Worship leader, there’s something that your church needs from you ever time you lead.
It’s not your excellence, your skill, or your stage presence.
Once again, I was listening to the amazing Louie Giglio in a podcast interview and something he said struck me between the eyes.
We all believe in excellence, right?
But how often do you get on your face before God and say, “God, thank you for our excellence. Thank you for our hard work.”
Never.
It’s beyond silly to come into the presence of God and boast in yourself.
What does your congregation need from you?
They need you to need God. They need you to be dependent on Him.
They need you to shine a light beyond yourself.
Excellence is important, but not as much as living what you sing – showing up on Sunday morning ready to bare your soul.
Desperate for God.
I fear that too many worship leaders are committed to excellence but barren when it comes to knowing God.
This worship leader being one to blame.
- While I’m trying to flaunt my gifting, people are desperate to connect with God.
- While I’m showing off the new song I wrote, people just want to sing their guts out.
- While I’m busy polishing my performance, people are pining to hear God speak to their dark night of the soul.
Your excellence won’t make you a great worship leader. Your talent won’t always set you apart.
Your spirit will. You desperation, dependence, and passion for the name of Jesus.
Question: What else would you add? What do worshipers need in a worship leader? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
Wow that’s so good David. I was reminded of this just yesterday. God is so faithful when we humble ourselves and are totally dependent on Him.
I would add:
Worshipers need their worship leaders to be confident that God has their back.
Love you man, have a great week!
Thanks Rob. Great point. People need to know that “God is for them not against them”.
John, thanks for the post.
Worship leaders need to be part of the community they lead. When I take time to talk with people outside my demographic, am active in a small group, and serve in a ministry setting where others can lead me, I know our corporate worship is strengthened. Our public worship takes shape in lots of different settings, and hopefully Sunday morning on stage isn’t the only time and place I worship with my church.
Bless you this week.
Mark
Oops…sorry, David. Called you John. Both are good, strong names. 🙂
Hey Mark, I don’t mind being called John 🙂 I agree, being a part of the community is essential. It’s more about people than it is artistic expression.
Great post David..So true.
It’s noticeable to people when our hearts aren’t in the right place. When we don’t spend adequate time in the Word and prayer, our spiritual ears get dull to the leading of the Spirit on a Sunday morning (of course, not limited to Sunday morning but all the time) which affects the whole worship service, and possibly even further than that.
It is the job of the individual to seek God and desire Him more and more, how much more the one who is called into leadership, to set the example, to help the others come to a deeper place of worship and intimacy.
Absolutely enjoying your blog posts, I’m always looking for your tweets whenever I log onto twitter. Keep it up David, you are a great blessing 🙂
Thanks Josiah. My current struggle is that it’s easy for me to “fake” genuine worship. Even if my heart’s not in the right place, I could make it look like it is because I’ve led worship so many times. Scary, but true 🙂
Amen! Josiah, we need a true worship leader in our church that will lead us in the center of God’s presance.