Creating Great Moments In Worship, Part 11: Raising Up Priests

In worshiping God, we do three things simultaneously: 1) Acknowledge who He is [Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and worthy of praise]; 2) Acknowledge who we are [incomplete apart from His presence, provision, forgiveness, love and guidance] ; 3) Confess our absolute dependance upon Him. As worship leaders, we play an important role in the church as purveyors of corporate and personal worship.

Worship isn't simply limited to the song service before the sermon. Rather, as an act of prayer, it is all of life (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Our bodies were intended to be temples of worship (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). And according to Scripture, every believer is a priest whose duty is to bring sacrifices to God (1 Peter 2:9). The sacrifice we bring to God is ourselves--living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Him (Romans 12:1-2). The temple priests in the Old Testament took turns serving within a 24-hour period. Now as priests ourselves, each believer serves God 24 hours a day. So, worship is an around-the-clock exercise! We offer our thoughts, our motives, our jobs, our friends, our family, our wills and our future to Him in worship.

Since we were created to worship God and fellowship with Him, worship is the ultimate virtue. Therefore when we worship, we are fulfilling our true purpose-- mentally, spiritually and physically. The honor given to us as worship leaders is to facilitate worship in the congregation--helping to raise up priests in the church.

I was recently in a suburb of Pittsburgh working with the worship team of a small church. In attendance was a marriage and family counselor who also served as a volunteer on the worship team. He interjected a very interesting perspective on worship from his years of education and experience in counseling. His comments were so poignant that I asked if I could share them here.

Bill Halle, founder and CEO of Grace Youth and Family Foundation in Butler, Pennsylvania, has worked with many broken and battered lives over the years. As a therapist, he has helped bring many to healing through Christ. The thoughts he shares should encourage those of us who lead to better understand the importance of worship in the church.

In the realm of behavioral science and counseling, we know that human emotions do not know the difference between what is right and what is wrong, or what is real and what is not real. Our emotions simply respond to the stimuli on which we choose to focus our thoughts. If we fill our minds with Satan’s lies/error, our emotions will ultimately lead us to choices of sinful behavior. If we fill our minds with God’s word/truth our emotions will ultimately lead us to choices of Godly behavior. This is the importance of the simple principles found in Philippians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 10:5 and 1Corinthians 6:12. It is on what we focus our conscious thoughts that will make all the difference in our life experience and walk of faith (Proverbs 23:7 John 8:31).

Satan intentionally leads people’s emotions to sinful behavior with error. We as worship leaders must be equally if not more intentional about leading people’s emotions to godly behavior through the truth of His word.

Our job as a worship leader is vital to the health of the church. It isn't to simply pump out music each week, but to partner with the pastor to raise up priests!