What is a worship leader? Every worship leader, team member, or potential team member must ponder this question. It helps to be musically qualified. It helps to be able to sing. It helps to be teachable. It helps to be available and committed. The truth is the preceding are earthly, natural attributes. These would also get you into a community marching band, or even a polka band....or something.
The key to being a worship leader or team member is simply to be a worshiper. Do you worship God outside the worship team and church? Do you lift your hands to Him when it's just you and Him? Do you have an intimately powerful prayer life? Are there regular times when you gather to God (one on One) to be in His presence? You see, one who truly and intimately worships God impacts others. This is a worship leader. Worship teams must be made up of worship leaders. Worship teams must be composed of worshipers. Worship teams must worship God.
It is one thing to have a team composed of good musicians and singers. It's another thing to have a team composed of worshipers of God. There is a difference. There will be different results. Spiritual worship brings the approval and thus the presence of God. Talent brings the approval of man. It is not that talent and proficiency are a bad thing. It is just that talent and proficiency are not the essence of a worship leader (one who influences others by their worship of God.) The essence of a worship leader is a heart to glorify God.
It is one thing to have a team composed of good musicians and singers. It's another thing to have a team composed of worshipers of God. There is a difference. There will be different results. Spiritual worship brings the approval and thus the presence of God. Talent brings the approval of man. It is not that talent and proficiency are a bad thing. It is just that talent and proficiency are not the essence of a worship leader (one who influences others by their worship of God.) The essence of a worship leader is a heart to glorify God.
Please understand...worship ministry first serves God. This is what impacts others. Why? Because God responds to genuine ministry to Him. When God responds, things change. Talent ministry, on the other hand, serves self. When self is exalted, God is no where near. Let me say it one more time. Talent and proficiency (development) are not to be ignored. However....they do not determine if one is truly a worship leader up front or in the congregation or anywhere. The ability to genuinely worship God does.
Let me encourage you to be a worshiper of God. Determine within yourself that you will press into His presence. Determine now to be a worshiper of God, not a performer or an entertainer. Remember, the essence of a true leader of worshiper is a heart determined to glorify God only!
"Forms and rituals do not produce worship, nor does the disuse of forms and rituals. We can use all the right techniques and methods, we can have the best possible liturgy, but we have not worshipped the Lord until Spirit touches spirit." - Richard J. Foster
Let me encourage you to be a worshiper of God. Determine within yourself that you will press into His presence. Determine now to be a worshiper of God, not a performer or an entertainer. Remember, the essence of a true leader of worshiper is a heart determined to glorify God only!
"Forms and rituals do not produce worship, nor does the disuse of forms and rituals. We can use all the right techniques and methods, we can have the best possible liturgy, but we have not worshipped the Lord until Spirit touches spirit." - Richard J. Foster