THE WORSHIP LEADER’S ROLE AS A PASTORAL ROLE
Disappearing are the days where the person in charge of church music simply picked good songs, clocked in and out for rehearsals on Wednesday evenings, and sat politely on Sunday mornings until the various songs were performed. For churches that employ modern worship music, the leaders find themselves much more integrated into the life of the worship service. They are actively engaged not only with the conducting the music being played on the stage, but with bringing the congregation along into the act of corporate worship. A worship leader must lead with insight and compassion, recognizing their role as an integral part of the ministry to the congregation. British worship leader Noel Richards says, “A worship leader does need to lead with a pastor’s heart. God is passionately in love with us—whether we respond to Him or not. He loves His Church and we need to love those who we are trying to lead—even though at times we get frustrated with the lack of response.”[1] Casey Corum, worship pastor and director of production for Vineyard Music USA, elaborates: “We must lead (worship leaders) all the way to a pastoral love for the church; loving and serving people through their gifts.”[2]
Today’s popular worship leaders suggest that many of the roles associated with head pastors are also the responsibility of worship leaders. Vineyard worship leader Danny Daniels speaks of how the worship leader often acts as intercessor on behalf of the congregation:
"When we lead people in worship, we represent God to his people, and the people of God. This is the basic function of the priesthood. As such, a significant part of leading worship is seeking God on behalf of ourselves and the people. Unless he anoints the songs we sing, inhabits our praises and touches us in return as we seek him, we will not have worshipped him effectively. When we pray that these things might be accomplished, we are praying according to his will, and we can be confident of the Spirit leading us into a meaningful worship experience."[3]
Chris Tomlin further suggests that discipling others in the congregation should be a priority for worship leaders: “Always remember that you are responsible to the people you lead. God has placed you there to disciple. Do not be discouraged if they are not where you are spiritually, but continue to love them and lead them by example. This brings glory to God.”[4]
Viewing the role of worship leader as a pastoral role gives proper context and understanding for his or her duties, expectations and directives. Seen by the congregation as not only a leader of music, but as one of the leaders within the church, worship leaders have an awesome responsibility to maintain.
ENDNOTES:
[1] Noel Richards, “Journey Into Worship”; available from http://www.worshiptogether.com/features/article.aspx?iid=218162; Internet; accessed 17 November 2006.
[2] Casey Corum, “Caring for Creatives”; available from http://www.worshiptogether.com/features/article.aspx?iid=259977; Internet; accessed 17 November 2006.
[3] Danny Daniels, “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; Internet; accessed 17 November 2006.
[4] Matt Redman (interviewer), “Chris Tomlin”; available from http://www.worshiptogether.com/features/article.aspx?iid=218185; Internet; accessed 17 November 2006.
16 May 2007
Leading Worship in Spirit and Truth (Introduction)
Last fall, I had to write a paper about worship leading and some of the thoughts future and emerging leaders should consider. I enjoyed writing the paper, but since it was assignment, I promptly forgot all about it when the term was over... until a friend recently mentioned that she had read it and appreciated the ideas I wrote about. (Thanks, Amanda!)
Sooo... I thought I'd share those same thoughts in this blog. There are five themes I explored regarding the role and responsibilty of today's worship leaders, drawn from the examples suggested by some of today's prominent worship leaders around the world. I'll start by re-printing the introduction in this post, and later postings will look at each of those five themes. Hope this is encouraging and helpful not only to worship leaders, but to congregants who recognize the growing role that worship leaders play in today's churches!
******
In the past twenty years, an increasing number of Western churches have seen the rise of a new role in church leadership: that of the worship leader. The shift for many congregations from traditional forms of music (including hymns and choral music) to modern choruses (often labeled as “praise and worship” music) has resulted in an increase of visibility, responsibility and accountability for those responsible for church music. In terms of visibility, many worship leaders spend as much time (if not more) during a weekly service in front of a congregation as the preaching pastor. Secondly, worship leaders carry the responsibility of maintaining regular dialogue with the pastors, coordinating with audio/visual technicians, and overseeing other musicians. Finally, worship leaders—like other church leaders—need to be accountable to the church body in regards to their interactions with others, along with how their personal walks with the Lord impact the life of the church.
Numerous leaders among the modern worship movement from the United States and the United Kingdom have spoken out about their concerns and values concerning the demands that press upon today’s worship leaders. After an examination of many of their interviews and articles from the last several years, some recurring themes emerge regarding their suggestions to fellow worship leaders. In future posts, I will attempt to discuss five such principles, principles that deal less with the technical nature of music and more in terms of leadership style, spiritual formation and wisdom in decision-making.
1. THE WORSHIP LEADER’S ROLE AS A PASTORAL ROLE
2. THE WORSHIP LEADER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO POINT TO GOD (not “ME”)
3. THE WORSHIP LEADER’S NEED FOR A SOLID BIBLICAL FOUNDATION
4. THE WORSHIP LEADER’S POSITION AS MENTOR
5. THE WORSHIP LEADER’S WITNESS AS A LIVING EXAMPLE
**************
Thanks for reading! More to come...
Sooo... I thought I'd share those same thoughts in this blog. There are five themes I explored regarding the role and responsibilty of today's worship leaders, drawn from the examples suggested by some of today's prominent worship leaders around the world. I'll start by re-printing the introduction in this post, and later postings will look at each of those five themes. Hope this is encouraging and helpful not only to worship leaders, but to congregants who recognize the growing role that worship leaders play in today's churches!
******
In the past twenty years, an increasing number of Western churches have seen the rise of a new role in church leadership: that of the worship leader. The shift for many congregations from traditional forms of music (including hymns and choral music) to modern choruses (often labeled as “praise and worship” music) has resulted in an increase of visibility, responsibility and accountability for those responsible for church music. In terms of visibility, many worship leaders spend as much time (if not more) during a weekly service in front of a congregation as the preaching pastor. Secondly, worship leaders carry the responsibility of maintaining regular dialogue with the pastors, coordinating with audio/visual technicians, and overseeing other musicians. Finally, worship leaders—like other church leaders—need to be accountable to the church body in regards to their interactions with others, along with how their personal walks with the Lord impact the life of the church.
Numerous leaders among the modern worship movement from the United States and the United Kingdom have spoken out about their concerns and values concerning the demands that press upon today’s worship leaders. After an examination of many of their interviews and articles from the last several years, some recurring themes emerge regarding their suggestions to fellow worship leaders. In future posts, I will attempt to discuss five such principles, principles that deal less with the technical nature of music and more in terms of leadership style, spiritual formation and wisdom in decision-making.
1. THE WORSHIP LEADER’S ROLE AS A PASTORAL ROLE
2. THE WORSHIP LEADER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO POINT TO GOD (not “ME”)
3. THE WORSHIP LEADER’S NEED FOR A SOLID BIBLICAL FOUNDATION
4. THE WORSHIP LEADER’S POSITION AS MENTOR
5. THE WORSHIP LEADER’S WITNESS AS A LIVING EXAMPLE
**************
Thanks for reading! More to come...
All By Myself
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to lead worship on a Sunday morning on my own. Just me, myself and I. No other vocalists, no guitars or drums, not even the comfort of a steady set of bongos. Just me and the piano for the entire service.
Initially, I knew that the Sunday in question was a week where many members of the worship team were going to be unavailable (out of town or otherwise committed to something else) that day. If I wanted to, I could have conjured up a person or two to help me out. But as I began planning the order of service for that Sunday, I decided that I would keep the schedule as it was and try it out by myself for a change. I've had the opportunity to stretch myself as a worship leader in the last year by experimenting with different formats (like that quasi-liturgy we did for Palm Sunday, which went very well, by the way) and different set-ups than the same ol' thing every week. Here was another chance to try something new.
Now, having said that, I have to admit that I don't really like leading all by myself. Of course, I did it for several years when I led chapel services at a Christian elementary school, but that was a very different audience with a different set of songs (mostly upbeat, "happy-clappy" stuff). But despite having grown up in the midst of my congregation and knowing them fairly well, it was still nervewracking. One of the beautiful things about being a piano player--and leading from the piano--is that there's a level of comfort and protection that you feel, sitting behind a large, black, blocky instrument several hundred pounds in weight. Feeling more confident as a pianist than a vocalist, it's easy to "hide" behind the keyboard while playing. Even though I'm the lead vocalist in leading worship, other vocalists singing helps me not feel so... well, exposed.
Fears aside, I went ahead and led by myself on the Sunday in question. And it went well, by most accounts. And the nerves disappeared, for the most part. (Of course, being the one who also picks the songs, it was easy to compensate by choosing songs that I felt strongest as singer and pianist.) I'm fine if the opportunity doesn't come around again for a loooong time, but I'm grateful for the chance I had to step up.
Initially, I knew that the Sunday in question was a week where many members of the worship team were going to be unavailable (out of town or otherwise committed to something else) that day. If I wanted to, I could have conjured up a person or two to help me out. But as I began planning the order of service for that Sunday, I decided that I would keep the schedule as it was and try it out by myself for a change. I've had the opportunity to stretch myself as a worship leader in the last year by experimenting with different formats (like that quasi-liturgy we did for Palm Sunday, which went very well, by the way) and different set-ups than the same ol' thing every week. Here was another chance to try something new.
Now, having said that, I have to admit that I don't really like leading all by myself. Of course, I did it for several years when I led chapel services at a Christian elementary school, but that was a very different audience with a different set of songs (mostly upbeat, "happy-clappy" stuff). But despite having grown up in the midst of my congregation and knowing them fairly well, it was still nervewracking. One of the beautiful things about being a piano player--and leading from the piano--is that there's a level of comfort and protection that you feel, sitting behind a large, black, blocky instrument several hundred pounds in weight. Feeling more confident as a pianist than a vocalist, it's easy to "hide" behind the keyboard while playing. Even though I'm the lead vocalist in leading worship, other vocalists singing helps me not feel so... well, exposed.
Fears aside, I went ahead and led by myself on the Sunday in question. And it went well, by most accounts. And the nerves disappeared, for the most part. (Of course, being the one who also picks the songs, it was easy to compensate by choosing songs that I felt strongest as singer and pianist.) I'm fine if the opportunity doesn't come around again for a loooong time, but I'm grateful for the chance I had to step up.
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