What Makes a Great Worship Leader?

Orginally published on Thursday, June 22, 2006 at 11:43 AM
by Todd Rhoades

Dan Wilt trains worship leaders. As an accomplished worship leader himself, he also teaches at many conferences, and teaches many courses to soon-to-be worship leaders. What makes for a great worship leader? Dan gives these ideas in an article he contributed to Crosswalk.com...

1.  Great worship leaders… are consistent. Anyone can lead a great worship moment every once in awhile. The strongest worship leaders have a knack for consistently leading worship in an effective and meaningful way.

Great worship leaders… have learned how to build a worship set in a consistent and systematic way, without feeling like they’re quenching the Spirit of God if they prepare well.

Great worship leaders… know how to make the lion’s share of a set out of songs that are fresh yet familiar, God- centered and easily engaged by all age groups.

Great worship leaders… know how to let the songs lead worship and give the worshiper language for worship. They feel no pressure to say-a-lot or pray-a-lot to keep energy flowing.

2.  Great worship leaders… are equippers. The most appreciated worship leaders have a streak of a trainer and mentor running through them. They are not content to have the platform all to themselves over a few years.

Great worship leaders… know how to enjoy the process of building lifelong friendships with developing worship leaders – particularly those who value their input and share like-mindedness on key levels.

Great worship leaders… know how to mentor over time, without feeling any pressure to release people to lead worship before they are developed musically, emotionally or skillfully.

Great worship leaders… know how to become older brothers and sisters in worship leading, and not to simply protect themselves in the “always-leading” worship leadership role.

3.  Great worship leaders… are pastoral. These worship leaders have a wider skill set than just playing an instrument, leading worship and leading a band.

Great worship leaders… actually care for, and shepherd, their worship teams. Great worship leaders “pastor” the congregation as they lead worship.

Great worship leaders… know when to ask someone to join a team, because their hearts are right, and how to ask someone to take a break because their hearts are askew from the central mandate of the team – to serve.

4.  Great worship leaders… are proficient. Worship leaders who play their instrument well have a much longer sustainability factor within a changing congregation than do those who are weak technically and cannot handle a diversity of demographic or need in a local community.

Great worship leaders… are able on their instrument. They are not always the most proficient musician on the team; in fact, they are sometimes the least!

Great worship leaders… have just enough arranging ability to take a rag tag team, intuitively know what songs they can pull off smoothly, and what songs they simply cannot, and make them sound sweet together in simple arrangements.

Great worship leaders… practice privately, and keep their own chops up personally or with lessons.

5.  Great worship leaders… understand authority. These worship leaders understand what mutual submission is all about. They recognize the mantle that the lead pastor carries for the congregation, and they do all they can to defer to, and support, that leader.

Great worship leaders… know how to honor time limits, ask teachable questions, and share the pastor’s vision for the church in song selection and event preparation.

Great worship leaders… do not push their way into worship leading or other roles – they offer their gifts, and then allow God to make a place for them to lead. They are not pushy or forceful – they are centered, and full of trust in God to make a place for their leadership.

Great worship leaders… graciously receive input, and even pursue it – especially from the lead pastor and common (non-musical) worshipers in the congregation.

6.  Great worship leaders… are passionate. The passionate will always lead, no matter the sphere or situation. Inspiring worship leaders carry a blend of passion and restraint in their toolbox.

Great worship leaders… are exhuberant, without becoming cheerleaders. In other words, they approach the moment of worship with enthusiasm, yet that enthusiasm is tempered with gentleness and a lack of need to generate outward emotion to feel that they’ve done their job.
Great worship leaders can separate their personal emotional state from what the moment calls for in the group they are leading (I don’t know that this art is learned by any other mode than longevity in worship leading experience).

Great worship leaders… love God and the secret place, and worship frequently, for extended times, on their own.

These are just some of Dan’s comments… you can read his whole article here at Crosswalk.com.

For Discussion: What would you add to the list?  Is there one worship leader that really serves as a role model for you as you lead worship?

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Hi... I'm Todd Rhoades. I'm a Christ-follower, husband, father and I love to connect leaders with other leaders. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step on Twitter.

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