WorshipCentral

Put new strings on about a week before - then hopefully they won't break but wont be constantly going out of tune as new strings often love to do. Dw about being nervous nerves make us rely more on God. Make sure you warm up your voice before. Make sure all the band know the songs, how you're playing them and any signals you may use if you wanna improvise. MAKE SURE THE TECHIES HAVE TOTAL UNDERSTANDING WITH BAND!!! pray with band before and after. Dont worry if the congregation dont appear to be reacting as you may want - eg very few hands in air etc...oh yeah and dont do too much ad lib on new songs, unless you have some BV's who you can count on to lead the congregation while you ad lib - remember to turn these people up in this song. Make sure your PA sweet spot is right so you wont get feedback.
Finally: You're playing for the 'audience of one' in Matt Redman's words - you're not only a leader but you have to actually worship at the same time.

PS Dont worry - God will provide :)

God Bless
James

this is really helpful I will be with our team in just over a weeks time

I agree with the above & prayer is essential. In my opinion organization is key...I work out my songs about two weeks before this allows time for personal practice, inspiration and also time if you encounter a bit of a block...

Also as Tim, Al & many others point out...it isn't necessarily good to try and be over complicated. Do the simple things really well and the rest will follow.

God Bless,

Steve

sorry posted twice!

(love the picture Heather!)

My first time leading worship was a little embarrassing. Basically, I had done quite a few things that you shouldn't do when leading! (thankfully, my first time leading was for my school of only about 100 people!) One of my big booboos was thinking it was my job to get people worshipping so picked jumpy songs and tried to talk the people into participating!!

Ask God for inspiration for the songs, and listen to His voice. I've often found that as I'm flicking through songbooks a couple stand out and stay in my mind. At the time they can seem like an odd bunch of songs and the day before I've frequently asked God things along the lines of 'are you SURE these are right?', but I've found that after I've led some people have said that they worshipped well or when I've co-lead the main leader has said 'they were a great choice'; or we've had a great time worshipping in spirit and truth, being able to truly give ourselves to God - but that was all due to God speaking, not my skill. You just need to be willing to do what He says. I think it's important to stay humble and submissive to God in leading.

Another important thing is communication with the band. On my second time leading, I was leading without a guitar. We had gone into a quieter time of worship and I wanted to go into a gentler version of 'Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble' so told my band to go into that song, forgetting to tell them about doing it quietly...suffice it to say, the moment was spoiled. Ah well, every mistake is an opportunity to learn!

Hope you enjoy your worship leading!

the first time i lead my high E string snapped, somewhat offputting...

but yeah, plenty of prayer, and keep it simple.

Peter

Yh same here Peter - but so did my G - every song was now in a different, somewhat strange key to what it had originally been written in!

Thanks! That is really helpful I have now lead worship twice the the first time went really well as I was doing it for the twenties group (i'm 15) on a weekend away i was closer to God as i had the whole weekend with him so was able to sense his presence more. I think i was more dependant on God too which helps.
The second time was at our youth service and i don't think anyone was engaged i found it really hard because people weren't taking part so it felt like i was performing i was sort of co leading so when i was going to do something Tim would change it so i couldn't do that (eg going to sing out and couldn't)
Heather

That's something I've struggled with too - people not engaging. The important thing to remember is that, as worship leaders, we don't and can't make people worship. At the end of the day, the choice is theirs.

exactly... that's what i find one of the hardest things as well - trying to 'get people to worship'. cos quite often it feels as if people are just singing the words and not actually feeling them or feeling free to pour out their hearts in worship. which then can make it a lot more effort for the worship leader, and could feel maybe slightly laborious for them.
and as others have said, we can't force them to either... but we can at least provide an atmosphere that would enable them to engage in deep heart-felt worship if they want to (well, we don't exactly know that they are fully feeling the presence of God, even if it's not showing on the outside. God works a lot on the inside too, so it may not be clear to us. therefore we cannot say that everyone is just singing cos they feel they have to etc.)
but even if it does seem a bit more of an effort than you thought it would, don't worry.
worship with your own heart, as well as leading others to worship.
be relaxed.
be free in the spirit.
don't over-complicate.
pray about it.
try to make it spirit-led.
and most of all, make it all for God and don't let it put you off if you make a mistake or two - we all do it. after all, we are only human.

God Bless
nicola
xxx