“Worship leaders” aren’t as ‘contemporary’ as some think they are. If you pay careful attention, particularly in the Old Testament, you’ll see that there are people who facilitated worship. The ‘priesthood of all believers’ doesn’t take away from that we all have different giftings. And one of those areas of gifting is music. Music is one of the ways of expressing worship. Many churches do this weekly. How we facilitate or lead in the time of worship can hinder or enable people from connecting with God.
While worshipping God isn’t about the music, terrible music can be a distraction. Sometimes bad accompaniment isn’t because of a lack of skill. It can be due to having the ability. As worship leaders we can do a dismal job because of our attitude with our skill. In the tutorial video below, Don Moen, a worship leader for over 30 years, and his team illustrate this and give invaluable advice.
Giving of our best can sometimes be mistaken for trying to play all we can in a limited time and space. Remember, the object isn’t to show off your skill, it is helping people worship God. Music, as much as it is an art, is also a discipline.
It’s not just about the notes we play but the ones we also refrain from playing. Worship leaders, don’t overplay. You can make music in a group or you can play as a team, in a way that doesn’t distract, but encourage the congregation to worship.
The point of leading or facilitating worship is that the church can, actually worship. Showmanship gets in the way of that–bordering on the line of a rock concert.
You might also want to check out:
- Worship 101: What Does A Worship Leader Do?
- How To Fail As A Worship Leader In 10 Easy Steps
- How To Tell If A Worship Leader Is A Superstar Wannabe
Again, dear worship leaders, don’t overplay.
Are you a worship leader? What’s your take on the tips? As a congregant, what are some of the things you find distracting in worship in church?
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