Leading worship is such an awesome honor. What a tremendous privilege it is to be given the opportunity to lead people into God’s presence. However, with the opportunity comes a great responsibility. One may have all the talent and skills in the world, but without character and right heart placement, things can and most likely will turn out a disaster. We are not called to minister to ourselves, but to others. That means leading worship with songs that are not particularly our favorite or our "style". Ouch!
Leading worship is such an awesome honor. What a tremendous privilege it is to be given the opportunity to lead people into God’s presence. However, with the opportunity comes a great responsibility. One may have all the talent and skills in the world, but without character and right heart placement, things can and most likely will turn out a disaster. We are not called to minister to ourselves, but to others. That means leading worship with songs that are not particularly our favorite or our "style". Ouch!
King David was a great example of a worship leader. He did so many great things, but he also knew what it was like to make horrible mistakes. David was a man after God’s heart, scripture says in Acts 13:22, because he “did everything God wanted him to”. It doesn’t take too much reading in the Psalms before can clearly see how David had a hunger for God. He questioned him, and the Lord answered. An example of this was when David and his troops returned to their base in Ziklag to discover it burnt to the ground and their children and wives had been kidnapped. 1 Samuel 30:1 Three days later, when David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negev and had burned Ziklag to the ground. 2 They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone. 3 When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families, 4 they wept until they could weep no more. 5 David's two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel, were among those captured. 6 David was now in serious trouble because his men were very bitter about losing their wives and children, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the LORD his God. 7 Then he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring me the ephod!" So Abiathar brought it. 8 Then David asked the LORD, "Should I chase them? Will I catch them?"And the LORD told him, "Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!" (NLT)
Right in the middle of anger, grief and panic, David used wisdom by going to the Lord to ask Him what to do. David’s concern was to do the Lord’s will and walk in faith rather than his feelings. So it is as a worship leader. It’s so very important that we continually seek God’s will and ask for His help. After all, even Jesus said he couldn’t do anything without the Father. John 5: 19 Jesus replied, "I assure you, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and tells him everything he is doing, and the Son will do far greater things than healing this man. You will be astonished at what he does. (NLT)
Often with the busyness of church and activities, we can become ritualistic and just go through the motions of using what has worked in the past just to get a good response in worship. After all, what God did one time with one worship song, he’ll do again….won’t he? Well, maybe, or maybe not. After all, that one song that burst forth by the Spirit and moved on people in the service was new at some point. Maybe we get so anxious for Him to move again that same way, that we try to duplicate it. But chances are, if we’ll admit it, the very time His Spirit did something powerful in the people’s lives, was when we were trying the least and leaving it all up to God to orchestrate. It’s just like God to show us what He is doing when we give up trying. All we have to do is follow Him. It’s vital to continue seeking God’s direction in song selection and what the Lord desires to show the people through our own obedience.
Within David’s character was the ability to humble himself and serve. After all, he was anointed to be king by Samuel, and instead of getting a big head over it, he went right back out to the field to care for his sheep. Honestly, how many of us would do that after being told we’d be the country’s next king? Yet David knew what serving meant. He knew that in God’s eyes, it was just as important to care for his sheep as it would be to lead a country. This is truly the treasure that moths and rust can’t destroy, but that which is kept safe and secure with him in heaven.
Reminding ourselves that we are called to serve and not be served should be something we consistently do. I’m reminded of a very successful and anointed pastor who, when he was just starting out under his grandfather’s ministry, was very, very eager to preach as much and as often as possible. His grandfather, who was pastor, would ask him to meet him at the church ahead of service time. In the young preacher’s mind, he thought they’d get to the church and pray together and talk and that he would be able to glean off his grandfather’s years of wisdom and relationship with God. Yet to his surprise, he was handed a toilet brush and asked to clean the bathrooms. At first he resented doing this. After all – he’d been called to preach! But he soon found that it was in this place he met with God in a deeply meaningful way and learned the importance of the heart of serving others, and to worship.
As worship leaders, as well as ministers, we’re called first to serve God and then to serve the people we’re leading. If we know what it truly means to serve, then humility will naturally follow.
David led with integrity and lived what he believed. In many ways he taught the people of Israel more about worship simply through his actions and reactions to his own mistakes. A classic example of this was when he was bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. Here, the people saw David dancing with all his might in only what people of that day might have called his underwear! When his wife Michal saw this, she was embarrassed and ashamed, and let David know just how she felt. But David replied by saying, “Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, but I will be held in honor by the girls of whom you have spoken!" (2 Samuel 6:22) Consequently, scripture says that Michal never had children; an indication possibly that she never again gained the respect and affection of her husband.
David worshiped God with all that was within him. How wonderful it must have been for the people of Israel to see their king consumed in worship. Surely it affected and impacted them more powerfully than any speech he’d ever given. In the same way, our lives must reflect the true understanding and heart of worship. It should never be something we do only on a Sunday morning just because it’s our “position” in the church.
I so admire and love the fact that David was himself – his own man. Like when he was about to go out to confront Goliath, and King Saul persuaded him to try on his own best fighting uniform. When I read this account it makes me chuckle to picture it. David was swallowed up in the king’s armor, and because it just didn’t fit, he decided on only a sling and five stones. David wasn’t about to pretend to be something he wasn’t – he was going to be his own person. I heard another great worship leader say once, “If asked to sum up the art of leading worship in one simple sentence, I think I would say: be a worshiper, be a servant, and be yourself”. How vital it is that as worship leaders, pastors, teachers and ministers, we follow God’s leading and allow Him to use us the way he designed us and intended, rather than trying to follow a formula or even another person’s persuasion or skills. Some of us will never have the talents of others. But that’s fine with God and it should be fine with us. He knows our strengths and weaknesses, so we must decide to let him use us the way He wants.
It’s also important to note that David respected those in leadership over him. Even though he was cruelly treated and pursued by the king at the time, Saul, David refused to cause him harm. He nurtured a respect for the one he described as “the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 26:16). We must always honor and respect those in leadership over us, even when it’s hard.
Everyone knows that no one is perfect. Time and time again, and in increasing events, we’ve seen not only celebrities but also church leaders fall. We’re not shocked by it anymore, and that’s all the more reason to search our own hearts and motives continually. When we stand before God, He probably won’t care much about how great the music or our voices sounded, and what a great job the sound man did at making us sound good. But He will care a whole lot about what kind of heart attitude we had and how we sought after Him daily.
In addressing actual on-the-ground, week-to-week ministry in the church, realize that the fact is, people go to church because they want to, and people worship because they want to.
As a worship team, which consist of the leader, the singers, the musicians…..it’s our job to inspire and help the church “enter” in to God’s presence. Enter in Hebrew is bo’ – meaning “go, enter…to physically go into God’s presence.” It’s to lead people to the place where they feel his Spirit drawing them, and they feel comfortable enough to respond to His call.
We enter God’s presence to worship Him, but also to receive what he wants to give us in return – his peace. As leaders, if we are condemning and aggravated because the people do not worship like we do, or like we want them to….if we point people toward focusing on how inadequate their worship is, we are not asking them to “enter” with us. We’re asking them to turn their focus inward on their own spirit man to determine if they are doing it right. We think they aren’t clapping enough, aren’t getting hyped up enough, lifting hands enough, shouting enough, singing enough….not loud enough….then we are leading people into a place of anxiety and wonder of whether or not they are even worthy to call themselves Christians or even exist much less stand in the presence of Almighty God. In the Lord’s presence we are released from striving to be adequate. “God’s rest is there for people to enter,” Heb 4:6. Ideally Christians will be disciplined to spend time in God’s presence and worship on their own and many do through great resources we have today such as Christian CD’s, Videos and Radio. But as worship leaders, God’s given us a place to help others find their place in Him…not run from it. Remember….there is now no condemnation.
Pastors and teachers toil and study and pray for the right words to say and the scripture to use as they prepare their messages. They write them down, make their notes and outlines, jot down their points that will spur them into a story or example that brings the Word alive and relevant in people’s lives. Most do this because they realize they are human and are apt to somehow get off track or what we affectionately refer to as “chase rabbits”. Their study, prayer and preparation help them stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Of course, then the Holy Spirit brings scripture and exhortation at just the right time.
Worship leaders tend to more likely than not, do their preparation by also praying, then choosing songs sets (which would be equivalent to their “message”), practice music and singing, getting the sound just right, but then shoot from the hip in the spoken exhortation, which often translates their feelings to the immediate response of the congregation in the service. I’ve been in this place. Many times, we’re disappointed or even angry if they aren’t worshiping like we would prefer to see…in a way that would feed our egos….after all we spent all that time practicing and preparing….why aren’t they getting it??? Or we pick one or two in the church or on the praise team that’s easy to get hyped up, then say just the right things to get them going and we’re off to the races! After all, if we get them going and shouting and amen-ing and shouting hallelujah, then everyone else will fall suit and feel stupid if they don’t get in on it…..right? All of the sudden the focus is off the “entering His presence” on onto the fleshly manifestation that some think is required to fully feel like we’ve had real church. Honestly, anyone who has led worship for any length of time at all knows exactly what I’m saying here. The point is that it’s best to stay on encouragement through notes if we tend to get off track, and not let things roll off our tongues out of exasperation or frustration.
In his message, the pastor has his opportunity of having response to their ministry and message through an altar call. If the pastor does not sense the Spirit leading, perhaps he won’t have an altar call, or if he does, he’s most likely to have response. With worship, it’s all or nothing. There’s no way to choose between say, altar call or no altar call. We want there to be a response every single time. But the reality is, either people enter into God’s presence by our leading, or they just don’t want to. But it’s their choice to respond as the Spirit leads them to enter His rest, not ours. Oh yes we’ve heard every excuse possible: “that’s not my style,” “I don’t like that kind of music,” “The worship service is too long,” and a multitude of others that we’re all very familiar with. But still, we get defensive if everyone doesn’t worship the way we think they should. It’s easy to tell people to worship God’s way instead of their own….but really, any way we say thank you to the Lord is God’s way. If we are focusing on loving God and loving people…not condemning them or making them want to run from the church because they feel unworthy or inadequate, we are doing it right. Loving people and not condemning them is God’s way. Worship is a lifestyle…a mindset…a decision.
Some would say we simply need to be examples of worshipers, and yes, this is true. No worship leader can be effective and anointed without being a true worshiper in their private devotion time. But what we are describing here is the place where we are called to be worship leaders – a specific position of responsibility in the church as described in the Bible – an appointed place. Just standing and worshiping or playing instruments or singing in front of the congregation is easy. Many could do that even those who are not called to be a worship leader. But to fulfill your calling as a worship leader is leading people to move…to go…to enter God’s presence. It’s not about us and our ability to show people how to worship. It’s getting them to realize there is a place to “enter” his rest. We can’t make them. But we can ask them to go to that place, and then wait on the Holy Spirit, and enter with them. Not behind them pushing, but in front leading, or even better -- beside holding their precious hands to enter into a place that may be unknown to them…they may be afraid to go alone, not knowing what to expect…not sure of what God has for them. We can’t help them unless we are willing to dedicate ourselves to study, pray and ask God’s direction, and then be determined not to condemn, not to judge, but to simply lead them and then release them to find their place of rest in Christ that is found in worship.
Music and worship is so important to the local church. There are so many examples in the Bible of music, singing and worship and praise. Leading is a responsibility and should be taken seriously. The role should be one of a loving, humble servant. One of dedication to the church whether or not it’s “our turn” to be on the platform or behind the microphone. One that supports every area of ministry in the church and is sensitive to the message and direction of the leadership.
A truly anointed worship leader also strives to replace themselves…to duplicate their skills and anointing in others, and to gently nudge them to do what God has called them each to do, even if it’s leading worship and taking your place some day! An anointed worship leader will discern people’s desires to be used in the music ministry. We will feel the anointing of a worshiping guitarist as they strum or pick the strings; of a keyboardist or pianist whose faith is powerfully exclaimed through every stroke of the key; of the love of a singer flowing out of their heart through their voices. These people will be recognized and used by a discerning, obedient leader.
It’s not about us individually. If it were, the church would not be called a body. I would be nothing without the others on the praise team who are in unity...every musician, and every singer. But unity is necessary, and anyone not one with the ministry vision of the pastor, which should translate down to the other church leaders, including the worship leader, should GET in unity or remove themselves. If you’re part of the praise team or a musician, examine your motives. Why are you doing what you do? Remember, it’s an honor and privilege to serve the Lord in the music ministry of the local church.
We are to bear fruit…and “fruit that will last”. Apple trees bear apples. But apple trees do not eat the apples they bear. The fruit from the tree is to feed others. So let’s bear fruit and feed them. Let’s not push them into worshiping through condemnation. Let’s not rope them and tie them up with guilt. Let’s not make them feel inadequate in their worship. Let’s lead them and together enter into God’s presence, Christ’s rest and the Spirit’s peace, and let them know that God sees their hearts and is pleased.
Read, study, pray, examine the lives of David and others in the Bible to learn about hearing God’s voice, seeing His vision, and following His call. Most of all, love them, love Him and trust him with not only your life and your eternity, but your calling and ministry.
Linda King Wilson
February 2008
King David was a great example of a worship leader. He did so many great things, but he also knew what it was like to make horrible mistakes. David was a man after God’s heart, scripture says in Acts 13:22, because he “did everything God wanted him to”. It doesn’t take too much reading in the Psalms before can clearly see how David had a hunger for God. He questioned him, and the Lord answered. An example of this was when David and his troops returned to their base in Ziklag to discover it burnt to the ground and their children and wives had been kidnapped. 1 Samuel 30:1 Three days later, when David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negev and had burned Ziklag to the ground. 2 They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone. 3 When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families, 4 they wept until they could weep no more. 5 David's two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel, were among those captured. 6 David was now in serious trouble because his men were very bitter about losing their wives and children, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the LORD his God. 7 Then he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring me the ephod!" So Abiathar brought it. 8 Then David asked the LORD, "Should I chase them? Will I catch them?"And the LORD told him, "Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!" (NLT)
Right in the middle of anger, grief and panic, David used wisdom by going to the Lord to ask Him what to do. David’s concern was to do the Lord’s will and walk in faith rather than his feelings. So it is as a worship leader. It’s so very important that we continually seek God’s will and ask for His help. After all, even Jesus said he couldn’t do anything without the Father. John 5: 19 Jesus replied, "I assure you, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and tells him everything he is doing, and the Son will do far greater things than healing this man. You will be astonished at what he does. (NLT)
Often with the busyness of church and activities, we can become ritualistic and just go through the motions of using what has worked in the past just to get a good response in worship. After all, what God did one time with one worship song, he’ll do again….won’t he? Well, maybe, or maybe not. After all, that one song that burst forth by the Spirit and moved on people in the service was new at some point. Maybe we get so anxious for Him to move again that same way, that we try to duplicate it. But chances are, if we’ll admit it, the very time His Spirit did something powerful in the people’s lives, was when we were trying the least and leaving it all up to God to orchestrate. It’s just like God to show us what He is doing when we give up trying. All we have to do is follow Him. It’s vital to continue seeking God’s direction in song selection and what the Lord desires to show the people through our own obedience.
Within David’s character was the ability to humble himself and serve. After all, he was anointed to be king by Samuel, and instead of getting a big head over it, he went right back out to the field to care for his sheep. Honestly, how many of us would do that after being told we’d be the country’s next king? Yet David knew what serving meant. He knew that in God’s eyes, it was just as important to care for his sheep as it would be to lead a country. This is truly the treasure that moths and rust can’t destroy, but that which is kept safe and secure with him in heaven.
Reminding ourselves that we are called to serve and not be served should be something we consistently do. I’m reminded of a very successful and anointed pastor who, when he was just starting out under his grandfather’s ministry, was very, very eager to preach as much and as often as possible. His grandfather, who was pastor, would ask him to meet him at the church ahead of service time. In the young preacher’s mind, he thought they’d get to the church and pray together and talk and that he would be able to glean off his grandfather’s years of wisdom and relationship with God. Yet to his surprise, he was handed a toilet brush and asked to clean the bathrooms. At first he resented doing this. After all – he’d been called to preach! But he soon found that it was in this place he met with God in a deeply meaningful way and learned the importance of the heart of serving others, and to worship.
As worship leaders, as well as ministers, we’re called first to serve God and then to serve the people we’re leading. If we know what it truly means to serve, then humility will naturally follow.
David led with integrity and lived what he believed. In many ways he taught the people of Israel more about worship simply through his actions and reactions to his own mistakes. A classic example of this was when he was bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. Here, the people saw David dancing with all his might in only what people of that day might have called his underwear! When his wife Michal saw this, she was embarrassed and ashamed, and let David know just how she felt. But David replied by saying, “Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, but I will be held in honor by the girls of whom you have spoken!" (2 Samuel 6:22) Consequently, scripture says that Michal never had children; an indication possibly that she never again gained the respect and affection of her husband.
David worshiped God with all that was within him. How wonderful it must have been for the people of Israel to see their king consumed in worship. Surely it affected and impacted them more powerfully than any speech he’d ever given. In the same way, our lives must reflect the true understanding and heart of worship. It should never be something we do only on a Sunday morning just because it’s our “position” in the church.
I so admire and love the fact that David was himself – his own man. Like when he was about to go out to confront Goliath, and King Saul persuaded him to try on his own best fighting uniform. When I read this account it makes me chuckle to picture it. David was swallowed up in the king’s armor, and because it just didn’t fit, he decided on only a sling and five stones. David wasn’t about to pretend to be something he wasn’t – he was going to be his own person. I heard another great worship leader say once, “If asked to sum up the art of leading worship in one simple sentence, I think I would say: be a worshiper, be a servant, and be yourself”. How vital it is that as worship leaders, pastors, teachers and ministers, we follow God’s leading and allow Him to use us the way he designed us and intended, rather than trying to follow a formula or even another person’s persuasion or skills. Some of us will never have the talents of others. But that’s fine with God and it should be fine with us. He knows our strengths and weaknesses, so we must decide to let him use us the way He wants.
It’s also important to note that David respected those in leadership over him. Even though he was cruelly treated and pursued by the king at the time, Saul, David refused to cause him harm. He nurtured a respect for the one he described as “the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 26:16). We must always honor and respect those in leadership over us, even when it’s hard.
Everyone knows that no one is perfect. Time and time again, and in increasing events, we’ve seen not only celebrities but also church leaders fall. We’re not shocked by it anymore, and that’s all the more reason to search our own hearts and motives continually. When we stand before God, He probably won’t care much about how great the music or our voices sounded, and what a great job the sound man did at making us sound good. But He will care a whole lot about what kind of heart attitude we had and how we sought after Him daily.
In addressing actual on-the-ground, week-to-week ministry in the church, realize that the fact is, people go to church because they want to, and people worship because they want to.
As a worship team, which consist of the leader, the singers, the musicians…..it’s our job to inspire and help the church “enter” in to God’s presence. Enter in Hebrew is bo’ – meaning “go, enter…to physically go into God’s presence.” It’s to lead people to the place where they feel his Spirit drawing them, and they feel comfortable enough to respond to His call.
We enter God’s presence to worship Him, but also to receive what he wants to give us in return – his peace. As leaders, if we are condemning and aggravated because the people do not worship like we do, or like we want them to….if we point people toward focusing on how inadequate their worship is, we are not asking them to “enter” with us. We’re asking them to turn their focus inward on their own spirit man to determine if they are doing it right. We think they aren’t clapping enough, aren’t getting hyped up enough, lifting hands enough, shouting enough, singing enough….not loud enough….then we are leading people into a place of anxiety and wonder of whether or not they are even worthy to call themselves Christians or even exist much less stand in the presence of Almighty God. In the Lord’s presence we are released from striving to be adequate. “God’s rest is there for people to enter,” Heb 4:6. Ideally Christians will be disciplined to spend time in God’s presence and worship on their own and many do through great resources we have today such as Christian CD’s, Videos and Radio. But as worship leaders, God’s given us a place to help others find their place in Him…not run from it. Remember….there is now no condemnation.
Pastors and teachers toil and study and pray for the right words to say and the scripture to use as they prepare their messages. They write them down, make their notes and outlines, jot down their points that will spur them into a story or example that brings the Word alive and relevant in people’s lives. Most do this because they realize they are human and are apt to somehow get off track or what we affectionately refer to as “chase rabbits”. Their study, prayer and preparation help them stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Of course, then the Holy Spirit brings scripture and exhortation at just the right time.
Worship leaders tend to more likely than not, do their preparation by also praying, then choosing songs sets (which would be equivalent to their “message”), practice music and singing, getting the sound just right, but then shoot from the hip in the spoken exhortation, which often translates their feelings to the immediate response of the congregation in the service. I’ve been in this place. Many times, we’re disappointed or even angry if they aren’t worshiping like we would prefer to see…in a way that would feed our egos….after all we spent all that time practicing and preparing….why aren’t they getting it??? Or we pick one or two in the church or on the praise team that’s easy to get hyped up, then say just the right things to get them going and we’re off to the races! After all, if we get them going and shouting and amen-ing and shouting hallelujah, then everyone else will fall suit and feel stupid if they don’t get in on it…..right? All of the sudden the focus is off the “entering His presence” on onto the fleshly manifestation that some think is required to fully feel like we’ve had real church. Honestly, anyone who has led worship for any length of time at all knows exactly what I’m saying here. The point is that it’s best to stay on encouragement through notes if we tend to get off track, and not let things roll off our tongues out of exasperation or frustration.
In his message, the pastor has his opportunity of having response to their ministry and message through an altar call. If the pastor does not sense the Spirit leading, perhaps he won’t have an altar call, or if he does, he’s most likely to have response. With worship, it’s all or nothing. There’s no way to choose between say, altar call or no altar call. We want there to be a response every single time. But the reality is, either people enter into God’s presence by our leading, or they just don’t want to. But it’s their choice to respond as the Spirit leads them to enter His rest, not ours. Oh yes we’ve heard every excuse possible: “that’s not my style,” “I don’t like that kind of music,” “The worship service is too long,” and a multitude of others that we’re all very familiar with. But still, we get defensive if everyone doesn’t worship the way we think they should. It’s easy to tell people to worship God’s way instead of their own….but really, any way we say thank you to the Lord is God’s way. If we are focusing on loving God and loving people…not condemning them or making them want to run from the church because they feel unworthy or inadequate, we are doing it right. Loving people and not condemning them is God’s way. Worship is a lifestyle…a mindset…a decision.
Some would say we simply need to be examples of worshipers, and yes, this is true. No worship leader can be effective and anointed without being a true worshiper in their private devotion time. But what we are describing here is the place where we are called to be worship leaders – a specific position of responsibility in the church as described in the Bible – an appointed place. Just standing and worshiping or playing instruments or singing in front of the congregation is easy. Many could do that even those who are not called to be a worship leader. But to fulfill your calling as a worship leader is leading people to move…to go…to enter God’s presence. It’s not about us and our ability to show people how to worship. It’s getting them to realize there is a place to “enter” his rest. We can’t make them. But we can ask them to go to that place, and then wait on the Holy Spirit, and enter with them. Not behind them pushing, but in front leading, or even better -- beside holding their precious hands to enter into a place that may be unknown to them…they may be afraid to go alone, not knowing what to expect…not sure of what God has for them. We can’t help them unless we are willing to dedicate ourselves to study, pray and ask God’s direction, and then be determined not to condemn, not to judge, but to simply lead them and then release them to find their place of rest in Christ that is found in worship.
Music and worship is so important to the local church. There are so many examples in the Bible of music, singing and worship and praise. Leading is a responsibility and should be taken seriously. The role should be one of a loving, humble servant. One of dedication to the church whether or not it’s “our turn” to be on the platform or behind the microphone. One that supports every area of ministry in the church and is sensitive to the message and direction of the leadership.
A truly anointed worship leader also strives to replace themselves…to duplicate their skills and anointing in others, and to gently nudge them to do what God has called them each to do, even if it’s leading worship and taking your place some day! An anointed worship leader will discern people’s desires to be used in the music ministry. We will feel the anointing of a worshiping guitarist as they strum or pick the strings; of a keyboardist or pianist whose faith is powerfully exclaimed through every stroke of the key; of the love of a singer flowing out of their heart through their voices. These people will be recognized and used by a discerning, obedient leader.
It’s not about us individually. If it were, the church would not be called a body. I would be nothing without the others on the praise team who are in unity...every musician, and every singer. But unity is necessary, and anyone not one with the ministry vision of the pastor, which should translate down to the other church leaders, including the worship leader, should GET in unity or remove themselves. If you’re part of the praise team or a musician, examine your motives. Why are you doing what you do? Remember, it’s an honor and privilege to serve the Lord in the music ministry of the local church.
We are to bear fruit…and “fruit that will last”. Apple trees bear apples. But apple trees do not eat the apples they bear. The fruit from the tree is to feed others. So let’s bear fruit and feed them. Let’s not push them into worshiping through condemnation. Let’s not rope them and tie them up with guilt. Let’s not make them feel inadequate in their worship. Let’s lead them and together enter into God’s presence, Christ’s rest and the Spirit’s peace, and let them know that God sees their hearts and is pleased.
Read, study, pray, examine the lives of David and others in the Bible to learn about hearing God’s voice, seeing His vision, and following His call. Most of all, love them, love Him and trust him with not only your life and your eternity, but your calling and ministry.
Linda King Wilson
February 2008
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