A PLEA TO WORSHIP LEADERS

From the man who gives the announcements before worship service begins to the man who closes the worship service in song or prayer, each has a serious responsibility and a stewardship entrusted to him. Each individual worshiper has a personal accountability for worshiping in spirit and truth (John 4:24), but by the very nature and definition of leadership those who lead have even greater accountability. We expect the preacher to have his lessons and sermons prepared well before Sunday morning. Should we expect any less from the others who lead in certain areas during the time of worship? To those who lead us, please pray, put forethought and planning, and maintain an appropriate level of zeal and reverence in carrying us through the various acts of worship. Please consider the following suggestions, humbly submitted to those men who lead us in worship.

• Be Equipped, displaying that you are prepared and ready to lead whatever part of the worship service entrusted to you (Ezra 7:10).
  
• Be Enthusiastic, showing that you’re glad to be in the house of the Lord (Psalm 122:1).
• Be Encouraging, remembering to focus on those who are there and not those who are not (Hebrews 10:24-25).
• Be Energetic, not frivolous or “over the top,” but alive with passion for praising God (Philippians 3:3).
• Be Engaged, understanding what you are doing and knowing what you are doing next (1 Corinthians 14:15).
• Be Earnest, a sincere, heartfelt worship leader whose main objective is to worship God Himself (Joshua 24:14).
• Be Empathetic, having a fellow-feeling with your fellow-worshippers that causes you to be attuned to them as well as attuned to the joy of worshiping God (Psalm 42:4).
• Be Edifying in your efforts, with the aim of equipping the Saints to work and strengthening the body as a whole (Ephesians 4:11-16).
• Be Educational in your words, knowing that you teach and admonish others also (Colossians 3:16).

Each opportunity is precious and God-given. Each time is an appearance in the very throne room of Heaven. Each moment is directed to the Divine. Let us lead worship service, reflecting that we understand that!

Tobias Hatchett