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I have served as a worship leader for a number of years and much of that time at a fairly progressive church. In my time serving as a worship leader I saw an evolution of musical style and approach to worship ministry. Ironically, I still serve on the pastoral staff of the above mentioned church that I was formerly Music Director/Worship Leader at for nearly five years. Despite the sometimes awkward attempts at forming a relationship with the folks that now do what I used to do, I find them to be sincere lovers of God. Their love for God is somehow unaffected by their musical preference. Some of these folks are even fierce intercessors that walk in the presence of God and rend the heavens with their prayers.

Perhaps to start, an analogy would be fitting on this topic. Most people (with a shred of dignity) try to wear clothes that are acceptable within the boundaries of their particular social culture. I am a child of the 80’s but I would not dare to wear the particular styles of that era today. Well, unless I was going to a costume party. If I did not progress with the clothing trends of the two decades since then I fear some would recommend me for the straight jacket or else I would be reduced to making frequent appearances on one of those cable TV shows celebrating decades gone by. We all make efforts to engage social trends whether with clothing, home décor, automobiles, hairstyles or…music. Could you imagine using the fabricated keyboard string or horn sounds that were available 15 or 20 years ago to produce your record today…? Perhaps the most definite changes in culture occur with language. The great preachers of old such as Whitfield, Edwards, and the like would almost certainly think our current vernacular to be simple-minded, contemptible and irreverent, unfit to duly present the most glorious news given to men on earth. Yet, can you imagine your pastor coming before your congregation today with an Edwardsean type sermon…? Before we snip and poke at a particular style of music I think we should perhaps take an unbiased look at why this style of church music is emerging. However interesting that might be that would make this a dissertation length piece. (Which this is seemingly already approaching.) Not to mention there are much more astute people than I who have written volumes on the topic already. Let us just suffice to say that serving the Church in the position of Musical Director or Worship Leader goes way beyond being a “fan” of a particular type of music. If that is the basis of your church music ministry you have failed before you have even begun.

The most important facet in leading a church music/worship ministry is that the music you do engages the congregation and moves them to worship. Whether that means distortion guitar, folksy and acoustic “just me and my guitar” kind of music, a gospel choir that is clappin’ and swayin’, or the melodic and majestic sounds of piano and pipe organ do not matter. If the congregation is moved to worship you are doing your job. In church music you set your particular tastes and favorites aside for the sake of the Body.

So as for our rockin’ brothers and sisters, though their music may be loud and their under developed melodies might be swallowed up by the ferocious rate of speed an electric guitar player is producing notes, their lyrics are raw and heartfelt, like a page ripped right out of the journal entry they wrote last night. There is an authenticism in their music that far exceeds the impotent lyrics and cliché phrases that I have heard for too long in the church. (Some of which I have written unfortunately…) This emerging worship music bears the marks of relationship not just a religious rhetoric spewed out by “Joe Christian.” Though some of its themes may seem spiritually or doctrinally immature I think the “old-school” folks should take note of this new paradigm in church music.

Although, to you, young zealous worship leader, as you take your guitar in hand to lead and write songs for your congregation, please, keep them in mind. Write for them…Write to them…Write about them…Just don’t forget they are there! If you neglect them they will neglect your leadership. I have seen the effects of the type of worship that is so intensely personal that it certainly penetrates the heavens but fails to communicate corporately. I have watched a congregation that I (and others) formerly lead in lively, heart-felt, participatory corporate worship shrink in number and worshipful expression as this raw, personal worship music is presented as the primary diet for the hungry hearts of worshipers. You neo-worship leader trend setters tread the same dangerous ground that your narrow-minded predecessors have. This isn’t Burger King…! You can’t always have things “your way.” Praise God for the times your musical taste buds are satisfied but praise him more when the people worship in unity. That is your role and service to your congregation. Be ever aware that of two people sitting next to one another in a meeting, one may be inwardly singing “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so…” while the other sings, “Prone to wander Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love…” You cannot become content with just singing your personal love song to the Lord or as I’ve heard Mike Pilavachi of Soul Survivor Watford, UK put it, “Jesus is my girlfriend” songs in the gathering of saints. There is a time for that in the context of corporate worship but for the most part save those songs for your personal time with the Lord. When you are put in front of a congregation sing songs that convey, “How good and pleasant it is when the people of God dwell together in unity…” (Ps. 133) and you will take the Church by storm.

In conclusion, no one can provide a method or style that is 100% proven in any corporate worship setting. The greatest challenge of the church musical director is the span of musical styles he/she must master. You may have a preference but that really has very little bearing on the task at hand. Get to know your congregation and speak their musical language… However many dialects you have to learn do it. You may even have to bring in interpreters if you just can’t learn to speak “Emo” but it is all for the sake of the Kingdom of God and the community of Believers so by any and all means, just do it!

Reader Comments

Cyndi,
I agree that worship leaders must have intimacy w/ God. No question! I am just trying to get you to explain what you mean when you say the "Holy Spirit leads and guides" and the "Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way". I have heard many folks use the above phrases in a negative light as a cliche because the worship time did not please them...Saying that the Spirit did not "move" or the Spirit was "hindered" b/c of a particular instrument or song selection. (Which goes back to the original point of the article re: preferences.) I am not by any means saying that you are doing that. I just want to be sure that I know what you mean when you speak of the Holy Spirit that way. And the teacher in me wants to be sure that you can articulate it as well.

I have been in and led worship services where it seemed that breathing was almost out of order because it was so still with the presence of God and others where the clamour of dance and song was almost enough to burst an ear drum. It is the job of the worship leader to respond to how the Holy Spirit is leading him/her but it is also equally important that the worship leader be aware of how the Spirit is moving the congregation and be sensative to respond and, well...lead. Being a worship leader is a bit like ballroom dancing. You must be a good dancer yourself but you must also respond to and move with your partner as well.

Cyndi,
EXACTLY!!!!

Blessing right back at ya!

Any time talk of the Spirit and worship arises both sides of the coin inevitably come up. Thanks for presenting the flip-side Keith. I agree that physical musical preparation is important and necessary. I rehearse(d) my choir and band diligently. In fact, my nickname w/ the choir became the “Vocal Nazi” (akin to Seinfeld’s “Soup Nazi”) Yet, I would say that not only is the anointing of the Holy Spirit in this context not JUST about things you feel at a worship service, I would say that it has very little at all to do with the "nice feelings" one may experience in a worship service. The presence of God that is experienced in a worship service is a different thing than the anointing that may be upon a worship leader to lead a congregation into that presence. What we "feel" in a given worship experience is more dependent upon our inward response to God and our outward display of the worship that is happening (by the Spirit) on the inside than it is dependent upon the musical environment created by the band and singers. It could be that what disengages you musically (Celebrate Jesus example) could perhaps have been a catalyst for another person by creating some sense of expectancy or urgency with the avoidance of the tonic. (Of course I wasn’t there so you can take that comment w/ a grain of salt.) It may be hard to engage in singing a song at some points but not in worship. Singing does not define worship, yet worship can include singing. Music does not engage everyone and move them to worship…that’s okay. Some people may be more moved by the Scriptures. Again, I cannot presume that my preference in a form of worship is equally preferred by someone else. Worship happens in the Spirit and by the Spirit. Singing happens physically. When the two meet (physical and spiritual) it is a beautiful thing. We then worship God in spirit AND truth. Even when we perform outwardly and physically in honor, reverence and fear of God with an act of service, singing a song or giving a financial gift there is a translation in the Spirit that makes it worship. Such things are too high for me to understand…

Tim,
You have interpreted my sentiments as I intended for them to be recieved. There are varied styles and preferences in worship and music. Neil's are relevant and precious to his life in Christ and I would say, even necessary to his relationship w/ God. The cross and the blood of Christ are precious to all who are his. Yet so is the ressurection, ascension, coming of the Holy Spirit, etc... To proclaim the works and accomplishment of Christ the cross (forgivness, salvation, justification, etc...) is to testify to the shedding of his blood. To sing of the grace and mercy and beauty and majesty and sovereignty of God is to bear witness to the saving work of God through the blood that Jesus Christ shed on the cross. No doubt Christ is central. Always and forever... In fact, I would say the WHATEVER we sing or say or do ceases to be worship if Christ is not central. But, just b/c we do not say "cross" or "blood" in a song lyric does not mean that our worship isn't true. Remember, the topic of the article was that if your worship music doesn't speak the musical (and pershaps in some ways spiritual) language of your congregation you fail at leading them to worship. So, if Neil Enloe is sitting in my congregation I know that if I sing a song about the cross his heart will open up to worship the Lord and more likely than not he will then be receptive to another song with a different lyrical and musical direction yet still be engaged in worship.

On another note, I am pleasantly overwhelmed at the participation and contribution that everyone has made to this, my first article on the sogospelnews site. Thank you so much and I will look forward to more interaction in the coming months.


Grace and Peace,
Aaron

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