Driving People to Distraction

A worship leader’s worst nightmare is looking out upon a staring, lifeless congregation.  It will happen to all of us somewhere along the line.  When it happens what’s your first inclination?  Chastise them …  reprimand them … BEG them to sing?

Our primary job as worship leaders is to invite others to participate.  When people enter the doors of the church they are, on some level, hoping to encounter God, and to encounter others who are worshipping.  Our intent is that we direct them toward that opportunity – not away from it – removing the distractions.

Every church has its own culture and style of worship.  What about your church?  Are people actively worshipping in their own way?  Below are a few words of advice that can facilitate heartfelt worship in your church.

Before entering the church building this weekend take time to thank God for this opportunity to serve Him as a worship leader.  Allow Him to wash over you – bask in His presence.   Realize God is about to use you to impact others – there is no greater calling.

Take a good look around you when you lead, and allow your attention to move from your needs to the needs of those in the room.  Make eye contact with a few individuals in the pews, at various spots in the room.  Look at others on your team.  Eye contact and body language (and the lack of it) can speak volumes to people in the pew.  If you are genuine, people will be encouraged to enter into worship.  Not every moment in worship is perfect for hand clapping – enter into the words of the song and you’ll know what to do.

Do you know the song you’re singing?  Has it become a part of you?  Musical mistakes are not nearly as distracting as a face buried in sheet music.  Your church might have projected song words on the back wall – even so, burn that CD and sing along with it in the car.  Don’t rely on anyone else on the team to pull it off.  When you’ve prepared yourself and that moment of doubt steps in, close your eyes and trust that the words will come to you.  ‘God does not give us the Spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind.’

There have been ‘God moments’ in worship when I have been so moved I couldn’t sing – standing and lifting my heart to God was all I could do.  Honor those moments when they happen – and respect individuals in your congregation who are experiencing those moments as well.