Last week, you were sure the Shekinah had hit Xcel Center. Chris Tomlin introduced THAT SONG, and the crowd erupted in powerful praise. Thousands of human lips declared the glory of the Living God with a fervor mortal flesh could not long endure.
You, Worship Leader, did the reasonable thing. You introduced THAT SONG to your own church.
Like the crowd at Xcel, your congregation also got a taste of eternity. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the good part. Some stared at you curiously, like passersby at a car accident. Others looked away, embarrassed. A few texted on their cell phones. Your merciful closing chord hung in the air and gave way to a foreboding silence. The pastor took the pulpit and began to redeem the morning. Like Wayne, carrying Garth through the burning ruins, you asked, “Why, God? Why?”
We’ve all been there. Let’s call it what it is: An Epic Fail in Worship. EFIW. Thankfully, there is life after these disasters. I’ve taken many good shellackings over the years and lived to tell the tale.
If you’ve suffered a recent Epic Fail in Worship, don’t give in to despair. I offer my own 5 sure-fire tips to help you recover and get back in the Thronezone.
1. Consider Yourself Blessed: Swallow the Beat-i-pills:
Regardless of why things went sideways, a Sovereign God permitted this Epic Fail, and it has purpose. Open Matthew Chapter 5, and review Jesus’ Beatitudes: “Blessed are…” A serious Epic Fail in Worship can fill your mouth with all eight of those bitter Beat-i-pills. Don’t spit them out. Jesus says they’re good medicine. We’re wise to receive them and follow Jesus’ path of descent.
2. Consider Yourself Less: Lighten Up
Worship leaders tend to take themselves far too seriously. It’s good to remember we’re fallible, and sometimes, we show it in HD. Romans 12 calls us to be realistic about our identity and generous with the unique gifts God has given us. (Put another way, I’m deeply grateful for both the Holy Spirit and for Matt Redman, but I’m not either of them.)
3. Consider Yourself a Learner: Know You’re on a Journey
The way we grow in spiritual leadership is a lot like how we improve our musical skills. When I was first learning my chops, I was awful! But I was excited, and others cheered me on. Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t stop; I’d hate to be stuck there today. It is the same with Worship Leading; as we develop, we understand that our past steps were immature. Brace yourself: our steps this week are immature, too. We just won’t know it until we’ve grown a bit more. We are never at our zenith; we are always at various stages of immaturity. Openly admitting this is a huge relief. It helps us face setbacks humbly and “improve our serve.” This kind of humility is honest and attractive, and I’ve seen God bless it with grace that’s, well, amazing.
4. Consider Your Core Values: Return to Square One Often
Jesus chided the Church at Ephesus, “Remember from where you’ve fallen; go back and do the deeds you did at first.” An Epic Fail in Worship is a time to review square one principles:
Am I loving God and loving others (Mt. 22:36-37)?
Am I making and releasing disciples (Mt. 28:16-20)? Am I being a servant and not a star (Ph. 2:3-5)?
Do I fear God more than I fear people (Mt. 10:28)?
Am I careless with God’s Glory (Is. 42:8)?
A checklist can take you from the abstract into the concrete; here’s a starter:
Personal time with God?
Relationships with my pastor and other leaders?
Critics: Do I hold grudges or communicate open-handedly?
Are my songs a good choice for our congregation, both musically and lyrically?
Is our sound system more of a liability than a benefit?
Do I shortcut rehearsals?
Consider the Impossible: Remember Whose You Are Both our Lord AND the Angel Gabriel said, “With God, nothing is impossible.”
Rethink possible. God moves mightily in the hearts of His people regardless of our Epic Fails. A perfect performance from you won’t enhance God’s sovereignty, and your embarrassing moments will not hinder His infinite goodness.
A final thought: God partners with us in mysterious ways. He can use your humorous reaction to an Epic Fail, for example, to speak life into a person struggling with her own self-worth.
God is God, Worship Leader. Get back up on the horse that bucked you. Epic Fails will not plague us forever, and we’re heading for a venue far greater than Xcel Center. We’ll meet at that Glorious Place for an unending blast of God’s Shekinah Glory.
