| 03 March 2010
I'm still putting my house back together after last week's fire, but the light is glimmering at the end of the tunnel. We're home tonight, which means I have internet again!
No internet has been tough, but I have to admit it was kind of a nice break. Speedy and I spent a lot of quality time together without the distractions of the world wide web or the DVR. I even taught him how to mash potato and do the twist (and yes, sing the song).
I also had a lot of time to reflect on my role as a worship leader (or lead worshiper as I like to think of it). It's a lot more than just getting up on stage and singing. I've been asked to lead a congregation, most of whom are relatively new to modern worship, in a spirit-filled worship experience. It's a role I've been studying, reflecting on and praying about for some time now, actually before I even joined the praise team.
The big questions right now in my mind are: What is the best way to approach this very important duty? What's the best way to lead?
I found a great article posted on The Worship Community with 10 tips for worship leaders. I thought this would be a great place to start as far as documenting my journey through this ministry. I'd love your feedback as fellow worship leaders, worship team musicians, worshipers, or casual observers.
Tip #1: Watch what you do.
"Be (or become) aware of your body language and gestures. If you can, have someone take a video of you leading worship so that you can observe yourself and see what you might be doing, consciously or unconsciously, that is awkward, distracting or helpful."
I think is great advice for anyone whose role puts them in front of a congregation, or any large group. I'm still pretty nervous up on stage leading, so I catch myself doing some pretty unnatural and awkward things every now and then. It's always at times when I'm most nervous, and usually at times when I've looked in the direction of someone or a group who does not agree with modern worship. I let the thought of "what are they thinking" get into my head, which causes me to lose focus.
Tip #2: Keep your eyes open.
"Watch the congregation. Shocking, I know. In order to lead well, however, you need to know what’s going on around you."
If you haven't experienced modern worship this might seem like no big deal to you, but it definitely is an issue. I close my eyes a lot when I worship. I try to picture what the face of Christ might really look like and often just soak in the presence of God as I sing. When I started as a worship leader, I closed my eyes a lot. I felt like it helped me worship and be an example of worship, but then I realized it's not my job to show people how to worship. I'm supposed to invite them into the worship moment. I need to be aware enough to take cues from the congregation about what is working and what is not.
Tip #3: Sing like you mean it.
"Sing clearly and in such a way that people can easily sing along with you. We’re not being good leaders if people can’t follow! Reflect on and give an appropriate facial or bodily response to the words we sing."
This is one I think I do well, but like any musician I sometimes catch myself going through the motions or focusing more on the technical side of the music. This is supposed to be all for God, so even in practice we need to focus on the meaning of every word and glorify His name.
Tip #4: Cut down on “down time”
"There are two things that commonly happen to a congregant or a vocalist during an instrumental solo or extended instrumental break in a song: either they disconnect (because there’s nothing for them to do) and stand awkwardly waiting for their next cue to sing, or they start noticing and admiring the skill of the instrumentalist. Is this always the case? No. Is it often the case? Probably."
Right now, this is a huge disadvantage for our church, because we're still using tracks. The congregation isn't quite ready for live musicians, but it's coming. I'm glad I stumbled upon this tip though, because it's something I need to think about as we move close to a live band. Right now, we're tied to the track as they are written, but I try my best to fill awkward gaps with meaningful scripture.
Tip#5: Use readings and transitions wisely.
"Be reverent, conversational and sincere, but use appropriate expressiveness and emphasis when you read or speak. Slow down a bit: don’t drag, but remember that not everyone in the congregation is a fast or good reader."
This is another one I became aware of pretty quickly. I talk pretty fast, especially when I'm nervous. I've relied on emphasis to help me not only slow down, but to add meaning to the text. I just take cues from my newspaper writing days and emphasize the verbs. It seems to be working out pretty well. This article talks about emphasizing the verbs too, so that's nice confirmation that I'm doing something right.
Tip #6: Show and tell.
"Show or tell people how the song we’ve just sung relates to what we’ve just done or are about to do. Mention the Scriptural truth that gives us the basis for this action, song, or activity. Be honest about how our feelings may not seem to line up with what we’ve just sung or what we are about to sing, pointing out that truth is not so subjective.
This is the first time I've heard this one, but I can already see why it's so important. I've looking for something to tie in the songs better to not only the sermon, but also just tie the songs together. I'm excited to get started on this one.
Tip #7: Get engaged.
"One big factor in on-stage presence is what we’re doing when the focus is not on us. People can still see you, and they are watching you if you’re on stage. At our church, we often have a liturgist do the readings in between songs. During those times, it’s crucial that those who are on stage, even if they’re not talking or playing, model what it means to be engaged in what is going on. If someone else on stage is talking or reading, turn your body and your head towards them. Listen to what they are saying. React appropriately. You are leading even in those moments."
This is another one I never thought of, and a tip I want to bring to the praise teams at our church. I'm a people watcher, so I should have seen this one coming. If we aren't paying attention up on stage, why should the congregation?
Tip #8: Practice, Practice, Practice.
"One of the best ways to look and feel comfortable and relaxed and engaging on stage is to know what you’re doing. Learn the words and music to the songs so you can look up from the page and establish eye contact with the congregation. Practice your readings out loud several times so that you are familiar with all the words before the service. Run through the order of the set and service as a team before going up on stage so that everyone knows what’s happening when and where."
This one is a no brainer, but when you're fitting in preparations for Sunday into every week... it's so easy to get caught up in life and next you know it's Saturday night. Sweet-D, who is in charge of the sound and running the program for our service elements, and I have actually scheduled an additional practice on the weekends to make sure we're ready for Sunday. Every now and then we just don't have time, like for instance when our kitchen catches on fire (I had to go there, didn't I?). I notice a huge difference in how worship flows when we don't make that practice a priority.
Tip #9: Embrace imperfection.
"Whoa! That caught your attention, huh? What I mean is that, when it comes to worship leadership and serving the Church–much like anything else we attempt to do–perfection is rarely possible and certainly not our ultimate goal. The unexpected and unfortunate will happen. No matter how much we practice, we will forget lyrics. We will stumble over phrases. We will feel and look awkward. But, you know what? More often than not, those imperfections can serve as a gentle reminder to us and everyone else that what we’re doing is not a performance to entertain and wow, but rather the people of the Lord living and worshipping together as family. Our congregations are not crowds and audiences to be impressed. Be humbled by that. Be freed by that!"
That's big and very easy to forget. I don't think I know any worship leader who goes out there to wow, but we all want to do it perfectly. We don't want to miss a note or forget a word. We're doing it for God, so we want it to be perfect. We also don't want to embarrass ourselves up there. But I like the way the author of this article worded this tip. Thank you for that.
Tip #10: Pray.
"If it’s a day ending in “y,” then it’s a day in which you’ve experienced the pervasive power of sin in your own heart and mind. We customarily and easily fall into thinking more about ourselves than those we serve. We want to be admired and respected and affirmed and praised for what we do and how we do it. We want to shine. We want things to go smoothly, to feel in control, to avoid conflict and evade embarrassment. We are obsessive and fearful and insecure and prideful. So we must pray. Grow ever quicker to acknowledge and confess your sin before the Lord and those who hold you accountable. Ask the Lord to make you useful to Him in ministry. Ask Him for wisdom and guidance in how to love and lead His people well. Pray for and cultivate a humble, teachable heart to learn from those who give you feedback and serve as mentors. Pray for those you serve, and those with whom you lead. Pray together faithfully as a team."
I couldn't have said it better myself. This is the most important tip when you're involved on any level at the church. I've made this a priority as I get deeper into this ministry. I want every worship experience to be spirit led. I can't do anything on my own as well as I can with God guiding me. I've realized that through this journey, not only the leading worship part of my story, but also my return to music in general. I'm so grateful to be in a position to bring music that glorifies God to as many people as I can. I'm humbled by the opportunity to sing again. I see so much grace in my life and my ministry that I've vowed to pray over every step. After all if we don't do this for God, then what's the point?
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