Worship Leaders role in the context of a service.

[jony]

Hi all, I'm going to need some help on this.

What in your opinion is the worship leader's role in the context of a service?

Specifically in a service and not in general.

Sorry if this is going to confuse you, but hopefully i'll learn something....


So.. Shoot!

:-)

Jon

[Kitty]

I think this would be a difficult question to reach a group consensus on. The worship leader's role specifically in the service is going to vary a great deal as do the worship styles of each church. It will also depend on the pastor or pastors of the church. They will all have their own differing ideas on that role.

The ideal worship leader's role for one church would not work at all at another church, and I'm not just talking about the difference between traditional and contemporary music. My role at my contemporary church was quite different from my good friend's role at her contemporary church.

Why are you asking? What's going on in your head that has you wondering about it?

Kitty

[jony]

I need to lead worship in service pretty soon.

I have the verse and the intended message.

I am just somewhat uncertain as to how to lead it up.

Some human guidance from experienced folks here would be great in addition to my QT and prayer. :)

[jono007]

go jony!

As a worship leader, I think my role in the service is to lead the people in worship...

Usually, that means praising God and giving people the opportunity to tell God how much He is worth (worship c.f. old English "worth-ship").

There is also usually an element of pointing people towards the sermon topic. I usually meditate on the text and pick songs that I feel are relevant. But if you think that God is saying something in particular, then you should say it and have a song that talks about it.

For example, this Sunday, I think the focus for worship is on the uniqueness and "holiness" of God. My wife felt that God was saying that He is a jealous God and there is none other like Him, which is similar since "holiness" means being "set apart" and "unique". So, we're singing that Planet Shakers song "Lift Up Your Eyes"... all 9 minutes of it...

In terms of actual leading... I think its a personal preference. But I understand one thing. When I am leading worship, the authority to lead rests with me. If the pastor comes up and takes the pulpit, then the authority lies with him, and he is in charge of the worship until he steps back or steps down. It's important to know who is in-charge at various stages of the service.

Does any of this help?

[jony]

It sure helps... I wish I had a wife.. :mrgreen: more advice.

I'll digest that...

[Bluesman]

Hi all, I'm going to need some help on this.
What in your opinion is the worship leader's role in the context of a service?
Specifically in a service and not in general.
Sorry if this is going to confuse you, but hopefully i'll learn something....

So.. Shoot!
:-)
Jon

I have not lead worship in my church b4, but i'll share my experience in the context of leading praise n worship regularly in a small group of 400 in my zone meetings...

basically as a worship leader, there are 2 objectives:

1) leading the congregation to worship and seek the presence of God, and this means you actually stand on stage and worship (not perform), and you "find" the presence the God and lead the rest of the ppl there. Minister a word when the holy Spirit prompts, or minister a new song, etc...depending on the flow of giftings... this lead to the next part...

2) preparing the way for the sermon to be ministered easily by the preacher. Worship opens up a member's heart and thru it, usually inspires faith and creates an atmosphere of expectancy... usually a good worship atmosphere is followed by good preaching and move of the Holy Spirit

to prepare yourself for that, you need to have a walk with God, know His presence and be able to flow in the spirit...that's of course the spiritual aspects of it...

the physical aspect will be planning, rehearsing and practice... worship leading is never spontaneous... it's first planned and then spontaneous on stage, then when the holy spirit moves, you just learn to flow...

Pray beforehand, and prepare what u wanna say, how u wanna say it, when u wanna say it, and who you wanna say to... ask the Holy Spirit for discernment and a word to minister to the people... usually that word would minister to a particular group of people (e.g in areas such as fear, lack of faith, etc)

that to my knowledge, is what a worship leader should do...of course, different churches has a different boundry... some worship leaders dont minister word, etc... it all depends...but thats what I do in my zone meetings...

hope it helps :)

[Teleguy]

I agree with Bluesman.

The idea is that people are going to enter into Worship.
The leader's job is to facilitate that by helping keep the focus on God, not the music.
You can't lead them there if you haven't been yourself, so preparation includes getting lost in worship individually sometime before the corporate worship time (hopefully very often).

[tom grossheider]

In very simplified terms, the Levitical priests represented the people before God, the worship leaders represented God before the people. That's what I use when I prepare for a worship service, hope that helps. Let them see God as He is.

[Michael_Mui]

I'd agree on that too .......

Basically the Worship Leader is the middle man between God and the people.
That is ....... to bring the manifestation of God's presence down and also to bring the people towards there.

But anyhow, to make things simpler, just trust in God and leave everything in prayer and in God's hand.
Don't think too much on how to "perform" etc. ;)

[SAguitar]

Yah mon, you may be the "middle man" but IMHO the goal is to be transparent so all the people can see is Jesus. That is a prayer that comes up fairly often in our pre-service prayer time.

[jony]

Thanks guys for all your input..

I've read it all through in the preceeding week and taken it all into prayer.

Service went very well.

I have to Thank God ultimately for bringing me through.

Feedback I get from ministry leaders were that the worship was smooth flowing and felt natural and normal.

Which is a good thing for a first-timer I guess... :D

Thanks all! What a wonderful resource we have here.

[Brian]

I led worship as a sub for our adult contemporary services for the last 2 weeks; 1st time I've led in many years. This is a team that has not come together well in the 6 or so months that we've been working with the current WL; lots of near-train wrecks. Due to a long needed realignment of the schedule, that service is being combined with the traditional service that is all keyboards.

After being asked to sub, I asked the Lord to show me an order of service for each week. I also called on the Lord, a couple of years learning and practicing the concepts of Servant Leadership at work, and my 13 years of Worship "sideman" (guitar & backing vocals) experience to identify what I could do to help each player and singer be successful at reaching the quality that 1Chron 25 speaks to. I assembled and carefully checked charts (in both notation and chord charts with measure lines - made sure they matched), and rehearsed them... things that I've painfully witnessed that leaders all too often do not do. Unfortunately, there was near zero rehearsal (summer's tough) and warmup (time constarints between services - just a quick sound check).

On Sunday, I prayed in earnest for the service before we took the platform. I tried to establish an environment for Worship, and a segue into the sermon. At the start of the service I welcomed the congregation to the service, prayed an invocation, asking the Lord to accept our offering of Worship and Praise, then personalized it by asking the congregation to "please join me in Worshipping the Lord". Due to lack of rehearsal and wamup time I followed the charts pretty closely and I communicated almost every transition from verse/chorus/bridge/coda and endings for the team and the powerpoint operator. As a metter of personal preference, I recited scripture during the intros to a couple of songs to help the congregation understand what they were singing, and I did a hymn as the last song both weeks (Doxology with "big" organ, 1st verse of My Jesus I Love Thee). To close the song service, I Praised the Lord, asked that He annoint the message and prepare our hearts to receive it.

So to sum up, I submitted myself to the Lord. I ensured quality charts for the team, prepared myself, and communicated where I was going to take the songs to facilitate quality music for the song service. I endeavored to facilitate corporate worship for this particular congregation, and provided a segue to the sermon.

[SeanB]

Glad all went well.

Although the W/L may have many responsibilities to Church, Pastor, band, praise team, choir etc., the primary role of the worship leader in the service is very simple. To point people towards God.

I've read this and heard almost every W/L I know say the same thing. It may sound basic, but you must remember that you are only encouraging something that God already placed inside of everyone of us. Love and adoration for the One True Living God. Just point them to Him and He will do the rest.

YOU can't bring anything down from heaven. YOU are not there to receive anything. Worship, is something you GIVE, not something you get. If God's word says He inhabits the praises of His people, then we know that is truth. But you are only really encouraging people to give God something in Spirit and in Truth. That doesn't mean you are bringing God down into the service. If God shows up, it is because He loves us.

You can have the best show and performance in the whole round world bro and still have a dry worship service if God is not lifted up in True sincerity and transparency from your heart. For a very brief moment in the history of this generation, you get to drive the bus. Just be sure you are all headed for the same destination.

Just point them to Him.

[Brian]

Glad all went well. Although the W/L may have many responsibilities to Church, Pastor, band, praise team, choir etc., the primary role of the worship leader in the service is very simple. To point people towards God. I've read this and heard almost every W/L I know say the same thing. It may sound basic, but you must remember that you are only encouraging something that God already placed inside of everyone of us. Love and adoration for the One True Living God. Just point them to Him and He will do the rest. Thanks! I agree, to a point. Do Worship leaders, their singers and accompanyists shortchange God and the congregation by not preparing themselves spiritually and musically for the service? Does the author of 1Chr 25 (Ezra?) imply the skillfulness of the 288 musicians is important to their ministry before the Lord? Who was it important to? The Lord? The King? The assembly? Why? Are the musicians to be held accountable to that? To whom?

YOU can't bring anything down from heaven. YOU are not there to receive anything. Worship, is something you GIVE, not something you get.Can I ask for an annointing from the Lord to serve Him to the best of my ability and beyond? Can I ask an annointing for the team too?

If God's word says He inhabits the praises of His people, then we know that is truth. Ps 22:3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. NKJV
He regards our Praise and Worship as an offering. But why did David say/prophecy this?

But you are only really encouraging people to give God something in Spirit and in Truth. That doesn't mean you are bringing God down into the service. If God shows up, it is because He loves us...and He hears our Praises and they are acceptable to Him?

You can have the best show and performance in the whole round world bro and still have a dry worship service if God is not lifted up in True sincerity and transparency from your heart. I completely agree. However I also think 1Chr 25 implies that we should be skillful and play skillfully, giving our very best in our ministery to Him and the assembly.

For a very brief moment in the history of this generation, you get to drive the bus. Just be sure you are all headed for the same destination.Clear accurate charts and communication to the team is almost as good as a GPS. ;)

Just point them to Him.Amen Bro.

[SAguitar]

Our worship leader emphasizes character above all in our ministry. We realize that one has to be at least at an acceptable musical level to play, or sing in our band, and we rehearse well, always striving for excellence in our music.

But he expects, and holds us accountable, to a greater depth of character in Christ, to remain on the team. He has told us many times that average musicians with great character can achieve excellent worship, but great musicians with lousy character can never produce good worship. And over the years, we have witnessed the truth in both of those cases.

[Brian]

Our worship leader emphasizes character above all in our ministry. We realize that one has to be at least at an acceptable musical level to play, or sing in our band, and we rehearse well, always striving for excellence in our music.Well said! And ahhhhh, the "E" word. I don't do that very well... instead I'm a frequently frustrated perfectionist who is just as frequently reminded that excellence is the better of the two.

But he expects, and holds us accountable, to a greater depth of character in Christ, to remain on the team. He has told us many times that average musicians with great character can achieve excellent worship, but great musicians with lousy character can never produce good worship. And over the years, we have witnessed the truth in both of those cases.Again, well spoken Brother Stan!

[SAguitar]

Thanks, Brian!

Ahhhh... the "E" word! The unrelenting pursuit of excellence can squash a perfectionist, and it's tough to leave a day of ministry feeling stomped on just because it didn't turn out as "perfect" as you hoped for.

Yes, excellence is a goal, and will just have to remain a goal, and not something I can put in my pocket. While we strive for it continually, it doesn't happen often, and only then in brief glimpses. We like to say that we always aim for a 10, but we consider it a good effort to hit 7.5 consistently, realizing that most of our congregation can't tell the difference between a 7 and a 10 in music.

[DTownSMR]

... realizing that most of our congregation can't tell the difference between a 7 and a 10 in music.

wow! :shock: You have an astute congregation. I'm not sure ours can tell a 4 from a 10... :lol:

...which maybe a good thing 'cause I'm finding in my group that we don't have a clearly articulated, agreed upon vision that allows us to strive for "e". :cry:

I didn't respond early enough to be of any use to Jony, but I would suggest if you're ask to lead, take the pastor out to lunch and get him/her to define what they expect from you as lead worshiper.

[SAguitar]

Well, we give our congregation the benefit of the doubt! :lol: :lol:

I know they can tell the difference between a 0 and a 10, though! Last weekend, in one service, one guitar player started out the song and the drummer came in on the wrong beat. That left the singers helpless trying to find "one" in there, and our worship leader waved it off. We started over, and it worked much better the second time. I think our people noticed that one!

But stuff like that actually endears us to the people. I think they like knowing that we make mistakes, too, and aren't the flawless, unapproachable musicians that some assume we are. Plus, it keeps ya humble! :cool:

[SeanB]

Glad all went well. Although the W/L may have many responsibilities to Church, Pastor, band, praise team, choir etc., the primary role of the worship leader in the service is very simple. To point people towards God. I've read this and heard almost every W/L I know say the same thing. It may sound basic, but you must remember that you are only encouraging something that God already placed inside of everyone of us. Love and adoration for the One True Living God. Just point them to Him and He will do the rest. Thanks! I agree, to a point. Do Worship leaders, their singers and accompanyists shortchange God and the congregation by not preparing themselves spiritually and musically for the service? Does the author of 1Chr 25 (Ezra?) imply the skillfulness of the 288 musicians is important to their ministry before the Lord? Who was it important to? The Lord? The King? The assembly? Why? Are the musicians to be held accountable to that? To whom?

YOU can't bring anything down from heaven. YOU are not there to receive anything. Worship, is something you GIVE, not something you get.Can I ask for an annointing from the Lord to serve Him to the best of my ability and beyond? Can I ask an annointing for the team too?

If God's word says He inhabits the praises of His people, then we know that is truth. Ps 22:3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. NKJV
He regards our Praise and Worship as an offering. But why did David say/prophecy this?

But you are only really encouraging people to give God something in Spirit and in Truth. That doesn't mean you are bringing God down into the service. If God shows up, it is because He loves us...and He hears our Praises and they are acceptable to Him?

You can have the best show and performance in the whole round world bro and still have a dry worship service if God is not lifted up in True sincerity and transparency from your heart. I completely agree. However I also think 1Chr 25 implies that we should be skillful and play skillfully, giving our very best in our ministery to Him and the assembly.

For a very brief moment in the history of this generation, you get to drive the bus. Just be sure you are all headed for the same destination.Clear accurate charts and communication to the team is almost as good as a GPS. ;)

Just point them to Him.Amen Bro.

Sorry, I didn't know this was a test. :shock: :lol: :mrgreen:

[Brian]

[VERY long post, sorry]... Sorry, I didn't know this was a test. :shock: :lol: :mrgreen:I'd like to think of it as a devotional or mini-study, to get you thinking. ;)

[SeanB]

Well, sounds a little challenging, but I'll give it a try. :idea: (thinking I mean)