I know what you’re thinking right now -
“Darn it all! I thought I was doing good? You mean EVERYONE ELSE is better than me?!”
Yep, everyone. It’s just a sad fact you need to face. Don’t worry though, there is hope. Here is some advice to get you back on track to leading better worship the way GOD wants you to!
10 Ways to Not Be a terrible Worship Leader:
- Stop being so emotional, really it’s not working.
- Show a little emotion for pete’s sake. What, is your heart made of stone?
- Stop jabbering between songs. Shut up and play. We don’t pay you to talk, we pay you to sing.
- Say something! Anything! Don’t just stand there like a moron. Give a little intro to the song – talk about how it affects your life. Be real. We want to hear from you – stop being so distant.
- Why don’t you ask us to shake hands anymore? I used to love that.
- Please dear, sweet, 6lb. 8oz., golden fleece diper clad baby Jesus can we get rid of the “meet and greet?!”
- Stop showing off so much! Worship is not about you it’s about Jesus. Really, you call yourself a worship leader? Why do you even get on stage? You should just put the whole band in another room and have the music piped in.
- Can you please do something about the terribly bland worship music? I mean pep up the arrangement a little bit. Throw in a guitar solo or something. Gees, worship music is so boring. I can’t worship God when I have drool running off my cheek onto the carpet because I’ve been bored to sleep by your unenthusiastic excuse for a “praise song.”
- Stop telling me how to worship! Worship is all about me and how I feel about Jesus. Everyone doing the same thing together is canned, boring and trite. You should just let me worship individually how I want to and stop asking us to do things together. Particularly egregious are the sins or asking us to “raise your hands” or “clap your hands.” What do you think we are, your own little monkey army?
- Give some encouragement to the crowd. I mean c’mon your supposed to be “leading” in worship. Simply performing isn’t good enough. At least shout out the upcoming line or give some type of cue that we’re supposed to be singing. When you just stand there and play you look like a rockstar who only cares about himself. It’s about Jesus!!
Bonus tips:
- Play faster
- Play slower
- Play louder
- Play softer
- More hymns
- Less hymns
- Pray more
- Don’t pray
- Make more mistakes (it makes you look more “real”)
- Make less mistakes (it make your look incompetent.)
- Just be all things to all people
For even more insight check out Los’ post here.
(In all fairness, Los asked, so I’m not complaining. Ok, maybe I am complaining. I’m complaining about the complainers. Those darn complainers. Uh, when will they stop complaining? I’m so tired of people complaining!)
By the way worship leader – don’t you know it’s not about you it’s all about Jesus? This a reminder. I just wanted to make sure you knew that because the overwhelming majority of worship guys I know are TOTALLY into themselves and have no concept whatsoever that they are supposed to put the focus on Jesus.
This is HILARIOUS!!!
Thanks Billy!
Great answer to this post, Billy. I read the comments and almost wept. It frustrated me so much. And it made me feel a bit hopeless as well – like, well gee if that’s what everyone’s thinking every Sunday I might as well retire my mic……..
That was hilarious… and kinda sad. You hit the nail on the head, for sure. Thanks.
Billy – thanks for this great persepective response. We miss the point so often in our culture today. People argue and point out the silliest things. Make the Word your focus, exalt Jesus and people will be changed because of Him.
You crack me up. This is why you’re one of the first clicks in my reader. I’d really love to meet face to face some day….
I’m totally printing this out and putting it on the bulletin board outside my office.
It’s funny, ’cause it’s true.
Great Tips. I think I’ll use some of them. Seriously.
Mark: Good idea – I think I’ll print this out too!
& thanks, Billy, for your post in response to the other one. I was reading the comments after seeing your post here & coming to that conclusion as well – opposites, opposites, & everyone’s a critic! Let’s just worship Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!! Woot!
Just thought of some to add…
- Be more confident when you lead.
- Don’t be so full of yourself.
- Tone down the heavy electric guitar & drums!
- Make it edgier! Get out that electric guitar, kick up the percussion.
- Don’t play the drums so loud/aggressively.
- Don’t play the drums so timidly.
haha. yes, i read los’ post. i left comments on both, even though i am a worship leader.
it was so interesting reading everything people had to say. this is really great.
maybe people actually don’t mean ‘don’t do this and don’t do that’. maybe they mean ‘let’s not get into a routine.’
then again, some people like routine. crap.
-peace
–ash
I love it!
I’m speechless… Phenomenal post.
I don’t get it….
Is there a point to just listing 5 things then contradicting yourself after each one?
Was it supposed tobe funny?
Do you have any experience on stage? As a worship leader?
Stephen,
Just a little sarcasm – read it again, if you’ve ever gotten feedback from church people on your worship leading then it’s hilarious.
In all seriousness the point is to play for an audience of One. You will never please people who will always find something to complain about. However, our worship, sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ, is a pleasing aroma to the Lord.