I got the chance to observe all three of our campuses this weekend. It is always a helpful time of evaluation as well as a refreshing chance to worship off the stage. One of my favorite moments of the weekend was at our Providence 9:15 worship experience. The band was leading us in The Lord Is My Rock, and during the first chorus most of the band drops out as keys and some ambient guitars carry everything. During that chorus, I noticed Jeremy Smith, the bass player, with his hand raised high in the air singing that chorus out with everything he had. He wasn’t playing a note on the bass, but in that moment he did more to lead me in worship than anything a worship leader said from stage. I saw him authentically singing to the Lord, and I believed that he believed the words of that song. That he was singing in response to how God had proven to be a rock in his life.
Let me break it down as simply as I can. If you are part of a worship band, don’t limit yourself to just playing the right parts. Smile. Sing the songs the worship leader is calling your church to sing. Go for it in worship in a way that is authentic for you. And know this – You have the ability to draw people into a spirit of worship without ever playing a single note.
-Wade
This is soo true!
Sooooo true – whenever I see musicians who play an instrument pause to take time to worship – I am so blessed and humbled! Wise words, Wade. Thank you for sharing.
Wade,
This is so refreshing to hear. As a worship leader at my campus ministry, this is very inspiring, and the timing couldn’t be better. Tonight is our last night of worship for the semester and I am really hoping that the spirit will move among us during that time. It is encouraging to hear a fellow worship leader say that it is not all about hitting the right notes or playing perfectly. Have a blessed day.
Wade, I have heard from so many people that they love it when musicians worship, too. I’ve found that leading worship is a team effort. The band/sound is one worship unit. When the entire team is unified in worship, corporate worship becomes so much deeper; not out of “setting an example” but corporate worship becomes an effect of stage worship. Let the Spirit move!! Praise God. Well said, my friend.
Thanks for the post. I think as a worship leader and musician, it is sometimes easy to focus on playing the right lick that you can forget what you are there to do: lead people into His prescense. It is so true that we lead more by how passionate we worship during that time, than hitting that perfect chord.
So true Wade, so true. Love it when musicians “get it” and worship God no just with their gifts on stage but with their whole selves. Good stuff.
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Continue to be intentional for the Kingdom of God,
Austin Jefferson
Great thoughts!
I love to worship, and as a member of a worship team, you feel the energy when the other members of the team really go for it. It’s the power of corporate worship.
This is an amazing!! lets worship!!!
Amen brotha! Well said!
I’m a guitar and bass player, and I sing back-up, and you’re right… I gotta admit that I guess sometimes I kinda do forget because of getting too focused on not messing this brand new song, up or playing that really cool riff just perfectly, or even hoping no one in the congregation is looking at me and thinking, “That girl just messed up…” yeah, it doesn’t really matter does it?
We are so blessed at Elevation to have such passionate musicians along with our phenomenal worship leaders. It is always inspiring and powerful to see how involved they become with the music – not paying attention to the notes so much as connecting with the words. It is always great to see a keyboard player or the drummer or a guitarist singing along with all that is within them. It all combines for a great time of worship in His presence.
Straight up this is how it should be, you and God that’s it. Good word.
I can dig it.
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Amen!! (True Dat) Thanks for your encouraging words.
Rick
I love seeing the worship team members and leaders filled with His spirit while they are singing or playing their instruments. It touches my heart and makes me thankful that they are a part of Elevation Church. We are so blessed to have them! That is one of the first things I noticed when I started coming to Elevation 2 years ago.
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I have given a lot of thought to idea of the purpose of the musicians on stage, and, while not sold on either side, I have to say I am more in favor of letting individuals on stage (obviously within reason) express themselves to God through their instrument without worry about words or appearance. I think those on stage should look nice, be professional and make their musical sacrifice the best they possibly can, as it is a sacrifice directly to God; however, I have a problem with the concept that is a musician’s job to “lead” others into the presence of God.
While the OT speaks of the Levites and their responsibility to lead others into the presence of God, the idea is clearly founded in OT principles of a separation between God and man. The same notion applies in the Catholic church where the priest or Mary acts as the intermediary for us to God.
I believe that since Jesus filled gap, we should worship corporately and at home regardless of the team. Congregation members should be made aware that they need to reach out to God without regard for those on the stage, as leaders are crippling them by allowing an excuse for people who aren’t feeling the worship when the team leader didn’t enter in, or drag them into the presence of God.
Obviously there are exceptions to everything, and I am sure there is one to what I just explained. My issue is just with the notion that worship leaders have some responsibility other than creating a good atmosphere for people to enter into the presence of God with. When I play my instrument, I do it professionally, skilled and with focus on God. I honestly don’t care what the congregation thinks about it, because they should be doing the same. My music on my instrument is my expression to Christ and God, and I only intend that it create a good ATMOSPHERE for others. I can’t “usher in” the presence of God with worship. If each individual is filled with the Holy Spirit, the stage presence should only be a formality, not the main show.