worship leading 101

If you are a "worship leader", stop looking at yourself as a "guitar carrying, sing the latest songs and look really cool on stage" guy. Begin to see your role as a pastor. Whether you like it or not, your role as a musician is not as important. In the church, your main purpose is to remove distractions and point people to the person of Christ. This means that there is more to leading than just making your way through a group of cool songs. In order to lead, you must actually take the people somewhere.

I am not saying musicianship/skill is not important. Contrarily, continually progressing in your skill set is glorifying to God. (and lack of skill can become a distraction to those you may be trying to lead) There is a growing trend among young worship leaders that is exposing our lack of biblical leadership. We have more resources, songs and instructional videos than any generation before us. With this many young musicians are growing up thinking that if they can play a few chords on the guitar and sing on-key most of the time that they are "called" to lead worship. But the "calling" is that of pastoral proportions (so funny, I know). Fellow musicians, we must reshape the way we think of leading worship and see ourselves as pastors!

How do you prepare yourself to "pastor" people in worship? Here are three things I believe, while certainly not comprehensive, are foundational to pastoring effectively.
-Study the Word
-Pray for God's direction
-Sharpen your communication skills

-Study the Word, ALOT- Many Christians think that in-depth study of Scripture is only for "senior" pastors and teachers. Many "worship leaders" perceive their role is to "lead songs" and get people to sing. Unfortunately, this line of thinking leads to Christians who don't seek to learn on their own and have ill-informed faith while "worship leaders" are glorified rock stars in the Church. As a worship pastor, seek to know Scripture as one who must reproduce it, then use it effectively during the set. Christians will be reminded and inspired of what, why and who they are to be worshipping. Scripture will provide clear explanation of "why" to those who don't believe. Especially for the current generation, who can sing every word to any song, no matter the content. It is important to remind this generation (me too) to whom our songs are being sung, even if we must take a break from singing.

-Pray for God's direction- This is something I have not placed much dependence on. It is interesting that I can "plan" Holy Spirit out of a set. With production, clever song choices and a manuscript to lead from, who needs the One who gives us direction? Prayer is essential to knowing the heart of God. When we pray, we listen to where God wants us to go. This is a cultivated discipline. It is not to summon a "magic moment" but to learn sensitivity and awareness to how Holy Spirit is convicting, changing and directing the hearts of His people. This can play out several ways in relation to a worship set, but the point is to align yourself with His purposes by communicating with Him. Be aware. (and yes it may screw up your plans)

-Sharpen communication skills- (verbal and non-verbal) The goal is to communicate God's Word in a brief, clear and simple way. This is done by KNOWING the material and what you are trying to say. Memorize Scripture. Write down your thoughts. Then write them again in a different way. See your thoughts through the eyes of a non-Christian. Find words that would not make sense to a skeptic or unbeliever and re-word the thought. Do this until your presentation is thorough and concise. Don't preach or re-preach from the stage. Don't jumble your words or say meaningless jabber. If there is nothing valuable to say, don't speak. It should not feel forced. It is always awkward and ineffective when a worship leader is launches into a sermonette or a rant about this or that. Be happy. Smile. Relax. Have fun as a musician. Lead with your eyes OPEN, not closed. If you screw up, the earth doesn't stop rotating. God is glorified despite our blunders. Be confident in what God has given you to lead His people, His Word.

Carry on worship pastors!

worship leading 100...

I feel like writing a little post on practical ways of "leading worship". I realize that I work for a school that boasts a legitimate "Worship Leadership" program, training young men and women to lead churches and congregations in musical worship (and also lifestyle). Yet, I see that there is a lot of confusion about what it means to lead worship. I, by no means I have a great understanding, but I'm just trying to get some thoughts out about practical things to know and do in the position.

Some ideas:

If you change your voice/dialect/tone in singing or speaking-you're probably being fake.

If you feel the need to pray/say something to fill space-you probably want too much control.

You can't fake a lack of musical proficiency.

If it is not backed by scripture, then "leading worship" through playing music is pointless.

It's difficult to follow someone you don't really know.

It's difficult to lead people you don't really know.

In order to lead, you have to take people somewhere.

Intentionally take the focus off of what is obvious. (musicians, surroundings, etc)

Direct people to the person of Christ.

Most importantly, God is not impressed by my talent, ability and/or confidence. It's crazy how we often feel that He is. I can get a whole service right in every aspect- and be dead wrong before Him in my heart.

Short, biting and to the point. Truthful things I of which I must remind myself.

five years?

I never know how to answer the question of: where do you see yourself in five years"? It is usually a shrug, furrowing of the brows and mix of I..I..uh..think...uh..I...don't know. The questioner could be thinking, "you have no vision for the future" or "wow, you're 23 years old, Trey-you should have thing figured out by now..." It had never really bothered me to have an unclear career path. It is only this past year that I have begun to wrestle with my lack of direction and find my future.

Our first legitimate married scuffle: She thought I was copping out. I mean, c'mon- it had only been 2 weeks and there I was, straining to find motivation to go to one of my two graduate classes of the semester. "You didn't realize it was going be more difficult, but you still have to try" she said. Yet, I had already determined that this research-driven program was not for me. On one hand, getting the master's would only be useful for doctoral study; leaving me with a seemingly useless degree. I did not want to waste two years and several thousands of dollars on something I was not absolutely motivated to do. But I followed through with the rest of the semester...and finished with two C's.  C's! Really!? I can't even do anything with those. In undergrad, they're average-but in "Graduate school" (said with fancy restaurant butler voice) they don't count for much...except a sub-par GPA. There. Check that failed attempt at locking down the future with a clear career path. 

Nevertheless, I am again realizing that life is no longer a game of young adulthood irresponsibility. My new and precious marriage requires patience, selflessness, humility and direction; among other qualities that I didn't spend much time cultivating as a single person. Life now has a more refined structure to it-chores being done on time, budgeting money, carving out dating time and preparing for the future. And the lady I chose to marry has a solid plan for the next 3 years. Get a B.S.W. Then get an M.S.W. Get licensed...and VOILA she's a bonafide social worker. I have a B.S in communication. I work on campus. I play music on the side. And I have yet to figure out where I am going. Honestly- I've prayed about it. Sparingly. But it is as if I haven't reached the point of desperation to grovel for some kind of sign or answer. Part of me knows that my future is in the hands of God while the other is struggling to take the steps to find it. And that is where this plane lands. Where do I go from this familiar and comfortable University that literally is my home? Do I leave with the intention of finding the next "perfect" job?

I don't know what life will look like five years from now. Maybe it will introduce a child, a new job and a new area of living. Maybe I'll be a better singer and guitarist. Maybe I'll get gray hair. Or lose some. Regardless, I know that I must continue cultivating character and discipline as a young husband so that when new opportunities arise, I have the maturity and wisdom to handle them. And five years will bring more perspective and growth for me to know where I'm going.