Praise and Worship

Yesterday we talked about the shortcomings of term “Worship Leader,” specifically as it applies to modern day church music directors. We said that it implies other things are not worship and that worship is isolated to a Sunday morning church segment. In light of scriptures view of worship (singing and serving Hebrews 13:15-16), this can be a dangerous distinction for the church to make. Maybe a better term for what has become the common role in most churches would be corporate worship leader or worship pastor. (I recognize that the term “pastor” may or may not be a term designated for ordained individuals depending on the culture you serve in).

So, each day this week, we’ll talk about a different hat that worship leaders wear.

Today’s hat:

Teacher

It’s amazing to me when I look at the time allotted in worship for music, that there isn’t a stronger call for worship leaders to be theologically trained and grounded.  I remember fishing through job descriptions a a couple years ago while in transition. I don’t think I saw more than 3 job descriptions for worship leaders that included any emphasis on knowing and being able to communicate the word of God.  And there were a staggering number that said, “Performance experience required, worship experience a plus.”

Senior pastors – why would you want to hand over 30-50% of your gathering time to someone who is primarily a musician and a performer

Worshippers – why do you hold such high spiritual standards for your teaching pastors, but lack a concern for your worship leaders spiritual condition?

I think it’s imperative that we begin to raise the standard for those leading us in music. Weekly, they decide what songs the church will sing, and if not based on biblical wisdom, then what? Popularity?  Catchiness?  The songs we sing become the truth we believe.  As worship leaders, we need to know and love the word of God. It needs to flow from us naturally and consistently. It needs to be the lens through which we see everything and the filter through which we make our decisions.

But what about the ability communicate the word as a teacher? I began to include that on this post, but I think we’ll jump into that tomorrow. Felt a little long to put it all in one post.

Cole