How you think about worship makes all the difference.
It’s either a job title or it’s who you are.
It’s either a song you sing or a lifestyle you lead.
Sometimes I wonder if it’s more of a career for me. Which is silly to think about. How can something so pure, so miraculous, become an activity I dial in?
Consider this:
And so the Lord says, ‘These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote’ (Isaiah 29:13 NLT).”
Man-made rules learned by rote. Hearts that are far.
That is scary. The last thing I want in life is a heart far from God.
I remember seasons in my life when the tears would flow, my feet would dance, my heart would treasure the Presence of God above all else. I couldn’t wait to read my Bible for hours. I just wanted to be with Jesus.
Is that still the case? Wow, Lord have mercy.
Career or Calling?
Worship Leaders…this isn’t about a career. This is a calling. It’s not enough to “land” at a church and collect a paycheck.
Because here’s the bottom line: Worship Leaders are worship leaders based on how they lead with their lives. You can’t keep them from worshiping. You can’t stop them from pursuing the Presence of God. They can’t be contained by a title.
The Worship Leaders of tomorrow are alive with passion for Jesus. It’s an identity one can’t escape. Worship is the breath they breathe. It’s the agenda for the day.
If you’re merely looking for a career…there’s other things you should do.
Why?
Leading worship isn’t glamorous – you’re not entertaining fans like Coldplay is at the arena down the road. If you are, you’re abusing your role as a pastor and servant of God’s people. It’s not about the glam of the spotlight.
The best worship leaders don’t overthink worship. They think about Jesus. They’re caught up in Jesus. Overwhelmed by Jesus.
It’s not just about the latest and greatest songs, apps, and gear. It’s a closeness with the Savior.
What’s the problem with career-driven worship?
- You seek advancement over abandon.
- You want opportunities more than offering up your life.
- You desire fans, not disciples.
- You parade the spotlight over pushing others into it.
- You collect a salary even if your heart is far from surrender.
But it doesn’t have to be. Of course, these are sweeping generalizations.
It’s possible to get it right.
It’s possible to have a career in worship and set something in motion that influences generations. The job doesn’t have to steal your joy.
I’d love to know, how do you balance this? How do you have a career and keep it real?
[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]
The biggest thing I’m struggling with right now is…as this is my livelihood, and I’m now 35, how much longer do I have in this role? Churches today want young. 40? 45? What then, what next? Ultimately, I know God orders our steps so I shouldn’t worry. BUT–if a “career” shift is in order in the future, don’t I need time to go back to school or something? Keepin’ it real over here 😉 I enjoy your blog, thank you!
I’m 48……God ain’t finished with me yet…..LOL
I am not even sure my comments are going to fit with this article but it made me remember a couple of weeks ago during our Pastor’s sermon when he was talking about everyone having a “dream” and a “purpose”. I have a full time job outside of leading worship. My job is “”what I do” for a living. Being a worship pastor is my purpose. It is “who I am”. I know beyond any doubt that this is my “calling”… so when Pastor asked the question, “what is your dream”, I found myself daydreaming in church (haha)…
I thought to myself, just “what if”, an offer came on the table where I could leave my “job” and have a career as a “full time worship pastor” somewhere besides where I am at? Would I want that? and what would I do? Is that my “dream”??? I had these thoughts of “wow, I don’t think I have a dream”….and if I do, what is it? LOL…I came to the conclusion while daydreaming, that my “dream” is to be in the perfect center of “God’s will”……And right now, it is “where I am”…. The greatest fulfillment of all is to see Jesus glorified. Seeing people changed by his grace and watching them bloom as disciples, getting lost in Him and hearing His heartbeat…… At this point in “my” life, I can’t imagine just going somewhere for the sake of career. I have to know that I know I am where God wants me, and if its in this little town I live in where God is doing a mighty mighty work, (running 500 souls) then dear Jesus let me stay here FOREVER…..
I just want to be where HE wants me. My response is full of generalizations too. I understand there are those who need jobs and insurance period !! I am only speaking for this point in “my life”…I guess my whole point in this response is just make sure you are in the CENTER OF HIS WILL, because NO CAREER is worth NOT BEING THERE.
I appreciate and look forward to your posts David. Thank you for your devotion. May God continue to bless you.
Great article. I agree with it 100%. Unfortunately there are plenty of worship leaders in the D/FW area who simply want a paycheck and career advancement over truly leading worship for the right reasons and developing disciples of Christ. All they want is a stage on which to perform to develop their “fan base”. The “rock star” mentality. The congregation is there to see “them” perform. I’ve seen this attitude in both young and old WLs. And it’s disgusting. It is a major turnoff. The old beloved WL leaves for greener pastures or retires and some new person comes into that role believing he or she is “the next big thing” to happen to that church. Once all the smoke clears and things return to “normal”, that is when you see their true colors come forth. It’s their attitude, their ego, their arrogance, the way they treat the praise and worship team and the praise and worship band, the “behind the scenes” attitude. The “I’m so much more knowledgeable about music than anyone else here”, or the “it’s my way or the highway” attitude, or the “you can go up against me, but end the end I will win because I get paid to do this” attitude. That last example actually happened at a church in Arlington, Texas not long ago. And as a result, several long time worship team members wouldn’t put up the WL’s universe-sized ego, and quit. Not only did they quit the team, they left the church.
I’ve discussed this with many people and have asked WL’s about what they are seeing in the profession from the younger people and older ones. Most have stated they have definitely seen an increase in the egotism and arrogance, and the “in it for the paycheck” mentality. Instead of being a humble servant and leading the flock, a lot of WL’s are in position just for the esteem of performing on a stage in front of people. Truly serving the Lord is 2nd or even further down on their list.
The problem is the invention a new career of “worship pastor”.
There is no such thing in the Bible. You are not a pastor, it is not one of the 5 ministry gifts mentioned in the New Testament. What the musicians did in Israel before Jesus came has nothing to do with us now. Musicians are nobodies. They are servants and should at all times be subservient to the pastor in church meetings.
If you compose music, some of it may be prophetic and you might have prophetic ministry in the church. If not you are no more important that the doorkeeper. Worship is more than music anyway, but the music part of it is mainly congregational singing. Everything that promotes you as a person or musician above them is wrong. The ideal music worship is when they are unaware of you and everything you do is committed to helping the congregation worship God more fully.
God save us from Christian music “pop” stars and the corrupt Christian music industry that promotes them and their “Christian” raves.
I love the honest truth in this article. It pierces my heart. Thank you David!!
I think whatever my friends have commented above is true. Many of us. And I will say many of us coz I’m among the worship leaders in my church. Sometimes we get off the path and make it a show for people to enjoy our performance and our giftedness. We look for I hit it today mentality.. We should ask God to constantly break us every single day. Otherwise we are on a journey to becoming the next Lucifers.. God have mercy..
I appreciate these posts David. We need more of this ep here in Africa
Great thoughts, thanks for challenging us on how we view our role as lead worshippers.