Creating A Worship Leadership Team
One of the hardest parts of parenting two energetic boys is teaching them to share, especially when it’s their favorite toy. There have likely been more peaceful, amicable negotiations held within the walls of the UN. The challenge is convincing one of them to relinquish the thing they love and enjoy.
As a worship leader, leading the congregation in worship is enjoyable, rewarding, and fulfilling. It brings me joy to see God’s people come together and join their voices in the praise and worship of the Lord.
If you’re anything like me, you don’t typically want to “hand off” something like this…something so enjoyable. But, I’m convinced now more than ever that God has called us to replicate ourselves in leadership and has placed us in positions of authority and influence so that we can teach, train, and raise up new leaders.
If I do my job as a dad well, I’m able to get the boys to share, which eventually leads them to playing together. It turns out sharing wasn’t all that painful. They can laugh together, create new games, and genuinely enjoy themselves as they share in their activity.
If I do my job as a worship pastor well, I’m able to move other leaders forward in worship leadership so that they can use their God-given talents and testimonies to lead our church in worship. Our congregation is able to hear different voices and insights. They are able to share in the joy of seeing a young worship leader develop and grow right before their eyes. The platform looks like their church family, not just a singular leader.
In considering how to create a worship leadership team:
Set People Up For A Win
One of the best ways to retain and encourage new worship leaders is by setting them up for a win. Provide helpful resources, communicate early and clearly about upcoming plans (no surprises), have them lead a “home run” song (this is a song the congregation is sure to engage), have them lead a section of a song (for the person who’d benefit from baby steps).
Show Grace
Mistakes and miscues are inevitable in developing leaders. Don’t sweat it. We’ve all fallen on our faces. Show grace throughout the hiccups. Show grace after the bobbled lyric. Show grace when the wrong chord is confidently played. Always let your team know you believe in them and are on their side.
Give Collaborative Feedback
After a new worship leader finishes leading a song, ask them how they felt they did. Give them feedback specifically focused on their experience. If they felt like they seemed nervous and shaky on the first verse, reassure them everyone has iffy moments, provide encouragement that counters their perception, and give tips for how you calm your nerves.
God has placed people in our churches and ministries who are gifted and ready to lead. All we have to do is learn to share.
Author: David Leonard is the Worship Pastor at Colonial Heights Baptist Church in Ridgeland, MS. The latest single from David and the Colonial Heights Worship team, “Come What May,” is available now anywhere you listen to music!
