humility

Developing Communication Skills for Leading Worship

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Three attitudes affect our communication with others: dignity, humility, and respect. Also important to our communication are five areas of confidence: in ourselves, in our relationship with the Lord, in our relationship with the people, in the importance of our ministry, and in the use of our tools.

A good worship leader must be a good communicator. Some people are born with a natural ability to communicate and lead, whereas others may have to work at it. This is an area that can be developed.

Foundational Attitudes

When considering the twofold relationship that has to be taking place when you are worship leading (i.e., communion with the Lord and with the people), the following three attitudes must become the foundation of all our thinking:

Dignity. The Oxford dictionary includes these definitions of dignity: “high or honorable office, rank, or title; high estimation; worth; proper stateliness; gravity.” We are children of the King of kings, so hold your head up and don’t apologize for your ministry. See yourself as a worthy minister and servant of your Lord.

Humility. We are children of the King of kings only because of what he has done for us, and we have no merit or right to this position in ourselves. Humility or meekness will ensure that dignity does not turn into pride.

Respect. To respect is to esteem and honor others. We must show great respect toward the Lord and his people when leading worship. It is possible that this respect is very much related to the attitudes of dignity and humility.

These three must become intertwined for there to be a solid foundation for good communication.

Confidence in Leadership

As the Lord develops the above three attitudes in our character, there then can come confidence to work as a worship leader. There are several areas of confidence that can be built up, and in so doing, our ability to communicate effectively will be improved:

Confidence in Yourself. Self-acceptance is a most important aspect of good communication with others.

Confidence in Your Relationship with the Lord. This may seem basic, but there are so many who do not know real assurance in their relationship with God. How can you lead others in a worship relationship with the Lord if you are lacking in this area? To do this, you must maintain a repentant and righteous walk with God; and know how to hear from God. You must have confidence in this, or you will never be able to lead and bring direction.

One of the biggest questions people have when moving in the supernatural is, “The thing I feel to do or say—is it really God or is it me—or possibly the devil?” Jesus said that His sheep would know his voice (John 10:27). This is a key in worship leading.

Confidence in Your Relationship with the People. This will never come about unless they know that you can be trusted and that you understand their needs and desires. It is not a matter of getting up in front with great confidence in yourself and God and then forgetting the people. Pray and intercede for God’s people. Develop a heart like a shepherd’s. Respect them and be quick to put things right with anyone whom you may have offended.

Confidence in the Job That Has to Be Done. Many people are nervous and timid in leading because they do not know where they are going, how long they have to get there, or the direction in which they should travel. When you are worship leading, find out how much time you have and if the pastor feels that the meeting should be going in a particular direction. There is a wonderful sense of release that comes when you are not proceeding “in the dark”—you have heard from God or the pastor or both. There is such security in that. Know what you can and cannot do.

Confidence in the Use of Your Tools

Overhead projector or songbooks or hymnals. Know how to turn on the projector and focus it. If you use songbooks or hymnals, know the number of each song.

Microphones. Don’t blow into the microphone, nervously poke it, or hide behind it. Learn how to operate this important piece of equipment. It really is one of your greatest friends because it gives your voice added strength and volume for leadership. Know how to adjust the microphone to your height.

Chorus/hymn list. Have these in one file and keep it with you. This is an important tool because you should be able to lead a service or pull just a few songs right out of the file if your songs are correctly listed thematically and alphabetically.

Music. The greater confidence you have in using and working with music and the musicians, the greater will be your ease in this area.

These may seem like simple points, but any lack in these areas will make you look like you do not know what you are doing and will, therefore, hinder your ability to communicate effectively. If you don’t know what you are doing, then the people will not be at ease following you. It is a reasonably simple matter to take time with these practical considerations.

Communication is a fairly complex matter, and it is not within the scope of this entry to go into great detail on the art of communication. It is, however, a very important aspect of worship leading. One of the greatest keys we have found is seeking to be transparent and real in our relationship with God and his people. Many times you may have to minister to yourself and lead yourself as much as you are leading others in worship. In ministering to yourself and encouraging yourself, you will probably be touching others as well. The songs you use and the things you say will have added strength and relevance.

ON HUMILITY

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Peter, a proud, strong-willed man, was nevertheless called by Jesus to be a disciple. Over time and devotion to Christ he became humble, penning these words in his first letter: “…God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time” (I Peter 5:5-6).

As one Christian leader put it: “I was never of any use to God — until I realized he did not intend for me to be a great man.”

ON LEARNING HUMILITY

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Some of us are willing to learn humility quicker than others. In the past, I’ve shared with you how that in seminary I was blessed to hear the story of Josh McDowell. He had graduated from Wheaton College and Talbot Seminary with top honors; Josh was a gifted speaker with a photographic memory.

When he came on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ (1961) there were people with Crusade at that time who were very jealous of him. They did everything they could to discourage and squash him, including assigning him latrine duty at Crusade headquarters. He was nicknamed “Col. Commode.”

One of Josh’s most memorable moments as “the Colonel” was stepping out of the latrine with his bucket and brush — and meeting Billy Graham and Bill Bright in the hallway!

Josh humbly accepted his station in life, determined he would be the best toilet-scrubber in San Bernardino, and kept at it. Increasing jealousy got him an obscure assignment in South America — where he continued to serve God humbly and faithfully. In due time, God’s time, Josh was vindicated and has been honored with a teaching/speaking ministry probably unparalleled in our time (e.g. Josh has addressed more than 25 million people, giving over 27,000 talks in 125 countries!). Now we see God raising up his son Sean, who is following in his dad’s footsteps. In fact, they recently co-authored a book on Christ’s resurrection!

God’s good intention for Josh — and for us, is not finally getting us to the right place (job, house, town). Rather, it’s shaping us into a people who live solely by our faith in the faithfulness of God. Wherever that happens (scrubbing toilets in San Bernardino, serving God in some obscure place or way), that is precisely the right place to be! As someone recently put it: Once we’ve come to believe that God is with us, the only wrong place to be is away from that blessing!

God gives grace to the humble, the one whose trust and confidence are in Him.

THE BEARD

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When I was a candidate for Associate Minister at Grace Memorial Church in San Jacinto, CA, I sported a full, thick, red beard.

One of the seniors in the church, Don Solomon, asked, “Why do have that beard?”

I graciously (I hope!) responded, “How come you don’t have one Don?

My point being it was simply a matter of personal preference. Don then asked, “Would you be willing to cut it off in order to come on staff here?”

To which I replied, “Absolutely! If that’s what it would take to be able to minister here I’d do it!”

Don Solomon, who was speaking for his generation in that church, held a view that pastors should look a certain way. I didn’t fit their preconceived ideal.

I ended up being offered the position, was never pressed to shave, and Don Solomon became a very dear friend! In fact, Laurie and I eventually held a Bible Study in Don and Margaret Solomon’s home!

A very important lesson is this: To serve sometimes means personal sacrifice; sometimes our heart and motives for ministry are put to the test. I know mine were in this simple request because I really liked my beard; I felt it helped me look more “pastoral”!

Well, God honors humility in our serving one another — and oft times He astounds us with His answer(s)! The great blessing for me was becoming a close friend with Don — and it remained so until he was “called home”!