Worship Leading 101

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Psalms 78:72 "And David shepherding them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them." 

​Every Sunday, you and I get to help our congregation experience the presence of God. And monday through Saturday we get to make time to prepare ourselves and our team for that Sunday experience. There are several key elements that play into when preparing our worship setlist. We have the heart and spiritual element, and we have the practical elements as well. Practical elements such as, our song selection, the musicians, the vocalists, the sound tech, the media department, our leadership, how we communicate, our pastor, and also the clock. In this article we want to bring some clarity and some direction that we believe will help you on your journey as you prepare for your upcoming worship gathering.

Exodus 24:8-9 ​"Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.

So let's begin with the question, what is worship leading all about? Worship Leading is about partnering with what God is doing among His people. You and get to co-lead with the King of kings and the Lord of lords. I don't know about you, but that's a pretty big deal and if you know God, when He shows up, people's lives are changed. When you and I are preparing, know that God's plan from the get go, is about meeting with His people. Our overall goal as a church body is to experience the manifest presence of God. 

Psalms 27:4 “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”

So how do we prepare for such a meeting? Here are some practical tips that help us, our team, and our congregation prepare for the greatest worship experience ever.

1. ​Be Praying: Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Ps 127:1
2. Come Prepared: David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. Ps 78:72
3. Relax: Commit your way to the Lord,  trust in him and he will do this. Ps 37:5
4. Get Eyes on Jesus: I am the way and the truth and the life. John 14:6
5. Be Real: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (also Romans 12:6)
6. Quote Scripture: For the word of God is alive and active...the truth will set you free....Heb 4:12 & John 8:32
7. Don't Overtalk: Be still, and know that I am God. Ps 46:10
8. Let the People Sing: Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our Salvation. Ps 95:1
9. Keep Flow: A worship set that flows together helps the congregation stay engaged the entire time. - Kade Young
10. ​Get Out of the Way: One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. Ps 27:4

Some Take Aways:

• From a scale from 1 to 10, how are you doing in these ten areas?
• If there's room for improvement, what can you do to help you move forward?

Can I Pray for Us:
Lord, it is You we worship and it is only by your mercy and grace we can come before Your throne. Thank You for reminding us once again, that it all belongs to You and that You deserve our best. That even when we don't have it all together, we find peace and confidence in knowing that You do. As we move forward, keep our eyes on You Lord, go before us in all that we do for your glory and for your kingdom. All this we pray, in your mighty name, Amen and Amen!

More of What You Need to Grow and Lead:
If you would like to learn more in-depth about how each of these areas play in worship leading, visit LeadingWorshipTogether.com and take our free 10 Tips for Leading Worship online course in the School of Worship.

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Author

Martin is a husband, worship leader, and a career, ministry, and life coach from the Pacific Northwest who is passionate about helping everyday worship leaders fulfill their calling with confidence.