As pastors and preachers, we know how important music is to the worship experience. As a result, the person who leads music plays a key role in how effective our services may be in leading people into meaningful worship.
I have come to believe there are three key characteristics we need in a worship leader. (Yes, I believe the pastor is the ultimate worship leader, but this term has come to be accepted in many of our churches today.)
The worship leader must be a sincere worshipper. The role of worship leader is not that of a performer who stands above the congregation; the worship leader must reflect a dynamic faith in Christ that is expressed in his or her own worship. The congregation will, in its own worship expression, rarely rise above what it sees in the worship leader. (Pastors, the congregation members also need to see us sincerely involved in worship.)
The worship leader should focus on participation, not performance. In too many churches, a small and declining percentage of the congregation actually is engaged in singing. (I was in one church recently where it appeared about one-fourth of the people were joining in the worship music, and perhaps 10 percent of the men.) There are many reasons why this can happen, such as loud amplification of those on stage, drowning out the congregation, or use of songs that are better suited to a solo performance but difficult for a congregation to sing. The effective worship leader focuses on ways to engage the maximum number of people in the worship experience.
The worship leader is a ministry partner. One of the greatest gifts you can give your church is a partnership of pastor and worship leader in which they pray together, plan together and mutually seek to involve the people in worship that draws them into the presence of God.
Blessings!
Michael Duduit
MDuduit@SalemPublishing.com
www.MichaelDuduit.com
Follow on Twitter @MichaelDuduit