When Are You Too Old to Lead Worship?

There comes a time in everyone’s life that no one looks forward to.

That time when the train takes off. Life moves at deafening speeds. Where at one point you were on the front lines of ministry, it seems you’re now being replaced with younger people.

You’re struggling to keep up. You’re getting older.

“Getting older” is sneaky, isn’t it? When you were a kid, life was slow—full of possibility, dreams and big visions.

Now, you find yourself saying, “It’s my birthday … again?”

It can be a scary time. You don’t learn as fast. Your hearing is getting worse. Your style is no longer cool. You don’t know how to strum the guitar like those kids.

Are You Too Old?

Are you too old to lead worship? This is a very common question, but I believe it’s the wrong question.

Of course, you’re not too old to lead worship.

If you no longer have a voice or can’t control your bowels, you may want to step off stage. But the Bible gives us no indication that age is a factor when it comes to ministry.

“Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days” (Job 12:12).

“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green” (Psalm 92:12-14).

History testifies that thousands of people were even more productive in their old age (Edison was 46 when he invented the light bulb).

The righteous still bear fruit—even in old age.

You have a decision to make right here. This time in your life is absolutely crucial. While you may not be too old to lead worship, are you doing what is most effective for the glory of God and the good of the church?

Reframing Leadership

You see, when it comes to being “used” by God and doing ministry, we all can be so individualistic and personal.

We want to be used. We want our chance. Nobody signs up to be forgotten.