Andy Park has done a great job of covering what it takes to be a great worship leader in his book, “To Know You More – Cultivating the Heart of the Worship Leader.” Regardless of what level of worship leader you are, you can learn from his experience and insight on scripture. Andy has been recording since the 1980s and has traveled to more than 25 countries leading worship and teaching about worship and Christ.(1) This post is about some things that I have observed and learned from reading Andy’s book.
The Road to Becoming a Worship Leader Isn’t Straight
It seems time and time again when I read about worship leaders the story is strangely familiar. Most do not start out desiring to lead worship. I, personally, didn’t desire to lead worship. I didn’t even want to play in the worship band. What I wanted was to “make it” as a Christian rock band. I felt like that was my calling. I had tried the secular music scene but felt that God was calling me to serve Him so I decided to only write music for the Lord.
After some persistence from the worship director I agreed to play guitar with the worship band. Now several years later I’m leading worship. It wasn’t the path I chose but it’s been an integral part of my growth as a Christian and leader.
One of the things that is inspiring in Andy Park’s journey is that he trusted God on several occasions. He had a real zeal for the Lord. With this his confidence would have had him on the “fast track” to leading worship. He says, “This was one of my many opportunities to get rid of some selfish pride.”(2) This was after he discovered he woud have to wait and serve in other capacities for a while. Because of this detour he “received valuable ministry experience.”(3)
We Must Give All of Our Life to Christ
The mission statement at my church is “All of Life for Christ.” Not just Sundays. Not just in church. Not just with our families. Not just with the church community. It is everything. Our work, our family, our finances, our church, our friends, our enemies… everything.
Park writes, “when we approach God, we let him see the ugliest side of us, and we still find acceptance. God’s grace doesn’t make sense – it’s way too gracious. It’s insanely generous, and it opens the door to an intimate relationship with Jesus.”(4)
Before we can live all of life for Christ we need to come before him and lay down our short-comings. We also need to see God for who he really is; a caring loving father willing to give us that grace. It is easier said than done though.
As Andy puts it, “It can be frightening for people to sense God’s presence in the midst of worship because, at the deepest level, they really don’t know if God accepts them.”(5)
When we remove the barrier we put up between us and God we receive grace and freedom. Freedom from that baggage that was between us. We make a decision to serve Christ instead of feeding our own personal desires. It’s then when we find true worship.
True worship comes from the heart that recognizes its desperate need for God’s mercy. But if we see that he is the source of every blessing – whether physical, spiritual, relational or otherwise, we won’t be able to keep ourselves from worshiping him.(6) – Andy Park
We receive mercy and grace when we live all of our life for Christ.
The Perfect Plan.. Almost
Andy goes into detail about leading and ministering to the worship team and to others in his book. Up to this point the story is just us and God. Now it is us, God and others. Things always get screwed up when you add people into the mix. It’s been like that since the beginning of time. Sometimes I think our modern civilization is just one big Israel. It still has a hard time trusting God.
It is a perfect scenario for honing in as leaders that Andy writes about. But even the Apostle Paul didn’t just jump into ministry after his dramatic conversion to Christianity. Paul took time and learned all he could so that his message would be clear and well taken. He met with Peter out of a great desire to make sure he was doing the right thing. Paul also prepared beforehand for the specific audience that he would be preaching to. He didn’t use the same methodology for each place he traveled to.
Park writes, “In every nation and generation down through the ages, worship styles change based on the many factors – church culture, national and local culture, and the ebb and flow of renewal and revival.”(7)
With that in mind, we need to adapt to the setting and people that we are leading. We can’t be set in our ways but open to what God has in store for us. We give our hearts to God and trust him. We become free of chains and open to whatever God will place before us. We prepare for the expected and the unexpected. The unexpected will reveal what is truly on our hearts.
The Mysterious Power of Music
When I recorded my last CD I decided to do it all in my home studio. I never planned on recording drums so I found some online musicians. As it turned out I used them for drums, bass and keyboard.
Not until several weeks into the project did I find out that my session mates were from Israel. They were born and lived half way around the world. It opened up my eyes to the power of music as a common language. Add God’s word to the mix and you have a powerful antidote for changing the world.
Music is a strange thing. I would almost say it is a miracle. For it stands halfway between thought and phenomenon, between spirit and matter.(8) -Heinrich Heine
Strange indeed but a great tool to teach, praise and spread the gospel.
The Many Roles of a Worship Leader
Worship leading is not only leading worship in a corporate or small group settings. It is also being a teacher and leader amongst your worship team. As Andy puts it, “Together with the teachers and preachers, you function as one of the main outlets for God’s truth in public meetings.” (9)
One of the challenges of a worship leader is keeping God’s spirit alive among your team members. With all of the logistics that go into a worship set it is easier said than done sometimes. If we keep our focus on Christ then we will build our teammates up, put together a set that focuses on the sermon and be able to worship while we are leading the congregation to Christ.
I try to follow the biblical directive , “Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each another and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another” (Col 3:12-13).
I don’t like confrontation, but who does? Honesty is the best and only policy.
- Andy Park(10)
Part of tying the worship set with the message involves meeting with the pastor. If you want people to connect with God during worship then you have to be intentional about every aspect of it. Meeting with your pastor and knowing what the sermon will be about will allow you to choose focused songs that affirm God’s message. It will also help you and the pastor to be on the same page. Sometimes it may be painful but as Mr. Park says, “The great majority of my my discussions with pastors have been peaceful and encouraging.” (11)
Further more
Andy Park’s book goes into even more detail on the practical duties of the worship leader. For the beginning worship leader or the seasoned pro there are nuggets of information that will help you grow in your ministry.
1. http://andypark.ca/index.php?fuseaction=cms.display_name&content_name=andy_bio
2., 3. Ibid. 21
4. Ibid. 33
5. Ibid. 46
6. Ibid. 51
7. Ibid. 65
8. Ibid. 78
9. Ibid. 85
10. Ibid. 105
11. Ibid. 127
Andy’s book “To Know You More – Cultivating the Heart of A Worship Leader”, published by InterVarsity Press, was released in July, 2002. It was awarded Book of the Year by WorshipMusic.com for 2003. (See http://www.ivpress.com)
This week of study really reminded me of how the Apostle Paul was a great mentor. He gave of himself so that those whom he was teaching would be encouraged. Paul was a great example of being Christ-like.
I think most of us who are involved in worship ministry have a little of Paul (and Saul (pre-conversion)) in us. Prior to becoming a Christ follower, Paul followed strict Jewish traditions. At times we try to adhere to old strict ways of trying to get a worship set perfect. We want structure, rules and guidelines. We want awesome musicians and singers. We want our set to shine and be a great presentation to God.
Caught up in the making of a great worship experience we forget why we are gathering in the first place. We come together in worship to let our guards down and connect with God.
When we get so caught up in the details of the set we squeeze out any opportunity to mentor and encourage our worship team and, at the same time, we set a bad example for any future worship leaders that may be watching.
As Paul went to the Gentiles who were eager to learn (or at least would listen) of Christ we should go as well. We should lend a hand, lead by example and build up our team members. With everyone on the same page, our team, as Dan Wilt puts it, becomes a tribe.
Here are a few ways you can stay on track as a mentoring worship leader.
- Don’t Reinvent The Wheel If You Don’t Have To. As you put together teams and pick songs, take advantage of resources that are available to help you especially other worship leaders.
- Take Your Personal Life As Seriously As Your Worship. The bar is higher for leaders invite accountability into your life and be diligent about maintaining it.
- Don’t Develop “Martha” Complex Early On. Taking on too much responsibility creates a false sense of self-worth. Learn to say no when you need to.
- Be Congregation-conscious. Pick songs that will minister to the people, not just to you. Lead in such a way that helps people along instead of losing them in spontaneous jams.
- Ask Your Pastor For Feedback On Your Worship. Listen And Make Mental Notes. Teach-ability Is The Secret To Growth As A Worship Leader.
- Know The Hearts Of Your Musicians. An average bass player who really worships is more of an asset to you than a self-absorbed virtuoso.
- Learn How To Say “Thank You”. When people brag on you, make eye contact and graciously thank them. They are affirming God’s work in you.
- Don’t Let Pride Run Away With Your Calling. The combination of youth and God’s anointing can be a powerful and dangerous mix. Walk in humility and the fear of the Lord.
- Let Hope And Truth Rule Your Song List. Watch out for angst-ridden worship songs that allow people to wallow in negativity. Say, like David did, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”
(9 Tips source: http://members.worshiptraining.com/blog/media/nine-on-the-line-good-medicine-for-young-worship-leaders/)
When I was in college I was in a band called “Inside Out.” We were all about playing fast loud hard rock music to anyone that would listen. We played everywhere. There were 5 members in the group and although we were a band, individual egos ruled. We all wanted the spotlight. All of us. We were a group of individuals with our own agendas.
Fast forward to today and now I lead worship with pretty much a different set of musicians each week. We are intentional about keeping musicians out of the spotlight until their hearts are aligned with putting others first. It’s dangerous to put a great guitarist with the wrong motives in a worship setting. The congregation is quick to praise talent. When fed to the wrong heart it will also feed the ego and widen the gap between us and God.
Worship is about letting our guard down and coming to meet with God with an open heart. My desire is for the worship team to play and sing as one voice and with one heart. A heart longing to meet with God and a heart for God’s people. For everyone that walks through the church doors, regardless of their social or financial status. For everyone, regardless of their physical and mental abilities.
Colossians 3:23-26 (NASB)
23 Whatever you do, do your work [a]heartily, (A)as for the Lord [b]rather than for men, 24 (B)knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward [c]of (C)the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you (D)serve.
Colossians 3:23 is a great instruction for worship. When we prepare, plan, practice and worship we should do it like we are doing it all for the Lord.. because we are! Seems simple. We are worshiping right? The problem is people are involved. Every time you add people into the equation things start to change. (read the old testament.. will Israel ever get it???) We haven’t changed in thousands of years. We all revert back to our old sinful ways.
So how do we worship with one heart?
Easier said than done. We put others before ourselves. We plan with the needs of our congregation in mind. We prayerfully consider what songs will align with the focus of the sermon topic. We remember that one solution doesn’t fit all. We are flexible to roll with the dynamics of different worship environments and services. We work with our other leaders. We keep the focus on Christ.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
Often we will hear about all the baggage and burdens that people carry in their lives. As worship leaders we are no different. We have a responsibility to create a space where people feel disarmed and can meet with God. We have to be teachers and planners. We have a pastoral role of being there for our congregation and at the same time keeping the focus on Christ. We need to stretch the community in a graceful way interceding with a heart for our community, leaders, and team members. It is easy to get overwhelmed and often without trying, we carry these responsibilities as unnecessary burdens.
We get caught up in all of the tasks that go into producing the perfect service that will draw people to God. We plan (as we should) to put together a pleasing time of worship for the Lord before praying about it. Planning and preparation are good and necessary things. My point is that we will often put the cart before the horse. We’ll worry about a great set instead of fully focusing on our great savior.
When our worship set takes precedence over worshiping God it is easy to feel overwhelmed and like you are carrying baggage. I love what Jesus says in Matthew 11.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Jesus corrects our focus. We will find rest, contentment and peace. We will be able to lead worship with pure hearts without unnecessary burdens distracting us.
There is work to do when leading worship as responsible ministers. Keeping our focus on Jesus will lighten this burden. Praying and spending time in God’s word will give us the strength and endurance to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
Last week I started taking an online worship leading course. Part of the requirements was to listen to a few different seasoned pro worship leaders give their view of effective worship leading. Although I have been leading worship for a good 4 years now, I was able to learn something that you and I can both use in all areas of our life.
WE WILL NEVER SOLVE POVERTY
There have been times in my life where I have felt really guilty that I wasn’t doing enough to help the poor. Quite honestly, sometimes I didn’t even like the idea of helping the poor. I had the defeatist mentality. The problem was too big and we will never fix it. There is no solution.
Matthew 26:11 (NIV)
11 The poor you will always have with you,[a] but you will not always have me.
Jesus
I had read this many times but it wasn’t until David Ruis pointed this out that it really hit home. We aren’t called to solve poverty. We are called to help the poor. We are called to help the poor.. in spirit, in health or in finances.
We all carry burdens when we walk through the church doors. As effective worship leaders we need to offer encouragement and an open environment to meet with God. It’s a great responsibility (and privilege) but it also has it’s rewards.
As Brian Doerksen puts it, “leading worship is a sacred, delightful responsibility in the church… it’s being a servant but doing it in a way that it gives life to you.”
Delightful!
Craig
Craig Kelley