We often have a love-hate relationship with our congregations – is that okay to say?! Some of us have this beautiful environment where the majority is open to what God is doing and willing to be led. Others have the type of tension you could cut with a knife, between generational preferences and theological differences on worship. There’s a balance I think we’re called to though it can be hard to manage expectations without becoming people pleasing, or wrestle with the tension of moving into new places God is evidently calling your congregation deeper into with more ease and steadiness of pace.
Regardless of how we feel we’re fundamentally called to love them, and love them well. When we are obedient to loving well, we begin to lead well and that’s when God can do some of His best work. I’m not sure of your church family’s make up, but let’s assume we’re on the same page: that our desire is to ultimately obey the simple command to Love God, Love People. That’s what a worship pastor is right? I.e. Worship – the Love God part. Pastor – the Love People part.
The loving God part is relatively easy because our relationship with Him is up to us and ongoing. But the loving People part… well, that’s where the challenges can arise because a large part of your role in serving His people is finding what works for your context and demographic, and finding that sweet spot by recognising, accepting and drawing out your church’s unique calling. But I believe we are relatively on the same page in inviting them to experiencing the deep riches of an encounter with Jesus, teaching the importance of the “why” and then the “how” by leading them there. We’re called as worship leaders to take them on the journey throughout the seasons not just throughout the songs.
Invitation
Have you ever been in a predicament where everyone else is invited to the party and somehow your invitation was lost in the mail – or perhaps never sent? Invitations play such a significant role in our lives alone, so it’s no different to church life. We invite people into our home, we invite people into connect groups, we invite people to do life with us. We invite people to know Jesus. But when it comes to singing we often fall into the regularity of a song’s verse, chorus, verse, chorus, second chorus, instrumental that might have a cool lead guitar lick, bridge that builds, epic tacet then chorus, chorus, chorus, chorus, etc…. and it’s here it is easily forgotten for the new person or the well accustomed person to idle. It’s our role as worship leaders to invite our congregations to new levels in their worship experience.
Teach
How do we extend on an invitation? We show them the way. Just like on an invitation if there is no destination the extension is useless. It might be generous, or inclusive but it is useless if there is no where to go. By inviting your congregation to a deeper experience with God, we’re saying to them “Come where I’ve just been, its awesome, I’ll show you how to get there and tell you why along the way.” Effective leadership comes down to effective communication, so teaching your congregation the why behind the what is fundamental.
You might consider a teaching series from the platform which could unpack what worship looks like throughout the Bible or generationally. You might also consider teaching them incrementally from the platform. Pick a direction that nests under the mantle of your church’s direction and dwell in it. As you lead from the Word, draw out ways to practically connect not only on a Sunday but the rest of the week. Unpack your Why’s. People are far more willing to participate in something they can understand.
Practically this might mean teaching them why you have musical instrumentals or maybe you’re in a church with no room for free worship, it might mean beginning adding 4-8 bar turn arounds to songs. Or trying a modern variations of hymns like Passion Conference’s arrangement of In Christ Alone.
Either way, your people will only go where you have gone and understood, so another part of teaching is learning yourself. Remain teachable in the process because God will be speaking to you in implement what you expect of the people also, which is fun and somewhat daunting at the same time!
Lead them
Remember how I said earlier loving our people well means leading them well? Let’s lead them with grace and gentleness – don’t shout at them or tell them what to do. Guide them, take them on the journey with you. Always invite them to go deeper and never forget to point them to Jesus.
You can love your congregation by leading well from the platform, but what I’ve found is building relationship with your people off the platform will be one of your greatest assets as a worship leader. When you build relationship with someone, you build trust. When people feel trust you, they feel safe and secure, they have an idea of where they’re going and they’re no longer distracted by what was originally in the front of the minds when they came to church that Sunday. When they enter into the house of God, they enter into His presence. People might like skilled musicians and a good set but if there is no effort on your part to care for them, they are less likely to follow where you will lead them. I’ve heard it and I see it often, we tend to gravitate toward the team post service and hide away a little, we forget that developing relationships with His people is the main reason we are doing it. You can’t do that 100% of the time from the platform. So sweet one, go tend to His flock – after all it’s why you do what you do! Remember first and foremost it’s people over program. Every. Time.
On stage though we can lead them well practically by:
Verbally cue them, read from the word.
Be engaged in the moment.
You’re phsycially leading them as well with your body language and physical rep of worship.
Make eye contact.
Smile.
Connect with them in the moment.
Make it inclusive: let us…, I pray we… We come before you… etc. Use inclusive language so it’s not an “us” against “them” thing.
At the end of the day, be present to what God is doing in your church, read the room and be sensitive to His movements. Worship Him, Love His People.
God delights in seeing His children gather and honour Him. So sweet one have fun, worship God. Keep the main thing the main thing. After all, love always wins.
Until next time… xox