Featured SongThoughts on Leading Worship
Home » Blog » GeneralPosted by David L. Ward on June 8th, 2006
I wrote up a very quick and very rough draft of a document on leading worship to share with a worship leader who will be leading in my absence in a few weeks. What do you think of the following excerpt?
The role of worship leader at Redeemer is extremely important. His task can be summarized as aiding the Holy Spirit in putting Jesus on display in the thoughts and affections of His people. The fact that God would even allow men to be used in this way should deeply humble and amaze his soul. This is done by example (both in how worship leadership is executed and in his life outside of worship), and by spoken word through exhortations and prayers. He should strive to maintain an atmosphere of comfort and security during the worship service and should strive to avoid at all costs the awkward feeling of not knowing what is coming next or being unsure of what to do or say next. This awkwardness tends to pull our attention away from the Savior and onto people.
How the worship leader aids the Spirit
First, the worship leader aids the Spirit by example during the service. He should be adequately prepared to worship God privately during the corporate gathering. This is accomplished by having intimate times with the Lord in His word and prayer during the week and especially on Saturday night or Sunday morning. He should worship God authentically even while in front of the congregation and avoid the temptation to be more expressive or express His worship in particular ways so that people will think or know He is "really" worshipping.
Second, he leads by example through the ministry of his daily life. He has relationships with the body and models the gospel by not hiding behind a veil of godliness but rather sharing his concrete sinfulness to magnify God's grace.
Third, the worship leader aids the Spirit by spoken word. He should put into practice the command in Ephesians 4 to speak what is helpful for edification. The right words spoken at the right time can do wonders to lead the hearts and minds of God's people from one song or reading to the next. Worshippers have the tendency to tune their minds out during readings and songs and words of explanation or reminders to pay attention (put tactfully) can be a great help. He can also model how he is responding to God's truth by spontaneous prayers and reactions to songs or readings.
Very well articulated. It is so iportant that we as worship leaders learn how to set an example for believers to follow, both in the worship service and in our daily lifestyle of worship. Thanks for edifying the body!
Peace in Christ.