You know you’re supposed to practice. You’ve heard that your whole life. But when it comes to being a better worship leader, the question is not if but what.
How do you practice worship leading?
In his fantastic book, “Talent Is Overrated
Strumming a G chord on the guitar all day won’t necessarily make you a better guitarist.
Just because you’ve lead worship for years doesn’t mean you’re improving. You need to practice specific techniques that will advance your skills further and faster.
There are essential competencies that worship leaders need. That’s what we’re after.
Practice Makes Perfect?
Actually, it doesn’t at all. But practice does make possible.
It makes possible what you thought was impossible.
It makes a reality what you only once dreamed.
Practice is about putting one foot in front of the other. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
Consider this series your coach. I’ll offer tips, tricks, scriptures, and resources that will help launch your worship leading to the next level.
Posts In This Series
Here’s a glimpse of what we’ll cover
- The purpose of practice
- The best worship leading mentor you never knew you had
- Surrounding yourself with “unofficial” mentors
- Practicing His presence
- Public speaking: how to connect with a crowd from the stage
- The worshiping worship leader: how to be real
- The Ultimate Guide To Overcoming Musical Gear Ignorance
- Why Worship Leaders need people skills if they want to be good
- Vocals: how to improve your vocal strength and stamina
- Leading a band: learning the basic function of each instrument
- How to improve your team’s monitor mixes
- How to lead prophetic worship
- How to focus on your strengths and delegate your weaknesses
- How to structure and communicate your vision through an annual schedule
- The intersection of robust theology and emotional response
Worship leaders, if you don’t mind, I would love your feedback. Help me write this blog series. What other topics should I include?
Let me know in the comments and I’ll work it in.
And if you don’t mind sharing this with other worship leaders you know, I’d love their input as well.
I can’t WAIT for this series! As a fairly new worship leader and with no formal “training”, I’m a sponge for blogs and books like this. My only complaint is I don’t want to wait. 🙂 Bring it on!
I’ll write as fast as I can!
Great list of topics to cover! You’ve hit the nail on the head, but might I suggest ‘follow-ability’? The quality that makes it easy for a congregation to follow what you’re doing. I’ve been leading on and off for over 10 years and this is the biggest issue I regularly see in the many places I’ve been with the military.
Fantastic idea, Derek. Thank you.
So I just got back from a worship writer’s retreat called Cowrite Retreat with Jared Anderson and 40 other worship writers/leaders. One of the big things that God laid on my heart was the idea of Presence vs. Performance. We I believe it’s both and but if I had to just choose one I would go with His presence. Don’t know if this resonates for this series.
Thanks David…I’m looking forward to reading and commenting on it!
That would make a great discussion, Paul. Thanks! If you don’t mind me asking, how was the retreat structured?
Pretty straight forward. We met in the morning for worship and to hear a word from God. Then a 3 hour block of writing in groups of 3-4. Lunch, then another 3 hour block of writing in different groups. We kept that schedule for 2 days. For the last writing block we got to create a group to write with. Great stuff!
Was it all co-writing?
Worship and co-writing. Great time together with like-minded people.
I’m really looking forward to this series. Might I suggest a guide for worship leaders on how to tell new worship team prospects “no” or “not now” & how to tell current team members “you’re just not cutting it” – with grace & wisdom. Or is there already something about this that you’d recommend?
Thanks for the blog and regular emails!
Keith, I probably could dive a bit deeper into this, but here’s something along those lines: https://www.davidsantistevan.com/2012/01/confrontation/
Wow looking forward to this blog series. I heard a saying “Practice makes permanence.” I guess the point is to make sure we’re practicing the right thing.
Oohh, I like that. Thanks Jackson. If you have more gems like that, I’m all ears 🙂
Hi David!
For what its worth here’s an article I wrote on how to develop the ability to make good comments.
http://daniellyle.com/wordpress/tips-for-making-good-comments-as-a-worship-leader/
Great post, Daniel! Thanks.
For someone who is feeling like worship leading might be something I want to explore, I am excited to read more and learn…Thanks
Lisa, you should start leading worship! What has made you want to get started?
Hey David, I think leading worship is easier said than done. Unfortunately lots of worship leaders have big egos and are not willing to really let others in their bands explore worship leading. I started playing bass 3 years ago and then picked up the guitar 2 years ago….I take lessons, so I think I can hold my own. I have really felt this, “whisper” I’ll call it, to possibly lead worship because I want to serve and help people feel connected to Christ through music. When it is done well it is a really powerful way to experience the Holy Spirit. I think God gives all of us talents and gifts, I think we would agree on that, but if we don’t use those gifts to glorify the one who gave them to us then we don’t honor those gifts. For me that comes in the way of photography and music. If I don’t share the gifts God gave me and share them with others to spread the Good News, then he might as well not have given them to me. Regardless of weather I ever get the opportunity to lead worship, I will always use my talents to worship, honor and glorify God. If I continue to be the bass player then I will be the best bass player I can be for the kingdom of God and that is a beautiful thing! 🙂
You have a great attitude, Lisa. Keep it up!
David, would be great if you can blog about how to manage the tension between team members who rather play old school songs than newer songs, or the other way around.
Has anyone faced this issue?
That is a great topic, Jackson. Does this answer your question, or are you looking at something more specific? https://www.davidsantistevan.com/2012/01/old-and-young/
Thanks but I’m looking for something more specific regarding song choices & styles. 🙂
I agree with you that practice and improving one’s skills are necessary for a worship leader. However, I remember the first time I led in praise and worship – requested to help out at the last minute – I was not an accomplished guitar player, and had particular difficulty with the F chord…nevertheless God worked wonderfully that night…I did not fumble over the chords, my fingers somehow managed to just go where they were supposed to =) and God’s presence just came down upon the congregation, and a sweet time of ministering followed! The next time, we made sure that we really practiced well, even blending our voices … however, on D-day, God’s presence was not manifest during the worship, and I wondered what went wrong. I learned early on about trusting in God rather than in my self, or my skill – to be willing and available, to listen to Him in my heart, because very often, He would give me the songs even before I was asked to lead again. Praise God! This is not to say though that we can do away with practice, but we should realize that the most important preparation is the preparation of the heart. We should always leave room for God’s anointing, because He is magnified and glorified in and despite our weaknesses. Hallelujah!