THE WORSHIP LEADER’S POSITION AS MENTORAs mentioned earlier, today’s worship leaders have the opportunity to engage in discipling others in their own personal worship journeys. This can be extended to include the opportunity to mentor others, particularly those on one’s worship team. This allows others the chance to grow in understanding and experience regarding how to effectively lead. British composer Stuart Townend spent his time in university under the mentorship of fellow worship leader Dave Fellingham. Townend speaks about how influential Fellingham was in his development as a worship leader:
"Dave taught me by example. I watched him as he led worship, as he preached and taught, as he moved in the prophetic. I learned more than information from him. I saw the man at close quarters – his maturity and security in God, the way he dealt with people, his pastor’s heart, his boldness to step out in the prophetic, and above all his passion for Jesus. It stirred me to seek God for those kinds of qualities for myself…without doubt Dave has been the greatest spiritual influence on my adult life—but only because he was willing to have me alongside him, observing him at close range, speaking into my life, and then lovingly pushing me out of the nest when it was time for me to use my own wings."[1]Casey Corum also highlights the responsibility leaders have in mentoring others, not only those on the worship team, but also those in the congregation: “It is important for all of us to have examples to follow; to have people like us who have gone before us to encourage our own journey in the Lord.”
[2]THE WORSHIP LEADER’S WITNESS AS A LIVING EXAMPLECorum’s ideas on mentoring remind us of a principle important not only to worship leaders, but any individual entrusted in the church with leadership responsibilities: the need to demonstrate a humble yet committed walk with Christ in everyday life. Just as pastors are expected to model Christian character and the fruit of the Spirit in a way that inspires others, so should the worship leader conduct themselves accordingly. Recognized worship leader Matt Redman touches on the importance of lifestyle witness:
"We talk a lot about Spirit-led worship, but if we truly want to be led by the Holy Spirit, we need to make sure we’re keeping in step with Him in our everyday lives. As a worship leader this is a challenging and even scary thought. I need to make sure that I’m making my life an appropriate dwelling place for Him."[3]American worship leader Tim Hughes also values the significance of our daily walk with God: “As a worship leader it is so important that we are constantly seeking God’s will and concerning ourselves with what the Father is doing.”
[4]Paul Oakley speaks of the direct connection between one’s personal spiritual life and their effectiveness as a worship leader: “The key thing for me is to maintain an intimate walk with God, with all the challenges of a busy life. You want to stretch yourself musically, you might want to try and write songs and introduce your own songs, but underneath all that you've got to work hard at keeping intimate with God, because that's where it all comes from.”
[5]This same idea is echoed by Canadian Vineyard worship leader Dan Wilt:
"Christ-like character is central to the worship leader's calling because our heart attitudes, on such a visible leadership platform, eventually influence every member of the congregation or group that we lead. We disciple not just by “how we are” as a worship leader, but more concretely by “who we are” as a worship leader. The audible music and notes are not the only song we are singing. Lead worship from the foundation of a life that, both privately and publicly, resounds with love, obedience and honor toward Jesus. Your strongest leadership instrument will become the sound of your life, and your worship leadership will manifest the favor and strength that only God can give."[6]SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONThe considerations and principles that need to guide the church worship leaders of the 21st century are more complex than the responsibilities of the choir directors and/or song leaders of the 20th century. The role of a worship leader is not just logistical or musical in nature, but pastoral in their leadership of church staff, volunteers, and the congregation. A pastoral mindset guides a worship leader as their choices of music and admonishment point to God rather than oneself. A solid biblical and theological framework can maximize a worship leader’s ability to effectively and holistically spread the gospel. Solid leadership also allows for opportunities for discipleship and mentoring. Finally, a worship leader recognizes the call by God for all leaders to model Christian character consistent with the content of the message being sung and preached during weekly services. In this time of significant transition for Western culture and the Church universal, worship leaders find themselves at the forefront of demonstrating how life in Christ, expressed corporately in worship and individually through our daily interaction with each other, is highly relevant in an age where spirituality is valued but Christianity is held by the world as irrelevant or politically suspect. Future generations will look back and examine how the Church adjusted to reach the postmodern world of the 21st century. May we be good stewards of the gifts God has given us and the Spirit that equips us to do great things in His name.
ENDNOTES:[1] Stuart Townend, “Journey Into Worship”; available from
http://www.worshiptogether.com/features/article.aspx?iid=218139; Internet; accessed 17 November 2006.
[2] Corum.
[3] Matt Redman, The Unquenchable Worshipper (Ventura: Regal Books, 2001). Excerpt also available from
http://www.worshiptogether.com/features/article.aspx?iid=218140; accessed 17 November 2006.
[4] Tim Hughes, “First Service”; available from
http://www.worshiptogether.com/features/article.aspx?iid=218147; Internet; accessed 17 November 2006.
[5] Interview with Paul Oakley, “Intimacy With God: The Key to Paul’s Success”; available from
http://www.worshiptogether.com/features/article.aspx?iid=218120; accessed 17 November 2006.
[6] Dan Wilt, “The Sound of Your Life: Character and the Worship Leader”; available from
http://www.insideworship.com/resources/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2237&Itemid=2; accessed 17 November 2006.
