What Does “Leading Worship” Mean?
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The author of this article, Ed Chinn, serves as part of the leadership team for WorshipInstitute.com.
He and his wife Joanne live in Fort Worth, Texas
Imagine that you are planning a grand dinner party of old and new friends. You joyfully plan every exquisite detail of the evening, from the gourmet foods to the elegant table, lighting, flowers, and music. And, during dinner, you will share secrets, reveal historic possibilities, and weave new relationships together. Oh, you can visualize the candleshine and wineglow on these cherished faces.
At 6:30, the doorbell rings: the moment to greet and embrace your friends. As you open the door, your joy radiates into a full and smiling “Welc –.” But your chattering guests pin you behind the door as they blast on into your den.
They unpack a guitar, digital projector, and speaker system. Then, as a guitar strums, they begin to chant, “Oh, Fred, we just want to know you better. Please come and dwell among us; speak to us…”
Suddenly, they all get quiet and turn their gaze to the kid with the guitar and the kinda sexy girl moving her head slowly from side to side as she hums, sways, and metrically slaps her hip. Lyrics and cinematic imagery splash across your wall.
How long would it take you to realize these people have no respect for, or even the faintest interest in, you? Clearly, they worship their own self-generated, self-serving image which they have named “Fred.” You – the real Fred – are not even a factor, let alone essential, in their gathering.
What Have We Created?
I still remember the first time I heard the term “leading worship.” I wondered then and –thirty years later and after directing many worship conferences – I wonder now, “What does that mean?”
“Worship leader” sounds like, but is not, a biblical role. Granted, neither are most of the jobs I’ve filled. But, I do wonder if joining the words “worship” and “leader” creates a perilous syncretism. “Worship” is one of the great words; it wears the ancient robes of mystery. “Leader” is also a biblical word. But, when we connect them, the new term – worship leader – seems to take on a sweeping audacity.
Could that be why Jesus (or anyone else in the Bible) did not have one? Is it possible that the Lord is capable of hosting His own gatherings? Isaiah 25:6 certainly indicates that He is and does.
I am not suggesting that humans have no valid roles in gatherings. Of course, they do. But, over the past quarter-century, I’ve watched an interesting phenomenon: it seems that the emergence of the Worship Leader has paralleled a loss of God-centeredness.
Some questions need consideration: Do we even know how to enter into His Presence? What happened to the good manners of entering His home graciously, reverently, and patiently?
If Jesus did nothing on His own initiative, but waited for the Father to do and speak things, then where do we find the authorization to take such commanding control of His gatherings?
Worship Ushers
When I met Richard Curtis, he was already retired from a successful business career. I was amazed that a long-time leader of people and resources could find such quiet and invisible excellence as an usher. He had, and taught others to have, the superb ability to just disappear into serving (when Richard died, one of his ushering disciples picked up the fallen banner and marched on in his teacher’s example).
One day, I thanked Richard for the great care which he brought to ushering. As we talked, he said something which stunned me, “I think leading worship is like ushering…just quietly and reverently help people to find a place in the Presence.”
Perhaps only this man, who had served as a leader and as an usher, could so instinctively understand the problem with linking “leader” to worship.
Part of the problem is that we tend to use biblical words for their tone even as we expect our culture to provide ever-new definitions. So, when we say “worship leader” it carries a biblical sound. But, we subconsciously buy the cultural definition of “leader” – a construct which tilts toward autonomy, control, and prominence. So, when one “leads” worship – the cultural assumptions wait backstage with recording contracts, royalties, and dark indulgences.
This is not a common “slippery slope;” it is more of a free fall into arrogance and, eventually, the grotesque flamboyance of celebrity. And, it affects anyone trying to walk in a biblical role while allowing culture to provide new and improved content.
That takes me back to the wisdom and example of Richard Curtis.
Ushers are invisible, anonymous, and often unacknowledged. Their primary function is to simply, quietly, and efficiently help people to find a place in the gathering. They don’t get the spotlight, the royalties, the contracts, or the girls.
What if our whole approach to worship took an usher – rather than leader – pattern? Hidden. Nameless. Submissive. Unappreciated.
Humbling Ourselves
Political conservatives in the US often talk about America’s “holiday from history.” By that, they mean that certain policies and attitudes have taken a leave-of-absence from the clear lessons and ideals of human history.
I wonder if much of the contemporary church is on a “holiday from humility.” Have we developed policies and attitudes which have departed our great Pattern?
Jesus taught that “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled.” (Luke 14:11). And He humbled Himself into obedience to death – even death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). No wonder that His disciple, Peter, was so clear and strong in reminding everyone that, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” (I Peter 5: 5 – 6).
Those words, still hanging like a plumbline from Heaven, call us to end our holiday from humility.
A New Era of Worship
The Lord is not anxious or angry about the church (or anything else in His creation). But, I do think He is inviting us to higher ground and a new era of worship (the road to that higher ground passes through humility, suffering, and death).
I and others who have worked in the contemporary “worship world” for many years think we detect some new breezes. Some signs indicate that we may be coming to the end of illusions and the dawn of new realities.
For example, His kindness and mercy may be carrying us from a personality-based, dollar-driven, and tech-rich “worship culture” into the greater glory of His Presence.
We also may see a renaissance of the fear of the Lord. Imagine being ushered into His Presence by those who have a profoundly God-centered and fearful reverence toward Him.
It also seems that a biblical and pristine re-definition of worship may be falling on His church. Gerrit Gustafson – well-respected songwriter, author, and teacher – recently told me, “Music is one of at least thirty other biblically-prescribed acts of worship, including prayer, lying prostrate, preaching the gospel, defending the poor, etc.”
Gerrit also described another emerging reality: “We have not yet plumbed the depths of God’s plan for ‘team leadership.’” He then presented a vision of musical gifts linked with other gifts, and all listening together for the Spirit’s leadership for the gathering.
Finally, in the new era, we may return to the Bible for, not only the tone, but the content of our words and ideas. When that happens, perhaps the title “Worship Leader” will find biblical integrity.
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Recently, I stepped into a sublime and soaring place of worship. And, true to the Lord’s nature, this “dinner party” contained an enormous surprise. That moment could not have been scripted. It was “…far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” (Ephesians 3:20, The Message).
Morris Chapman was leading that particular session. As always, he had the good sense to get out of the Lord’s way.
The next morning I ran into my friend Morris in the lobby of the hotel. As we chatted, I told him how much I appreciated the sweet kiss from God and the transcending lift of the Spirit in that meeting. And, this wise “usher” paused and said, “I had no business up on that platform.”
What if every worship leader knew that? What if they knew the purpose and Person of the gathering? What if they knew that their only role was to simply, quietly, and reverently usher people to their places at the Lord’s dinner party?
Perhaps when we finally sit silently at His great table – exhausted and sick of initiatives, scripts, and ourselves – He will open up the great abundance of His heart and do and say…far more than we could ever imagine or guess or request in our wildest dreams!
Ed Chinn
Copyright © 2008 by Ed Chinn. All rights reserved.
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Ed,
This is one of the finest, deeply insightful pieces I’ve ever read.
Your observations cut deep, yet without the rancour of the “disgruntled”.
Please “keep ‘um comin’”.
Karry
Thank you Mr. Chinn, for your insight. I do believe there’s a fine line that we must be careful with in which you described for the “worship leader” when one believes that what comes next are albums and stardom. My husband and I are both worship leaders (ushers) and sometimes have held back when it comes to publishing our songs because we don’t want others to believe that our pursuit is something other than God’s glory and inspiring His people to lift their worship offering every week as one. But I thank God that our intentions and passion for the Lord have shown genuine and now we’re being pushed to record because they can’t find those songs anywhere else and I feel bad when they’ve searched iTunes and the web and say, “I really want that song we sing on Sundays. It’s so beautiful. Who sings it?” And then after blushing for like 5 minutes, I have to tell them that they’re going to have to wait awhile for that to come around. But definitely, God knows why we do things. An usher, a sunday-school teacher, and even the man behind the pulpit can do things with the wrong motive and it’s OURSELVES we must protect our hearts from. Even the most humblest tasks can be done in search of recognition. I guess what challenges every worship “leader” is the fact that our act of worship could have become so commercialized that it can cause a stumble among them and that by losing focus, we lose the heart of it all: King Jesus. That’s why it’s SO important we keep our hearts in check and be Spirit-led no matter where we serve. God bless :o)
I read and appreciate people that endeavors to explain how worship and leading and creating a place for the Holy Spirit among His people really needs to happen. It seems, now more than ever, and probably rightfully so, there are more criticism on the music part of a worship service than ever. I agree, maybe the term Worship Leader is not appropriate… but we could get really technical and say that what we label worship might be totally wrong too. Worship, in it’s purest form, is our response to God. It happens on and off the platform, in church and out in the workplace, home, mall and street. I look at David, a passionate worshipper, who wrote awesome poems and songs of worship - in response to where he was in life. If I’m not mistaken, he put the first praise band together… a group of temple muso’s that had to work on perfecting their talent! Wonder what it was like when they practised, and who lead them, and what that role took on then! I think, a lot of David’s heart got lost through the ages, or maybe misinterpreted. For ages, there wasn’t much ‘worship’ through music going on. Or maybe it wasn’t well recorded. You had a few munks here and there chanting in Latin. And even not too long ago (or maybe still today) ‘worship’ consisted of a person playing an organ and the masses singing together… but without much worshiping going on. I agree that a lot of ‘worship leaders’ are self centered, but I also believe that a new awakening for singing song that help us reflect on God, causing us to worship. People have a longing to participate more in the singing of those songs, especially when coming together in celebration on Sundays (or any other group time). I think there’s a fine balance between singing songs of worship or praise with the right motives and pure heart, and also doing it in the best possible way we can, meaning we put the time and effort in to perfect our act like the temple muso’s. Sometimes, this is where the trouble start - people in and outside of the church see that perfecting of a talent, a song, a lick, a riff as selfcenteredness.
Balance… that’s what it boils down to. With the right balance, God will love what we do, and people will look at us and say ‘hey! i want to know that ‘fred’ that he’s singing about too!’
Just my two cents.
I just love everything you wrote, it encourages alot of young worship leaders like me here in africa zambia in particular.
Finally, somebody gets it. I’ve been a psalmist and sporatic and reluctant worship “leader” for more than thirtyfive years. I’ve always been troubled in my spirit with the “I am of Paul … I am of Apollos” approach to any type of ministry and its promotion. While there is a balance in the Word for a “man’s gift making room for him and bringing him before great men”, as I loosely paraphrase part of a passage from the book of Proverbs, I believe this edification is for the working of God’s purposes. I’m thinkin’ that those purposes may not include personal gain or glory.
There are great examples of this in the lives and ministries of Moses, Esther, and Joseph in the Old Testament and the ultimate example in the life of our Lord, Jesus Christ in the New Testatment.
A we try to “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” (NAS), thank you for putting into words what I needed to read and hear in my spirit (I’ve got quite a ways’ t’ go).
The word worship means that there is deity that is receiving reverence,adoration,praise etc our entry into the courts of fleshly kings and people in high places, leaders, is often more respectfull than the courts of our God,our responsibility as worship leaders, our mandate is to bring or usher people into that presence of God as the guards would the king’s court and somehow become invisible difficult as that might seam i believe its achievable,when worship is finished people must be filled with the joy of the Lord the awaresnes of God must intencify,this is a great note i really felt the truth coming out wow well done sir!
I needed this article more than you can imagine. I’m desperate for God and at times my gift of song becomes the focus as I stand before people. Worship Leader has always sounded self imposed, I’ve often been afraid to open my mouth in fear that God wont meet me where I am. My heart truly excites to worship “with” instead of “leading” Worhip Usher and the humility that comes with the responsibility is no small task and can easily become a personal claim to fame if not centered. I’m grateful however that my heart desires to worship in spirit and truth. I wish more “leaders of worship” would see that it is an incredible honor that God allows us to worship him before the people. Stay fresh Ed Chinn…you rock!!
Worship Leader truely does not capture the true essense of the role. Worship Pastor is far more correct. We are not leading, as a forced and commanding action, but we are pastoring…carefully shepharding people to to meet with the Lord
Interesting message… Thank God for those who have become servants or ushers with a heart that remains humble as they lead us into His presence. May we humble ourselves and exalt Jesus in every part of our lives. We must worship Him “in spirit and truth”.
Really, the issue is mostly resolved when leaders understand the function of the praise team. When the functions are understood and principles are activated within those functions, everything that is done lines up and leaders become aware of His presence and forget about themselves.
First thing to do is to take the word “worship” out of the label of the praise team. (a few readers’ back hairs probably stood up here) Why? Well, the giving of worth doesn’t actually happen until the one who it is being given to receives it. So, if you take the word “worship” out of the praise team, it helps lend to the mindset that worship (intimate worship) is something that has to be attained and excludes self exaltation.
The function of the praise leader is to lead (bring into order, or focus) the praise team (those who are skilled, and then the rest of the congregation). Different people work different ways, and that is where the praise leader would and should bring order.
Now, with all that said, everything the praise team does falls under the following functions:
1. To praise God (so when God inhabits the praises, worship is engaged)
2. To set the atmosphere, or the tone of the time of service, according to the leading of the Holy Ghost
3. To allow the Spirit of God to prepare the hearts and minds of the gathered to hear and receive God’s Word.
From hear, you all can formulate your own perceptions according to God’s word on this.
Bro Chinn, Great insight. Thank you for sharing you wisdom which obviously was inspired by HOLY SPIRIT. I still have alot to learn…so glad our savior doesnt let that keep him from flowing through us.
The minute that a worship “leader”, “minister”,etc., forgets that their role is to attempt to help lead the worshiper into the presence of God without becoming or being a distraction, is the minute he becomes ineffective. “Praise Teams”, in my opinion, make that task almost an impossibility. The “leaders” become the “show” and in my experience attending worship services which were being lead by Praise Teams, a large number of people stopped participating in the one “act” of worship where every member has the opportunity to openly participate. They stop because they are “listening” and not worshiping. The are being entertained. The mega churches that put on a concert at every service have redirected the focal point from God to entertainment. Much like we do with almost everything else in our lives, we are looking for instant gratification which takes no effort. Sit back, relax, and take it in becomes the mantra of many church goers. The barometer that many people use to decide how “good” the service was is how much they “got out of it” instead of how much they “put into it”. Much like a tour guide in a National Park or museum, the goal is to “lead” through the experience, not become the experience.