Leading worship. It’s a term we throw around a lot.
We idolize the uber talented ones. It’s a key position in churches across the globe. But do you know what’s interesting? It’s not in the Bible. God never calls or commands people to lead in worship. That terminology is simply never used.
Sure, there is plenty of music in the Bible. We know we are to make a joyful noise and praise the Lord with loud, clashing cymbals. But there are no commands to lead worship. Why is this? Is this just a human construct that we have completely off base?
I don’t think so. Entirely. We just need to clarify what it means to “lead.” What does it mean to lead people in worship? What is the role of a worship leader? We hear a lot of catch phrases surrounding this:
• “Wow, you really led us to the throne room today!”
• “You ushered us into the presence of God.”
• “The presence of God is so strong on him(her).”
• “Your anointing shifted the atmosphere.”
If I’m honest, some of these statements make me queasy. Why? Because we’re placing too much stock in the worship leader person rather than the person of Christ.
Have we become too dependent on worship leaders and not dependent enough on Christ?
Consider Hebrews 10:19-23:
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Have you ever lost something that was literally right under your nose? I’ve searched near and far for my phone only to realize I was talking on it. I’ve spend hours looking for my keys only to discover they were in my pocket.
In the truest sense, a worship leader doesn’t lead people to God. We simply draw attention to His nearness … to His presence. We don’t lead our churches into the presence of God. That is a miracle reserved for Jesus Christ.
But what do we do, then, you may ask? We highlight Jesus. We trumpet what He has done. We shine a spotlight on His finished work. Nothing more, nothing less.
