Ever-Changing Tools Of the Trade
Every craftsman has a toolbox. A
mechanic, a wood worker and a metal fabricator all use tools to help manufacture and maintain their wares. Even in a personal sense, we need skills to communicate and operate in society. Being an
effective worship leader requires specific skills and tools, many of which have changed drastically in the past several years.
A degree from seminary or Bible
school, with a concentration in choral music and a foundation in
classical theory, doesn't fully prepare the 21st Century
worship leader as it may have in the past. Skills in areas such as team building, leading a worship band and singers while playing guitar or
piano, instrumental arranging, knowledge in lighting, sound and video
equipment, and proficiency in certain software programs for music
notation, audio recording and video editing, all contribute
to the success of a contemporary music minister.
A Modern Version of Corporate Worship
Actually, the job of a worship leader these days is not unlike that of a TV or live concert
producer: The pressure to put on a full-blown music and preaching
extravaganza each week--incorporating theater lighting and sound, captured on multiple high-definition cameras--can be typical fare.
A former pastor with whom I served for several years often
said, “The problem with church is that it happens every week!” The
fact is, once we complete last week's production critique, there is
barely enough time left to high-five our team members because we need to focus on
next week's production. Then there's Easter, Christmas and a
smattering of special services throughout the calendar year that require
attention.
Look over the requirements for some worship leader positions and you may see a
list of qualifying attributes that only Superman could fill! I've
even seen small churches--200 in attendance or less--looking for
super-heroes to fill their worship leader position. Usually, the salary isn't commensurate with the requirements. Some churches like to add
student ministries to the load of a worship leader, and when that is
required, burnout is a big possibility.
Corporate worship--in the modern
sense, and across denominational lines—usually involves a
comfortable environment in a clean facility, with superb childcare,
offering a spiritually uplifting message, with an excellent
audio/visual experience, in the span of between an hour and an hour
and thirty minutes. The worship experience in the 21st Century has
evolved into a consumer-oriented activity, and the contrast between
first century worship and today is drastically different.
What's A Worship Leader To Do?
When I attempt to break down the “job
description” of a worship leader, I state the essentials from an
historic point of view--one that doesn't take into consideration a
building, technical aspects, or congregation size. It simply
describes the function of the position:
- To serve the local church with excellence
- To be a servant leader
- To follow the direction of the Holy Spirit
- To help Christ-followers encounter God personally
- To facilitate God-focused moments of corporate worship
- To assist the leadership in fostering spiritual growth of the congregation
- To make Christ known to the local community
- To make Christ known throughout the world
- To do all for the glory of God
The term “worship leader” isn't
found anywhere in the Bible. In 1Timothy 2:5, Paul states that there
is no “mediator” between God and man but Jesus. Therefore, most
instances in the Bible where worship takes place happens without a
specific leader (although in the case of worship in the
Tabernacle and the Temple at Jerusalem, there was a system brought to
the process of worship). Still, even in the New Testament, as well as
in today's churches, God doesn't require a worship leader to stand up
with an acoustic guitar and a handful of worship choruses to foster
worship among His people.
In Hebrews 10:19-22 Paul encourages us
to draw near to God:
“Therefore, brothers and
sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by
the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us hrough
the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest
over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart
and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts
sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our
bodies washed with pure water. (NIV)”
In the Old Testament, there was a
High Priest who went before God on our behalf (Leviticus 16). Rituals
were practiced, including animal sacrifices, and blood was offered to
cleanse our sin. These annual offerings on the Day of Atonement were
but a precursor, a symbol of what Jesus would eventually accomplish
in His death and resurrection. In the New Testament, our new High
Priest, Jesus, became the sole sacrifice for our sins, once and for
all time. Because of this we now have the confidence to meet and
fellowship with God. We, therefore, are encouraged to draw near to
God, having been cleansed, with a guilt-free conscience.
Back To the Basics
Jesus is the true Worship Leader! We as music ministers
are simply servants in our churches, available to help facilitate corporate
worship. This music leadership role has rapidly evolved in recent years, as the Church strives to remain culturally relevant and to keep up with ever-changing technologies. I believe that, while improving our corporate worship experiences, we also have an obligation to assist our congregation in their private worship time. As my wife Brenda
says: “Often, one's personal worship time is less a priority
than their corporate worship; it should be just the opposite.” The songs we teach each week are excellent tools for spiritual growth, for spreading hope and encouragement.
In Ephesians 5:18-20 we read:
“Do not get drunk on wine, which
leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking
to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing
and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to
God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ. (NIV)”
In Hebrews 10:25, Paul writes:
“Let us not give up meeting
together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage
one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)”
As we have seen, God does require
believers to:
- Draw near to Him
- Be filled with the Holy Spirit
- Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit
- Give thanks to God the Father for everything
- Meet regularly to encourage each other in the faith
What Have We Created?
Outside of that, what have we created in today's modern version of corporate worship? If in our churches we have strayed from the central focus of Christ, we must find our way back to the heart and soul of worship as it was originally intended.
