- Give the Church room for their own voice to be heard; allow space where the congregation sings out on a worship song while the band accompanies them and the vocalists hold back from singing in their mics. This technique can also be used to encourage a 'new song' to be sung by the people but this takes time and teaching. It's good to remove lyrics from the projector screen...occassionally.
- Encourage your band of musicians to play together and work on music dynamics. A band needs to make one sound of music, not various instruments doing their own thing...that becomes distracting and down right annoying.
- Honestly, I can talk way to much while leading worship. This causes people to connect in worship then disconnect and then reconnect and back and forth...if I keep talking. Go with less is more UNLESS the Holy Spirit tells you to speak! You'll notice a huge difference in the response of the people as you lead them instead of always interrupting the worship flow.
- Let the Holy Spirit flow as you worship the King. Be sensitive to His move. If you have to change your song list or order of service to do what He wants...THROW IT ALL AWAY if you need to! It's okay. Afterall it's His Church. I'm not advocating chaos or confusion, not at all. But we need to let the Lord direct His Church!
- Let the people 'respond' to worship, don't push them or scold them. Now there are times when rebuke might be needed but I've heard that used on very rare and bold occassions. Worship Leaders should lead by example and teaching!
- There is something about a 'Shepherd's voice' while leading worship. There is a time for shouting praises, exhorting, even more declarative or militant style worship, but the Shepherd's tone and volume actually draws people deeper into God's Presence.
- I like this term...'humble confidence.' This simply means in humility know your skill, trust the anointing of God and then follow Him.
- Lead worship as if the platform is level with the congregation seating but realize that when you do step onto the platform, no matter how high it is, you have been placed their with great responsibility and sacrifice. Walk humbly in it. It is reverent and holy unto the Lord and should be honored and respected.
- There are times when we cue the vocalists or band to sing a chorus or verse again but never cue the congregation, why? Sometimes it may not be needed but to keep distractions from becoming an issue learn to naturally cue the congregation during a song. You don't need to intro the Church every single time you sing a chorus, bridge or verse but learn how to gently guide them with small verbal cues.
- Worship Leaders: submit to the Senior Leadership of your church. The Senior Pastor of your church should be seen as the Head Worship Leader! You will find great blessing in this if you submit to it!
- Your attitude can make or break the team's attitude which will affect the attitude of worship! Keep your attitude in check even when sound issues come up, a projector isn't working, a musician shows up late and not in dress code...!
- Bring, usher and lead the people into the Presence of God...DON'T JUST GO IN ALONE!
- "Ministry is the overflow of time spent with Jesus." So take time to worship Him and discover Him on your own!
- Worship Leaders are Butlers for God to His people. Butlers open the door the people are knocking on, take their coat, encourage them to prepare to meet the King, walk them to the Throneroom and then encourage them to stay as long as they can in His Presence! Awesome!
- When it comes to the Manifest Power and Presence of God, I have a problem with being seeker-sensitive. God loves people more than I do so if I submit to Him He'll show me how to lead believers and unbelievers alike into His Presence. It's not about being seeker-sensitive but about leading a diverse congregation of people! Learn how your people respond and teach them from there!
In pursuit of Jesus,
Jarrod
