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Readings

Kauflin(2008).WorshipMatters. Chapters617(pp.51152). Kraeuter(1991).KeystobecominganeffectiveWorshipLeader.Read completetext. Segler&Bradley(2006).ChristianWorship. Chapters2123(pp.261294). Siewert(1998).WorshipTeamHandbook.Readcompletetext.

LeadingChristianWorship
Objectives:
1. 2. 3. 4. Reviewanddiscusstheattributesofthemodernworshipleader. Surveytheroleoftheworshipleader. Reflectoneffectiveplanningforworship. Considerstrategiesforeffectiveleadershipinworship.

Outcomes:
The aim of this session is to provide the student with an overview of factors that contribute to the leading of Christian worship. The session will survey the characteristics required for the leading of worshipaswellasideasforplanningandleadingChristianworship.

A Word about Leadership


Leadership,asasubjectarea,ischallengingtodiscussbecauselikethetaskofdefiningChristianworship it means different things to different people. The Concise Oxford English Dictionary (2008) defines a leader as the person who leads or commands a group, organisation, or country (p. 809). Certainly, leadershipwithintheChristiancontextisdirectionalandvisionary(astheabovedefinitionsuggests)but itisimportanttoqualifythisfurtherwithJesusexampleofleadershipasservanthood.Jesustaughthis disciplesinMatt20:2528: You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authorityoverthem.Notsowithyou.Instead,whoeverwantstobecomegreatamongyoumust beyourservant,andwhoeverwantstobefirstmustbeyourslavejustastheSonofMandid notcometobeserved,buttoserve,andtogivehislifeasaransomformany. LeadingChristianworshipmustbeapproachedwiththeattitudeofaservant.

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1.

Spiritual Leadership

Thenotionofleadershipbeingdrivenbyanattitudeofservanthooddoes notalwayssitnaturally/comfortablyonourhumanshoulders.Indeed,itis notalwaystheleaderthemselvesthatseekstomakethemselvesfirstand foremost among the people of God. Rory Noland (1999) writes, Our society tends to put anybody who has talent on a pedestal. We turn the most successful artists into superstars.Thesuperstarsareindulgedandpampered.Theybecomerichandfamous.Soservanthood andbeingothersorientateddoesntcomenaturallyforanyofus(p.53).Whatthenaretheattributes of the Christian leader? It is helpful here to designate the role of the worship leader as spiritual leadership.Wehavemanyexamplesofspiritualleadershipthroughoutthebible:
In tabernacle and temple worship, the spiritual leaders were the priests. In the synagogue, it was the elders.Intheearlychurch,thepastorsandelderswereresponsiblefortheworshipofthecongregation. PaulspracticalinstructionstoTimothyonworship(e.g.1Tim.2;4:13;2Tim.4:2)showthatTimothy,the pastor of the Ephesian church, had the authority to set the pattern, priorities and participants in the worshipservice.(Sweetman,2012,p.2)

Itisherethatwemustrecognisethedifferencesinapproachtotheleadershipofworship;andwhois considered able in the provision of spiritual leadership within the worship construct. Throughout churchhistorytheresponsibilityofleadingworshiphassatontheshouldersoftheordainedministry1. Mostrecently,theevolvingprominenceofmusicwithintheworshipsettinghascausedthemusicians, especiallytheroleoftheleadmusician(oftencalledthesongleaderorworshipleader)tounwittingly drawattention.Insomeinstances(e.g.thecontemporaryworshipsetting)theworshipleadermaybe more prominent than the senior minister/pastor. This has caused some tension. Normally, pastors do not have the musical knowledge to lead the team of musicians and congregational singing. Similarly musiciansdonottypicallyhavethescripturalknowledgeandunderstandingtoguidethecongregation ontheirspiritualjourneyanddevelopment.JohnSweetman(2012)offersfourdifferentapproachesto thisconundrum(p.2):
1. Thechurchcanfindaspiritualleaderwhoisalsoamusician. 2. Apastor/spiritualleadercanleadtheworshipassistedbyamusician. 3. Amusiciancanleadtheservicewiththepastor/spiritualleadercontributingtoboththepreparation oftheserviceandimportantspiritualtimesintheservice(includingtheworshipafterthepreaching). 4. A musician can lead the service under the oversight of a pastor/spiritual leader who helps both in preparing and developing the leadership of the service. The musician may be encouraged to gain somebiblicaltrainingandtogrowasaspiritualleader.

Regardlessofthechoicemadetheoverarchingnotion of spiritualleadershipremains.Everyaspectof theworshipserviceis(orshouldbe)aspiritualact.CorporateworshipisfartooimportanttoGodand thechurchtoleaveittothosewhoarenotcalledorgiftedtoleadthepeoplespiritually(Sweetman, 2012,p.2).

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2.

Qualities of a Worship Leader

Having dealt with the subject of spiritual leadership in the broader sense wenowturnourattentiontothequalitiesorthemodernworshipleader. Perhaps it is not necessary to state (but Im going to anyway ) that the following characteristics are ideals to be pursued, not necessarily perfected.Thatis,ultimatelyourrighteousnessandsenseofachievementdoesnotmakeourworship anymore(orless)acceptabletoGod.Ourworshipisonlymadeacceptablethroughtheperfectsacrifice of Christ; the only perfect worship leader! Constance Cherry (2010) reminds us, The cornerstone of Christian worship is Jesus Christ (p. 21). With the cornerstone securely in place lets now survey the universallyacceptablequalitiesoftodaysworshipleader2.

Character&Heart
Unliketherolesofeldersanddeacons,wehavenoexplicitscripturaldirectionastothecharacterofthe worshipleader.Itisthereforelefttoustoalignourreviewwiththegeneralexpectationsrequiredofall Christianspiritualleadership.Considerthefollowingcharacteristics: WalkinginGodsGrace(Eph.2:89):asnotedabove,ourworshipfallsshortofthemarkoutside ofJesustremendousworkofgrace.Jesusisourmediatorinworship(ITim.2:5):
JesusservedasourmediatorwhenhewillinglyenduredGodswrathagainstoursinsatthecross, eventhoughhehimselfwascompletelyinnocent.Jesusservedasourmediatorwhenwebecame our substitute to receive the punishment we deserved, after which the Father raised him from the dead, demonstrating the sufficiency of his sacrifice. Jesus was our mediator when he embracedthetormentofseparationfromGodsowecouldlivewithGodforever.Thisisthegood newsofthegospel.ThisisthemeansbywhichwecannowworshipGod.(Kauflin,2008,p.71)

LivingwithIntegrity(Rom.12:12):everyChristianiscalledtolivealifeofintegrity.Integritycan beunderstoodtobeastateofinternalconsistency(Soanes&Stevenson,2008,p.738).When discussing integrity Christians are often asked to consider whotheyarewhentheyarealone.Equally,worshipleaders canbechallengedtoconsiderwhotheyarewhentheyare notleadingworship.Certainly,nooneisperfectbutthere shouldbeasenseofconsistency. PersonalrelationshipwithGod(Phil3:10):leadingworship requires a sense of spiritual direction. It also needs a personwhohas,andseekstomaintain,anactiverelationshipwithGod.Youcannotleadothers toworshipaGodyoudonotknowandlove(Sweetman,2012,p.3).Ofcourse,thisdoesnot

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meanthatonlythosewhofeelimmediatelyclosetoGodcanlead,butasanidealitdoesexhort ustoleadoutofasenseofknowingGodslove. ServantHeart(Matt.20:26):leadingwithanattitudeofserviceischallenging,butnonetheless important. Jesus told us that He did not come to be served but to serve. He taught that His followers should do as He did. If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servantofall(Mark9.35)(Kraeuter,1991,p.13).Practicallyspeaking,thisisatensionwithin therole.Theservantleadershouldseektoplacehis/herpreferences(e.g.musical)secondtothe general preferences of those that they lead. This must be held in positive tension with the necessitytoleadthepeopletonewunderstandings;andattimesestablishingnewpreferences. SpiritualMaturity(1Tim.3:6):Thesubjectivenatureofmaturityischallenginghere,butwemust seektomaintaintheimportanceoftheroleanditsspiritualorientation;thus,leadersofworship should seek the formation of spiritual maturity in their lives. Characteristics that indicate maturityincludeasolidbiblicalunderstanding,evidenceofspiritualgrowthandconsistency,and significanttrustintheleaderbyalargeproportionoftheworshippers(Sweetman,2012,pp.3 4).Again,perfectionisnotthegoal.Moreoveritistheintention(unobservable)andtheactions (observable)oftheleaderwhichpointtomaturity(orthelackthereof). SubmissiontoAuthority(Heb.13:17):OursubmissionisfirsttoGod,andindoingso,thosehe hasplacedoverusasleaders.Theworshipleadermusttakeapositionofhumilityandsubmitto theleadershipofthechurchthattheyoperatewithin.Itisimportanttorememberthatwelead by example. If we expect (with humility) submission from those under our care, we must be willingtosubmittothosewhohavecareoverus.

Attitude&Approach
The character of an individual is often observable to those around them. The attitude of a person is sometimesmoredifficulttoobserve;butnonethelessimportantintheministryroleofleadingworship. Considerthefollowpointsregardingattitudeandapproach: Settinganexample(1Pet.5:3):Theworshipleadershould also be a good worship follower (worshipper). All too oftenitispossibletoobserveworshipleaderswhodonot actively participate in worship when they are not personally leading the service. This point reinforces the earlier idea of Living with Integrity (p. 3) because it identifiesaneedforconsistency.

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Learning and Improving (1 Cor. 9:25): No one can ever declare, I have arrived. We must always be seeking new opportunities to learn and grow; as people, worshippers and leaders.Oftenourpersonalgrowthcomesintheformofcriticism. Learning to hear criticism, even if it means sifting through harsh wordsforportionsoftruth,isimportantforremainingteachable. Understanding the range of worshippers (1 Cor. 12:12): Whenweapproachworshipleadingwithanattitudeofservicewe are more likely to remember that every person is attending worshipwiththeirownuniquesetsofpreferencesandbias.While ourworshipdoesnothavetopleaseanyone(exceptGod),leaders needtobeawareofthelikelyresponsesofthecongregationand whytheyrespondinthisway(Sweetman,2012,p.4). Encouraging (1 Thess. 5:11): It is important to encourage those around you; the congregation andthosewhoareministeringalongsideyou.Thecapacitytoencourageisgenerallybornoutof a sense of feeling encouraged in oneself. Barnabas was known as the son of encouragement (Acts 4: 36). We often needa Barnabas in our life, and weneed to seek opportunitiestobea Barnabastoothers. LeadingandWorkingwithaTeam:Ihaveoftensaidthatworshipministryisateamsport.Every member of the team has their position and responsibility, and if any oneperson falters in the practiceoftheirparttoplaythewholeteamsuffers.Inkeepingwiththisanalogytheworship leaderislikethecaptainoftheteam;thewholeteamplaysthegame,butthecaptainguides theteamandthedirectionofplay.Atcrucialtimesinthegamethecaptainwillneedtomake decisions; decisions that will often (more times than not) callontheinputofexpertiseandknowledgefromtheother players. Ultimately the decisions should be made seeking the best for the whole team and what the team hopes to achieve.Thisisnotalwaysaneasytaskinthecontextofthe worship team. Leading a performing arts team requires bothstructuralandethicalintegritybecauseweperformers byourverynaturetendtomorphintowhatwesensemight gainapprovalandacceptance(Sexton,2008,p.12).

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Skills&Gifts
Each worship setting requires a certain skill set from the worship leader. For example, a traditional worship style may require someone with compositional and choral conducting skills, while a contemporary worship model might need a musician who writes their own songs and leads with a guitar.Letsreviewafewoftheuniversalskillsrequiredforleadingworship: Understanding Music: The language of music, both written and aural, can be confusing and intimidating to the musically untrained. Todays worship leader doesnt need to be overly prominentwithmusicalskills,butitisimportantthattheyareawareofthestructuralelements of music (keys, rhythm, tempo and instrumentation etc.) and who they influence the overall presentationofthemusic. Developing Creativity: Christian worship is far more than musicandcongregationalsinging;butthisisoftenwhatwe settle for as a mode of group expression when we corporately gather. When asked how one can develop creativityShelley(1995)responds,Pickoutafewofyour commonproblemsandthinkofallthevariouswaystosolve them.Youllhavetothinkveryhard,butdoitanyway.(p. 42). Its often laziness that causes us to settle for the mundaneandsameold,sameold. PreparingProperly:Planningshouldnotbeperceivedaskillingoffspontaneity.Moreover,good planningpreparesforthemovementandleadershipoftheHolySpiritinourmeetings.Preparing for the Holy Spirits involvement (and presence) requires hearts and minds that are open and listening,before,duringandafterthemeeting. CommunicatingPublically:Theartofleadershipinvolvestheleadersabilitytoclearlyarticulate their message with coherence. Specifically, the skill of public speaking is an essential skill. A basicprincipleofpublicspeakingisthatanablespeakerisanableperson,inagoodemotional state, with a good attitude toward himself and toward his audience. Thats also true for ministers(Hybels,Briscoe,&Robinson,1989,p.134).

Havingsurveyedthemanynecessaryqualitiesofaworshipleader,itisimportanttonotethatnooneis giftedwitheveryoneoftheaboveattributesinperfectworkingbalance.Again,thesequalitiesaretobe aspiredtoasworthystandardsofattainment.Neithershouldtheybeusedasalistofrequirementsto do so would render many current worship leaders out of a job (including me!). Sweetman (2012) encourages us to not be discouraged by the [list of qualities], but determine to continue to grow in eachoftheseareassothat[we]caneffectivelyleadpeopletorespondtoGodsrevelation(p.5).

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3.

The Role of the Worship Leader

Whatistheroleoftheworshipleader?Again,theanswertothisquestion willbeexpresseddifferentlyaccordingtotheworshipsettinginwhichthe task (worship leading) is being conducted. The multiplicity of acceptable responsetothisquestionisboughtaboutbythelackofscripturaldirection; i.e. there is not definition of the role of a worship leader in the Bible (Sweetman, 2012, p. 6). While seeking to define worship leading EddieEspinosa(1993)directshisreaderstofirstconsiderwhatworshipleadershipisnot.Hewrites, Worshipleadingisnotjustleadingsongs,choruses,orasongservice.Someonefulfillingthese rolesistraditionallyviewedasaworshipleader.However,itwouldbemoreaccuratetodefine someoneinthisroleasasongleaderormusicdirector.(p.386) Espinosagoesontoidentifythreekeycomponentsofwhatworshipleadingisnotinordertohighlight whatworshipleadingis(pp.386387): Worshipleadingisnotexhortingotherstosingsongs,evenifthosesongsareworshipsongs.The song leader must be careful not to unwittingly make their role (and themselves) a catalyst for worship; i.e. the worship leader, the song choice, and the minisermons (exhortation?) should notbecomedeterminativeofthegeneralworshipmoodofthecongregation. WorshipleadingisnotworshipingGodwhileotherswatch.Poorlyleadworshipcanbelikenedto acookingshowonTV.TheTVchefcanbepresentingabeautifullyprepareddish,describethe wonderfularomasofthefood,andswoonasshetastesthecuisineonscreen.Thosewatching might find themselves engrossed to the point of salivating for the food being shown, but ultimatelytheexperienceoftheaudienceisavicariousone.Worshipleadersmustbecarefulto directworshipparticipantstoparticipate. Worship leading is not leading while others worship. A slight reorientation of the above point, thisremindsusthatworshipleadersmustleadbyexample.Mostcertainlythechallengehereis balance.Theworshipleader,whileseekingtoinviteparticipationfromthecongregationmust seektoparticipateandengageinthegatheringalso.

Thosewholeadchurchserviceswillrightlydesirethateachpersonpresentbemovedto faithandrepentancebywhatissaidanddone.ThequalityofanindividualChristians engagementwithGodwillthenbereflectedinhisorherconcerntoenhancethelifeof thechurchasacommunity.(Peterson,1992,p.213)


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4.

Planning for Worship

Planning for worship is a necessary part of the leadership process. Every traveller plans the journey before leaving their present location. So it is with leading worship. Most worship services will have a destination in mind;whetherthematicorclimatic(sermonorLordsSupper)theservice Allworshipplanningshouldstart needstobeprayerfullyplannedpriortocommencement.
withprayerandGod'sWord.

God more than allows us to plan, as if he were giving in to our weaknesses. With wonderful promises, he encourages us to plan. But he wants to be involved in the planningprocess.OurplansmustbesubmittedtotheLordtosucceed.Planningbecomescarnalonlyif Godisnotinvitedtoinspireandleadtheprocess.Buthepromisesthatifwecommittohimwhateverwe do,ourplanswillsucceed(Prov.16:3).(Ittzes,1993b,p.378)

ConsiderthefollowingpointsassuggestedbyNickIttzes(1993b)whenplanningforworship(p.380):

PlanningandSpontaneity:Planningandspontaneityarenotmutuallyexclusive.Infactthebest
preparation plans for spontaneity. Ponder the jazz musician who practices many hours a day, consistentlyovermanyyearsinordertospontaneouslyimproviseinthemoment.Thediscipline ofplayingthroughstructuredscalesaffordsthejazzinstrumentalistthefreedomtocreatein expressiveandnewwaysinperformance.

Who Should be Involved?: Allowing congregational members to participate in the planning of


worship can be a wonderfully engaging way of including the voice of the congregation in the planning process. Far from being a free for all where there could be too many cooks in the kitchen,involvinganumberofpeopleintheprocesscanenrichthecreativeprocess.

ToolsforPlanning:
i. ii. iii. Prayatyourplanningmeeting;whetheraloneorinagroup. AskthepreacherorteachertotellthegroupwhatwordhebelievestheLordhasgiven him. Ask the others present to share any Scriptures, songs, hymns, prayers, insights, or perceptions they may have had that they feel relate to the service you are planning. If theyhavebeengoingthroughsomedifficulty,encouragethemtosharethat.Oftenwhat weexperienceiscommontomanyothersinthebody. Arrangethepartsoftheserviceforanorderlyflow.Forinstance,iftheWorddealswitha needfordeeprepentance,startingtheservicewithsongsofrejoicingwouldbeveryodd. Suchasermonoughttopavethewayforrejoicing,notthereverse.

iv.

PlantoPlan:Ifyoufailtoplanyouplantofail!Thereisagreatpotentialforblessinghiddenin
faithful,prayerfulplanning.

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5.

Leading Worship

Having reviewed the role of a worship leader(p. 7), lets now turn our attention to what worship leading should (and should not) practically involve. Sally McCall and Rosalie Milne (1999), in their text Church Musicians Handbook, provide a handy checklist (Good Leadership (p. 125)3)toguideourreview:

Positives
1. Praywithmusiciansbeforeandaboutthechurchmeeting:Prayingasateamcorrectlyorientates thegroupsattentiontothecentralfocus(God)andhelpstoputeveryoneonthesamepage. 2. Beconfidentinyourapproachtomusiciansandthecongregation:MikeandVivHibbert(1993) identifyfivekeyareasrequiringconfidenceinleadership(p.393).
a. b. c. d. Confidenceinyourself ConfidenceinyourrelationshipwiththeLord Confidenceinyourrelationshipwiththepeople Confidenceinthejobthathastobedone e. Confidenceintheuseofyourtools

3. Communicate clearly what you require from all parties: It is important to clearly communicate yourdirections.Cuestohelppeopleknowwherethemusicisgoingarecrucialtoenablethem tostayfocusedonGod,theirdestination(Frazier,1998,p.44). 4. Introduce songs clearly, being relevant and concise: Its not only the leadership of songs that requires clear communication. Sweetman (2012) reminds us that when you want the worshippers to do something that is different from normal, make yourdirectionscrystalclearandrepeatthemanumberoftimes(p. 12). For example, if the distribution of the elements for the Lords Supper is going to be administered differently from what the congregation might be used to, then it is important to describe the newformat;preferablyanumberoftimesthroughouttheservice. 5. Usedefinitearmmovementsrelativetothesizeofthegroup:Itcan behelpfultoreviewvideorecordingsofyourselfleadingworship.It canbesurprisingtosometolearnhowintroverted(orextroverted) RonKenolyeffectivelyuseshis physicalpresencetoleadworship theirphysicalpresenceonstageis.
Aneffectiveworshipleaderwillbeawareoftheculture,style,andformalityoftheservicethatheor sheiscalledtolead.Forthemostpart,thestyleoftheserviceshoulddeterminethewayinwhichthe leaderconductshimselforherself,notviceversa.(Chakoian,1993,p.394).
3

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6. Use regular eye contact and dont be afraid to smile: Good eye contact encourages the congregation to listen carefully to what you are saying and invites them to participate fully in worship(Chakoian,1993,p.394). 7. Build rapport with the congregation and help them relax: Congregations will follow when they feel confident and secure in your leadership. In order to develop the necessary trust (rapport) required for effective leadership, worship leaders should seek to be authentic in their presentationandcommunication. 8. Bewellpresented,poisedandpunctualatrehearsalsadmeetings:Nothingunderminesrapport quickerthantardypersonalpresentation.Theaimhereistocommunicatetoeveryone(worship team and congregation) that you hold the role of worship leader, and the task of worship leading,inthehighestregard.Asalways,balanceisrequired.Forexample,Worshipleadersdo notneedtolookliketheywalkedoffthepagesofVogue,either.Dressingtoohiportooformally canputoffacongregationanddrawattentiontowhatyourewearinginsteadoftheGodyoure worshipping(Siewert,1998,p.44). 9. Knowyourwordsandmusicwell,preferablybyheart:Always remember people are following you, your voice and your direction. Many people struggle to memorise lyrics and so havingthemwrittenoutandcloseathandeitheronamusic stand or via projection (stage screens or rear projection) is helpful.Ifusinglyricsonstage,makesurethattheyareto the side and not directly in front (between you and the congregation) because this can form a small barrier to effectiveleadership.

Placethemusicstandtothesidesothatit doesnothinderyourleadership

10. Practice your own singing: Not everyone is gifted with a naturally pleasant voice. This should notstopanyonefromleadingworship;evengiftedsingersshouldactivelypursueinstructionin the development and enhancement of their voice. Complementing the voice is the use of amplification the microphone. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the microphones in your church, and where possible, spend time with the church techteam (sound and data) membersworkingonachievingthebestsettingsforyourvoiceonparticularmics. 11. Stoporrestartsongswhicharentworking:Itisimportanttorememberthatpartoftheroleof the worship leader is helping facilitate corporate worship. If a song has derailed, and the congregationhasstalledintheirparticipationthenyouarenolongerleadingworshipyouare now at the helm of a trainwreck. Light heartedness aside, at these times it is best to stop, opening acknowledge that things are not going according to plan, own the mistake and dependentonthenatureofthegaffe,restartorproceedtothenextsongorserviceitem.

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12. Takecontrolanddontbeafraidtoleadothersitsyourjob:Itseemsoverlyobvioustostate thatleadingworshiprequiresleadership.Sweetman(2012)observes,Ihavenoticedagrowing tendency for worship leaders to say nothing except, stand up and sit down. This is not leadershipYou need to encourage worship. You need to help people understand each componentofworship(p.11). 13. Aim to build the musicians into a team who serve each other: Our service should not only be throughtheleadershipofthecongregation.Moreover,weshouldseektoserveeachotheraswe rehearseandministertogether.
Imaginethepowerofaworshipteamthatiscomposedofservantswhodesirenothingmorethanto glorify God and bless his church. In your role as leader, you can build such a teamnot just by teachingonservanthood,butbybeinganexampletotheteam(Ittzes,1993a,p.381).

14. Be loving and godly in all your endeavours: We are called to be Christlike in all our dealings; whetherleadingornot.BecomingmoreandmorelikeJesusistheessenceofbeingChristians. Andthemorelikehimwebecome,themorewewillbeabletodohisworks(p.381).

Negatives
1. Dont continually make apologies: Leadership is not about perfection, so making mistakes is part of the process. Give yourselfthegracetomakethemistakeswithoutcontinually needingtodrawattentiontothemwithrepetitiveapologies tothecongregation. 2. Dontattempttopreachduringthesongintroductions:Your roleasaworshipleaderistodirectthecongregationthrough themanycomponentsoftheservice.Oneofthecomponents willalmostcertainlybethesermon;whichwillmostlylikelybepresentedbysomeoneelseso make sure you dont double up! Good worship leadership is recognising when a comment is necessary and when it is superfluoussay what is needed to lead and thats all (Sweetman, 2012,p.11). 3. Avoid always looking down at the music: One of the challenges of having music and lyrics on stagewithyouisthenaturaltendencytoconstantlyrefertothereferencesheets.Thiscancause youtobedrawnawayfromyourcentraltaskleadingthepeople. 4. Try not to be nervous and uptight this takes time and practice: It is important to note that everyone experiences nerves (performance anxiety) to some degree. Nerves help to heighten yourawarenessand,ifmanagedwell,canliftyouroverallperformanceasaleader.
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5. Dont be unprepared, or you will be indecisive or flustered: Planning for worship is not simply that which precedes the worshipevent;moreoverplanningforworshipisanongoing processandcontinuesthroughouttheworshipservice.
There is a great potential for blessing hidden in faithful, prayerfulplanning.Youdonthavetobeanexpertplannerto start.AsIsaidtoaperfectionistfriendofmineonce,Ilikemy wayofdoingthingsbetterthanyourwayofnotdoingthings. (Ittzes,1993b,p.380)

Prayerfulplanning!

6. Dontbeoffhandwhatyousayanddomatters:Wemustgiveconsiderationtoourwordsand actionswhenweleadworship.
PresidingwellasaworshipleadermeansusingthebodywellItmeanslookinglikeoneknowswhat oneisdoingandspeakingasifonemeanswhatoneissaying.Presidingwellmeansacertainhonesty inexpression:beingwhooneisinthepresenceofGod.(Cieslak,1993,pp.396397)

7. Dontsetabadexample:Thischallengeshouldnotbewornbytheworshipleaderasamillstone around the neck; weighing the leader down with a burden that cannot be carried. Instead it shouldchallengethoseofusinleadership,remindingusthatwearecontinuallybewatched.We musttakeupthatchallengebyseekingtoliveandleadwithhumility,graceandaservanthood attitude.


Asyoureflectbackonthissession,whatareasareyoudoingwellin?Howcanthese areasofstrengthbereinforcedandenhanced?Arethereareasofsignificantweakness? Ifso,howmightyougoaboutdevelopingandrefiningtheseareas?

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References
Chakoian, C. A. (1993). Practical advice for worship leadership. In R. Webber (Ed.), The renewal of Sundayworship(Vol.3).Nashville,TN:StarSongPublishingGroup. Cherry, C. M. (2010). The worship architect: A blueprint for designing culturally relevant and biblically faithfulservices.GrandRapids,MI:BakerAcademic. Cieslak,W.(1993).Leadershipwithstyleandgrace.InR.Webber(Ed.),TherenewalofSundayworship (Vol.3).Nashville,TN:StarSongPublishingGroup. Espinosa, E. (1993). Leading worship. In R. Webber (Ed.), The renewal of Sunday worship (Vol. 3). Nashville,TN:StarSongPublishingGroup. Frazier, S. (1998). The mechanics of leading. In A. Siewert (Ed.), Worship team handbook: written by urbanaworshipteammembers(pp.4445).DownersGrove,IL:InterVasityPress. Hibbert, M., & Hibbert, V. (1993). Developing communication skills for leading worship. In R. Webber (Ed.),TherenewalofSundayworship(Vol.3).Nashville,TN:StarSongPublishingGroup. Hybels,B.,Briscoe,D.S.,&Robinson,H.W.(1989).Masteringcontemporarypreaching.Portland,OR: Multnomah. Ittzes, N. (1993a). The worship leader as servant. In R. Webber (Ed.), The renewal of Sunday worship (Vol.3).Nashville,TN:StarSongPublishingGroup. Ittzes, N. (1993b). Worship leaders and planning. In R. Webber (Ed.), The renewal of Sunday worship (Vol.3).Nashville,TN:StarSongPublishingGroup. Kauflin,B.(2008).Worshipmatters:LeadingotherstoencounterthegreatnessofGod.Wheaton,Illinois: CrosswayBooks. Kraeuter,T.(1991).Keystobecomingandeffectiveworshipleader.Hillsboro,MO:TrainingResources. McCall,S.,&Milne,R.(Eds.).(1999).Churchmusicians'handbook(2nded.).Kingsford,NSW:StMatthias Press. Noland, R. (1999). The heart of the artist: A characterbuilding guide for you and your ministry team. GrandRapids,MI:ZondervanPublishingHouse. Peterson,D.(1992).EngagingwithGod:Abiblicaltheologyofworship.DownersGrove,IL:InterVarsity Press. Sexton,L.(2008,May).Director'scut:Nobobylikestomatoesanymore.WorshipLeader,17,12.

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