Thoughts for the Worshipper and Worship Leader.

I just finished possibly the best chapter of any book I have ever read. It's no secret I have been on a Chris Tomlin kick as of late. Ok, a kick may be the understatement of the century. But there is something undeniable about his heart for worship, worshippers, and ultimately, the Lord. His book The Way I Was Made has been on my shelf for years. I bought it in college, gave it a half-hearted read and put it back on the shelf. A recent explosion of passion for worship and worship leading has put the book back in my hands (as has an obsession with his music). The chapter is called "Spirit Overflow" and the big idea is Chris just sharing some knowledge of worship leading and worship in general. Several things jumped out at me starting off with this one.

Chris tells a story about playing a summer festival and in the middle of a song, he noticed people cheering at incorrect spots during the song. He stepped back to see the crowd and he saw them doing the wave and playing with a beachball. He instantly had a choice to make: Let them continue and not have to challenge anyone and thus be liked! Or talk to them and risk losing them, but keep the integrity of the worship pure. He chose to talk to them. They settled down and the rest of the service was without incident and powerful. He says, "I wasn't up there on that stage to make music or be popular. I was there to lead worship."

I find myself occasionally struggling with that. I sometimes make worship about fun and easy. I know I need to grow in worship being all about God and not me or the entertainment value.

Another thing that Chris said was that the Spirit is the ultimate lead worshipper and we should follow Him wherever he leads, no matter what the cost. If we do that, our worship will always be pleasing to God.

However, the most challenging thing that I read was this: " The truth is, the more competent and prepared you are, the more you are able to be invisible. It becomes just the music, the worshipper, and God. That's the real goal of excellence for any worship musician." Ah! Become invisible! That's the goal! It's not a cool chord change! It's not that awesome lead lick! It's to fade away... be invisible... If we did that perfectly, worship would be so much more powerful. That should be what we strive for as a worship leader and band. The personalities of the individual should disappear. So easy to say, so hard to actually do...

Finally, he addresses the issue of song selection and the leaders role in how the service goes. I have to admit this was pretty eye-opening. It's not that I didn't care about the songs that I picked. But this just helped me to see it in a new way.

1. Don't start with, "We always..."

Don't get bogged down in tradition.

2. Listen to God's heart

Let God move you.

3. Favor God-focused songs

Pay attention to lyric content and remain true to real worship. It's all about God.

4. Keep the motion in mind

Think about how the songs will work together to lead the worshippers to the end goal.

5. Feel the tempo

The tempo will affect the attitudes of the worshippers. Don't have three fast songs in a row or three power-anthems in a row.

6. Think about flow

Do the songs, tempos, and keys fit well? This is how you can become invisible.

7. Teach new songs

New songs are new breath and new blood to a steady group of worshippers. New songs keep worship fresh.

8. Keep a list of options

Have a main setlist, but have backup songs to allow the Spirit to lead you away from your predetermined songs. To be flexible you must be prepared to be flexible.

9. "Live it through" before you sing it through

Be the spiritual leader. Pray through the list. Sing through the list. Get your focus right before leading.

10. Read the audience

See how the worshippers are responding to certain themes, lines, and songs. React accordingly and you can really take it to the next level.

One last departing thought. Competence is not a fruit of the Spirit. You don't have to have it all together to be a worshipper of God. None of us do. Not one. By grace we all approach the throne of God. We live and breath in the righteousness and mercy of Jesus.