Practical Advice For Young Worship Leaders

Series by Rob Still

Part Two

Leading Successfully for Large Groups:

Details, Details, Details

In this article I want to get on your radar screen all the “little stuff” that can crash your plane if you’re not prepared. There is a saying which goes “the devil is in the details” Actually, I think THE LORD is in the details. The devil gets in the details when we don’t get the Lord in there first.

Most musical, creative and worship leader type -people (and especially teenagers) are notoriously UNORGANIZED. This can be due to lack of  experience, training, or simply laziness. It does not have to be this way. Being creative and gifted is not a license to be unprepared. The technology used for sound and lyric projection is complicated and there are many practical details necessary for a successful large group worship experience.

As you will see, the “list of things to do” can seem overwhelming, but it’s really an accumulation of  “little things”. To make progress as a leader you have to master the details or they will master you.  You can do it with God‘s help. Before you read on any further, stop and pray that God would give you an anointing for excellence and organization. This is essential for you to reach your full potential as a leader. (Pray now) Amen.

With that being said, let me encourage you that if you make every time you lead a learning

experience, you will get better and better at organization until it becomes second nature. Remember - organization is a technical skill - it serves the spiritual.

Here are some basic principles that will help you no matter where, when, or with whom you’re leading.

Principle - TAKE RESPONSIBILTY

An essential quality of great leaders is that they take responsibility and initiative for the task assigned them. That means, worship leaders, consider yourself ultimately responsible for every aspect of the worship service. That means everything - musicians, singers, song selection, sound , lights, overheads/powerpoint, etc. YOU are the leader. It’s up to you make sure all the bases are covered.  Do not make excuses.  You don’t have to do everything, but you do have to understand how everything will get done.

Start with yourself - are you ready? Here’s a list of things to think about:
• Is the song list ready? Ask God for guidance & wisdom in picking your songs.
• Did I check in with the pastoral authority, especially regarding time, direction, and last minute details? This is essential for good teamwork between worship leaders and pastors. It is your responsibility to communicate with them - AHEAD OF TIME
• Are there charts for everybody? Plan for time for photocopies.
• Does everybody on my team know when and where they are supposed to be? Communicate with your team members.
• Is my instrument ready? Cables, tuner, etc. (Time for new strings for that guitar?)
• Am I prayed up?
• Are there intercessors? Do I need to line some up? Believe me when I say this, effective intercession makes all the difference in the world. Don’t lead worship without it. J
• Are there some songs that need extra rehearsal?
• How will you schedule the sound check time?
• Do you have a back-up plan or “fall-back’ song if something doesn’t work? I call these “go to” songs. (another article with ideas for this).

 

Principle  - THINK AHEAD

Visualize every aspect of the time and place you’ll be leading. How will you be heard? How will people be able to follow the songs?

Let’s look at those questions regarding the venue.

• Who is doing sound? Do I need to get somebody?
• Is the powerpoint ready for every song?
• Who is running the screen?
• Where is everybody pluggin in?
• How will the musicians hear on-stage?

Principle - EDUCATE YOURSELF

There is no inherent virtue in ignorance .

Every worship leader need to have a basic understanding of  the “tools of the trade” - anything you need to use like photo copiers, PA’s, monitors, PowerPoint, overheads, etc.

In our ministry, I would like for every worship leader to be able to do the following (kind of like the Navy Seals, everyone understands enough of the mission to be able to do any essential aspect of it):

• Turn on the PA
• Understand how to get a mic plugged in and working
• Understand what a direct box is and how to get sound through it.
• How to run sound in an emergency situation
• How to get monitors running
• How to run overheads.
• How to make an overhead.
• How to make a legible word/chord chart
• How to make photocopies.

Principle  - Finish Well
• Did you remember to thank God?
• Did you thank everyone who helped (tech, intercessors, etc)?
• Did you clean up your music and the stage area? Don’t leave a mess in your wake, it’s not honorable.
• Write down what went well and what to improve next time.

THE WRAP-UP

Being detail oriented and organized will make your worship leading experience a joy, not a stress. Then you can focus do what you're supposed to do - lead people in worship. It will make a smooth ride for everybody. So take responsibility, think ahead, educate yourself and finish well.

Remember God gives grace to the humble. You can do it.

Till next time … Vaya con Dios,

Rob