Podcast Episode #280
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Mike Harland joins us to kick off a four-part series on worship in the church by examining the four essential qualities of a worship leader.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- “Musical worship should be led skillfully.”
- “Music is not our message in the church. It is our language.”
- “Shepherds develop flocks. Musical artists don’t develop people, typically.”
- “If a worship pastor is not relational, he/she can quickly become isolated from the rest of the ministries of the church.”
- “The worship leader who will have tenure and impact beyond the stage is someone who is relational with the people of the church.”
- “Because of the way churches setup their facility and staffs, the music suite can easily become isolated from the rest of the church.”
- “Worship pastors should be involved in the whole mission of the church, not just the music.”
The four qualities we discuss are:
- Musically excellent, but so much more
- Has a high “RQ”
- Can play QB, but doesn’t have to
- Embraces the larger mission
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Feedback
If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of Who Moved My Pulpit?
For years I have gone to churches with either worship pastors or leaders. I go to church now where there is NOT one. It is so much better, there is no performance, no nonsense. I think it was a major problem to have worship leaders. Now we have congregational singing with a piano. It is wonderful.
IMO, the worship leader is on an ego trip.
Bill –
I would not make such categorical statements. There are thousands of godly, Christ-honoring worship leaders. I thank God for them.
quite a timely message that can help many worship leaders as well as pastors. many lead in worship with neither an awareness of the church mission nor the message of the day.
This information is so timely and valuable. My wish is that there was some way to get this kind of insight into the hands of all SBC worship leaders and pastors. Maybe you could develop some seminary courses.
Tom –
Thanks. Our surveys indicate our resources are getting to 7 of 10 Protestant churches in America, so the word is getting out!
Fantastic!
We’re having to search for a worship leader (part-time pay, unfortunately) at our church. I’ll pass this on to the search team as a resource as they pray through the process.
Doug
We have a worship leader who doesn’t believe in the effectiveness of music in worship. Unfortunately, the pastor’s wife is our worship leader. Neither sees the need to draw our attention to the Lord or to the Word being shared through the feelings and thought process that starts with the music.
Hi everyone,
I have been leading worship vocally for many years at my local church.
I find there is a tension that occurs between personally worshiping our Lord (audience of 1) and leading others in worship.
From the Sundays that I am with the congregation (not on the platform leading), I know it can be very inspiring to see worship leaders deep in personal Worship crying out to Jesus.
However, I know we also have to be conscience of how everyone in the room is responding.
It is a difficult balance for me to walk well.
Thankfully, as long as my heart is right with Jesus, I know He will take what I bring and use it for His glory.
Thank you Jesus!
Best
Gary
Southern NH (U.S.)