Comments on: Motivating the Church to Worship God

By: HannahT

HannahT — Mon, 05 May 2008 03:52:27 +0000

How many of us can relate to this article, whether having been a part of leading worship or not? “Shout to the Lord, all the…what am I having for lunch…power and majesty praise to the…I have so much homework to do after this…at the sound of your name.”
Having been on a worship team/band before, I know the power the leader has in bringing the congregation to the throne; if he/she is not humbly and genuinely praising and worshiping, the people will know. They will know and they will respond appropriately.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:34:48 +0000

As I lead worship music, I regularly encourage people to think about what we are singing. If another vocalist is available, sometimes I stop singing in order to talk about what is being sung at the moment. It is too easy to drift away. But the leader’s job is to bring focus, unity, and passion.

By: Jordan Roberts

Jordan Roberts — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 04:30:43 +0000

As Ben Cook said…great post. I also am from MCC and we have been talking in class about how we can improve our chapel services. I believe what you said earlier in the post about transistions between songs really applies in the way our teams need to work on transition. Alot of times there is just dead silence between the songs which makes it an awkward time for the congregation. If we worked on transitions better, we could get people excited for the next song just my giving them a taste of what it was going to be and some motivational words.

By: Ben Cook

Ben Cook — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:01:20 +0000

Great post. I haven’t really thought about that before, in the context of trying to understand what the lyrics of the songs we sing are saying during worship. I think about it later sometimes or talk about at classes (I’m a student at Manhattan Christian College), but I constantly catch myself off guard thinking about other things during worship. Even when I am helping lead worship at times I catch myself thinking about what I’m doing later in the day. If we can truly think about what we are saying while worshiping, it can take our worship time with God to another level, rather than it being just another normal worship service.

By: Nathan Allcorn

Nathan Allcorn — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 03:15:19 +0000

I think another reason we might drift is because there is a paradox our worship leaders deal with every week, secondary to inspiring listeners to join in worship, but still very interesting. They must choose the right songs to create an atmosphere and mood of humble worship - but which songs should they choose? Ones that will be familiar and close to worshipers heart’s or ones that will challenge them with new and joyful lyrics? If they choose ones that are familiar, the songs might bring beautiful music, but not a great deal of worship - and with new songs, they might challenge the listener but fail to reach the heart because worshipers are struggling over words…I am at times thankful my role in the church is not leading in singing praises to God.

By: Julia Abahan

Julia Abahan — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:53:17 +0000

Brother Bob,

I was surfing in the internet looking for the song Our God Saves by Paul Baloche when I got strucked with the topics written at the right side of the web. I read through it and found it so helpful for me. Thanks! may God bless you more and more.

By: Bob Kauflin

Bob Kauflin — Wed, 30 May 2007 15:58:39 +0000

Keiyeng,

Thanks for asking. You can find some example of what I’m describing on our CD Worship God Live, which I think is being sold in Australia on the Matthias Media site as Sovereign Grace Music Live. I don’t have any video available. Hope that helps.

By: Keiyeng Nation

Keiyeng Nation — Wed, 30 May 2007 00:32:10 +0000

Hello Bob, I am writing from Australia, with very limited opportunity to observe and hence learn from ‘reformed charismatics’ especially as they worship God in song. (In fact the term ‘reformed charismatic’ is new for me and my husband but we are warming to it!)

I refer back to the last comment (Aaron Campbell’s final sentence) in making this request - could you direct me to any video footage of you or likeminded worship leaders putting into practice what this post discusses? I realise the whole point is to fix our attention on Christ and not fellow men, but I (and others?) would find it useful to be able to observe how fellow ‘men’ direct others’ minds to Him.

many thanks!

By: Aaron Campbell

Aaron Campbell — Sun, 20 May 2007 04:47:18 +0000

Is it wrong for there to be a starting point in this process? My background is rooted in a fear of the pentecostal movement, and that any type of unplanned expression of praise is dangerous to the dignity of the church. I’ve had to intentionally shed this mentality as I’ve looked more deeply at what Scripture teaches. When you are taught to suppress emotion in church it is awkward to shout out “yes” or anything at all. In churches I grew up attending if anyone shouted anything you ran the risk of giving someone a heart attack.
I had to be very intentional about expressive leading and worshiping at first. This was out of a desire to be more biblical as a worshiper and a worship leader. Being “calculated” initially has helped me to be more welcoming and resposive to the Spirit’s power and presence (no more suppressing).
I also absolutely agree with Aaron that we don’t focus enough on the Spirit’s power and presence falling on the people, but I had to work through (and still do…) a good bit of pseudo-religious baggage before the Spirit became one of the good guys. For me this required observing men who motivate the congregation well, and then putting it into practice in my life and church.

By: Bob Kauflin

Bob Kauflin — Sat, 12 May 2007 04:17:03 +0000

Aaron,

Great clarifying comment. I’ll make it clearer in the book. I’m not suggesting that we calculate what will make people respond. When I shout out “yes!” it IS a response flowing out of my heart that can’t contain the emotion. I’m writing more out of what I’ve observed in my own leading, as well as others. I think most of the time, people can tell whether a brief comment is manipulation or genuine engagement with the lyrics. But, I totally agree with your perspective. Thanks for commenting.