This isn’ t just song choice— it’ s discipleship.
5. SAY SOMETHING( JUST NOT EVERYTHING)
A short welcome, one scripture, a simple transition— yes.
A six-minute monologue about how the song reminds you of your summer mission trip in 1998— no.
Give your teammates a simple framework:
• One line of welcome
• One thought or scripture
• One sentence of transition And then … Rehearse it. Record it. Review it. Make space for growth. That’ s what Ephesians 4 leadership looks like: equipping others to speak, not just sing.
6. COACH THE TEAM TO LOOK ALIVE
Nothing kills an intro moment like a platfom full of people tuning pedals, adjusting capos, or staring at the floor while someone tries to speak.
8. LEAD BOLDLY, THEN STEP BACK
You’ re not the star. You’ re the guide.
Get people singing, then get out of the way. And train your team to do the same. Talk about what leadership looks like after the mic is down.
Teach them the joy of watching a room worship— not because of you, but because of Jesus.
9. KEEP IT SIMPLE, MULTIPLY THE LEADERS
The more complex your opener, the harder it is to hand off. If your opening moment involves a spontaneous chant, a loop station, and a lighting cue timed to a reverse cymbal swell— it might not be reproducible.
Simple songs and structures create space for growth. Choose openers that others on your team can lead with confidence.
You don’ t need to build a moment. You need to build someone who can build a moment. equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
That includes the worship team. That includes the intro moment. That includes your 17-yearold acoustic player who isn’ t sure if she can lead a song yet.
Don’ t hold the mic so tightly that no one else ever learns how to hold it. Teach. Model. Invite. Coach. Hand it off.
You may be the most seasoned, confident, and Spirit-tuned worship leader in your church— but if no one else is growing in your shadow, your ministry stops with you.
Real leadership multiplies. It prepares the next wave. It builds the church. And sometimes, it sounds like letting your alto speak the welcome while you play a pad and pray she remembers to breathe.
Train your team to carry what you carry. Trust them with real responsibility. And when they fumble? Smile. That’ s the sound of growth.
Teach your team to treat that intro like the start of worship— not a soundcheck rerun. Eyes up. Heart engaged. Present in the moment.
Then give different team members a shot at leading intros. Not just the outgoing ones. Not just the 20-somethings with broadcast voices. Everyone has a voice worth training.
7. PLAN TO FLOW( AND PRACTICE THE FLOW)
The Holy Spirit can work through spontaneity and structure. So plan flexible moments. Rehearse how to repeat a chorus or add a pause. And most importantly, ** teach others how to discern when it’ s Spirit-led and when it’ s just“ we forgot what came next.”
Worship leading isn’ t just about reacting. It’ s about reading the room with spiritual eyes. That’ s teachable. But only if you make space to teach it.
10. DO A TEAM GUT CHECK
Before your Sunday gathering, ask these together:
• Is our opener intentional and welcoming?
• Is someone besides me leading part of this?
• Does our team know they’ re leading from the first note?
• Have we practiced handing off the mic, not just the chord chart?
If so, great. If not— what a great discipleship opportunity.
FINAL WORD: DON’ T JUST LEAD— EQUIP.
Ephesians 4:11-12 isn’ t just a passage for pastors and preachers. It’ s a calling for all of us leading from the front of the room:
Christ gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers— to
Because worship leadership isn’ t just about getting the room to sing. It’ s about building up the Body of Christ.
And yes— even that includes how you start the first song.
God isn’ t waiting for perfect. He’ s looking for surrendered.
Because worship isn’ t about spotlight. It’ s about presence. And the beauty is— God always shows up. Even when the click doesn’ t.
Matt Miller Matt lives in Cincinnati, OH with his wife Kara and their daughter Melody. He’ s the Head Coach of WorshipTeamCoach. com and WorshipWorkshop. com— two platforms helping worship leaders make every Sunday exceptional. Interested in coaching or mentorship? Learn more at... WorshipTeamCoach. com WorshipWorkshop. com
38 July 2025 Subscribe for Free...