Here’s the next part of my proposed definition of a worship leader. An effective corporate worship leader is aided and led by the Holy Spirit.
Every leader of congregational worship will acknowledge that biblical worship is impossible apart from the activity of the Holy Spirit. This is at least part of what Jesus meant when he told the Samaritan woman in John 4John 4
[4:1]Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard
that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than
John [2](although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only
his disciples), [3]he left Judea and departed again for
Galilee. [4]And he had to pass through Samaria. [5]So he
came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field
that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. [6]Jacob's well was
there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was
sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.
[7]A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said
to her, "Give me a drink." [8](For his disciples had gone
away into the city to buy food.) [9]The Samaritan woman
said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink
from me, a woman of Samaria?" (For Jews have no dealings
with Samaritans.) [10]Jesus answered her, "If you knew the
gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me
a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given
you living water." [11]The woman said to him, "Sir, you
have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep.
Where do you get that living water? [12]Are you greater
than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from
it himself, as did his sons and his livestock." [13]Jesus
said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be
thirsty again, [14]but whoever drinks of the water that I
will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I
will give him will become in him a spring of water welling
up to eternal life." [15]The woman said to him, "Sir, give
me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to
come here to draw water."
[16]Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come
here." [17]The woman answered him, "I have no husband."
Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no
husband'; [18]for you have had five husbands, and the one
you now have is not your husband. What you have said is
true." [19]The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you
are a prophet. [20]Our fathers worshiped on this mountain,
but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people
ought to worship." [21]Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe
me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in
Jerusalem will you worship the Father. [22]You worship what
you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is
from the Jews. [23]But the hour is coming, and is now here,
when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit
and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship
him. [24]God is spirit, and those who worship him must
worship in spirit and truth." [25]The woman said to him, "I
know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When
he comes, he will tell us all things." [26]Jesus said to
her, "I who speak to you am he."
[27]Just then his disciples came back. They marveled
that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, "What do
you seek?" or, "Why are you talking with her?" [28]So the
woman left her water jar and went away into town and said
to the people, [29]"Come, see a man who told me all that I
ever did. Can this be the Christ?" [30]They went out of the
town and were coming to him.
[31]Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying,
"Rabbi, eat." [32]But he said to them, "I have food to eat
that you do not know about." [33]So the disciples said to
one another, "Has anyone brought him something to eat?"
[34]Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him
who sent me and to accomplish his work. [35]Do you not say,
'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look,
I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are
white for harvest. [36]Already the one who reaps is
receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so
that sower and reaper may rejoice together. [37]For here
the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' [38]I
sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others
have labored, and you have entered into their labor."
[39]Many Samaritans from that town believed in him
because of the woman's testimony, "He told me all that I
ever did." [40]So when the Samaritans came to him, they
asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days.
[41]And many more believed because of his word. [42]They
said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you
said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and
we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world."
[43]After the two days he departed for Galilee. [44](For
Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in
his own hometown.) [45]So when he came to Galilee, the
Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in
Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.
[46]So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had
made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official
whose son was ill. [47]When this man heard that Jesus had
come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to
come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of
death. [48]So Jesus said to him, "Unless you see signs and
wonders you will not believe." [49]The official said to
him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." [50]Jesus said
to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word
that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. [51]As he was
going down, his servants met him and told him that his son
was recovering. [52]So he asked them the hour when he began
to get better, and they said to him, "Yesterday at the
seventh hour the fever left him." [53]The father knew that
was the hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son will
live." And he himself believed, and all his household.
[54]This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had
come from Judea to Galilee. (ESV)
that the Father seeks worshipers who worship Him in spirit and truth. Paul also tells us in Philippians 3:3Philippians 3:3
[3]For we are the circumcision, who worship by the
Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no
confidence in the flesh-- (ESV)
, “For we are the real circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.” (See also Eph. 2:18Ephesians 2:18
[18]For through him we both have access in one Spirit to
the Father. (ESV)
, Eph. 5:18-21Ephesians 5:18-21
[18]And do not get drunk with wine, for that is
debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, [19]addressing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
[20]giving thanks always and for everything to God the
Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, [21]submitting
to one another out of reverence for Christ. (ESV)
, and 1 Cor. 12:31 Corinthians 12:3
[3]Therefore I want you to understand that no one
speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is
accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the
Holy Spirit. (ESV)
, and 2 Cor. 3:182 Corinthians 3:18
[18]And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory
of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from
one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the
Lord who is the Spirit. (ESV)
)
But what does it mean for a worship leader to be aided and led by the Holy Spirit? Charismatics and non-charismatics (or continuationists and cessationists) might disagree on the specifics. At the very least it means that we worship the Holy Spirit as God, the third Person of the Trinity. But it also means that as we gather to worship God, the Holy Spirit fulfills His normal roles of illuminating, helping, strengthening, comforting, leading, making us aware of God’s presence, and revealing Christ and Him crucified.
Practically, I think that means at least three things.
First we need to ask God to help us by His Spirit as we lead others to worship Him. It’s easy for me to trust that my experience, background, musical skill, preparation, or planning will enable people to worship God rightly. If I feel prepared, I’m confident; if I don’t feel prepared, I’m anxious. But no amount of preparation can replace humble dependence on God’s Spirit to do what only He can do – bring light to darkened hearts and minds. God reminds us in 2 Cor. 3:182 Corinthians 3:18
[18]And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory
of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from
one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the
Lord who is the Spirit. (ESV)
:
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
In other words, music doesn’t transform us; God’s Spirit working through His Word does. God is honored when we humbly ask His Spirit to work in our hearts as we meet to exalt Him. That’s not to say that God isn’t already present by His Spirit when we gather. We’re just asking Him to make us more deeply aware of both His presence and His activity in our lives.
Second, having asked the Holy Spirit to work in our midst, we need to expect His involvement. That involves listening for His direction, even if our plan is “air-tight.” Certainly, we should be listening for the Spirit as we plan for a meeting. I think this is an area we often overlook – prayer during planning. But does the Holy Spirit stop speaking to us when we meet? That’s not the impression we get from the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 12-141 Corinthians 12-14
[12:1]Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not
want you to be uninformed. [2]You know that when you were
pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were
led. [3]Therefore I want you to understand that no one
speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is
accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the
Holy Spirit.
[4]Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same
Spirit; [5]and there are varieties of service, but the same
Lord; [6]and there are varieties of activities, but it is
the same God who empowers them all in everyone. [7]To each
is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common
good. [8]For to one is given through the Spirit the
utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of
knowledge according to the same Spirit, [9]to another faith
by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one
Spirit, [10]to another the working of miracles, to another
prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between
spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another
the interpretation of tongues. [11]All these are empowered
by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one
individually as he wills.
[12]For just as the body is one and has many members,
and all the members of the body, though many, are one body,
so it is with Christ. [13]For in one Spirit we were all
baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and
all were made to drink of one Spirit.
[14]For the body does not consist of one member but of
many. [15]If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand,
I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any
less a part of the body. [16]And if the ear should say,
"Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,"
that would not make it any less a part of the body. [17]If
the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of
hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the
sense of smell? [18]But as it is, God arranged the members
in the body, each one of them, as he chose. [19]If all were
a single member, where would the body be? [20]As it is,
there are many parts, yet one body.
[21]The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of
you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of
you." [22]On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem
to be weaker are indispensable, [23]and on those parts of
the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater
honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater
modesty, [24]which our more presentable parts do not
require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater
honor to the part that lacked it, [25]that there may be no
division in the body, but that the members may have the
same care for one another. [26]If one member suffers, all
suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice
together.
[27]Now you are the body of Christ and individually
members of it. [28]And God has appointed in the church
first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then
miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating,
and various kinds of tongues. [29]Are all apostles? Are all
prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? [30]Do
all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do
all interpret? [31]But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
And I will show you a still more excellent way.
[13:1]If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels,
but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
[2]And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all
mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as
to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [3]If
I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be
burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
[4]Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or
boast; it is not arrogant [5]or rude. It does not insist on
its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; [6]it does
not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
[7]Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things.
[8]Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass
away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it
will pass away. [9]For we know in part and we prophesy in
part, [10]but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass
away. [11]When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I
thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I
became a man, I gave up childish ways. [12]For now we see
in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in
part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully
known.
[13]So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but
the greatest of these is love.
[14:1]Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual
gifts, especially that you may prophesy. [2]For one who
speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one
understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
[3]On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to
people for their upbuilding and encouragement and
consolation. [4]The one who speaks in a tongue builds up
himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
[5]Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to
prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one
who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that
the church may be built up.
[6]Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues,
how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation
or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? [7]If even lifeless
instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give
distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? [8]And
if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready
for battle? [9]So with yourselves, if with your tongue you
utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know
what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.
[10]There are doubtless many different languages in the
world, and none is without meaning, [11]but if I do not
know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to
the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. [12]So with
yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the
Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
[13]Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray
for the power to interpret. [14]For if I pray in a tongue,
my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. [15]What am I to
do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my
mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will
sing with my mind also. [16]Otherwise, if you give thanks
with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an
outsider say "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not
know what you are saying? [17]For you may be giving thanks
well enough, but the other person is not being built up.
[18]I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of
you. [19]Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five
words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten
thousand words in a tongue.
[20]Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be
infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. [21]In the
Law it is written, "By people of strange tongues and by the
lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even
then they will not listen to me, says the Lord." [22]Thus
tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers,
while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for
believers. [23]If, therefore, the whole church comes
together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or
unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of
your minds? [24]But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or
outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to
account by all, [25]the secrets of his heart are disclosed,
and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and
declare that God is really among you.
[26]What then, brothers? When you come together, each
one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an
interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
[27]If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at
most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.
[28]But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them
keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
[29]Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others
weigh what is said. [30]If a revelation is made to another
sitting there, let the first be silent. [31]For you can all
prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be
encouraged, [32]and the spirits of prophets are subject to
prophets. [33]For God is not a God of confusion but of
peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, [34]the women
should keep silent in the churches. For they are not
permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law
also says. [35]If there is anything they desire to learn,
let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for
a woman to speak in church.
[36]Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are
you the only ones it has reached? [37]If anyone thinks that
he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that
the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
[38]If anyone does not recognize this, he is not
recognized. [39]So, my brothers, earnestly desire to
prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. [40]But
all things should be done decently and in order. (ESV)
. Despite their excessive esteem of the “spectacular” gifts of the Spirit, Paul never tells the Corinthians to stop expecting the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s presence in various ways during a meeting. Neither should we.
What might the Holy Spirit “say” to us? We might feel led to emphasize a certain line from a song or repeat a verse that draws attention to a relevant theme. The Spirit might bring to mind a particular need or a reason to celebrate. He might direct us to a Scripture we hadn’t previously thought of including. There doesn’t have to be anything mystical or “spooky” about the Holy Spirit leading us in times of corporate praise.
Finally, biblical worship means that we respond to what we sense the Spirit is saying or doing. If we have asked for God’s active presence, and are listening for the Spirit’s leading, it should be evident through our faith-filled obedience that He really is working in our midst. That means that we might spontaneously pray for those parents who have a rebellious older child. That’s exactly what we did in one of our meetings this past Sunday at Covenant Life. Whatever we believe about the availability of the gift of prophecy today, 1 Corinthians 141 Corinthians 14
[14:1]Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual
gifts, especially that you may prophesy. [2]For one who
speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one
understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
[3]On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to
people for their upbuilding and encouragement and
consolation. [4]The one who speaks in a tongue builds up
himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
[5]Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to
prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one
who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that
the church may be built up.
[6]Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues,
how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation
or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? [7]If even lifeless
instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give
distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? [8]And
if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready
for battle? [9]So with yourselves, if with your tongue you
utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know
what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.
[10]There are doubtless many different languages in the
world, and none is without meaning, [11]but if I do not
know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to
the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. [12]So with
yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the
Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
[13]Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray
for the power to interpret. [14]For if I pray in a tongue,
my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. [15]What am I to
do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my
mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will
sing with my mind also. [16]Otherwise, if you give thanks
with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an
outsider say "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not
know what you are saying? [17]For you may be giving thanks
well enough, but the other person is not being built up.
[18]I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of
you. [19]Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five
words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten
thousand words in a tongue.
[20]Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be
infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. [21]In the
Law it is written, "By people of strange tongues and by the
lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even
then they will not listen to me, says the Lord." [22]Thus
tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers,
while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for
believers. [23]If, therefore, the whole church comes
together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or
unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of
your minds? [24]But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or
outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to
account by all, [25]the secrets of his heart are disclosed,
and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and
declare that God is really among you.
[26]What then, brothers? When you come together, each
one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an
interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
[27]If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at
most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.
[28]But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them
keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
[29]Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others
weigh what is said. [30]If a revelation is made to another
sitting there, let the first be silent. [31]For you can all
prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be
encouraged, [32]and the spirits of prophets are subject to
prophets. [33]For God is not a God of confusion but of
peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, [34]the women
should keep silent in the churches. For they are not
permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law
also says. [35]If there is anything they desire to learn,
let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for
a woman to speak in church.
[36]Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are
you the only ones it has reached? [37]If anyone thinks that
he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that
the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
[38]If anyone does not recognize this, he is not
recognized. [39]So, my brothers, earnestly desire to
prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. [40]But
all things should be done decently and in order. (ESV)
implies that we should expect the Spirit to speak to us through spontaneous expressions of encouragement, admonition, and instruction when we gather. How that looks will depend on your theological position, the size of your church, the maturity of your people, and a number of other factors. But certainly, a leader who is committed to honoring God will seek to follow the Spirit’s leading in times of corporate worship.
Of course, the end of being led and aided by the Spirit is to bring honor to the Lamb who was slain. But before we go to that part of the definition, I’ll share some thoughts on using music and the Word. Tomorrow.
Read Part 5 of What Does a Worship Leader Do?
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I am not a reformed charismatic (in other words, I’m a cessationist) and yet I can fully appreciate and affirm what you’ve shared. The form of our response to the Spirit is a separate matter from the fact that we need too respond when the Spirit leads. I imagine that if we feel led to something biblical, especially to passages of scripture, then responding is something we can do in confidence regardless of our theological position.
Comment by Patrick Donohue — February 2, 2006 @ 12:25 am
Bob,
I’ve been reading your blog/website here for some time now and thought I’d comment to say how much help you have been to me & my local church and campus ministry. Your series here on the role of the lead worshipper is organizing into words so much of what I’ve only learned about lead worshipping through my past 10years of leading.
You could say I’m at the top of the food chain in my local ministry here in Toronto at my church & university fellowship; nobody has really mentored or taught me specific what/how to lead. Thank you for your insight.
Looking forward to your next post..SDG.
-Alex Leung
Toronto, ON, Canada
Comment by sixsteps — February 2, 2006 @ 12:25 am
Bob, this series has been so very helpful to me thus far. Thank you. I will pass it on to the other members of the music teams in my church.
Also, I’d be really interested in your comments (and your readers’ comments) on something I have just blogged about at http://danhames.blogspot.com/2006/02/pelagius-invades-church-music.html.
Thank you for spurring us on.
Dan
Comment by Dan Hames — February 2, 2006 @ 8:54 am
Bob,
Hello! I’m really enjoying the accessibility of your blog. This is a great article. Is there any other book/resource you would recommend that addresses specifically worship leaders in a biblical way like this? There’s a lot of great books out there about worship in the church, but are you aware of anything that extensively brings theology to bear on the practical outworkings of a worship leader’s responsibilities?
Thanks!
Comment by Steve Moore — February 2, 2006 @ 3:03 pm
Enjoyed the comments, especially agree with the part about actually responding to whatever the Spirit might be ‘telling’ us or ‘wanting’ us to do.
Comment by Marcguyver — February 2, 2006 @ 3:19 pm
So helpful Bob. I’ve appreciated the practice of one of the pastors at Covenant Life Church who prays “I’m listening, Lord” at the beginning of a meeting. Simple, but humble.
Comment by jon — February 2, 2006 @ 5:04 pm