When I read the Bible, I don’t see worship leader anywhere.
I wish I did.
Believe me, I’ve looked hard.
I even tried submitting a verse for the next ESV Study Bible update:
“And King David continued the rest of his earthly ministry as a worship leader, making bank, and writing songs on his harp for the people of Israel to declare in battle.”
Nobody wanted to use that.
I wish it was mentioned in the Bible because it’s sort of what I do. In one way or another, my life revolves around being a worship leader.
Worship Is My Life
I write worship songs. I sing worship songs. I lead worship services. I lead worship bands. I write a worship blog. I listen to worship music. I talk about worship. I attend worship conferences. I read worship books. I worship God. Some might even argue that I worship worship.
If Pastor Rick Warren suddenly announced that worship leading was no longer necessary and that churches should fire their worship leaders, I’d be a bit depressed. If that happens, you might find me hanging out under your local city bridge, scavenging for some grub, holding a sign that says “Worship Leader For Hire”.
Help me out, please.
In all seriousness, why is worship such a big deal these days? We have a music industry surrounding it. We have worship pastors who have it as their job. We have songwriters who make a fine living because of it.
Why is worship leading such a big deal?
While being a worship leader isn’t specifically mentioned in the Bible, you can bet your life it has Biblical precedent.
I believe worship leaders can function within any of the five-fold ministry gifts.
- Pastoral worship leaders – approach worship leading with a sensitivity to the people they lead. They have a heart for their development as worshipers.
- Evangelistic worship leaders – have a heart for those ‘outside’ the church. They may go where others won’t in order to bring the lost into the presence of God.
- Teaching worship leaders – feel a strong sense of the “why” behind the “what”. They want to ensure the congregation understands what they are doing – the meaning behind corporate worship.
- Prophetic worship leaders – clearly hear the voice of God for their congregation and speak or sing it over them.
- Apostolic worship leaders – break new ground and release other worship leaders into their calling.
Let’s face it.
As long as we have the Church, we’ll have worship leaders.
As long as God is glorious on the earth, we’ll have worship leaders.
It’s a sacred privilege and responsibility.
But life is too short and God too glorious for us to merely entertain the Church with our talent.
We need leaders who:
- Direct our focus to Jesus
- Write songs that give expression to the church
- Love Jesus with all their hearts
- Have a passion for spreading Christ’s fame
- Help us experience God in a deeper way
We don’t need leaders who:
- Steal God’s glory
- Distract people’s attention
- Worship worship
- Don’t know God
- Are all about themselves
Worship Leader, we need you. We need you to rise up in your holy calling – to decrease as the glory of God increases through your ministry.
Now it’s your turn. Why is being a worship leader biblical?
John says
Those who “worship worship.” That is a great line. I am still convinced many of us have idolized our worship music. You are right; our leaders need to help us move away from the shallowness of merely singing songs we like and move towards becoming more like the people God wants us to be.
Thanks for the post. Stay blessed…john
David Santistevan says
Thanks Jon! How can we keep ourselves from idolizing worship music? It’s tough to do with all the great artists and songs out there, you know?
Dave Shrein says
Probably just remember that every song writer is broken and truths in worship music should either come from broken or humble places, regardless if the writer intended it that way.
Just keep focus on the cross and I think that will do the work for you.
Andy Whittaker says
I’m constantly dismayed by the way so many Christians in recent intrinsically equate ‘worship’ with singing songs. The singing of songs to God is always referred to in the Bible as ‘praise’ – not as worship. Worship is clearly defined by the Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 1 as ‘the presentation of your body as a living sacrifice’ – doesn’t necessarily involve singing songs or music at all. Furthermore, as is touched on above, there is a real danger (in my opinion) that so called ‘contemporary worship’ easily becomes what is actually being worshipped rather than God himself – for many, I fear the ‘medium’ has become more important than the ‘message’ that the medium, ostensibly, is there to communicate.
Ruben says
I totally agree with Andy Whittaker, Its biblical If I have get in depth, Its Holy Spirit who is the Worship Leader helps us to Worship Father through Jesus Christ His Son and not some one leading worship as worship leader. we cam call the person leafinh the songs in worship as song leader
Karen Kalasy says
I googled this after praying earlier. My Sister and I have been stripped of many things or people in the charismatic church we went to for years. I also admit I too worshipped certain worship leaders or bands and pastors! God knows our hearts. God revealed this to me. How would our walk with God be if we removed modern worship and hip modern pastors?
Denver Aldridge says
I think some people definition of worship is only singing songs of praises in church. In reality Singing is Just a mode of worship, Preaching and teaching takes president over songs in the church setting .The Church building is were believers meet to worship God. Worship encompass observing the Lord supper preaching teaching the word and singing spiritual songs of praises. in 2nd Timothy 4 : 1 Paul charge Timothy who was a young pastor to preach the word in season and out of season reprove, rebuke and exhort with complete patience and teaching. He never say lead the people in worship .There is no such thing as worship Pastor in the bible . The qualification of the pastor or Overseer of the church is in 1st Timothy 3 : 1 . He must be able to teach. Anyhow I do not think there is anything wrong in someone leading the church in worship but that person is not a pastor if we look at the true definition of the word.
Rob Rash says
Isaiah and Revelation make it pretty clear that worship is always happening… and although the term ‘worship leader’ may not be found in the bible, you can certainly find people leading and worshiping together. Maybe it’s just semantics. We have to some extent glorified the worship leader’s role and the real danger becomes when this supersedes our goal of worship.
David Santistevan says
Great point, Rob. We are in danger of glorifying the role of a worship leader. We need to be careful not to lose the heart in the process.
James O'Brien says
It would seem to the onlooker David, you responded to Rob Rash, but not Andy Whittaker? Is that because he agrees with your thoughts on this subject.
Speaks volumes, when you say,
If Pastor Rick Warren suddenly announced that worship leading was no longer necessary and that churches should fire their worship leaders, I’d be a bit depressed. If that happens, you might find me hanging out under your local city bridge, scavenging for some grub, holding a sign that says “Worship Leader For Hire”.
God seeks Worshipers, who do so in spirit and truth. Worship has always been important to God and His people. The role of a “worship Leader” is a recent man appointment, not a God appointment.
Agile Scout says
100% on. Pure #worship #pwnage
Ben Miller says
I’ve always thought that the notes preceding many of the Psalms refer to the worship leader. For example, before Psalm 6 we see a note for a person that the NIV translates as “the director of music” and the ESV translates as “the choirmaster.” To me, these notes tell us that the Psalms were indeed intended for corporate worship and there was a person in Biblical times who led the group in worship.
David Santistevan says
That’s a good point, Ben. Also got me thinking about the Levites in the Old Testament and those David appointed to lead in music full time. Maybe not “worship leader” but definitely a role related to music and worship.
Thanks for sharing!
Linda Mason says
As I study the Psalms and the life of David, I too am leaning towards the reference to The Director of Music as the worship leader.
herbhalstead says
I was going to point out the same thing.
Jason Heilman says
Was in the context of the Tabernacle of David and ministry to the Lord NOT A CHURCH CORPORATE 21st century worship sesh
Scott Newbury says
1 Chronicles 9:33 states that the musicians were given rooms in the temple and had no other responsibilities. This to me states that musicians/worship leaders were extremely important for the work of God.
David Santistevan says
Also reminds me of when King Jehoshaphat sent the musicians and singers in front of the army into battle. Coincidence? I think not.
Good point, Scott!
Nick Heath says
a good post, and very much something that has been on my heart for a long time. as a now – new-mid-new (!!) Christian, I am starting to see horrendous amount of ego in Christian music circles (not that secular music doesn’t suffer this of course – but then – they aren’t necessarily called to be glorifying God and nothing else) Getting up on stage and being spirit-led with worship is difficult, and it requires commitment from both congregation and ‘worship leaders’ – but closing your eyes and repeating the first verse (not forgetting the immortal ‘First verse again everyone’) just seems SO disingenuous, and is probably something that makes people who don’t know all the songs feel very uncomfortable, and as if they are doing something wrong.
This leads to me to my final point, each church seems to have its own little cliquey set of songs. This infuriates me more than anything else, because there’s nothing like going to a unfamiliar church, and the whole regular congregation sings along to some bouncy number, and you’re standing there like someone in a pub that didn’t get the joke. As far as I am aware, exclusivity and making people uncomfortable is not the Christian message.
David Santistevan says
Nick, thanks for your thoughts. In some ways, I don’t think you can escape exclusivity when it comes to worship songs. There are so many songs that everyone just will not know every single song. I don’t think worship leaders are trying to exclude people, by any means. But it is the worship leader’s job to read the room and seek to engage everyone in a common expression of worship. One way to do that is to sing familiar hymns that most everyone knows. Otherwise, you just need to teach them the song and choose songs that are singable.
Also, the repeating of the first verse – interesting point. I don’t think anyone repeats a verse because the congregation sings it wrong. It’s usually just to emphasize the truth that the verse is describing.
Thanks for your thoughts, man!
kenny jahng says
Great post. It is a classic conundrum the contemporary church has gotten into with calling worship music, “worship” and allowing our people to compartmentalize the meaning of that word. Love what @djchuang is doing over at Worship Leader mag to facilitate that larger convo of a worship leaders role, responsibilities, & opportunities with respect to the evolving role of that presence and personality on stage every Sunday,
David Santistevan says
Thanks Kenny. DJ is doing a great job. What do you mean by “personality” on stage?
Rich Kirkpatrick says
Not gonna give away all my content here for a podcast and article coming up, but “MUSIC DIRECTOR” is in the Bible…like several times. That means that there was once an office of simply musical direction. Why would we think leading music is not a ministry when it is described as such in many passages of scripture?
Also, did you know that the way we use “pastor” is not biblical either?
I look forward to more discussion of this. But, I suspect when looked at fully we see worship leading is at an all time low as far as a “profession” where it is an easy target these days. No one questions “business pastor” “youth pastor” “fill in the blank” pastor as not being biblical. Why is worship leader such a problem for people when we do not look at all of biblical leadership?
David Santistevan says
I would suspect that a lot of people are not aware of the pastoral role of a worship leader. They see a musician who sings songs about God but don’t realize what else goes into it.
Why is the way we use “pastor” not Biblical? That may warrant a longer response than a comment 🙂
Kermos says
May the Lord Jesus be glorified by this dialog!
Various forms of music director and music performers (as in the people that play musical instruments) are mentioned in the Old Testament.
We should consider this question ‘Why is the way we use “pastor” not Biblical?’ The question can be narrowed down by asking ‘is it Christian to use the word “pastor” as is used in the churches?’ A Christian is a follower of the Way, our Lord Jesus Christ. A follower believes the Word, and a follower abides the Word. Now, it the third question follows, ‘is a “church pastor” abiding in Christ, did Jesus, God in the flesh, ordain such a thing?’ These questions, and deeper, are addressed at length in this essay:
http://www.JesusDelivers.Faith/
Chris says
Music directors are in the Bible, especially in Psalms. But when you talk about worship, why ppl always mention only about music? Paul says in Rom.12:1 that ‘offering your bodies as a living sacrifice’ is spiritual worship. According to this verse, worship is not all about music. ‘Worship leader’ does not cover what it is supposed to mean. It would be better to call “music leader” or “music director”?
Dave Shrein says
I think that being a “worship leader” is less about playing music on Sunday’s, but more about knowing the heartbeat of those you lead and putting together a service that has an environment catered to the specific needs and seasons of that group. Not meaning, we decide what God’s worship should look like, but rather, how can we create an environment which allows the spirit to have max exposure to people’s hearts. The music is secondary. Relationship is primary. If you don’t have a relationship with the congregation you’re leading, it’s more of a concert at that point. Not always. There are exceptions. But for the music leader, the primary goal should be having a relationship with those you’ve chosen to lead.
David Santistevan says
Dave, that’s awesome. How would you suggest we improve our “relationship building” as worship leaders? I think that’s a great discussion to have.
Anto says
The worship leaders role is to lead the congregation into praise and worship to God, being lead by the holy spirit. Be prayerful in choosing the songs that will be played but expect the holy spirit to lead you into other songs for Worship while playing. God knows what is best for the congregation.. some songs God uses to heal and lift the congregation up.
Nate Davis says
Anto, is your explaination of the “worship leader’s role” from the Bible, or is that something that you made up or were taught?
Gangai Victor says
Nice thoughtful post…good to keep in mind when we’re tempted to fall into the pit of worshiping worship/music/ministry 🙂
shannon lewis says
Great post, bro! I gave this a lot of thought some time ago and though the idea of a “worship leader” seems novel, the idea of a pastor given oversite over a specific area of ministry within the church is not. Personally helpful to me was your explanation of the 5-fold gifts – oddly enough, I walk firmly in all 5 as you describe them! I suppose that was encouraging, and reignited my vision for how to progress with the ministry from here on, too! Thanks!
David Santistevan says
Dude, that’s awesome. Glad it was an encouragement to you. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Mark Young says
David,
I know this is late, but thank you for the article. I passed it along to my pastor and the other leaders in my church, as well as to a worship leading forum for the Vineyard churches which I am a part of.
Excellent thoughts and worth repeating.
Mark
David Santistevan says
Mark, I apologize for the lateness of my reply 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing! What Vineyard church are you a part of?
Mark Young says
Hi David,
I’m the worship pastor at the Vineyard church in Franklin, TN. Been here for almost 8 years. I really enjoy your blog and often share it with worship leader friends and members of my team.
Blessings,
Mark
Truth says
As a worship leader myself I love to worship it is in fact our entire purpose, God is seeking a worshipper but I think our understanding and definition of the word is limited to what happens in our local church. So often I just wish there was no music ( yes we have an amazing band) and no worship team ( the worship team are amazing too) my point is that we can get so caught up with whether we like the song whether it’s too fast, slow, high, low, what the team are wearing ( or not) that we fail to focus on Jesus and service can get a bit like a performance. Our society is obsessed with entertainment but the only entertainment we are encouraged to do as believers is to entertain the Holy Spirit that doesn’t stop and start on sundays. how many times have we heard that worship is a lifestyle but it is. When we have the heart of a worshipper it affects our relationships, our thinking, our behaviour, everything that we do because we recognise that so many things we do should be worship whether it is visiting the sick or being a voice in the community when we truly understand that worship is about allowing God to take total control about being in His presence and leading others into that intimacy with God the way we sing changes the way we choose songs to sing because we realise that everything we do in this life should be about pleasing the King
Drew Simpson says
Hey bro, could you expand some on what you believe the role of an apostolic worship leader is?
Nate Davis says
Bless you, brother, but can I suggest that your problem with “worship leader” is in 1 Corinthians 14:26? You seem interested in figuring this out, so can I also suggest that “worship leaders” steal the God-seeking opportunity for all other Christians in the meeting according to this verse. As long as you have “church” (that is, a house of the Lord, a building) you will have worship leaders. If you want to have ekklesia, a meeting, you have to let others bring the song forward. Try “Pagan Christianity” by Frank Viola. Blessings to you.
Martin Williams says
Hello David,
Thanks for posing the question: ‘Is being a Worship Leader even Biblical’. This has been on my mind for some time as I am part of a ‘Worship Team’ in my Church (another expression I’m not that keen on!). I would say that there is broad distinction between the Old and New Testament understanding of Worship. In the Old Testament, there are definitely Worship leaders and teams as pointed out by other contributors. In the New Testament, however, it seems that the whole Church can be a ‘Worship Team’ and that anyone can lead it somewhere (‘Each one…’ 1 Cor.12v7, ‘Speak to one another… Eph 5v19, ‘Teach one another.. Col. 3v16). There are dangers with this of course and other scriptures teach that leadership is not for everybody (eg ‘Not many…teachers’ James 3v1). There does seem to be space for more freedom in the New Testament, however, and although it’s practical for someone to lead Worship from the front, let’s allow others to contribute. It shouldn’t be the Worship Leader deciding everything eg someone may have a prophetic word, tongue, scripture etc and they should be given space to speak.
Sam Joe says
Being a Worship Leader is surely biblical, what will u described what Chenaniah was appointed to do in 1 Chron.15:22? Even Asaph, Herman & Jeduthum were asked to lead in Worship in 1 Chron. 25. The bible called these men ‘Chief’ & ‘Head’ to lead with Music. Must it be in our present day english for us to accept that they were worship leaders during David’s reign? The Bible holds all answers beloveth. Selah
Maja says
is it OK for woman to be “worship leader” according to 1 Cor 14:34-36…thank you
Syner says
things get clearer when some wisdom from the Holy Spirit is shared. This one helped answer a question that passed through the mind this morning: Was there a worship leader in the Bible?
. A seminar on worship and music is up next month at the lamb of God church, Right now, questions that may spring up during that time are solicited. Hope you could share some of the possible questions…and yes…answer them too.
Thanks a lot for now. God bless thee and may God bless thee more with His unfailing love and wisdom.
God is good!
Maya Bechi says
I chronicles 15:16-22
They appointed musicians and singers from the Levites.
Read more throughout chronicles as the Israelites are preparing.
Arlene says
The responsibility of the worship leader is to lead people to experience and participate in the worship of the one, true God in spirit and in truth, because that’s exactly what God wants (John 4:23).
Great article, you sound a bit like me. I sometimes worry that I worship worship, more than I lead but God’s still working on me and I’m still working in God.
Kermos says
God bless you Arlene,
Based on what authority do you support the concept of worship leaders?
You referenced John 4:23, which is the words of King Jesus “”But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.”
Yet, John 4:23 does not support such a thing as worship leaders. Worship, yes, worship leaders, no.
Look throughout the New Testament writings, and you will not find worship leader. No stage. No lights. Rather, worship in spirit and truth is found in the New Testament writings.
Look at Matthew 23:10 for the words of Lord Jesus “Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, [that is], Christ.”
Do you see, if a person is called a worship leader, that person is trying to assume a position reserved by the Christ to the Christ?
Mark says
The role of a “worship” leader is not biblical. simple. When we start telling YHWH what we will do, rather than us obeying what YHWH tells us to do, we are no longer following Him.
Mark says
Worship is PROSTRATING
That is easy to look up in the Strongs
If you do not understand this concept, it is a good idea to learn it now.
Prostrating one’s self in homage to a diety or god.
No one can be a “worship leader”
How can on lead people in laying down
Impossible
Let’s follow YHWH’s commands and not the traditions of men
Yahshua spoke against the traditions of men.
No who are we going to follow?
Jason Heilman says
The problem is, modern churches don’t allow “worship leaders” to DISCIPLE congregations.
I’d you think discipling worshippers is taking musically inclined people in the church and also teaching them how to lead other people in singing words off screens, THAT’s NOT DISCIPLING worshippers.
FIRST CENTURY WORSHIP models a group of people who are ALL “worship leaders.” ALL CAN SING AND LEAD A SONG AND HEAR THE LORD AND RELEASE A NEW SONG OR PROPHETIC WORD THROUGH SONG.
I HATE how quick we are to ADMIT WORSHIP LEADER IS NOT IN THE BIBLE YET FIND WAYS TO JUSTIFY IT TO PROTECT THE WORSHIP INDUSTRY AND THE JOBS THAT GO WITH IT.
We don’t want to let the worship industry go because we don’t want to let go of the money! The DRAW that music is to the masses.
The stage is not the place for discipling people. You can’t do it there. It doesn’t work and Pastors don’t want you to do it anyways because it “interrupts the flow”
It’s time to admit our modern format of worship is a CART. We are trying to carry God’s presence ON A MAN MADE STRUCTURE and that has become too dangerous to the post where I am going to have to start saying what God has been showing me in this regard.
We are not discipling worshippers like we should be.
We need to look at what the first century church did and work towards duplicating that and duplicating worshippers who know how to go deep in THEIR OWN LIFE!
Michael A. Banak says
many humbling comments so far. The author has made a valiant attempt to resolve feelings of conviction on this matter. We find redemption by embracing the language of the Scriptures. There are no worship leaders in The Holy Word, but we do find (in the King James) the term, “Director of Music”. Humbly stick to that language and the worship will follow. Every song will have a music director. In many congregations, it’s the same person all the time. At least two(2) things will hinder corporate worship. Too much artistry will draw attention to the musician, and away from worship. The other hindrance occurs when a mistake is made. The command to “play skillfully” is not a call to artistry nor to self-expression. It’s a call to practice until you can’t get it wrong. And you may even get sick of it by the time that happens. If you get to that point, you know for sure you are ministering for others, and not the self. Kindest shalom.
Chris says
I’m amazed that “Music isn’t worship, worship is a lifestyle” was stated on more than one comment and we still have people calling it worship and worship music. There is nothing wrong with music in the church. There is nothing wrong with it being entertaining. However, there is a big problem with calling it Worship Music. As a musician and former “praise team leader” I had to work through this for myself and I couldn’t until I became mature enough to see it in truth. Music, isn’t worship. The same chords that play Amazing Grace are also used to sing songs to the devil. God did not set aside specific notes and chords to be worshipful or not. And there are no people who lead others into worship. The reality is this, music can be worship if the person singing or playing is truly worshiping. Only then is music worship. Unfortunately, only God knows the truth. As for the leaders, they can lead us in song, which can be awesome and fun, but they can “not” lead us in worship. And there is nothing wrong with that. The problem isn’t the music, not matter how simple or extravagant, music is just music. The problem we have is trying to make music corporately into something that it isn’t. I’ll close with this, many church signs state, Worship: 10:45 or Worship starts at 10:30. Here lies the problem, even our churches don’t understand that worship doesn’t start at a time on a clock. Worship starts when a child of God wakes up and sets his eyes on Jesus and his mind on God’s kingdom and ends when he falls asleep at night. I love music and sometimes I worship to it and sometimes I just enjoy the awesome gift God gave us in it. I don’t think either is wrong. God bless you on your journey to get closer to Him.