I have been leading worship at different capacities and churches
for a number of years. I am still young on
the scene but old enough and learned enough to know that when I prepare for,
rehearse with people, and lead worship that I am entering into a pastoral duty
and privilege. This is a privilege my
heart does not take lightly and one that I have spent time earning the respect
of those around me to hold. Each community
I have been with has given me a unique glimpse of how God’s people are seeking
to participate in congregational worship.
When we gather together for worship, we are not just
gathering to sing songs and listen to the preacher. We have the opportunity to collectively
embrace each other’s joys and pains and lift them together to God through
prayer, Scripture, meditation, song, visual art, spoken word, silence, and
gathering at the table. The manner in
which we gather matters. Some may argue
that the order and praxis of what we do in worship is nominal as long as we “feel”
the presence of God. Worship
Leader/minister/pastor/director, hear these words: The care and practice your pastor puts into
sermon preparation should be reflected by the same care and preparation of how
we lead the congregation into the presence of our holy God.
The average person’s theology is reflected by their church “musicology”
or “hymnology”. Are you balancing the
amount of songs that reflect “I want God to know this” with a healthy dose of songs
that reflect “this is what God has done and who he is”? We can all agree that God is good but are we
also using language that teaches why God is good? Are we adding elements to our worship for the
sake of being ‘relevant’? Or are we
adding elements that have been prayed through to inspire, and help people
connect with God where they are at. Is
every Sunday a worship celebration that leaves no space to wrestle with the
hurt and questions of the world? How do
we hear God when there is no volume left to hear my neighbor sing or support
them in the recognition that this week they are unable to use their voice? Is every Sunday reminiscent of years gone
past with no room for a jumping heart to soak in the new work that God is doing
daily? We lead communities that are
filled with diverse struggles and joys that need to be heard. Our churches will not be the same as the
people who fill them are not the same.
If we as leaders move from one congregation to another, the message we
share will not always fill the same formula.
Are we allowing our leadership to reflect the communities God has
brought us to in a way that helps them walk with God in their own language? Are we avoiding stretching ourselves and our congregants to
use variety in our musical style and use of ‘liturgical’ or ‘non-liturgical’
elements for fear of not being contemporary or traditional enough?
Train yourself well, be mindful to listen to those who have
led before you, and don’t disregard the hearts of your people. Their hearts are tender, and open to God’s provision. God’s agenda is the only agenda that should
be impressed upon them. Your preparation
and prayerful planning matters.
