Basically…..

Lately I’ve been thinking about the role of “worship expression” in context to a believers gathering.

Historically…ok in my history….music seemed to play an educationally reinforcing role in the church. It affirmed the message and/or the doctrine of the particular church I happened to be attending. As I grew up I began to notice that the music moved from this platform to one of an interactive time between believers and God.

Both are good in my estimation.

More and more as I grow as a worship leader I keep finding that a question keeps forming in my mind.

“What am I experiencing during our time of community worship and what impact is it having on my life?”

Am I becoming more devoted in my attempts to follow Jesus? Do I tap my toes because the music is fun? Does it convict me and challenge me? Do I enjoy the energy in the room as everyone sings in one voice? Do I fall in love with God more and more? Do I really sing to God? Does God meet with me in the quiet chambers of my heart. Is this the purpose of it all?

Honestly, I’d have to answer yes and no to all of the above.

I’m not so sure “what” we are supposed to be experiencing but I think the point is to be experiencing! Singing is not a passive act.

As a worship leader one of my passions is to enhance a believer’s ( or one investigating Christ) spiritual life. To give them a method and language that God can use for His purposes in their lives is important to me. Discipleship involves helping people move from what life without Christ is like and into what life with Christ is like. Worship leading makes investments in discipling others that is why experiencing God…in whatever way He desires, is crucial. ( I say that not always knowing or understanding what way God desires for us to know Him, but scripture is clear that if we draw near to Him, He will be found.)

Bigger church gatherings have more constraints on them when it comes to worship singing and prayer. There are more logistics that determine the length and breadth of the time spent singing or praying. Irregardless, the question is am I experiencing something that moves me to God? To me the most crucial part of planning for a large gathering is prayer. We can talk and plan all we want but if someone’s heart doesn’t want to seek God in worship, well…it’s not going to happen. Has this time set aside for worship been birthed in prayer? Do we pray first, plan second?

Smaller churches have the opportunity to be more, to sound current, “organic”. They are free to gather informally for rehearsal and see what God leads them to. In that same fashion they enter into the worship stage of the service and they are free to respond to what needs arise in their midst. Yet, the question is still the same, am I experiencing something that moves me to God? Sometimes the stage of a smaller venue can lead worship experiences to evolve into a concert of sorts because it is so much fun as musicians to plan unscripted. The focus can easily shift from God to us.

So this lingering thought for me is prayer.

Am I committed as a worship leader to pray for the moments I lead? Am I willing to step out of the way and ask God to reveal Himself in the way that He sees necessary? Do I desire to do whatever it takes to surrender my giftedness to God because I whole heartedly believe His plans are so much better than mine? Do I see corporate worship a tool of discipleship, no matter the size or constraints of the particular size of the group I happen to be serving?

I know this all sounds very basic and not in the least bit newly profound.

I guess this is simply a heart check for my leadership and a charge to continue the dialog about meaningful experiences in our moments of worshipful singing and prayer.