The concept of the role of worship leader has deep biblical roots. From the trumpeters leading the army of God into battle, to King David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant as it was brought into Jerusalem, those who went before the people of God in worship found a unique place in God's economy. Today, while the settings have changed, the distinctive roles of the worship leader have not. Those who lead in worship still fulfill the same roles that have existed through the ages. The fulfillment of these roles creates an environment from which worship emanates.
We often hear worshipers express the desire to move to "the next level" in worship. This is a worthy goal and a noble endeavor. But for many the path is elusive. It is not the result of greater effort or better technique. The path to the higher road is found by pointing our worship leadership to the roles clearly modeled in the Word of God.
Let us examine the enduring roles of the worship leader.
Inviter
First, the worship leader is the Inviter. In the role of inviter, the worship leader calls people to come and enter into the presence of God. Jesus described the coming Kingdom as a party to which one has been invited (Luke 14). The worship leader extends God's invitation to join in the celebration as it is set in motion.
The inviter uses God's own words of invitation. Some examples:
Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest... (Matthew 11:28)
O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together... (Psalm 34:3)
I was glad when they said unto me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord"... (Psalm 122:1)
Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! (Isaiah 55:1)
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him... (Psalm 33:8)
Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our God, our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. (Psalm 95:6-7)
Invoker
As the Invoker, the worship leader calls upon the presence of God and reminds us that He is present with us. The Invoker stands with us and through his words to us (whether his own words or words of scripture) says, "Here's God! He's meeting us right here, right now, just as He promised!" The Invoker creates a sense of awe in us by reminding us that we are in the presence of the living God.
Some examples:
The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him... (Habakkuk 2:20)
Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age... (Matthew 28:20)
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Experiencing Worship, The Study