Why am I refered to as a worship leader or worship team member?

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Permalink Reply by Benjamin Luce on February 15, 2010 at 7:51pm

I think that you are right there Mike. Our ENTIRE lives are to be acts of worship, not the 30min of singing on Sunday or even the entire "Worship" Service. I think about the questions you are raising all the time... I guess I/we have just given in to the 'titles'.

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Permalink Reply by Al Hilgendorf on February 15, 2010 at 8:38pm

I do think that 'Music Leader' is a more accurate term, Mike, but 'Worship Leader' has become the nom de rigueur of our position.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Riner on February 15, 2010 at 11:16pm

I kinda think you are splitting hairs but to try to simplify the answer, this is what I think.

When I was younger the position was simply called the song leader. Then the idea of singing choruses came to the church and we started calling it praise and worship. This I think is how the music became known as worship. So it just goes without explaining that the song leader became known as the worship leader.

As far as the bible and worship goes, my definition of worship is basically our response to what God has done, is doing, and will do. So worship goes far beyond the aspect of just singing but singing is worship too.. It's just that singing like I mentioned previously has become known exclusively as worship by the majority.

I think that's a simple answer.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Tippett on February 16, 2010 at 5:02pm

I agree fully that singing is worship, but worship is not limited to singing. I guess that is part of my point; that the bible doesnt really say that singing is at the heart of worship. One of my fears then about this terminology is that we are implying to our churches that singing is at the heart of worship. It is not, not even close in my opinion. I just don't want people to be misled or confused on what worship truly is.

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Permalink Reply by Benjamin Luce on February 16, 2010 at 5:41pm

Right on the $ again, Mike!

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Riner on February 17, 2010 at 12:42am

Where I would disagree with you at is on the statement that music is not even close to being at the heart of worship. I think it is very close. What I mean by saying that is one of the first things David did was set up musicians to play 24 hours in the the tent of meetings. David even desired and often pushed the idea of using music to worship God with. Angels sing nonstop around the throne of God and Paul said that we should edify one another with songs, hymns and spiritual songs.

Singing or singing accompanied by music is a very integral part of what worship is. I find it ironic or even inconceivable that no matter where I'm at in the world, I may not understand the words but the music can touch the inner depths of my being. I think music is by God's design an international way of connecting with one another. Music is very powerful. That's why it's in every commercial, movie, house, cars, restaurants, malls, stores. Without music, the world would be rather dull.

Think about what music does to the soul. It can make it angry by using some hard core music, or it can turn lovers on by being soft. Music has a way of taking you back to places in your life when a certain song comes on.

There's alot of power in music.Music may not be the heart of what worship is but it's very close.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Tippett on February 17, 2010 at 5:34pm

Thanks for the discussion, it is really helping me think through my position on this subject.

I am not disputing the power of music, I am a musician. I think that the attitude of the heart and actions are at the heart of worship, singing being one of those actions or maybe a reaction to what God has done. Please dont get me wrong, I am not saying that music isn't worship or that music isn't important or powerful, it absolutely is. I kinda just have a problem with the title. I get it that worship is more than singing on Sunday but I am worried about new Christians or people who take most of thier spiritual cues from church leadership not getting it, missing out on the deepness and fullness of worship being more than singing songs on Sunday.

In the example you used about David's musicians, were any of them given the title of worship leader?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Riner on February 18, 2010 at 12:00am

I totally get your concern That's why I tried to give a brief history of how we actually got to the point of the title. I tell my church (which is not very big) that I am not the worship lead, I am the lead worshiper, and that we all are worship leaders in the community. So I guess I would recommend just teaching the people who God has made you a steward of and that's all you can do.

Btw, yeah, worship leader does not even exist in the bible.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Tippett on February 18, 2010 at 12:24am

Thanks for your thoughts Kevin, I appreciate it. I think you are right, educating and reminding people of what true worship is is a good solution.

Blessings,
Mike

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Kerr on February 16, 2010 at 3:23am

I think it's just a way we put it together in our own heads.. i don't think it's biblical or unbiblical to call it that.
For instance, the trinity is not mentioned in the Bible, but we use that word to help make sense out of what is in the Bible..but you do bring up a good point. Now I need to go look up how many times worship is is mentioned in the Bible

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Permalink Reply by Shane Goh on February 16, 2010 at 8:58am

You're very right with your definitions, I've been on a journey trying to discover the meaning of worship and the role of music in worship. Then this is interesting, it implies that the term "Worship Leader" becomes an incredibly important role. When we step up on stage and take up the title, we are effectively telling others, "I'm living a life of worship. Imitate me as I imitate Christ,"

Pastors are the shepherds to the flock, leading the congregation and feeding them spiritual foods. Various leaders deal with more specific problems. All are "role-models" that others try to follow. Worship leaders fall into that category as well, it just so happens it falls on us to lead music also. It is also because of the heavy responsibility that those who are on the worship team must live godly lives as well, because they also fall into the leadership category, because that's how others will view them.

In a way, Worship Leader then becomes a title that falls on all these roles.

Would it be appropriate to call ourselves song leaders or a music team? I don't believe so, because simply by stepping up on the stage we're showing people that the leadership of the church, and the Lord Himself, have chosen us to lead, which means we must have something more than just rad skillz or a good voice. Whether we recognize it or not, the stage is a powerful, dangerous place, and only those who worship the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind (a.k.a: Worship Leaders) can hope to stand on it and not let pride ruin them completely

0...0

These are just my thoughts. Hope this opened up more trains of thought for you =)
God bless

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Permalink Reply by Mike Tippett on February 17, 2010 at 5:42pm

Thanks for your response, you bring up good points.

I guess I think that anyone whom the church leadership chooses to be on stage has demonstrated a life of worship already and does not need the title. My main fear is the title of worship leader leads people to believe that worship is singing in church on Sunday and not about a persons heart attitude and actions towards God everyday. Do the ushers lead a life of worship? Couldn't they be called worship leaders as well?

These are just my thoughts,
God bless you also.

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