Worship Leader, Do You Love the Word?

This is the second post in a series on “What Makes a Good Worship Leader?”.

Sometimes I’ll look at worship leaders and see a huge passion for music, songs, and even God, but not for Scripture. Great worship leaders love the Word of God. They know the Word of God informs their worship. The more they ’see’ of God in His Word the more their hearts are expanded to worship God in a greater light. Matt Redman always says, “The more we see the more we love”.

I promise you with all my heart, you WILL burn out as a worship leader if you don’t have a regular pattern of Scripture reading. Not just reading but worshiping through the text. Music can only sustain for a time. Songs can only sustain for a time. But the Word of God is enduring and will light your heart on fire when you are dry. When I’m dry (which seems to happen often!), I’ll read Scripture and realize how massive God is. It helps to realize that when you have to prepare a set list and lead worship multiple times a week!

Your roots must go beyond Guitar Center, CCLI, and Worship CDs. Make your main inspiration the Word of God and how He reveals Himself in it. Take time to worship as you read.

This also helps with leading your team. Lead them to what God says in His Word. Expand your view…expand your worship.

DS

 

Worship Leader, What’s Your Story?

This is the first post in a series on “What Makes a Good Worship Leader?”

A worship leader’s goal is to bring attention to God. They are there to stir people’s affection for Christ. Good worship music is more than just being moved by strong talent. We can get that anywhere. What makes a worship leader unique is that they have their own personal story in God. They have a history of knowing Jesus. This helps them lead others.

They help others worship in tough times because they’ve walked through tough times. They help people rejoice in the Lord because they have learned/are learning how to rejoice.

They’ve struggled and overcome by the blood of the Lamb. They’ve beheld His glory. They’ve seen God do miracles. They’re not just acting out someone else’s songs. They are living what they sing. They are on the journey of living for Jesus Christ. They ACTUALLY long to be in His presence. They’s why they do what they do. The stage isn’t a place to vent their musical frustration. They don’t just take the job because they can’t ‘make it’ in the real world. They possess a strong desire to turn people’s attention to what is most important in the world – God.

Good worship leaders have a history of knowing Jesus. They don’t just fake it. Pursuing Jesus is a way of life and nothing delights them more than to help others do the same.

What’s your story?

DS

What Makes a Good Worship Leader?

Ever been in a service where after you left you said, “That was great worship”? There are things we normally think of – a worship leader with a great voice, a tight band, cool songs, intimate lighting, etc. Yea, these all lend to an enjoyable experience. But what are true attributes that constitute a good worship leader?

A worship leader must:

• Have a story
• Love the Word of God
• Worship behind closed doors
• Connect well with people
• Study his/her craft

Over the next few days I want to unpack what each of these mean. Matters of the heart are matters we cannot ignore.

Stay tuned.

DS

What Type of Congregation Are You?

There are many factors that contribute to great ‘times’ of congregational worship. A worship leader who loves Jesus, can sing well, and can engage people. A sensitive, skilled band, Excellent sound quality, singable songs, songs that are Biblical, Scripture readings, spontaneous praise, and…anything else? Something you may not consider is the congregation.

The type of congregation that is present also determines how powerful a worship service is.

Let me give you an example. Last night Emily and I stepped into the middle of a worship conference at CCOP to hear Israel Houghton lead worship. To begin with, Israel is a high energy worship leader. He has a voice like no other, loves God, and is a skilled musician. But in that room, it really wouldn’t matter WHO was up there. The congregation was bouncing around, shouting and praising before he even sang a lick. A bird could have led worship that night.

Maybe you experience this on Sunday mornings at your church. Maybe you’re like most of us and there is a mixed congregation of seniors, baby boomers, young adults, youth, non-christians and everything in between.

These types of settings can be very challenging to lead worship. A third of the congregation wants to shout in tongues for 2 hours, a third wants to sit down and stop singing these stupid songs, and a third are scared to death of the banners, dancing, raised hands, and off-key singing in the congregation (or from the stage!).

I’m not slamming certain congregations. I actually love the diversity of it all. I love having non-Christians in the room when I lead worship. And I love a large group of spirit-filled, Jesus lovers. Both are fun in a different way.

What do you do? How can one effectively ‘lead’ different congregations? What is most important in your worship leading preparation? Do different congregations require different preparation?

I’ll save that for my next post.

Until then, what type of congregation do you lead for?

Let the discussion flow…

DS

The Evolution of Worship Music

Has anyone heard the album pictured above? If you haven’t, I think you should. And if you have, I’d be interested to know what your thoughts are.

Worship music has evolved into so many different streams. A few have blazed a trail, and thousands have copied. I haven’t been alive forever, but allow me to take you on a worship journey through my lifetime.

When I was a young chap, I cut my teeth on Vineyard worship. They were trail blazers. They wrote simple love songs to Jesus in a style that had never been done before. Integrity was around then, but were not quite as progressive as the Vineyard folks. Based on the teaching of John Wimber, they pursued the presence of God and wanted to experience the fullness of Spirit in worship. Great stuff, to this day I love listening to (especially the 10 minute 80’s guitar solos).

Even deeper in the charismatic arena are people like Kevin Prosch, Morningstar, and the more current IHOP folks from KC.

Then there’s this crazy popular, mainstream worship sound, pioneered by Hillsong. Planetshakers, and more than a few large churches across the world have adopted this high energy, community model of worship (and producing new worship albums every year).

There’s also the rock band turned worship, pioneered by one of the best, Delirious. Also, there’s singer/songwriter worship like Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, and numerous others.

I’m also impressed by the Reformed theological bent of worship music like Sovereign Grace Ministries.

And then there’s David Crowder Band, who sort of create their own category that no one can enter. And maybe not many can relate to. Is it possible to be too creative with worship music?

What stands out to you above the rest? What are the qualities that constitute good worship music? What can’t you stand about worship music? As worship songwriters/musicians, what should we be pursuing?

Let the discussion flow…

DS

Worship Leaders: Don’t Listen to Too Much Worship Music

Is it possible to listen to too much worship music? Why would I even address such an issue? Am I one of those indie listening types who enjoy taking shots at Christian music because it is bland and lacks creativity? Sometimes. But that is not what I’m trying to do here.

I’m writing to my own heart. I hope this challenges you as well.

In the last 20 years, worship music has risen to the top of all Christian music. I don’t have facts, but I guarantee you it makes the most money. It is accessible. It is encouraging. A lot of it is very good and good for your walk with God today. I’m a worship leader. I listen to a lot of it. I even write my own songs and sell them.

My concern for worship leaders is that we spend so much time listening to professional worship albums that we feel pressure to mimic that sound/experience in our churches. Let’s be honest. You probably don’t have a David Crowder/Chris Tomlin/Hillsong quality band every Sunday. You work with volunteers. You work with the young inexperienced and the older over-experienced. You work with the 13 year old with his Mel Bay chord book and the old 70s rocker who can shred better than you can talk.

I think there is a beautiful value in that.

Yea, it would be nice to have the same team of professional musicians that you travel the world with and crank out songs with your eyes closed. I’m not saying we should disregard improvement. We have a lot to learn from the pros, but becoming Hillsong should not be your goal. Your goal should be to invest in the people God has given you today. Be a spiritual leader. Pray for them. Teach them. Love them. Laugh with them. Care for them.

Don’t be discouraged if your band doesn’t sound exactly like the new United album that just came out 15 seconds ago. Work on improving the quality of your band but don’t use them as a means to your self-glorifying goals. See their need. Bring them higher. Love them. There is more to what we are doing than click-track tight music and emotional sounds. The Holy Spirit wants to connect with His people through your worship leading.

God has given you an amazing opportunity. Be faithful.

Weekend Worship Songs 8.8-9.09

This was a great week of listening to a couple new musicians who are interested in playing at APC. I love bringing new, gifted musicians on board with us. The cool dynamic of church worship ministry is that it’s not about the musicians but about serving the church and glorifying God. Yet in that whole process, worship team members grow musically, spiritually, and learn from working on a great team with a great vision.

By the way, if you’re interested in joining one of our worship teams at APC, please let me know! I’d love to explore the possibility of ministering together!

On to our songs for this weekend:

• The Lord Reigns (Klaus Keuhn)
• I Have Found (Kim Walker)
• Son of God (Starfield)
• All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

Weekend Worship Songs 7.25-26.09

What a great weekend of worship. One of our values in the worship ministry of APC is for our worship to be ‘willfully expressed’. We desire to attach our faith to the promises of God. We look for songs that will assist people in doing this. So, here we go:

• How Great Thou Art – this is a great song to kick off with because of its familiarity. We did it upbeat. A good song to use before introducing a new one (which we did).
• Glory to God Forever (new) – amazing new song by Steve Fee & Vicky Beeching. I heard this song at last year’s Catalyst conference and it’s just been released. Very declarative, simple, and engaging.
• God of This City – Great song of prayer/intercession.

Weekend Worship Songs (7.18-19.09)

This weekend, Kate Griffin (other worship leader at APC) led worship.

Here’s what we did:

• Faithful (Steve Fee) – really a great upbeat song. Love the declaration.
• I Have Found (Kim Walker) – we’re continuing to reinforce this tune. Really catching on well with our congregation.
• Stronger (Hillsong) – One of the best songs to come out of Hillsong EVER, in my opinion. Can’t get enough of declaring this truth. We actually did a key change in the bridge which seemed to reinforce the “Let your name be lifted higher” very well.

Weekend Worship Songs

I am going to start posting our worship song setlist from the weekends here at APC. I hope this is simply a practical tool for you worship leaders to see what songs we are doing and how they are working.

This past weekend we had a very high-energy set with some spontaneous moments. It was a powerful time.

• Let God Arise (Chris Tomlin)
• My Savior Lives (NewLife Worship)
• I Have Found (Kim Walker) – this was a new song for us. It’s a song that has an ‘immediate’ effect on people – easy to learn and very catchy. I love the simplicity of it and how it leads you to cry out for the glory of God. Great congregational prayer. Highly recommended.
• All Who Are Thirsty (Brenton Brown) – An older song, but a great follow-up to ‘I Have Found’. It’s helpful to have a simple chorus that enables you to continue pressing into God’s heart in a service.

Are there any new songs you are doing?