on backing tracks . This article is focused on the actual leading we do during worship .
Worship leading is not just playing and singing , and it is most definitely not regurgitating the radio . As I mentioned in my last article , the worship leader serves as a tour guide , a teacher , and an example … someone taking others to a place where they have personally been by communicating what needs to be understood and showing what worship looks like .
I have a son and a son-in-law who both lead worship along with many other friends across the country who lead worship or play and I try to watch some of each of their livestreams every week . In watching so many services , I see a lot of examples that are good and a lot that are not-so-good .
Back in the ‘ 80 ’ s when I began leading , our examples to follow were the music ministers who would simply say , “ Turn in your hymn books to number 370 and let ’ s sing ‘ Victory in Jesus .’” The more engaging leaders would add a Biblical truth or a scripture to help us connect with the Lord as we sang . Hey , that ’ s it ! That ’ s still the goal today … to help people engage with Jesus as they sing .
So , what do you say that will accomplish this goal ? Just saying , “ Come on !” every now and then does not encourage engagement . Think about it . How many churches in America this past Sunday heard the same opening lines at the end of the video countdown ? “ Welcome to ( First Baptist ) Church . Stand and worship with us .” The click begins , the downbeat hits , and they ’ re off .
I ’ m not saying that ’ s bad , or I ’ m trying not to . Can we prepare better by next Sunday ?
What if at the end of the video countdown , the keys or ambient guitar swells up an “ A ” chord as the lights come up . “ Welcome to ( First Baptist ) Church . We are here to praise God for what He has done and to worship Him for Who He is . The Bible tells us that God inhabits the praise of His people . Let ’ s welcome Him in this place as we lift our voices together !” The click starts , the downbeat hits , and people will engage with a purpose as you begin “ Praise ” by Elevation Worship or whatever your opening song is .
We want people to sing with a purpose . Have you ever been singing along with the radio to songs you ’ ve known your “ whole life ” only to have reality hit you in the face as you realize the immorality in the lyrics that you seemingly never paid attention to ? We don ’ t want people swept up in a grooving sound and great production , yet not understanding what they are singing .
That ’ s where leading is needed and we can do that with adlibs or speaking . We need to point out truths and / or how to apply truths in the songs we sing . But we need to do it in consolidated chunks , so that we do not break the flow of worship . I served with someone who wanted to read seven to fifteen verses of Scripture before every single song . The entire service felt like a train wreck of distractions . Flow keeps people connected . Think of how exhausting it would be if you were to pull into every parking lot and driveway as you made your way driving down the street .
It takes practice to facilitate flow . This ties back to the previous two articles . If you are staring at a chord chart or lyrics on the wall , you simply cannot lead . If you are so locked into an arrangement ( track ), there is less room for leading people or listening to the Holy Spirit .
So , let ’ s get practical . Consider these points .
• Tracks are not bad … roll with them , but practice places you can kill them ( without it being obvious ) and flow with the instruments you have on platform .
• It ’ s helpful to have a droning pad playing separate from your tracks so that sound can continue even if you kill the tracks . See my review of the Aerospace pedal .
• Just because it ’ s more convenient for your drummer to fire the tracks does not mean that they are the best choice or the most in-tune with the worship leader . Tracks fired too early or too late are a problem . Personally , I prefer to use a foot pedal as I know best when I am about to speak and for how long … no hand-signals needed .
• The tracks fill out the song musically , but an extra , tagged chorus or bridge does not demand the same dynamic . If you are tagging a bridge or chorus , it should be because people are responding … that is your dynamic .
• Adlibs can be used to send signals to the band and lyrics , and they can also be used to reinforce an important truth you ’ ve sung … don ’ t just copy the artist or the radio … come up with your own and don ’ t be wordy . It ’ s not a time to show off .
• Try planning to NOT adlib or speak during certain songs . Sometimes we just say too much and get in the way of the Holy Spirit .
• What ’ s your philosophy about who speaks or prays during a worship set ? I see many churches having two to four leaders across the platform . Each one leads a song and during that song , they are the “ leader .” Though it can be done well , I see too many examples where it is awkward . Guests can leave confused as to who the leader is . Sometimes , it ’ s like … Chad is leading the third song , but it ’ s his first time to speak and he may as well be saying , ” Hi , my name is Chad and I too am a worship leader .” ( Audience : “ Hello , Chad ”). The leading needs to have a flow . Trust can ’ t be built when the leader baton keeps getting handed off .
I encourage you to find other churches to watch that you enjoy and study and learn from them . What makes you enjoy them ? What are they doing to lead the people ? I certainly could recommend some to watch . Email me and ask if you ’ re interested . Worship leaders … don ’ t forget to worship ; don ’ t forget to lead .
Mitch Bohannon Mitch developed the Short-Cut Capo for Kyser and is the Director of Live Production at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles , Louisiana .
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