Worship Leader Training

SUBMISSION

An important thing to talk about, is submission to your leadership. You need to communicate with the leadership. It can be hard if you and the leader are trying to do different things. But remember, you are on the same side, talk to them about what you think God wants to do in the service. Find out how many songs you can do etc. The leader may want to interrupt the worship after a couple songs with something God has put on his heart. Expect things like that to happen, be flexible, don't get irritated that he/she has got in the way of what you want to do. If you feel that God has told you to play a particular song, and the leader seems to be doing something else, then just quietly talk to them, say what you feel, and ask them whether you can do the song. If you're hearing from God then the leader will probably agree that the song's a good idea. You must be humble and submit to God and his appointed leaders.

"Do nothing out of vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2v3-5)

OPEN YOUR EYES

As you lead people into worship, it is important that you know what is going on with them; how they are responding in worship. To do this you need to open your eyes every now and then, and see what is happening out there. Be aware of what God is doing. You can see if the people are following you or not, and if they aren't, then you can change things to bring them back into worship.

You need to get a balance between looking after the congregation and worshiping. If you are constantly looking at them, you won't be able to worship God. And you can't lead people somewhere if you are not there yourself. People will find it very disconcerting if you aren't worshiping, but instead are looking out at everyone.

If you are passionately worshiping God yourself, then that passion will come across and draw people into worship too.

You need to read where the people are. Remember, worship leading is serving, so you need to start where they are. They won't be in the same place as you, because you've been preparing for worship already. Are they ready to worship? Sometimes you know it's going to be a good time because people seem really up for it, and you can feel God's presence in the room. It's as if God is just waiting for you to start so he can do his stuff. Those times are so good.