Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast

8 Ways to Improve How You Engage People in Worship

In my early days of leading worship, I was oblivious to the people I was leading. I didn’t even really think about them. I basically thought it was some grand display of my musical gifts and anointing for others to enjoy. I know, awful, right? While I still battle pride on a daily basis, I’ve learned that leading worship is more about “engaging” your congregation than it is about “amazing” them with your worship leading brilliance.

One of my tendencies is to over-prepare musically and under-prepare relationally. Yes, I said relationally. In order to lead a congregation to breakthrough worship, they need to trust you. Here are some tips on how I work this out:

  • Pray for your congregation
  • Respond with grace to criticism (but don’t take it too seriously)
  • Respond with gratefulness to compliments (but don’t take it too seriously)
  • Relate to your congregation where they are (who is present? – unbelievers, new Christians, senior saints, rebellious teenagers, trendy young adult?) Trust needs to be established for them to follow you.
  • Select a healthy balance of music (song choice & style)
  • Practice your public speaking & communication skills
  • Develop good people skills – you need to be like-able!
  • Utilize humor tastefully – humor helps people relax and feel comfortable around you

Do you agree? What have you done in order to connect with your congregation?

 

10 "What-if's" For Worship Leaders To Ask

What if I spent an undistracted hour in God’s presence before I went to lead worship?

What if I spent an entire rehearsal simply worshiping with my team?

What if I spent more time memorizing Scripture than listening to new music?

What if I spent a little time everyday practicing and sharpening my musical craft?

What if I prayed daily for the congregation that I lead?

What if I admitted I’m not the best at everything and allowed other musicians/singers to rise up?

What if we had band prayer after worship in order to cement the truth that our acceptance before God isn’t based on our performance but because we’re his children?

What if we intentionally applied the truth of every song that we sing?

What if we experimented with worship services without music?

What if I tuned into the Holy Spirit’s voice as I led worship?

Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, & Worship Leaders?

Where did the term “worship leader” come from?

If it’s not found in Scripture, is it really necessary?

Even though our modern church culture makes such a big deal out of it, does God?

Does worship leading fit into the biblical paradigm of ministry?

I think these are important questions to wrestle with. If this is something that I’m giving my life to I want it to be biblical.

Paul says in Ephesians chapter 4 that he “gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.”

While he doesn’t add “worship leader” to that list, a worship leader can function within any of these ministry gifts.

Here’s what I mean:

  • An apostolic worship leader may break new ground and naturally release other worship leaders into their calling.
  • A prophetic worship leader may clearly hear the voice of God for a particular congregation and speak/sing it over them.
  • An evangelistic worship leader has a heart for those on the ‘outside’. He may go places that other won’t in order to reach the lost and bring others into the presence of God.
  • A pastoral worship leader may approach what he does with a sensitivity to the people he leads and explain what is happening so people don’t feel lost.
  • A teaching worship leader may feel a strong sense of the “why” behind the “what”. He may choose songs that are rich in doctrine and lead people to understand what they are singing.

You may be one or a combination of a few of these.

Truth is, the Bible is filled with references to music, singing, worship, and the exaltation of God. And God calls people to be skillful leaders.

I don’t know about you, but I feel privileged to stand before a local congregation and lead them to encounter the greatness of God every week.

Question: How about you? What type of worship leader are you?

The Heart of Worship: Obeying God

Beyond the music, beyond the songs, beyond the band, lights, gear, rehearsal, and setlists, is your life. A life that needs to love God’s Word and do what it says.

As worship leaders we need to set an example not only in our musical excellence but in how we live our lives. Consider I Timothy 4:12

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

  • Speech – are you glorifying God in your words?
  • Conduct – are you glorifying God in your actions?
  • Love – are you glorifying God in how you treat others?
  • Faith – do you actually believe the song lyrics you lead others in singing?
  • Purity – are you glorifying God in abstaining from sexual sin?

Does what you declare on Sunday oppose what you live Monday-Saturday? Are you more passionate about music and performance than you are living a holy life behind closed doors?