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!