The Flow of Worship

            The Worship Leader has a magnificent role in the church of the Second Millennia.  Church has taken on new life with their participation and leadership.  Worship is undoubtedly at least half of what most contemporary churches do.  Without her/him leading the congregation into the Presence of the Lord, it would cut the heart out of what the Holy Spirit is doing today.

            The best biblical analogy to the role of the Worship Leader is that of the shepherd.  Note:  the Pharisees cast a dim eye upon shepherds.  They grouped them just barely above dogs and tax-collectors—despite their heritage from Abraham, Moses and David (all shepherds).  This should remind all believers (Pastors and Leaders included) that we must approach our position in the body with humility and a servant’s heart.

            The second thing to remember about the first century shepherd is that they lead the sheep and did not drive them.  Even better than this picture is the fact that each leader is a sheep themselves.  At our best, we hold up one wooly hoof and point to the Lamb (as we play our instrument with the other) until we are all bleating are praises toward Him.  Yes, it is an enormous privilege and burden to lead people into God’s presence; additionally, it is one in which the leader tries to disappear and bring the focus upon the Lord.

            The best example of how this works is where it emerged from, the Jesus Movement of the 60’s and 70’s.  Folk singers living on nothing and playing for free used music as a natural outpouring of their new lives in Christ.  That is the rhythm that we have kept going even up to now in the modern (or postmodern) church.  A large number of churches on Sunday emulate the spirit of 60’s sing-ins, jamborees and free concerts.

            At our highest as God’s beings, we are worshippers.  Our goal should be to help each member of the church to enter into their calling as a worshipper.  The tools Worship Leaders have available to do this include talent, skill, instruments, amplification, prayer, intent (motivation), passion, example, leadership abilities, the Word, speaking (instruction), songs, lyrics, music, doctrine, etc.  These tools, no matter what you possess or lack, come into alignment when our hearts are right.

            Every Worship leader also experiences natural barriers in leading others into worship.  For example, there is the concert mentality which can make the band feel more like performers and the congregations feel more like a paying audience instead of participants.  Perhaps a little of this feel is good if a body wishes to remain seeker friendly.  Yet, a Worship Leader’s calling goes beyond a mere performance.

            Another gremlin every leader contends with is the natural critic that arises—with the advent of American Idol and everyone who fancies themselves a Simon Cowell.  How does one sidestep the critics that will assuredly come forward?  Again, the answer is to keep the eyes on the Prize.  A worship band is not just out there to perform, but to lead others into Christ’s presence.

            There is an interesting comparison between Chicago Blues and Delta Blues.  This can be useful in understanding the nature of the tools available to us.  The Delta Blues were largely considered acoustic with proponents like Robert Johnson, Skip James, Son House and Blind Willie Johnson.  Chicago Blues were considered electric with people like Ike Turner, Bo Diddley and Sister Rosetta Tharpe playing up and down Fender frets.  This happened because the big city had access to electricity and the country did not.  However, both styles speak to the heart of the music lover.

            In the early part of the Jesus Movement, it was largely acoustic.  A single guitarist like Debbie Kerner or Oden Fong could lead thousands.  We’ve merged into a style of worship that is largely electric.  The line can also be drawn between the church service and a Bible study.  Church is usually electric and a Bible study is usually acoustic.

            I love both styles of Blues.  I love both styles of worship.  In fact, a part of my spiritual journey would be missing if one or the other were missing.  Both are necessary to the church today.  The only common element that they should necessarily carry is the intention to lead all into the Presence of God.  How this is done is given, and should be given, a wide berth.  Artists need room to breathe and move and lead.

            With all of the styles and tools available the best advice to artists, which can be argued is what a Worship Leader essentially is, is to change it up.  Remember that the Lord healed the blind in several different ways.  We will keep worship alive if we allow the different styles to exist while we stretch ourselves.  The goal is always the same, allow people to see what already exists:  the Presence of the Triune God.

            Let us sing with those four eternal worship leaders at the four corners of God’s throne, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty . . .”

            But may I offer a single word of advice, let’s lead and then as much as possible get out of the way of God’s Spirit. This might mean turning down the leader’s vocals or going quiet on the instruments. In a way, figuratively, it is removing oneself from the focus of the music and putting God in our place. In other words, start out in front of the audience, move to the side and lead, then disappear until they only see God.

            Hey, I didn’t say the worship leader’s job is easy.