This month has been all squad month, which means all 48 of us have been living together in the same house! It has been like a sleepover that never ends- but people keep getting the stomach bug. Haha not sure what kind of sleepover we’re running here.
This weekend, our last weekend in Nepal, has been leadership development weekend. This is a time for people to step up an share the wisdom that God has given them- to impart things to our squad. Some people are teaching on prayer language, sharing your testimony, living in community, etc. And, I taught on Worship.
Over the last 7 years, I think the Lord has taught me some good lessons on how to lead and where my heart should be when I lead. I love music and I love to sing! I have done worship in big, conservative churches, summer camps, non-denominational churches, and in different settings on the World Race. I know that I don’t know all there is to know about leading worship but I definitely feel like the Lord has taught me a few things I can give away to other people. And, I definitely wanted to blog about it!
Speak these things over yourself. OUT LOUD.
I am a child of God.
I am called to worship Him.
I am called to Praise Him.
I can sing.
I will sing.
I can worship.
I will worship.
I can make a joyful noise.
I will make a joyful noise.
I will praise my father and invite others to praise Him.
Worship, at it’s core, is really about giving reverence and adoration back to the Lord. It can look really different- journaling, reading His Word, etc. but I really am focusing on worship as music. There are so many people with gifts and talents to sing and play instruments- step out and use them!!
Worship is woven throughout scripture. One of my favorite Old Testament chapters is Exodus 15. Up until this point, Pharaoh refuses to let the Israelites go. The plagues hit Egypt, Passover happens, all that. In Exodus 14, they are standing at the Red Sea with Pharaoh training behind with his army and the Lord splits the waters with a strong east wind for a whole night! Moses and his crew walk straight through the sea on DRY LAND.
Moses’ song is such a great example of how and why we worship. Worship is a way to reflect on His goodness and all the things God has done. In songs, we can proclaim all God has done and reflect on His goodness.
In Exodus 15:1-2, we see the Israelites proclaim this! “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”
Singing songs helps us learn God’s word. Proverbs 7:1-3 talks about keeping the Lord’s commandments treasures in our hearts. Singing songs that align with scripture can help us write God’s word in our hearts. The song “Everlasting God” by Fellowship Church is written from Psalm 27 and “Song of Moses” is written out of Exodus 15. Knowing these songs helps me remember the truth of God’s Word! Declare God’s truths over yourself, someone else, or a situation.
Singing to the Lord is also an act of obedience to His word. He tells us in Psalm 68:4 to “Sing to God, sing praises to his name; life up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him!”
And, with a few exceptions, God gave everyone a vioce. Not everyone has a piano or a guitar, but you have a voice! Psalm 96:1 “Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!”
Remember, no matter who is on stage, you all have an audience of one- THE LORD! Leading worship is coming into the throne room and inviting others to come with you. Once I heard this metaphor- Our best works are like a kid’s drawing. And, you know how kids draw. People don’t look like that! Haha. But, those drawings make it to the fridge. They’re not done by Picasso. They’re not perfect. But, they’re done in love as a gift. Even though worship may not be musically perfect or totally professional, it still makes it to the Lord’s fridge. He still loves it. Sing to your Father.
Here’s some things I have learned to equip you to play worship. Biggest lesson: Step out and go for it. BE BOLD!!
Planning a Set:
-plan, but be willing to throw it all away to follow the Holy Spirit
-talk your set out with the band. Make sure everyone is on the same page and knows what to play when!
-know the songs yourself!
-And remember, your goal is not to be the best band in the world. Plan enough to minimize things that can distract people, especially new believers from the presence of the Lord, like not knowing the song or singing in the wrong key. And sometimes, these things will happen on accident- luckily there’s grace to cover it!
Song Choice:
-Pray about what songs the Lord wants you to choose. Follow the Spirit!
-Consider your crowd. What songs do they already know that you can incorporate? Men, women, or kids? Let these facts guide you.
-Choose a song(s) that contribute to the overall sermon goal. Forgiveness? The love of God? Go for it!
-Pick songs that are actually singable. There’s a lot of great songs out there, but no a lot of them are singable for the average Joe. You want to invite people to sit in the throne room and sing to the Lord. Singing a song that is hard to follow, too high, too low, or otherwise really unsinkable doesn’t usually encourage people to join you.
-Choose about 3-5 songs. This usually becomes about 20-30 minutes of worship time.
-Building/ setting the mood: Ask yourself: Where should the people end? Hype? Serious? Think about the songs you can choose to get there. Building a song (making it louder and softer at different parts) can really invite people to worship with you. Think about the mood you set with he songs you choose!
New songs:
-Usually one new song at a time is best. Too many new songs may turn into a concert- remember, the goal is participation! Invite people in!
-Repetition is such a great way to teach a song! You don’t have to play a song just like the original. The original track is like the pirate code- it’s just a suggestion. If you want to sing the bridge 8 times so people can learn the words and start to hold onto the truth in the song, go for it!
-Tell people what to sing before you sing it. Prompting them by yelling out the next lyric will help them and the band follow you!
-If you’ll be around for a few days, sing the ew song multiple times! Teaching a new song to a village that is based on Biblical truth is a great way to give them something that lasts long after you leave. Like I said, songs are a great way to write the truth in the hearts of men!
-The first time I play a song, I like to read out the scripture that it’s based on, tell how the lyrics relate to what God is teaching me, and then speak some of the lyrics out. It helps people understand what they are singing!
Transitions:
-Be intentional about the time between songs. Don’t let this time go unused! It’s a great time to read scripture, pray, or talk about the next song.
-Pray before, after or during your set. Or all three!
-You can keep playing from one song into another, but this will take some intentional planning. If the songs are in the same key, it’s usually doable!
-Sing your own song during this time! Stay in that worshipful space by singing your own heart song to the Lord while someone changes their guitar capo of flips a sheet of music.
-Have the things you need ready! Mid set is not the best time to fumble around for a sheet of music!
Musical Space:
-Sometimes you can just play music. You don’t have to sing anything, just let people sit in that worshipful space with the Lord.
-I like to call this “vibin'”. I just play the mucus for the bridge over and over and allow the spirit to move, tell me other things to sing, others share scripture, or pray, Just give space for the Spirit to move!
Luke 16 tells us that those who are faithful in little will be honored with much more! If the Lord brings you an opportunity to lead worship in a village church with three people using a trash can as a drum, do it. If He brings you to an opportunity to lead 30,000 in an arena, do it. Step out and use the gifts He’s equipped you with! The Lord would rather you step out and mess up a few times than not sing to Him at all.
I know I have so much to learn about leading worship, but I am so thankful for all the Lord has taught me so far. I can’t wait to see how the Lord uses each of us to bring His kingdom on earth. Love ya’ll.
So, the night before I gave this talk, the rain SOAKED all of the clothes I’d washed. I slept in this outfit. Then preached in it. This is the World Race.
We loved playing worship on our roof this month!
