Want to grow as a worship leader? Here are ten pieces of advice from seasoned worship leaders about how to grow as a worship leader:
1. Quit being apathetic.
“Architects draw buildings everyday. Professional painters paint every day. Designers draw every day. Great songwriters practice writing every single day. Becoming an expert in what you do, requires practice… and the habit of practicing keeps us from becoming lazy and relying on our personality or charisma. There should be weekly rythyms reserved for practicing our craft, learning scales on the guitar, writing and re-writing, singing, working, refining.” – via Aaron Ivey in 5 Habits To Kill Apathy In Your Ministry
Tweet This: The habit of practicing keeps us from becoming lazy and relying on our personality or charisma. @aaronivey #aswcon
2. Study God.
“It’s easy for a worship leader to believe that if the worship pastor has been doing his homework he or she can coast through. This is completely false! Theology is the study of who God is. We cannot lead people to know a God that we do not know ourselves.” – via Jaleesa McCreary in 4 Lies That Female Worship Leaders Believe
Tweet This: We cannot lead people to know a God that we do not know ourselves. @jaleesamac #aswcon
3. Chase God.
-via Charlie Hall in Humble Yourself Under God’s Hand
Tweet This: Chase God, and you humble yourself under His hand, and then He does whatever He wants. @charliehallband #aswcon
4. View Yourself As A Pastor.
“Even if you don’t have the title ‘pastor’, you are in the function of a shepherd, a pastor.” – via Tony Merida in Music Is Portable Theology
Tweet This: Even if you don’t have the title ‘pastor’, you are in the function of a shepherd, a pastor. @tonymerida #aswcon
5. Stop Comparing Yourself To Others.
“We must rest in our roles and giftings, knowing that they are given to us by God’s design and for the good of the church. When we do so, we fight the desire to compare ourselves to others and, instead, rest in who we are.” – via Daniel Darnell in Fighting Against Envy
Tweet This: We must rest in our roles and giftings, knowing that they are given to us by God’s design. @danieldarnell #aswcon
6. Expression In Worship Is Ok.
“When you smile on stage, you’re teaching others that it’s ok to do so. Some of the best advice I’ve given to worship leaders is to show your congregation that you actually enjoy worshiping God. If a particular line brings you joy, peace, hope, encouragement or any other kind of emotion, show it. So many people think that expression in worship is for the charismatic, when actually it’s for the Christian. Even a simple thing like a smile can change the way we sing. Moreover, it’s pretty hard to make a joyful noise without having a joyful expression.” – via Jimmy McNeal in Creating A Culture Of Expressive Worshippers
Tweet This: Expression in worship isn’t for the charismatic, it’s for the Christian. @jimmymcsings #aswcon
7. Remind Yourself Why We Sing
When you sing, you are singing so that others around you can be filled with the Spirit.
You sing because you person beside might be battling cancer and they need to be filled with the Spirit.
You sing because the person in front of you needs to be reminded of God’s love for them.
We sing out of obedience to the command in scripture.
We sing out of thankfulness to God.
– via Matt Carter in Why Do We Sing At Church?
Tweet This: We sing out of thankfulness to God. @_matt_carter #aswcon
8. Write Songs As A Response To God’s Greatness
“Is God doing something unique right now in your church? The best worship songs, I believe, come out of authentic church experiences with the Lord. I love to hear music that arises from a move of the Holy Spirit. It’s always inspired and fresh. And we should celebrate what God is doing through music. Having the resources and talent is never a good reason to write worship songs and record an album. Unfortunately, many churches are making this mistake. We should write worship songs as a response to God’s greatness, not as a sign of our giftedness.” – via Jimi Williams in Should I Be Writing Songs For My Church?
Tweet This: Having resources and talent isn’t a good reason to write and record a worship album. @Jimi_D_Williams #aswcon
9. Get Out Of The Green Room
– via Jesse Reeves in Get Out Of The Green Room
Tweet This: You shouldn’t live in the green room, you should be accessible to the sheep. @reverendreeves #aswcon
10. Strive For Excellence
“If excellence takes time, then it’s not adequate to pick some songs, simply run through them in a rehearsal, and move on to the next thing. Planning a set list and Sunday liturgy should be top priority, and there should be plenty of time to practice transitions, what you’re saying, where you’re going, and how you’re going to get there. Well-rehearsed set-lists become natural-undistractingly-excellent set lists!” – via Aaron Ivey in 5 Things I Learned About Worship From The Best Chef In Austin
Tweet This: Planning a set list and Sunday liturgy should be top priority. @aaronivey #aswcon