I became a worship leader accidentally. I didn’t know what one was until I became one. At the time, I had been saved almost a year and in order to meet people and get involved in the church, I signed up to sing for the Easter and Christmas cantata. I was then invited to sing a special here and there. Little did I know that was heaven’s way to set me up. The pastor who pastored there for over 40 years retired and a new pastor was voted in. He was younger and had a fresh vision for the church.
The worship leader (who had been there for 30+ years) had a disagreement with the new pastor and quit without notice. The worship leader’s family members were also musicians and left too. The church was without a worship leader.
The new pastor remembered I sang and called me that same Friday (which happened to be the night I volunteered for the all-night youth shut in). He explained the worship leader quit and needed me to lead worship that Sunday morning. Me? I never led worship before! He, of course, used pastoral words to convince me I could do it. Sunday was a day away. Mind you, I was not sleeping that Friday night given the shut in. I was planning to sleep most of the day Saturday but my life changed from one moment to the next. Sleep was the last thing on my mind because I now had to figure out if I could squeeze in a rehearsal and convince 3 other girls to sing and practice with me that Saturday. I could write a whole other post on how that Saturday rehearsal transpired. J
Needless to say, I got through that first service and everyone including myself was really confused about all that happened. We accepted the new reality of our worship services. I was a novice and had no idea what I was doing for a long time. All I knew was that I would sing some of the songs the prior worship leader sang (which always made me cry) and introduce new ones every now and then.
I didn’t realize then what I do now…that was a huge transition for all of us. The grace of God got us through it. But of course, change never comes without adversity or casualties. Some who were veterans at the church left. I could understand as they were accustomed to worshipping a certain way. I was a woman, a Latina and at least 45 years younger than the prior worship leader. My becoming the worship leader was not a small-scale change for our church. I constantly felt unqualified and unworthy. I had to accept this was God’s plan for me and the church.
Here are 3 lessons I learned during those early days as a worship leader.
- I LEARNED TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
Before becoming a worship leader, I went to church, volunteered here and there and lived my life. I didn’t have Heaven-moving prayer times by no means. Yet, there was this stirring in my heart that I had to devote time to pray and seek God. In those times, I sought Him for what I should sing, what I should say in between songs (if I needed to say anything?). I definitely was a little extreme (or more extreme than I am today) — I would spend a few hours in a secret place just talking to Abba. I always brought a journal with me into the prayer room and I would write down things He said to me. He really spoke to my heart. Many times, I did more crying than praying simply because I had no confidence, I felt unqualified and wanted to quit. I knew I couldn’t but it was during prayer, I learned to hear His voice and was encouraged to continue. Prayer brought me close to Him. It helped me become dependent of Him and it helped me to speak and teach for Him.
Don’t underestimate the power of prayer, you may have to give up a favorite tv show or time on social media but the benefits of meeting the One who designed you for this purpose, outweighs whatever momentary thrill any earthly thing can offer.
- THE WORD BECAME MY FOUNDATION
As I said, I was pretty extreme in those early days. There are times today when I think back how extreme I was and I get this sense I have to return to that extreme pursuit of Abba. My bible was always in my workbag and since I had a 2-hour commute on the bus to work I spent a majority of my ride studying the Word of God. I began to fill my spirit with His Word. I learned to depend on Holy Spirit because He gave me understanding that I didn’t have. Without Him revealing the truth of the Word, there was no way I could understand it on my own. One of the first scriptures He taught me when I began to lead worship was 1 John 2:27:
“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit–just as it has taught you, remain in him.”
He taught me I had an anointing that He gave me and that anointing would teach me things I didn’t know. I had to remain in Jesus because He was the source for fruitfulness; not my efforts or natural abilities. He would constantly use the Word to confirm things in my life. He would also use the Word so I could pray it or sing it. It would surprise me how the Word would just bubble up in my spirit during every day conversations. I’m pretty sure people thought I was a radical then. It’s time to go back to that level of intensity because people in today’s world need it. Jesus said,
“It is written, man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4
Now more than ever, we need to know the Word of God. There’s too much media hype, cultural opinions, and confusion being infused into the minds of this generation—some of it is slipping into the body of Jesus Christ. Only the Word of God can rightly divide truth. I’m not talking about reading the scripture of the day off the bible app and believe that qualifies as reading the Word. No! We need to return to studying the Word for ourselves and not just let it be spoon-fed from the pulpit. Holy Spirit wants bring fresh revelation to us.
- HOLY SPIRIT IS A WONDERFUL COUNSELOR
I’ve been leading worship now for more than 20 years and the more I think I’ve learned, the more I come to realize I still don’t know. Anything I’ve learned, I’ve been taught by Holy Spirit. Any courage I’ve had to have, it was given to me by Him. Every time I was afraid of doing something uncomfortable, like having a tough conversation with a team member, He helped me face it. There’s been times when I was nervous and afraid because I didn’t know what I was supposed to say in certain situations. I would say under my breath “Holy Spirit help me” and He would give me peace that when I opened my mouth, He’d give me the words to say.
Then there were so many times He proved to me He was in charge and not me. He would put a song on my heart that I needed to add to a set list. I’d be reluctant to add it because I knew my team wasn’t too fond of the song. But out of obedience, I would add it only to find that when the pastor began his sermon we both knew Holy Spirit was in charge because He directed the song that confirmed the message.
In those early days, He led me in so many ways and used prayer and the Word to transform me from the inside out. He will do the same for you.
If you want to be the best worship leader you can be, I encourage you to let Him lead you. He may just use these same things He used with me:
- fill your life with conversation with Abba (prayer); learn to know His voice for He’ll speak in many ways
- study the Word and don’t give up on it if you don’t understand; Holy Spirit is your teacher. God honors His Word above all things and you’ll discover yourself in it
- lean on Holy Spirit for everything; He’s the Wonderful Counselor Isaiah prophesied about
Thanks for taking time to read this guide! I pray it helps transform the way you lead your worship services. I’d love to hear your experiences.
Maria
Maria.riverajones@2ndgenmusic.com
Covenant Life 