Worship Matters

1 | dan mcgowan

March 2nd, 2006 at 9:03 PM

okay, so, is this really the last post (for now, I mean?) Just curious – cuz this stuff is so good I want my choir and praise team and other musicians to read it! But not till you’re done… so, let us know, Bob, are we really ending here? (for now, I mean?)

2 | Bob Kauflin

March 2nd, 2006 at 10:19 PM

Dan:

Yep, really ending for now. Thanks for your encouraging words.

3 | James Truong

March 2nd, 2006 at 10:38 PM

Hi there Bob, I just wanted to thank you for your time and effort. I’m just starting out with the ‘worship in song’ team. It’s been on my mind how I can serve faithfully bringing glory to God alone, and encouraging others.

I’ve really enjoyed your posts and the helpful thoughts you’ve shared.

4 | Grace

March 2nd, 2006 at 11:27 PM

You don’t need to post this comment, but I just wanted to thank you so much for sharing these thoughts. Although I’m not a worship leader or even on a worship team, the things I have read here have helped me see God’s glory clearer and to want to love God more. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

5 | Paul Hayes

March 3rd, 2006 at 10:04 AM

Bob, Thanks so much for leading us in this discussion. I am charged with training some new “Lead worshippers” because I am a Firefighter (as well as the Music Director) so my schedule is a bit wacky! So, your teaching will help me teach them. By the way, your Glad song “God is my Rock” has helped me through many tough and fearful situations in my Fire career. To know that when I pass through the flames-God is with me- is empowering. I really appreciate your ministry. Paul

6 | Matt Cassidy

April 25th, 2007 at 10:18 PM

Do you think that someone who is tone deaf can consistently bring a congregation to worship. I say this because I have been involved at a church where we have a girl as a back up singer, who can’t seem to sing anything on key. We had our hands tied by the pastor, so we just kept her mic. off so it wouldn’t distract us, but a new guy lead one week and let her sing with the mic on. Me the bass, and lead guitarist had to drop out, because we couldn’t tell what was going on, and the congregation just stood there kind of dazed. I don’t mind turning her mic off, but I don’t want to stand next to her, because it throws me off, however I am not sure we have been doing the right thing. I am not sure how I feel about it, I wish there was an easy answer.

7 | Rob

March 4th, 2008 at 8:57 AM

Bob,
Your blog is blessing me and those I am serving here in India! Praise God for his faithfulness to build his church throughout the world!

8 | Sam

May 13th, 2008 at 8:00 AM

Such a shame this is the last post – I thoroughly enjoyed this series, as a confirmation that we in my church are doing a lot of things right, and a wealth of challenges and further information that I am sure will keep us going for quite a while yet!

I thoroughly agree, by the way, that someone tone deaf can lead worship – as worship leaders we got our lead pastor to lead worship one week. He cannot sing but his mic was turned low during the singing, and his leadership and love for Jesus brought great moments of intimacy for many in the congregation!

Thanks again.

9 | eric

September 15th, 2010 at 3:30 AM

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I wish I read this 5 years ago. Ive made so many mistakes. Youve opened my eyes.

10 | Claudine Hamilton

March 1st, 2011 at 11:13 AM

Ok I just read your entire blog in one sitting and I was let down that this was the last post. It had me captivated and waiting to learn more. Thanks a million again but I felt like I just watched a great movie that I never wanted to end. That says something about what God has placed in you to teach on this subject. Thank you for being my teacher in this hour.

11 | Erin

July 15th, 2011 at 1:24 AM

Bob,

It is so cool that you wrote this entire blog concerning leading worship. I have been searching to see what a worship leader is “supposed to do.” I have recently been asked to lead worship in a Chi Alpha group at a University, and this was very encouraging to me. There were so many things that really enlightened me on what worship really is. It is so great that you were willing to share this insight, even if I did read it 5 years after it was posted. God really spoke to me through the words you had written on the topic. Thank you so much for being God’s messenger.

12 | Bob Kauflin

July 15th, 2011 at 3:22 AM

Thanks for your encouraging words, Erin. Glad this post served you!

13 | Cre

January 9th, 2012 at 11:01 PM

Thank you for your awesome words on worshipping. I read all of your blogs! The Holy Spirit has given you the knowledge to share this information with us. I can’t wait to share this our Praise Team!

14 | Annette

February 21st, 2012 at 8:54 PM

This is some good stuff!!! I am going to share it with others! This is a God-send to the body of Christ. Thank you Mr. Bob!!!
Annette

15 | Jessica

February 28th, 2012 at 3:41 AM

Hi Mr. Bob Kauflin! This teaching is an answer to prayer and I am so thankful to have come across this. Basically every single thing you said is an answer to what I’ve been asking of the Lord: What is pleasing to You God? What do You expect of us on Sunday mornings (and beyond). Your biblical studying and wisdom from the Holy Spirit has painted a clear picture of this and I am so thankful! Sadly, I feel that my church has gotten so far from this and I pray that sharing this with them will be the beginning of a much needed change. Thanks again, Blessings!
Jessica

16 | Christine

March 5th, 2012 at 9:43 PM

Bob,
Could you please address comment number 6 please? This is also a concern for me that I’m not sure how to address. We could use your wisdom.

Thanks.

17 | Bob Kauflin

March 6th, 2012 at 3:53 AM

Christine, sorry I never answered the question. I think it’s possible for someone who is tone deaf to lead congregational singing, but they shouldn’t sing into a microphone. They can direct people’s minds and hearts to God’s greatness through the things they say, not the notes they sing. It’s different, however, for someone who is only contributing through their voice. I can think of a few options. First, if the individual is very expressive physically, and can encourage the congregation that way, you can have them sing, but not turn up their mic. But you should tell them that’s what you’re doing, rather than allow them to think that they’re contributing vocally. Also, people in the congregation might ask them why they’re never heard out front. Second, you can try hooking them up with a better singer to see if that improves anything. Finally, you can talk to your pastor about what his priorities are. If he wants a person singing in front for whatever reason, I’ll find a way to make it work without it becoming a distraction to others. On the other hand, you might persuade him that God gives people different gifts, and that this particular person may not be musically gifted enough to serve the congregation in that role. Is that helpful?

18 | Christine

March 6th, 2012 at 4:17 PM

Bob,
Thanks. That is very helpful. Thank you for replying.

19 | Jeff Ling

March 29th, 2012 at 6:26 PM

Bob,
This was such great reading I too read it all in one sitting and am wanting more. I came across this because I am trying to answer the question of whether or not to have a woman lead our “worship through song” time in the service. First, I agree with all you have a said. Applying what you have written to the question of if a woman should (direct, lead ect…) does it apply to whoever (regardless of gender) is leading?

I know it is yes in the fact that worship is what we do all week, proclaiming with our lives the Glory’s of God.

But can this role be filled with a woman leading but I myself directing, choosing, picking the music and doing most of the reflective speaking between songs to assist Gods people by helping them engage in worship ensuring they are contemplation all who He is and has done?

20 | Bob Kauflin

March 29th, 2012 at 7:35 PM

Hey, Jeff. Thanks for your steadfast pursuit of Jesus all these years! I did a post on this in which I tried to answer your question. Let me know if it’s helpful.

21 | J.E.

May 16th, 2012 at 11:32 PM

Hi Bob,

First and foremost thank you for sharing your wisdom and Gods glory with everyone And the blessing of bestowing Gods knowledge upon us.

I have thought about this for years. We are told that worship is not exclusive singing, but is deeper internally and externally. We have a great responsibility as servants to be an ambassador of Christ in everything we do and say on a daily.

The problem I have seen is that worship leaders have been classified as a title by the community of churches and not enough time educating people on the difference and that we are all called to be worship leaders with our own gifts and above all remember we are here to love and serve God first, and each other second. In time, when we are internally aligned with God and His word, our lives and actions will follow.

My question is how do you educate and teach not only students, but a community to understand the difference and change the perspective of putting the music worship leader on a pedestal?

In my view, we are all equally loved by God with different roles and responsibilities. Therefore, this seperation that has been placed on the songs and leaders can be overwhelming and strenuous at times. That is why I can relate to your blog and think that we all need to have a better understanding of corporate worship versus one person or group being the driven focus of worship.

I am glad and thankful for the opportunity to read your blog. Thank you for sharing God’s wisdom and Knowledge!

22 | Kelly

May 22nd, 2012 at 8:48 AM

As one who has been leading worship in church only for the past few months, I must say I benefitted a lot from this series! You’ve put into words some of the intuitive thoughts I have about worship, and confirmed that they are theologically sound thoughts. Thanks Bob for the effort! Appreciate it.

23 | Sammi

January 14th, 2013 at 1:46 PM

Thank you so much for this insightful series! As a college student serving on a campus organization’s worship team, I really appreciate this excellent reminder of the heart behind outward expressions of worship.

24 | Luke

January 18th, 2013 at 4:44 PM

Wow! what a great series, it does indeed feel like watching a movie that you dont want to end, as one of the other readers mentioned.

I have recently, by Faith :) have taken on the mantle of being the “Worship leader”, where this role was shared with the Assistant Pastor, but felt that he (Moses) needed to step down and let the Joshua generation (me) step up and lead, however after reading this, ive felt there is a lot more to meditate and pray about, to prepare, but most importantly relying on His Spirit.

I have always been reminded that Worship is a lifestyle, and used the analogy of someone wanting to workout on their physique, where Sunday is like going to the gym, but if your not dieting, and eating well throughout the week, its all pointless, you wont be able to get the results effectively. The same can be said about Worship, if you believe that showing up to church, and singing a few songs will “get you the results” of being a worshipper…well then lol

Thank You Brother, May God continually bless you and your ministry abundantly.

25 | Charity

March 21st, 2013 at 1:24 AM

Thank God i’ve found this blog, really a great help to me. I’ll going to share it with our team and young people. I’ve just read it on one sitting only, looking forward to learn more from you! You’re such a gift from God to us. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, i’ve learned a lot. Continue on inspiring millions of people in the world. God bless you!

26 | Esi

March 25th, 2013 at 9:20 AM

Just found this blog and it challenges me to be a better worshipper and also to share with the team I am in. Thank you Bob and may God bless you.

27 | Charlotte Bubb

April 30th, 2013 at 4:09 PM

If music moves, excites, stimulates etc. people in its own right, and given how people love to put musicians on pedestals, is it wise to have anything other than the most basic instrumentation? Surely the corporate singing is paramount? i’ve read that loud music was not part of the worship in the sanctuary in the OT, only outside to summon people to worship. We have all kinds of keyboards, percussion etc; I long to be able to focus on theologically sound words and not be distracted by our excellent musicians..