In just days, Break Forth Canada 2011 will have launched with an expected 15,000 people. Needless to say, we're full-steam ahead.
I'm blessed that my good friend, Dan Thiessen has written such an excellent guest blog on "The Pastor, Worship Leader and Worship Team." All of these roles are intrinsically valuable but functioning together as a team increases the impact of congregational worship. Conversely, when harmony doesn't exist between members of the team, and there is a confusion of roles and responsibilities, the entire worship life of your congregation can become lifeless. Dan Thiessen is an author, pastor, songwriter, worship leader, recording artist and entrepreneur. We're blessed to have him write while we prepare for Break Forth Canada 2011 (January 28 - 30).
Important Note: Although the Break Forth Canada 2011 main conference sold out last November, there are still tickets available for all of the concerts (with artists such as Casting Crowns, Leeland, Paul Baloche, Brian Doerksen, Desperation Band, Pocket Full of Rocks, Jared Anderson, 33Miles, Downhere, Steve Bell, Building 429, Bluetree, Joel Auge, Don Poythress, Linnea Salte, Junkyard Poets, Jon Bauer, Derek Gust, Geoff Moore and more!)
There is also space available for our Pre-Conference Intensive Learning Workshops in 24 Different All-Day Seminars. Study Worship Leadership, Worldview, Vocal, Video, Student Ministry, Spiritual Renewal, Sound, Songwriting, Small Groups, Prayer, Praise Team Skills, Marriage, Lighting, Leadership, Keyboards, Healing Transformation, Guitar - Electric, Guitar - Bass, Guitar - Acoustic, Evangelism, Drums, Church Governance, Children's Ministry and Blended Family Ministry). With presenters like Dr. Gary Chapman (Five Love Languages), Paul Baloche, Brian Doerksen and more - you will not want to miss this. Just register on site.
Worship – Pastor, Worship Leader and Worship Team
Part Two – The Worship Leader
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| Dan Thiessen |
Today we will be discussing the role of the worship leader and their relationship with the pastor. Before we do that, though, we need to refresh the premise for worship in II Kings chapter three. There we find three kings fighting a common enemy. One king suggests they bring in a prophet to give them a strategy to fight this battle. The prophet Elisha comes but first asks that a musician play. As the musician plays, Elisha hears then speaks the word of God with authority.
If we were to use this premise for our worship services then the musician would be the worship leader and the prophet would be whoever is speaking/preaching that service. If you’ll notice, the musician’s name is not given. The musician was called in to serve a process, a larger process than the playing of their instrument. This was definitely a serving position. A position many (all) worship leaders need to understand.
When I think of worship leading I can’t help but think of another example from scripture. John the Baptist had a significant role in preparing the world for the Messiah. He had no intention of developing a followership and certainly had no intentions of drawing attention away from Jesus. His famous words of “He (Jesus) must increase and I (John) must decrease” come into play here.
Worship leading has its own authority while in worship but will always defer when the lead authority needs to speak. It really is a conundrum for some because in some settings we give the worship leader too much authority and in some settings not enough. At the end of the day, though, the pastor is the final authority in the worship setting and the worship leader needs to walk and model submission to their pastor.
Regarding the relationship between the worship leader and the pastor a worship leader must:
1. Remind themselves constantly that they are there leading worship at the behest of the pastor and to show the respect and honor that is due. Leading their congregation in worship is a privilege and not a right and not one to be taken lightly. Develop a culture of gratefulness. Publicly thank them for the privilege of leading their flock in worship.
2. Remind themselves constantly that they are there leading worship to serve a process and not to fulfill their unmet needs. And just to remind you, the process is for the presence of God to be manifest in such a way that the pastor can speak with greater authority.
3. Remind themselves constantly that they are not the pastor and thus are to model servanthood. Humility and worship leading go hand in hand. There was a time when worship leaders would use leading as an opportunity to preach. I do not see that as much anymore but it is still there. DO NOT PREACH…LEAD!
4. Remind themselves constantly that when they lead worship they are part of the sheep that are being led. There is no “Us – Them” in worship. There is no “You guys…” in worship. What there is in worship is, “We…”. If God wants to communicate something through you to the congregation you are part of that congregation and speak as though God is speaking to you not just through you.
5. Remind themselves constantly that when they are done leading worship that is not the end of the service. A worship leader needs to listen to the sermon intently and to be emotionally present. Sadly many worship leaders disconnect once they are done leading worship and can’t wait for the service to be over. Whether you realize it or not you are being watched and will reproduce after your kind.
6. Remind themselves constantly that they are accountable both on and off the platform to the pastor. Accountability works so much better when initiated by the worship leader. Imagine going to the pastor and saying, “Pastor, I want to hold myself accountable to you, to live a life worthy of leading your congregation in worship. I give you access to speak into my life and to direct me if I in any way distract the congregation from worshipping Jesus by my life or how I lead.”
The pastor/worship leader relationship is vital to the full manifestation of the presence of God during worship. If there is any kind of disunity whatsoever the congregation will pick that up and it will cause a distraction. If the relationship is right, the worship will be right. Remember, God’s presence is more fully manifested in unity (dedication of Solomon’s temple, where two or three are gathered…). Work towards unity and the rest will take care of itself.
Finally, a gentle reminder: you are not the pastor you are the worship leader. Lead in worship.
Next, we will address the worship team.
Dan Thiessen
