Now that I have your attention… the statement… “There’s no such thing as a worship leader” is one that has always raises eyebrows, and got people’s attention, and on occasions, just a little bit annoyed!
I think it’s because we have become so familiar with the term or the role that a statement like that grates on us even a little. Many people I know have defined themselves by that role and so they can get a little upset which is understandable. So, let me put your mind at rest… I refer to myself and others as a worship leader because we all understand what that means – we get the term.
What we need to understand is, that there was no such term or role clearly defined or spoken of in the New Testament. We read of priests and levites in the Old Testament, but the New Testament is quite silent, and we know little about the worship practices of the early church. So the worship leader role, is seemingly a relatively new one that has grown out of expediency for someone to take leadership. And that’s OK.
If we were to say that the true and only leader of worship is The Holy Spirit, then just about everyone would and should say… “well yeah, of course… we are comfortable with that.”
So where does that leave you & me today as a worship leader? For starters, please keep referring to yourself as “worship leaders” because we all understand and know what we mean by that term.
What I find helpful is to see myself a little differently – and that is… as a leader of people in the context of worship. That puts a very different light on it because it’s about God and it’s about people. Here’s how it may help you think and prepare:
- It reflects our love for people and our desire to facilitate them in worshipping & engaging with our amazing God. For me it shifts the emphasis from being about the programs & song lists to being about leading people to engage with God.
- It helps me to think through… what I can do in order for people to engage with God so that they are transformed by His presence.
- It causes me to ask the Holy Spirit as I prepare songs, readings, words (whatever it is, that will facilitate people), “What do You want to do?” rather than something that is simply a feel good experience. We get to relax in the fact that God’s got this, and He will take our best offerings and cause people to know Him better and be transformed.
As one who preachers almost every week, I know that I have to preach with people in mind which impacts the way I communicate, the way I shape my message under the influence & direction of the Holy Spirit in order to be a conduit of Christ’s love and transforming power. I think that worship leaders can do the same with a heart to see people transformed.
God bless you this week as you prepare & reflect on what it means to be a leader of people, in the context of worship.
Leave a message below and pass this onto someone who leads worship for them to pray and think through.
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