Let’s face the facts. Wake up to reality.
Sometimes Sunday comes and the last thing you want to do is lead worship.
You feel depressed. You’re annoyed with how things have been going. The stress level is high. Or you’re just feeling lazy, right?
You’d rather stay home and watch LOST reruns for a week. Or a month. Or take a sabbatical for a while.
What do you do in that situation?
This past weekend was rough for me. All I felt like doing was quitting my job and living in a cave.
Sound dramatic? Maybe a little. I didn’t want to lead worship. I didn’t feel the energy I needed to lead well.
So what did I do? I picked up a couple 6 packs, skipped church, and drank myself into oblivion.
Not exactly (just seeing if you were paying attention).
Actually, I led worship. I went for it. And here’s what I learned.
When you’re stressed, overwhelmed, or don’t feel like leading, try these 5 tips:
1. Revisit your reason
I mindfully revisited the moment in my life where I was “called” to lead worship. What a powerful, vivid memory it was.
I remember the feeling. I remembered the vision. And my mental blocks didn’t seem that big anymore. I could do this.
Not only could I lead. I wanted to lead.
Why are you a worship leader? Remind yourself why you do what you do.
2. Listen to the best worship music
I don’t know what it is, but anytime I listen to Matt Redman’s music, I’m filled with inspiration.
I suppose it’s his humble delivery or his theologically rich songs that strengthen me, but I was able to get out of my funk just by listening.
Try it. Put on your favorite worship music and sit. Breathe in the presence of God. Rather than racing around like crazy, allow your heart to rest.
3. Just Worship
How often as worship leaders do we forget to just worship?
Rather than deal with the innumerable technicalities of pulling off the weekend, pull out your instrument and spend a solid half-hour in the presence of Jesus.
Lift your voice high. Pursue him with passion in the secret place. Open God’s Word and allow life-changing truth to wash over you.
It’s amazing what this can do to your spirit.
4. Pray for your people
We can be overly obsessed with our bands, arrangements, service flow, stage presence, and song choice to a fault. That stuff is important, but not primary.
Particularly if you don’t feel like leading worship, that’s not the time to stress out over details.
Focus on the people. Think about their need to connect with God. Pray for God’s presence and power to overwhelm them and transform their lives.
Directing your attention outward will give you purpose and increase your vision.
5. Encourage someone
When was the last time you stepped outside your worship leader bubble and encouraged someone else? Sometimes that’s all it takes to get out of a funk.
A weekend of worship leading is more than just “leading worship”. It’s a launchpad for others on your team.
We’re launching others into ministry. We’re speaking life, encouragement, and hope into others that could potentially change their future.
Is that not exciting?
Question: What do you do when you’re not “feeling it”? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
Everyone one of your items apply to more than just worship leaders/pastors, which is why I really like it. It’s crucial to think of others as you said, be it prayer or serving. I will also add that maybe asking for a week off too. My wife currently leads worship at our church and she was experiencing some tiredness or whatever you call it. I gave the entire worship team off this week and I lead worship myself. It really helped the whole team.
Wow, I didn’t know you were a worship leader! Awesome. Yes, taking breaks is so key. Good one. I don’t think it’s healthy for any one worship leader to lead every weekend of the year, yet so many do.
I’m really sorry you feel that way! I can honestly say that in 15 years of leading worship, I have never felt that way. I’ve been tired, I’ve suffered from severe depression and anxiety, but there’s never been a time where I don’t feel giddy with excitement to go and lead worship!
Good action points though, except I actually never do point 2. It’s just not a part of anything I listen to. I hear the glory of God in everything from John Coltrane to Ivor Cutler.
Wow, Jesse, good for you! That is amazing. Most of the time I love it, but there’s the occasional times where I feel burnt out and don’t want to. But it’s good to press through! So you’re a worship leader and don’t listen to any worship music?
That’s right. Odd, I guess, but I can’t.
How do you lead worship if you’re not listening to worship songs????how odd…
Number 2 is a really big one for me…
When I don’t feel like it….I pop in some good shane and shane worship….especially the carried away album…soooo good…
This works best for me, cause then of course in lead directly to number 3….and that is always a good thing…
thanks for the honesty today David…
Phil Wickham is always my go 2! His music is amazing!
Thanks Arny! Carried Away is an incredible album. Good memories from that record!
Thanks David; this is just what I needed today, I am leading this week and for some reason I am just not getting the song list to come together. Your suggestions are great. I also know that I need to just go before the Lord and allow Him to refresh my spirit.
Glad this can help, Sandi. Spending time with Jesus is so important. I’m sure you’ll be refreshed!
Great post! I’m a little bit stressed out (nervous) lately because I have had to plan a 12 song set for worship night. I asked some people to come help us out, but a few of them quit on me because of personal reasons.
Now, I am having to lead sing and play electric for 4 songs. I am very nervous about it! I have never leaded a song before (singing…)
You’ve never sung before!? Wow, this is your moment Brandon. You can do it!
I sing in choir and stuff…I have sung solos in middle school, but never lead worship by singing. I have always been the leader of the band and the guitar player. Never the singer. I have been more of the guitar player/cheerleader guy who encourages people during worship by praying and sharing Scripture and stuff like that.
I’m nervous, but I tried singing You’re Beautiful by Phil Wickham last night, and I think I am ready to lead it! It is pretty high on the bridge, but I think I’m up for it!
Thanks for this list. I’ve definitely felt like I wanted to stay home and watch the boob tube on occasion, but for the most part, I’m really loving Sunday Mornings right now. God has blessed me with a renewed desire to lead our congregation in worship.
However, I’d love to throw out the next most obvious question – how do you deal with feeling stressed out and overwhelmed the other 6 days of the week!
Great question, Travis! I do these same things I mentioned. Actually, it’s better to apply them earlier in the week so you don’t feel rushed. Is there anything that you do?
David great post! I appreciate your honesty and transparency. I’ve been there too. I’ve questioned myself, my abilities, and even God. Discouragement comes to everyone, but for those of us that are putting ourselves out there every week on stage it happens. It has been my experience that people with great creativity are easy prey to discouragement.
For me remembering my call is key to overcoming doubt and discouragement. When you rediscover your purpose everything else seems to seems less important. I appreciate you putting that first on you list.
I would add one thing: Listen to the right voices. I led a church through a change in worship styles (traditional to modern worship). Through that process I was discouraged by the “Loud Minority” who resisted change. I was getting encouragement but I wasn’t listening. Negative word were carrying more weight in me that anything positive. In ministry and in life if you listen to the right voices you will receive encouragement and guidance.
As word of encouragement to you:
I have found your blog to be a great resource. You have inspired me to start writing down what I have been learning. Thanks for being consistent and persistent with your writing. You are helping and encouraging others in the blogosphere.
Wow. Thanks for the kind words, Tim. Really means a lot. And your tip is fantastic – listening to the right voices. What are some ways you deal with negative voices? That’s probably something that we can all learn from.
I’m no expert on how to overcome them, but I’ve had a lot of experience with negative voices. I still allow them to have too great of an impact on me at times.
First, I always try to see if there is any truth wrapped up in it. If there is any truth in the complaint or comment then there is an opportunity to learn from it. This is also a lesson in humility.
Second, move past what people are saying to why they are saying it. Some have a horrible home life, bad job, or maybe they are just having a bad day. Don’t let someones bad day ruin yours.
If I’m honest, I have to find an outlet. The only way I can deal with the difficulty and discouragement is to get away from the routine. I get alone, talk to my self, talk to God, and reevaluate where I am at. And I do many of the steps you have listed above.
I don’t think there is an exact formula. But I do know “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:7-9
#3 has to be the main one for me. It’s unfortunate that I can find myself in a position where I haven’t worshiped, just me and God, for a few days. I’ve had my days where I didn’t feel like leading, but when I push aside what I’m feeling (or not feeling) and just worship, it rekindles the fire.
And I’m right there with you on #2. There are some amazing worship albums that just get me riled up (and yes, 10,000 Reasons is one of em!).
Thanks for your transparency in this post.
Fantastic post – think we’ve all been there. It’s the devil’s plan to attack from the front. If he can take the praise then he can disable the ppl of God! But God is so merciful He makes provision for us & helps us rekindle or fire! God bless u as we unite together as worship leaders praying one for another & remembering the encouraging words of Paul 1 Cor 15:58 😀
Well said, Julie! Thanks for contributing!
There are a few mornings when I don’t feel it. I usually stop, say a prayer by myself or with the team and then just go for it. Those are the mornings God usually gives me exactly what I need in worship. For other mornings when I am just not feeling it, I know that God works and uses his word despite me. It is not about me, and I trust that and move forward. I do take several weeks off in the summer which is always great for renewal.
I lead worship every Sunday and because we have a small congregation it is an unpaid position.
It is very time consuming paid or unpaid, I rotate every other week with another leader which I think is so very important, cause that break is so very needed !
Thank you for this article. I definitely needed this today. It’s been a very hard week and even though I’m ready to lead tomorrow morning, my heart isn’t. After reading your points and listening to Steffany Gretzinger’s music, I feel more ready.
Good to hear, Erin! I have a podcast interview with Steffany that may help as well 🙂 https://beyondsundayworship.com/55/
Hi, wow. I lead at a very very small church (19) ppl. But, I LOVE them and the love I get back is amazing. I do put my heart behind my worship position. Im the Keyboardist and I use a drum machine to make it happen, but, to be honest. I feel like dropping it all together, and just goin to another church where no one knows me and just take it in. I have a 14 month old boy and two girls. I play secular music also, which means I have to learn contemporary material etc etc. Just venting. Thnx