Question:
Hello everyone. Newbe here. I just found this site literally 20 minutes ago and started searching/reading up on forums... (very interesting posts... i know what i'll be doing for the next few days)
I had a question of my own that i'm sure many of you guys can share your thoughts on. (you'll have to forgive me if such post already exists... didn't get the chance to search thoroughly yet).
I recently started leading worship in a church with predominately young adults (age group 21-35'ish). Based on past experiences (other churches, events, etc), i've noticed alot of preachers/worship leaders telling congregants things like this: "i want everyone to lift up your hands now" or "sing louder" or "repeat after me" ... stuff like that. Does that give members a forceful experience in worship? Is there a better way of doing this??
I myself am still in the transitional phase, trying to get used to leading with this crowd (i've lead before but to a much younger group who seemed more receptive and free to worship/express). I know that it isn't required to express (lifting of hands, singing loudly... ) to show that one is worshipping but i guess i'm having a hard time accepting this if this were the case. A couple things i was reminded of through this site was this: 1. It isn't about performance but rather a means to lead His people in His presence. 2. As long as i lead worship wholeheartedly, then congregant members will see this and may be lead into worship. So how can i go about 'leading' as a worship leader if i feel that the members aren't all that into it and are not responding? I'm don't want to seem as though i'm "forcing" the congregants into worship, ya know?... And Everyday I'm fighting with myself, wanting to give up because I feel that i'm not doing a pleasing job for Him...I guess this especially becomes stronger when i hear from other members that they didn't "feel" the worship that day i led, or that the "instruments just didn't vibe"... But don't get me wrong (it ain't all about the negatives...) When someone does approach me and compliment the team and how they did a great job, yadda yadda,... i definitely know it wasn't cuz of me. all glory to Him.. really!
Any comments/advice/suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you!!
Answer:
Welcome to the Worship Leading Forum!
A couple of thoughts:
First, just know that the naysayers are always more vocal than the ones who support what you are doing. I don't know why that is, but that's just the way things work. Even if you have ten negative comments to every one positive comment, know that there are more people who are positive out there about your worship leading, they just aren't vocal about it.
Second, your responsibility as a worship leader is not to "force" people into worship. You should simply demonstrate in front of them a love for God in worship. Not everyone is going to "feel" like worshiping, it's just the way it is. Some people are having a bad week. Some people are coming to your church because someone in their life is making them do so. Some people even aren't really wired to worship God through song, they may be wired to worship God in other ways, like serving or deep contemplation or experiential things. I'm not saying it's bad to prompt people into singing or expressing themselves in song - just know that it won't "work" for everyone.
Again, welcome to the forum! I hope you learn and grow a lot here and find some community.
Answer:
Other than asking the congregation to stand or cueing a refrain or tag at the end of a song, I don't "tell" the people in the crowd what to do during worship. Who am I to tell them how the Spirit should direct them?

The only reason I even ask the people to stand is to follow tradition's sake. It's not like I care if they stand or not. I do occasionally remind those in the audience that they are free to do whatever the Spirit leads them to do. I don't even know if I should do that either. Hopefully they already know that.
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I like what Matt Redman questions in one of his songs. How can we worship what we have not seen? If (and I'm not saying this is the case) people in your church haven't experienced God, haven't 'seen' him, then they have no reason to worship. No amount of clapping, or dancing, or telling them to stand or sit or raise their hands is going to make them worship. Your job, as a worship leader, is to reveal. Choose songs that reveal who God is, and if people catch that glimpse, they will worship.
That's how I try to do it. Sometimes I fail, and sometimes I succeed. But, it's not up to me to make people worship. It's up to me to try and reveal God.
Make sense?
patrick.
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Wow, it's amazing because I just had a conversation about some of the same things with the music minister of my church. Our congregation is older than your guys (40+ mostly), but when I first started leading worship I hated to be the first song up. It seemed like the worship would just bounce off the ceiling, it seemed that the congregation wouldn't become involved until like the 3rd song in. You talk about forcing worship, I've wanted to on several occasions, but I didn't because I realised it's not about me, it's all about Him.
When the congregants are just sitting there , they're sitting on God not you, when they're involved they're worshipping God not you. So don't take it personally, do what you're called to do lead, and let the congregation follow you as you follow Christ. Worship is a choice. We as worship leaders have to be the first ones to make that choice, so the congregants can choose also. Be encouraged, worship God as a lifestyle and you'll be alright.
Answer:
...can you see Arnold Schwartzenegger as a worship leader...
*Yah, now you vil staahnd aahp ahnd give tanks, yah! Ohnd now livt uhp yah hahnds...I SAID LIVT UHP YAH HAHNDS OR ELSE, YAH!!*

Seriously, I do think that our hearts and minds get transformed from worldly-minded to worship-minded by the power of God's revealed Word.
Real unforced worship occurs when what's true about God becomes realized in us.
All the visual/lighting/musical manipulations and verbal encouragements from the worship leader are, imho, empty without the truth of and the presence of our God.
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[quote=gtrdave]...can you see Arnold Schwartzenegger as a worship leader...
*Yah, now you vil staahnd aahp ahnd give tanks, yah! Ohnd now livt uhp yah hahnds...I SAID LIVT UHP YAH HAHNDS OR ELSE, YAH!!*

Everything else. AMEN.
Answer:
Welcome to the forum!
Originally Posted by Lee Modlin Other than asking the congregation to stand or cueing a refrain or tag at the end of a song, I don't "tell" the people in the crowd what to do during worship.
For the most part, I'm much like Lee in that I rarely will ask the congregation to clap or lift up hands. I have found with the conservative mindset of many in our church, it just wouldn't work to try and force people to clap or dance. Having said that, many of the young people choose to clap and jump up and down even though nobody else is doing it because that is how they feel led to worship God.
I guess the biggest thing that distracts me when I look out at everyone is when a lot of people aren't singing (I find that many kids refuse to sing or even move their lips in an attempt to sing) or when people are talking with each other when we're supposed to be singing to God. So I often find myself just closing my eyes and focusing on worshipping God myself. Like JACk120 said, we can't really force them into authentic worship with hand raising or clapping so instead we should just provide an atmosphere suitable for corporate worship and be examples, as members of the worship team, of genuine worship. But don't be afraid to involve them more by asking them to clap, sing louder, lift up hands etc. and to lead them as God leads you.
Answer:
It's a tough position to be in. Do you stand by and say nothing when you see your congregation distracted? But if it's forced it's not real anyway so what's the point!
I do guide them with encouragement but I don't often tell them what to do. I might say something like "as we lift our hands Lord, show us your grace" instead of "everyone lift your hands up".
I do ask people to sing after me if it's a repeating song: Victory chant
I do ask people to stand up at the begining
I do ask people to clap with me: sometimes I do some funky clap to have everyone follow. It also helps my drummer when folks are clapping on time.
You've got to be real with them and allow them to be real with you. If they don't feel like worshiping that's not your problem.
I do beleive if your friend was sad you'd encourage them, No difference because your on a stage. if the congregation is sad or distracted you should encourage them. People will feel better after they give God an offering of worship.
Last sunday I had a heart to heart with the congregation after we played "heart of worship" and the song portion was done. I talked to them about being real and how the worship team is just trying to point the way the best we can, we're not putting on a show for their benefit. We are showing you your purpose in life though, that purpose is to worship God. I also said that it's easier to pay attention to the class clown than the teacher, and that if you're having a hard time getting into worship seperate yourself from the things that distract you and join closely to the people in the congregation who demonstrate the heart of worship.
After that the congregation just started pouring out their heart to God and we took an extra 15 mins just letting people express themselves.
Answer:
Have you ever maybe forgotten to say thank you to someone? Then maybe the person you forgot to say it to says something like, "Well, you're WELCOME!", in a rather gruff and offended way? Or maybe you've got siblings or this has happened in school when you were young where you got into one of those 'kiddie fights' with the other and you hit someone or called them one of those silly names that kids come up with? Then your mom or dad or your teacher finds out and they drag you over to the person you did this to and say something like, "Now apologize for what you did!"
Is any 'thank you' or 'I'm sorry' that arises out of either of those situations really genuine? Did you mean it? Maybe it's my stubbornness, but any time someone demands an apology or thanks from me I absolutely refuse to give it to them. To me, there's no point in doing either when I'm forced to do it because it won't be a genuine and authentic response. Food for thought.
Answer:
Originally Posted by gtrdave ...can you see Arnold Schwartzenegger as a worship leader...
*Yah, now you vil staahnd aahp ahnd give tanks, yah! Ohnd now livt uhp yah hahnds...I SAID LIVT UHP YAH HAHNDS OR ELSE, YAH!!*

Answer:
Welcome to the ranks of CGR
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thanks you guys for sharing!!
the technical/spiritual aspects of worship leading shared by you guys really helped shed new light to this..
man, it's so easy to allow my flesh/disappointment/discouragements get in the way of serving the Lord with my 100% but that shouldn't be... He deserves my all. Striving towards complete surrender (of all my fears, expectations, etc... ) is what i need..... Lord have Your way in me.
Answer:
OK guys....I hear the argument and the analogies about forcing some to apologize, etc....How bout this one. Let's say we're on that same hypothetical playground, and there's a pretty lil girl there that we want to kiss. Do we just run up and kiss her, or is it easier if she invites us?? Of course, an invite will certainly increase the chances of getting a kiss! What I'm trying to say is this; some people just need an oportunity to choose to worship. The first time I raised my hands to the Lord was an incredible experience, and a very hard one to get passed. After the first time, it became much easier, and less frightening. But, without much encouragement, I probably never would have done it. Having said all that, I can tell you I rarely ask the congregation to do a certain thing....but I do it! The thing that really bothers me is when worship leaders ALWAYS sing/say stuff like "we worship You" or "we raise our hands to You Lord" and never get to the "I worship You, I love You...I raise my hands to You"...In other words, if you are more concerned about gettin a reaction than you are actually worshipping the Lord while on the platform, it's gonna show.....~Shawn
Answer:
Our congregation has a few folks in wheelchairs, and others with disabilities that physically prohibit them from standing and/or clapping. Others can stand for awhile, but must sit before long.
Requesting congregants to stand and requiring them to do so are two different things. trpullen will probably chime in here, but at his church they've changed how they lead by simply adding "if you're able" to their directions. This gives people the option to participate as directed, but respects their physical limitations.