What is good worship leading? Lately I've found myself ruminating about this subject in the least
likely places: time-out during one of my son's basketball games, standing in front of the frozen food
section, waiting for the little cylinder to pop back into place at the drive-up teller.
It's only worship leading, for heaven's sakes! You'd think I was obsessed. It all started at a worship
conference. Wisely the organizers of the event had made sure we weren't just analyzing worship ad
infinitum. We were actually scheduled to worship! I was looking forward to our corporate fellowship
and intimacy with God more than to the classes themselves.
Halfway through the first worship service, I wondered if I'd registered at the wrong conference. Here
I was in an ostensibly interactive, God-focused environment, but I had no sense whatsoever of
being authentically engaged. It was as if someone had plugged in a prefab worship video, the kind
that seems permanently stuck in cultural reverse. Picture it -- hundreds of sincere worship
devotees, dutifully clapping double-time for five songs straight, mimicking the worship leader in
multi-minute, shoulder-abusing arm-lifts, spitting out worship-correct statements on cue.
It was less than awesome.
Admittedly several of the trappings of interactive contemporary worship were present: extended
corporate singing, mini-prayers interwoven within medleys, expertly segued moments designed for
brief (very brief!) personal reflection. Still there was something hauntingly synthetic about it. Was it
just me? Two conference attendees talked with me afterward. Their experiences had been similar
to my own.
Since then, I've concluded that the overriding problem was the worship leading -- or, more
accurately, the worship performance. What's the difference between the two? Here's an in-process
list refined from months of frozen-food section/basketball game musings. No doubt you could
come up with a few entries of your own.
Worship Performer
feigns a private worship life with God
lifts up self
manipulates people through "virtual worship"
consumed with presenting a "glittering image"
But the LORD told him, Samuel, don't think Eliab is the one just because he's tall
and handsome. He isn't the one I've chosen. People judge others by what they look
like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts." -- 1 Samuel 16:7
fails to give spiritual "big picture"
personal goal: maximum visibility
draws attention to self by: dressing in revealing, loud, or ultra-trendy styles; contrived, too
big, or too many gestures; talking too much; focusing on own experience; singing and/or
playing too loudly; exaggerating movements when playing instrument; displaying vocal or
instrumental "virtuosity" for show; monopolizing front and center stage
clones his/her "worship leading" style from the Christian subculture
strings together a series of prefabricated gestures and jargon
tries to "work the crowd" to manipulate
tells how/pressures people to respond
inflexible with the worship order; does everything according to plan
searches crowd for signs of approval
disallows or interrupts silence
dislikes giving up the microphone to others
visibly depressed by smaller crowds; goes through the motions
takes "worship as a life" seriously
lifts up God
leads people to worship by worshiping
consumed with a passion for God and an integrity of heart
I ask only one thing, LORD: Let me live in your house every day of my life to see how wonderful you
are and to pray in your temple.
-- Psalm 27:4
You were told that your foolish desires will destroy you and that you must give up your old way of life
with all its bad habits. Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person.
You were created to be like God, and so you must please him and be truly holy.
-- Ephesians 4:22-24
keeps Christ's redemption at the forefront; relates God's story to people's own stories
personal goal: invisibility
deflects attention from self by: dressing in style but modestly; using gestures as natural
expressions of personal worship; talking only to provide context or reveal more about God;
focusing most on the character and works of God; heard but not distracting; playing to
express, not for an "effect"; offering skill to God as a sacrifice of praise; occasionally moving
to the side to become less visible
allows God to fashion his/her own style out of unique personality, gifts and experiences
worships spontaneously, heartfelt
fosters an atmosphere of worship then steps back and lets God meet people
gives people options and lets them find their own way
prepared, but sensitive to what God is doing
stays in touch with the people in order to sense their needs
lets go of control, allows God to speak in the quiet
mentors others in worship leading, gives them opportunities to lead
celebrates God authentically, no matter how many are in the pews
Casting Off the Glitter
It's a given that nobody will ever "arrive" as a worship leader. But if you or someone under you is
responsible for weekly worship and is displaying several "worship performer" characteristics,
some decisions must be made and made quickly. Corporate worship is the single, most
life-impacting activity of the church. Are we going to sabotage God's work just because we don't
have the courage to face reality?
And the reality is this: Before any of us can engage people in the authentic, interactive adoration of
God, we must first of all become worshipers. That may mean stepping down off the platform and
getting our lives in sync with God. It may mean sitting in the pew and learning how to worship for the
very first time. Depending on our situation, it may mean a process ranging from weeks to years.
But, face facts we must. There is only One worthy of our praise and that One desires truth, not
pretense; being, not performance. If and when we step back up and get behind the microphone, we
must do it as an instrument, not the object of praise. And we must be willing to cast off our
"glittering image" so that we reflect only the glorious image of Christ.
Our LORD and God, you are worthy
to receive glory, honor, and power.
You created all things,
and by your decision they are and were created.
-- Revelation 4: 11
After many years in worship ministry, Sally Morgenthaler, author of: Worship Evangelism (Zondervan 1996), is a consultant with congregations developing their own worship evangelism models.
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