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THE ROLE OF A WORSHIP LEADER

Worshipping God is the first and most important priority of a Christian. That’s the reason we were created. To lead others in that act of love for our heavenly Father in not a responsibility to be taken lightly or for granted. As a worship leader myself, I understand the importance of the role that worship leaders play in the local church and in the Kingdom of God. Because that role is so important, as worship leaders, we must be on top of our game each week. Here are some things that will help you accomplish that. 1. You lead by example. The best worship leaders are the ones who actually worship. Don’t be a song leader. Be a worship leader. If leading worship was just simply singing songs in front of people, The Bee Gees could lead your congregation in worship next Sunday. When people come to church, they hopefully have come to engage God’s presence. The last thing they need or want is a concert or performance. People who truly long to worship do not come to church for musical entertainment, although we must play and sing skillfully. We do want to sound not just good, but great. We must remember that people come so that they can get into a position for God to change their lives. Make sure what you do from and on the platform directs people’s focus and attention to God. 2. Your public worship must be a continuation of your personal worship. You cannot lead people to a place where you have not been yourself since last Sunday. Worship is a lifestyle, not a once a week activity. If you are not worshipping Monday through Saturday, you’re just leading songs on Sunday. Your success in leading worship on Sunday morning is dependent on your personal worship Monday through Saturday. If you truly believe that engaging the presence of God through worship can change your life, you’ll engage Him everyday, not just Sundays and Wednesdays. Acts 4:13 says “Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Just as it was obvious that Peter and John had been with Jesus, it’s obvious to your congregation whether you have or have not been with Jesus throughout the week. 3. You are a vessel to be used by God when you stand before people. Many years ago I went though a period of time when I would see God move in and on the lives of people in the congregation as I was leading worship. I began to grow concerned about my own life. God was not moving in me during worship like He was others. I was in the Word and spending time with God in prayer every day. I was living a lifestyle of worship and felt closer to God than ever, but there was something that was missing when I was leading others in worship, or at least that what I thought. After much prayer and concern, I remember God speaking so clearly to me. He said, “Scott, I work IN you Monday through Saturday. I work THROUGH you on Sunday.” I finally understood. When Moses stood before the children of Israel, that was not the time for him to be broken and to weep before the Lord. He was God’s leader to His people. He had already heard from God and was prepared to be used by God. He had to be confident in his calling and be a vessel already prepared for God to speak and flow through. 4. No matter what, WORSHIP! I know what it’s like to have to deal with distractions during the week when you are trying to get into your praise closet. The last thing the enemy wants you to do is worship. You must understand that the enemy will do whatever it takes to distract you and others from worshipping the Lord during personal and corporate worship. If you are distracted, chances are, others will be distracted also. The sound may not be great on Sunday morning. The praise team may be off key. The choir may not come in when they are suppose to, and the wrong lyrics may be on the screen. Regardless, be a strong leader. Be confident in your calling and in your God. No matter what happens, YOU MUST WORSHIP! 5. Remember, it’s a new day. Last Sunday’s worship may have been the best and most anointed worship service you have lead or been a part of in a long time. That’s awesome, but that was last week. Today is a new day. God wants to do a new thing. Don’t depend on what happen last Sunday to get you through this Sunday. Thank God for what He has done, and for what He’s about to do. To worship simply means to love God in an intense way, not to manipulate Him into doing something through rhythms and rhymes. What got you to where you are today, will not get you to where you need to be tomorrow. I’ve walked that road. You know the road where you know as long as you sing “that” song, God will move. He always moves in “that” song. Just when you think you have God figured out, He will do things a different way. 6. Make sure your instrument is in tune. I know it is imperative for musicians to tune their instruments and for vocalists to warm-up their voice. I am not referring to guitars, brass, and vocalists though. I’m talking about your heart. Worship is the most important instrument of worship. Why? God looks at the heart. When your heart is in tune with God’s, that’s when He begins to do a work. That’s when he begins to move. God did not call David a man after His own heart because David was a great harpist who never had a string out of tune. David was a great musician, but he touched the heart of God with worship from his heart. His heart was always in tune with God. When you worship God throughout the week, and you spend time with Him Monday through Saturday, Sunday morning your heart will be in tune with God. May God richly bless you as you engage His presence through your worship. Remember, as a child of the King, you are blessed and highly favored of the Lord.

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