I have led worship ever since I was a teenager. I've played on countless worship teams,
been urged to “hype up” the congregation for our charismatic members, strummed
laid back tunes in jeans for the more introspective crowd, and even waved my
arm like a conductor in 4/4 time for a few Baptist churches. I've done all of this…for years.
And it bugs me.
It’s not the act itself.
I absolutely love leading worship and I've enjoyed myself in each of the
settings I've been a part of. So what’s
the problem? That’s a tough question,
but the main problem I have is simply that we have made the act of cooperate
worship too much about “us.” If the Monday
morning question was, “What would God enjoy this coming Sunday?” the answer
would be simple. He would enjoy His
people gathering together to praise Him, giving Him the glory. And it saddens me, as well as angers me, that
it’s not quite that simple.
I don’t necessarily blame worship leaders for this. They have a tremendously difficult role. On any given week they must…
1. Make sure the pastor is on board with how they choose to lead worship.
2. Be ready and overly-willing to change their song set
at any given time based on the direction of the Pastor's message. (On a
side note…I've never asked a pastor to change his sermon based on the song choice God placed on my heart. That would be totally arrogant, right?)
3. Have a sense of when the congregation is bored with a
song.
4. Keep things fresh for the congregation by introducing
new songs.
5. Not frustrate the congregation with too many of those
new songs.
6. Include songs the congregation enjoys. (Oh,
and throw in a hymn every now and then for those who love hymns.)
7. Attempt to remain genuine while “entertaining” a congregation
made up of some who would swear that
worship isn't about entertainment at all but are among the first to complain
when they don’t hear their
favorite songs often enough.
8. Expect a great amount of skill, dedication, and hours
of practice from musicians and singers – most of whom are volunteers with full time jobs outside the church.
9. Take the blame when the Spirit doesn't move people
during worship. (Obviously there is some sin in the
worship leader’s life that hinders God’s movement, right?)
10. Do ALL of these things while attempting to hear from
God concerning the direction He wants to take the
church in worship.
“It’s who you are and the way you live that count before
God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the
kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly
themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those
who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves,
in adoration.” ~ John 4:23-24 MSG
