Authentic Worship Leading

During our church-wide picnic a few nights ago, I had the chance to meet several people who've begun attending Grace recently.  One couple in particular had some very interesting comments about the worship at our church.  I was left feeling very encouraged, and a little fascinated.

After visiting several different churches in Overland Park, they told me how much they love participating in the worship at Grace.  Not just because of the great music, or because of the flashing lights, but because they can sense the authenticity in our worship leading.  Wow.  This honestly is a worship leaders dream comment.

He explained to me that in their visits to churches, they had experienced worship being led by people that appear to be more concerned with "rock star" status...or with the way they looked.  I suppose when you look at me you can tell I really have no concern for my appearance. :)

So I've been pondering this comment and wondered to myself if there truly is an epidemic out there in churches.  What makes a worship leader "authentic" and what makes him a "rock star"?  What makes a band of worship leaders a "Worship Team" and what makes a band of worship leaders simply a "Cover Band"?  Where does the line of prepping for worship on the weekends, taking care that the music is played as accurately as possible, that the vocals are in pitch, that our presence onstage reflects Jesus Christ blur into simply being a performance?

Thanks so much for the kindness given to me at the picnic that evening, seriously made my day.

In addition I ran across a post by a fellow worship leader at Northpoint Church's satellite at Buckhead.  Carlos Whittaker posted this "I Hate it When My Worship Leader...".  There appears to be an undercurrent of dissatisfied worshippers out there in the comments. Interesting conversation.  Feel free to comment there (Currently over 140 comments) or if you like, let me know your thoughts here.

Comments

[Billy Chia]

I put up a post with some things to say about the comments on Los' post as well.

You were nicer than me. Kudos man.

[Jeff Thompson]

As a massive NBA fan, I hate it when the referees start making ticky-tack calls and don't let the players play. I didn't go to the game to watch the referees do their thing!

As a worship leader and a worshiper, I hate it when we (worship leaders) do anything that distracts form the reason we all go to church - God! I think we can do this in the way we dress, the way we carry ourselves on stage, the amount we do/don't "share" and encourage the congregation between and during songs, and with our general demeanor.

Several years ago, I underwent some painful self-examination and realized that a lot of my worship-related hopes and dreams were really just secular rock 'n roll dreams under the guise of worship! It changed my entire perspective and now I pray with our team, every Sunday morning, that nothing (including us) would distract or take away attention from God.

I can't help but think of Paul addressing the issue of newly spiritually liberated women dressing glamorously. He told them to instead be clothed with good deeds. The only thing that we (worship leaders) should be "flaunting" on stage is a passion for Christ. In every other way, we should seek the shadows instead of the spotlight.

'GREAT topic, mate. I know heart-check in this area is always good for me!

[Derek]

Interestingly enough, most of those comments over there (I skimmed, didn't read all of them, but got the gist of it) were focused on their worship leaders being better performers. Good flow, not talking too much between songs, not messing around with gear, etc. etc. The fact that we would "complain" about worship leaders at all shows how they are considered - performers, and they better get the performance right or we're gonna complain.

If we weren't so focused on the performance we'd extend some grace to those who are leading us. If our church gatherings were led by Christ, more organic, and more participatory (as described by Paul in the NT), we'd have no one to complain to, because the flow of the worship depends on the Spirit moving through each member.

I still like the concert format, and I enjoy watching talented people sing good worship songs. But honestly, I'm not interested in doing that every week, as a normal course of church gatherings. Give me a dozen people intent on letting God lead the group over a thousand people letting the worship leader entertain them.

[Heath Casey]

Derek's first paragraph is right on.

I have been to what feels like dozens of churches over the past few months. I feel like I have seen it all, and nothing has come close to the worship/praise time at Grace. Ben, I cannot say enough about everything you do in leading that ministry and how much Shea and I miss it.

In all honesty, the specific praise time at a church service does not make or break my decision on joining a church, but in many places that ministry is lacking good leadership...you can just tell.

Ben here is a quick list of things (in my humble opinion) that make your leadership at Grace so valuable and such a blessing to that local body. I have thanked God for you and your heart so many times this past couple of months. Continue on with your great heart, humbleness, and being a faithful servant of Christ.

*song choice - can't say enough about this one! EVERY WEEK it was the best! Unbelievable attention to great praise and worship song writers, lyrics, etc.

*invited to sing/be a part of - I have been to several services now, where you don't feel invited to sing at all (partly b/c you don't know the song), but mostly b/c the leader or performance just pushes you away or drowns you out...or is constantly singing something else around the chorus...louder.

*stage - a church I visited a couple of weeks ago had 24 people on stage (plus a choir above them). I know some bigger churches have a bigger talent pool, but you still don't have to use the whole pool each week :). It's too busy/distracting. Grace always seemed to balance this so well.

*real, genuine and purpose

Did I mention that I miss it?

[Soakie]

This poses some interesting questions. Can you worship God and feel the freedom to let the music move you at the same time? There is a fine line between real worship and performance. I personally think it is hard to differentiate sometimes. When you are up there playing and concentrating to be the best you can be, it is easy to loose track of why you are even up there. That being said, I have seen the Grace Band move people and I have heard many people say that they were attracted to the church because of the music and praise. Lost people coming to church because of the music can't be a bad thing! I think there has to be a level of professionalism along with a true heart for God. If you have both you will move people to come before the throne. You obviously can't do it without God.

I think if you are a worship leader, you have to lead by example and it's OK to be you because that is how God made you. The problem comes when you try to be something or someone you are not.

I would like to see more people with a true enthusiasm about singing praises to God. Most or I should say it seems like most people are just going through the motions.
That is not glorifying to God. Just my opinion.

[Ben]

Billy - I need to head over and read your post. Thanks for the "kudos". :)

Jeff - Excellent comment. I think for anyone involved in a ministry that elevates you in the eyes of people (whether teaching, preaching, band) it can be a dangerous place to be. Our culture of "American Idol" can create a tendency to seek those "rock stars" in church. I don't think it's wrong to "perform" well, but it's necessary for worship leaders to understand we're just the same as everyone else...we're all sinners. Great comments!

Derek - Good hearing from you again! I think whether in a small church of 12 or a church of 1200, genuine authentic worship can happen week in and week out. Of course with 1200 people, you will get more folks who are exploring vs. participating...which I'm all for. This means there will be people critiquing the "performance" of the worship music. I'm fine with that...as a part of the spiritual growth process. Honestly, I critique us each week to identify things that hinder or block people from connecting with God. Great comments.

Heath - Man! You know you can just come back dude! :) Excellent comments! You should post some stuff on your blog about your church hunting process. You did a great job explaining your worship observations. Glad you miss Grace...sad that you haven't yet found a church home.

Soakie - Great feedback. The pursuit of excellence (doing the best with the tools and ministry God has given you) vs the pursuit of perfection is big for me. It's a good way to help differentiate/draw the line between performance vs. authentic worship. I loved your comment "you have to lead by example and it's OK to be you because that is how God made you". Being yourself vs. someone else is key. Love it!

Thanks for the comments guys!

[mandy]

that really is a worship leader's dream.
i just can't figure out why it isn't more of a reality for most of us. i'm so glad you were blessed! i soak up those moments of affirmation like a dried sponge...