3 Ways to Win the Congregation

Three Performance Basics:

1. Connect With Your Audience (Love Them and They’ll Love You Back)

2. Lead Your Audience (They’re Gonna Follow You!)

3. Your Audience Is Less Aware Than You Think (Keep Your Flubs to Yourself)  

The #1 thing to remember in a performance is: Connect with your audience. Thereforebe prepared and confident. Practice to the point where everything you do flows from the subconscious — as if the effort was second-hand. That way, your body language will emit an air of confidence and fluidity rather than being stiff and awkward. A performer’s ability to be authentic, warm and engaging, yet humble toward the audience, helps them build confidence in you. When you exude a lack of confidence, your audience feels unsure, expecting you to make a mistake or misspeak. Preparedness begets confidence!

The #2 thing to remember is: The audience wants to be led. We help the audience along on our journey through:

  • Directing their attention toward important aspects of the performance through visual and verbal cues (please stand; please sit; “let’s welcome to the stage X, Y or Z”; “Please direct your attention to the video screens”; musical cut-offs; receiving applause; etc.)
  • Giving them permission to respond appropriately.
  • Helping them move through transitions in the performance without losing focus.

Don’t take for granted that the audience knows what to do … they don’t! Your job as a leader is to lead them!

The #3 thing to remember is: The audience is unaware. I could say ignorant, but that seems a little harsh. What I mean to say is that the audience is not as aware of the intricacies of our performance as we are. Things aren’t always as obvious to our audience until we direct their attention toward something. Many times, our mistakes will go unnoticed if we simply don’t bring attenuation to them. Therefore, we must remain confident and in control.

I once heard it said, “My play was a complete success, but the audience was a failure!” Sometimes as performers we may think that way, but in reality we cannot blame our poor performance on the audience. Our lack of preparation and planning will hurt our performances. Very few great artists “wing it.” A wise performer’s every move and spoken word is scrutinized for effectiveness, whether in worship or on a secular stage. The key for every performer, worship leader and preacher is to make what they do seem effortless!

James Taylor, the great singer/songwriter, has said that a live performance is a common emotional experience for the performer and the audience. As performers, we must plan, prepare and practice for a performance. But there comes a time when we must surrender to the moment — to be fully “present” in our live performances and let things unfold. That’s why each performance, even though they contain the same elements, can be received and enjoyed in various ways by different audiences.