really appreciate this lesson im learning some of things coz i was struggling with this issue some times.God bless you
David – another brilliant insight into an issue that worship leaders face on a week to week basis. Just a little comment on the “Speak” part. The human connection is so important. We have found that if we personally greet and speak to worshippers prior to the worship service, it increases the connection and willingness to be led in worship. This may not work with bigger congregations, but the overarching principle that you outline has universal application. Many thanks – I will be sharing this with my worship team.
Greg, that’s awesome. I’ve really started to do this myself. Rather than be back in the green room, gearing up for a concert, I’d rather be face to face, shaking hands with my church. I think that’s essential preparation. Even if you lead for a large church, you can connect with some. Thanks for the challenge, Greg.
Hey David as always you’re honest and it hits true. I actually started making sure all my musos are out there greeting and talking to people way before we go on. We have been engaging the people, on a personal level and it really helps when you look at that person and smile at them while on stage it brings their worship to a whole new level not to mention us musos. We have set that into our culture every new comer that comes into the church we need to connect right after the service. I believe since they see us up-front first we need to be the first to connect with them.
There were many times during worship I noticed a heaviness…as if no one was in the flow of worship ,we have done many *so called* SOS (let the Spirit Lead) sets as we called it. To suddenly go into only a piano or acoustic guitar and change songs or just be still…for just a moment and suddenly the Spirit takes over and the atmosphere is electrifying… Preparation is always important.
Again David a Great article! Blessings!
Thanks, Nixon. How does the “be still” moment happen? Is it complete silence?
Yes…there is something special in total silence….
What a great discussion for worship leaders!!
One thing we have to remember We should lead from a place of rest Matt.11:28 speaks to us to come unto him all who labour and He would give rest. (I may mess with your theology a bit) but we don’t lead people into the presence of God, Jesus was, is and will be the greatest worship leader ever known. Because of his sacrifice he gave us access ultimately leading us to the presence of God. Our job is to bring people to an awareness of His nearness. People would know and sense that God is here. When we try to lead it’s as if we are re-stitching the veil. As if we have to labour. Yes there are practical things we can do to bring attention to His presence but we must rest in the fact that His sacrifice is all that’s needed and as we make Him bigger in the congregation. The pressure is not on us for a response from the audience. If so when all is going well we may think it’s us and take Glory for ourselves.
Let’s lead from a place of rest.
I need that place of rest a lot, and often it is just bawling my eyes out while the music is played and sang by others. .That or riding my bike or pulling weeds. Where He is His servant will also be. I am thankful He enters and engages when we open the door, and that He does knock on the closed ones.
Eric, what do you mean by “rest”? Are you referring to confidence?
Hi David,
I once heard a worship leader say, “Is there a doctor in the house? I think we need to check the pulse of everyone in the room?”
No it wasn’t nme – ha.
It was said tongue-in-cheek, but did little to engage wi th the people. A mature worship leader also understands:
1. It is not always obvious if someone is worshiping. Let’s not assume hands raised = passionate worshiper
2. Sometimes they just aren’t ready (spiritually and/or physically) to worship God in a visible way
Cheers
Very wise, Bren. Leaders shouldn’t give off the vibe that they’re frustrated with the congregation. You’re right – it does little to help.
In the preschool classroom of about 30, when kids are not engaged, it is due to individual issue of hunger or tiredness, a sense of crowding, boredom, or some assortment teacher/staffing issue, and it can affect the whole group. So prayer first, flexibility and humility is what gets us through those 90 minutes with 3 & 4 year olds. Supporting/treating/addressing/connecting with the whole group and the individual is where it comes together. Sometimes when you do the one, the other is resolved. Everyone is so different and coming from so many places, and we have One incredible loving and creative and completely capable God. Not sure if this translates, but nothing is worth doing if we are just getting through the thing, is it? How valuable is the time we have together, especially with other believers and seekers. In sickness and in health, He loves us well.
Ok, it was me. I admit it. I was the one that told a group of “dead” teens that they were lifeless and to SING!!! “It’s easy. Just read the words on the screen in a song voice”, I told them.
Funny, I just found this post on a Facebook link today and the incident was last week. I’m definitely preparing with more prayer this week. I think the stresses of life outside of church can so easily influence not just the worshipers, but the music leaders as well.
After a that time of worship, I was sitting in my chair as the youth pastor spoke. I was very frustrated with myself and with the way everything went. I heard God say, “these kids have parents, teachers and peers telling them what to do every day of their lives. Step back, worship me and I will handle the rest.” I was so focused on what they were or were not doing, I forgot to worship Him.
I’ve learned my lesson. Great insights here though and thanks to everyone for your input.
Thanks for this article! We have all been in meetings you describe and your suggestions are gold. I think the one thing that keeps us from doing what you suggest is our fears, lack of faith that God will meet us and move and our desires to cling to the safety of “the list.” One thing we have been doing the last couple of months has yielded great fruit to start our worship services. We normally would start service by verbally greeting everyone and inviting them to join us in worship and then bein our set list with paise then worship songs. We found people set less in the beginning and took a while to engage which can frustrate us.
We now try to engage people right at the beginning of service by playing 1-2 worship songs and let the worship team enter into free, open worship during those songs. It has seemed to call people to attention, like a siren song on their spirit, and sets the tone for the meeting as well as our hearts as lead worshippers. We will then verbally “open” the meeting and primarily use our set list with some upbeat praise then worship songs. Nothing is a formula in Christ and isn’t something that should “always” be used but it has been fruitful for a while for us now and is a little different so thought I would share.