Hopeforthehopeless’s Weblog

As a musician, I love pretty much all types of music. Anything creative. Rock, Pop, Country, Bluegrass, Jazz, Blues, R&B, Hip-Hop, Indie, World music (specifically Middle Eastern). However, I find my self constantly in a “Style War” within myself and with others. Worship music is an interestingly eclectic sound. In fact, just like in every genre of music there are sub-genre’s, in worship music there are certain types of “sub-genre’s” One would think that the multiple options of “sub-genre’s” make it easier to create a (what I’m going to call) Worship Culture.

As a worship leader, it does me no good to only reflect my taste in the style of worship I play. Worship (as in worship music) exists to create a moment conducive to and help connect people to God. Therefore, if what sparks me emotionally in worship doesn’t spark the majority of the congregation then I’m not doing my job. However, on the flip side of that issue, If I play music that connects with the audience, but does not spark me personally in worship, or even hinders that emotion, then I can’t do my job either because I can’t put my heart in to playing these songs.

This is the great divide. The space between being a worship leader and a lead worshipper.

Therefore, as worship leaders it is our job to be a bridge. We must dig our toes into what connects us with God, therefore our foundation is that of passion and pure worship, and then with everything in us we must stretch our outreached arms to our people so that we can spread the passion that exists in our foundation in a way that they will receive it.

Many of us already hold that philosophy with unbelievers. We (not contradicting Truth) will sing whatever secular song will connect with our target audience in order to engage them in an environment to hear Truth. However, when it comes to dealing with worship music we (I) tend to put my foot down. I don’t think it’s wrong to stand for what you feel. But don’t stand in stubbornness.

After many conversations with people about this, I believe that you must know what will emotionally charge your worship leaders, and what will emotionally charge your people. Then you must figure out how to be a bridge. As a worship leader I want to be fully charged when I lead worship. I want to be a Lead Worshipper. That is a necessity. You can’t fake it. But be aware also. Be outstretched. Be a Bridge.