WorshipCentral

I recently put a few thoughts down on paper for the worship leaders at HTB. Things that I'd been thinking about. You may also find them helpful. Keep going for it!

Recently I’ve been really thinking about how we can all grow as worship leaders and wanted share some of my reflections with you. Please receive these as encouragements and a challenge to us all.

1.    We need to have times of high praise in our worship.

By this I mean times to celebrate, rejoice and get excited about the God we worship. Throughout the bible time and again we see God’s people celebrating and dancing, free and abandoned. Especially for our Sunday services we need to lead high praise. Practically speaking, songs I would consider to be celebration include - Dancing Generation, Happy Day, Shackles, Holding Nothing Back, One Way, Great Is Your Faithfulness etc… Songs I would NOT consider as celebration are Open The Eyes Of My Heart, Love Came Down, My Jesus My Saviour. These are more mid-tempo ballads.

2.    We need to embrace musical dynamics

There can be a danger in our sung worship that we sing songs in the same way, same tempo and same musical arrangement. Pretty quickly it becomes very boring and people disengage. Let’s encourage each other to be creative and thoughtful in our song arrangements. It’s great to have the band rock out for a while, but after a number of songs there’s a danger that it can become over-bearing. Songs with just an acoustic guitar or just the piano - even just acapello. Let’s have songs that are loud and fast, songs that are powerful and emotive mixed with songs that are tender and quiet.

By working on the dynamics of the band we can keep things much fresher and more interesting. Constantly ask yourself - what is the song communicating lyrically and then ask yourself, does the music communicate a similar message. By really thinking through the musical dynamics it keeps us from doing the same old, same old.  

3.    Don’t force things when leading worship

Sometimes we can feel that to have led a wonderful time of worship we need to have at some point sung in tongues or lead a prophetic song. These breakthroughs in worship are amazing when they are of God, but when they are forced in the flesh it can feel awkward. Don’t feel you have to always get people to sing in tongues. I’ve found when stepping out in spontaneous worship, actually the best thing is to only do it when it feels like people are really in that place. It’s like you’re simply giving them permission to sing out in the spirit, rather than trying to coerce them into it. Perhaps it’s best to only step out if you really feel God is doing something. Leading sensitively in this stuff is hard, and at times we all get it wrong - and that’s fine; we’re all learning.

4.    Keep asking questions when you lead

Never switch off when leading. Keep observing what’s going on. Questions I always ask myself when leading are; God what are you doing in this time of worship? Where are the people at spiritually? Are they engaged, are they singing passionately, is there a freedom? Do they look bored and miserable? If people aren’t involved then ask yourself why. Is it because you’re doing lots of new songs they don’t know as well? Perhaps you’re playing older songs that people are bored of? Maybe the sound is terrible and it’s hard for people to hear the music? Maybe there’s something deeper going on - pray that God would break through. As I go through a worship set, I’m always asking, God is this the right next song? Is there anything else you want us to do or sing? Should we wait in silence? Do we need to really celebrate? Keep engaging with God and keep being sensitive to the people.

5.    Lead by example

Try and lead passionately. Don’t fake it, but the more you look like you’re engaged in worship, the more people will follow. Worship is often caught rather than taught. If you look bored and disinterested then people will pick that up. Encourage the band to really worship and not look only concerned about playing the right notes. It can look bad for the congregation. Feel free to smile!!

6.    When leading on just a guitar

•    Make sure your guitar is in tune
•    Be really watchful that songs don’t drag - this can really kill a time of worship
•    Check that songs aren’t too high - maybe take them down a key (e.g. Blessed be Your name - B to A, Consuming Fire - G to E)
•    Make sure you’ve had time to soundcheck your guitar and voice properly

7.    Keep pushing yourself musically

Keep working on your musicality. Learn as many songs as you can by heart. Work on your vocals (probably the main thing that can hinder worship leaders is a poor voice). If possible get some vocal lessons. I know taking singing lessons for me helped hugely. Listen to lots of music so that you can keep musically fresh.