Have you ever left a worship service, evaluating "how good it was" or stating the opposite? Would it surprise you to know that as worshipers the role of "worship service critic" was one that the Lord never left open for us? Why? Because worship is not for us. It is for Him! I am ashamed to say that there have been times when I have fallen prey to slipping into a critiquing mode, not from the pew but from the platform while I was leading worship. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1
In Romans the Bible tells us that OUR LIVES ARE THE SACRIFICE! In the OT the sacrifice was laid on the altar and consumed by the fire as an offering to honor God. The sacrifice was totally used up for God's glory and for His honor! How much more meaningful the worship service would be, if before I played the first note or sang the first word, I started by asking a simple question of the Lord; not, "Lord, what do you think of this service?" but, "Lord, is my life, that I lay before you in sacrifice this morning, something that honors you?"
In Romans the Bible tells us that OUR LIVES ARE THE SACRIFICE! In the OT the sacrifice was laid on the altar and consumed by the fire as an offering to honor God. The sacrifice was totally used up for God's glory and for His honor! How much more meaningful the worship service would be, if before I played the first note or sang the first word, I started by asking a simple question of the Lord; not, "Lord, what do you think of this service?" but, "Lord, is my life, that I lay before you in sacrifice this morning, something that honors you?"
10 comments:
Brother,
That is a great article. Worship is for the Lord, and not us. I must admit that I have been critical of worship before.
You have put a new perspective on it.
Thanks.
Buddy, Great post. I think we are all guilty of both critic and not putting it all on the alter.
Tim...welcome to Voices. I hope you make it a habit of stopping by. Your input is valued...I took a look at your site. Great stuff!
Hi Tim! Welcome to Common Saints! I read some on your site, and look forward to making a return visit this week.
Buddy, great post. It is so true to that worship is for God. However, I wonder what we should be feeling as worship leaders when there is no visible response from the congregation? It is hard not to be critical when you notice blank stares, nonparticipation, and complacency among the audience. I sometimes feel like maybe there is something else I should have done or said that might have led to a more worshipful experience. Even when we are adequately prepared, prayed up, and pointing to the Lord, how can worship leaders further lead short of picking up somebody and physically carrying them to the alter? Is there something I'm missing? Do you know of scriptures that specifically address the responsibilities of a worship leader?
Good questions, Julie, and I've BEEN there! Here's what runs through my mind when I find I'm prompting unprepared or unresponsive worshippers.
1 - Lord, is it me? While the song rolls, I ask, fervently and quickly, "Is there something in me that's blocking the way?" If there is, I've got until the end of the stanza or the next refrain to do business with God, even if it's "I know. We'll talk more in a few minutes, I'm sorry - forgive me?" Sometimes it's me.
2 - Lord, did we miss where these people are right now? Show me. Whisper what you want us to do. Sometimes a set we designed to do one thing yields the right of way to something specifically suited to the group that's gathered. Since we're none of us on stage / the platform for us, it's critical to change-up when we need to, so those who've gathered come meet with God. When the worship leader is praying on his feet in these times it's remarkable what the Spirit does.
3 - Every group has those two or three especially expressive faces we enjoy, they reflect what's probably true of the less expressive. I look to those as first-indicators. Is there sadness? Lethargy? Pre-occupation? It's usually a good starting point.
4 - I remind myself I will absolutely NOT be a cowboy with this flock that belongs to God. I respect cowboys; I grew up in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming, but they push and drive and herd. Shepherds lead. They know their sheep by name. They're gentle. So if I DO pick someone up and carry them to the altar it had better be with the gentlest of strong hands.
It's quite the responsibility, isn't it? Plenty of reason for great care and tenderness.
Good questions!
Phil—
Julie...I hope to hear from some other worship leaders who visit this site in response to your questions, because they are excellent and merit more of a response than I can humbly offer.
I feel I have changed tremendously in my views since I first began leading worship. As you are well aware, I have also struggled with the response (or lack of) from members of the congregation. What I feel has made a difference for me has been evaluating what my role truly is. When I took ownership of the idea that my role is not that of "WORSHIP LEADER" as much as it is to be a "LEAD WORSHIPER", it became very liberating.
I think one of the ways that worship can be defined is simply "surrendering". As much as I would like to see someone come to a point of surrender to the work of the Lord in their life (and during my worship set)the harsh reality is that there is not much more that I can do other than simply present Him to them. Granted, as a worship leader, I have the responsibilty to ensure that the message is clear in the set of songs that I select; that I have done everything I can to limit distractions, that I have prayed for myself and them, etc. But in the end, as in all ministry (whether it be evangelism, preaching, teaching) as ministers the best that we can do is present Him to the hearer and allow His Spirit to do the work.
To me what makes a set a success hinges not on the response of others, but rather on truly presenting myself in worship to God for His glory in their presence. Matt Redman said, "When we face up to the Glory of God, we soon find ourselves facedown in worship." I beleive this is true also for the onlookers, even when I am the one doing the "facing up" initially.
I think one of the things that I have also fallen prey to is misinterpreting what is really going on in the hearts and minds of the individuals based on their expression. In our "TV trained" society people often feel that they are engaged if they are simply observing. I think this happens a lot in our church services. I have had to remind myself that my perspective from the platform is much different than that of the person in the pew, especially if the worship team is engaged in true worship, while they are simply engaged in observing(though mentally believe themselve to be engaged). Does that make sense? I have an example of this from this past weekend. One of the youth stood expressionless through the set on Sunday morning. Then on Sunday night, with his girlfriend at his side, they both came up right before rehearsal and told me how much that the worship service had blessed him that morning. It just served to remind me that you can't judge a book..."
Phil, Thank you for your insight. I especially like the cowboy illustration. Yes, it IS a great responsibility!
Buddy, I agree with you about not judging a book by its' cover. I have often imagined that I am judged by my cover. My usual worship is reserved, reverent, and observant, as you said, but I love seeing outward appearances of worship (i.e. raised hands, closed eyes, alter prayer, etc). It encourages me when I see people engaging in the Lord. However, personally, I usually don't do those things. I don't know...maybe it's because of my conservative Baptist upbringing or something, but I feel a great sense of responsibility to respond only as the Spirit of God would lead me to, and am careful to make sure that if my hand is raised, it is only because God is moving me to do so. Sometimes I wish I were more visible in my worship, wondering if it would "spur" others to experience God, but, again, want to make sure that it is a real response to God, not for show to others. Does that make sense? I wonder, how does everyone feel about worship leaders "spurring" worship? and....lol!...I just realized that "spurring" is a Cowboy word, Phil!! :)
Julie...I think you are really a cowgirl at heart. You are going to "hogtie" people and carry them to the altar...use your spurs on the worshipers. I bet you would do really well at leading worship in one of those "cowboy churches" I see popping up everywhere. Just kidding! :)
I was thinking about your question. I also don't want to do anything that the Spirit is not leading me to do, but I started thinking about the correlation that I see between what you are asking and many of those obscure musical terms that pepper the Psalms, which are nothing more really than instructions to the nature, purpose, or manner of performance of the individual compositions in worship. David, the sons of Korah, etc. obviously placed these instructions to the chief musicians in order to entice a certain emotion in the hearts and minds of the worshipers. I don't think it would be considered ingenuine to "lead" a congregation in raising their hands, or closing their eyes, or even standing in silence if it consistant with what we are singing. It is almost comical to me to see a congregation sitting in the pew singing, "we stand and lift up our hands..." I always wonder to myself, "how can you possibly do that?". In those moments I am going to "spur" them on.
Thanks. I understand what you are saying. As we've all heard before, "you can't Stand on the Promises, when you're Sitting in the Premises"! Yee Haw!
Seriously, though, I think it just has to do with Leadership. To lead in some ways, means to "spur". If you are truly leading in the Spirit, then your "spurs" will be genuine, and the Spirit will "ride" with you. (pardon the continuing Cowboy terminology!!) If your spurs are not heart felt, then you will be riding the range alone. --Right? ...doo doo doo...rollin', rollin', rollin'...keep the flock a rollin'....:)
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