Worship Leaders-part 3

 

Worship Leaders-part 3

          We have discussed the requirements of a congregational song leader. Today we will continue our discussion.  I can understand a song leader who is not knowledgeable of good standard conducting techniques and I understand that many of them are sincerely trying to lead musical worship. However, I have a hard time understanding a song leader who stands before the congregation with facial expressions that accurately represent the “Great stone face.” When I watch song leaders I often see no smile, no joy, no enthusiasm, no excitement, no outward facial expression that represents all the joy and grandeur of corporate singing about our Savior "who taketh away the sins of the world". Great joy should exude from the song leader as the congregation sings the great hymns, gospel songs and worship choruses. These songs and choruses are capable of being vehicles to express the awesomeness and solemnity of the worship of a triune God.

          Jesus, quoting from Isaiah 55:7 stated in St. John 7:38: stated, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” Is it too far-fetched to suppose that the song leader, who really believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, can be capable of letting his or her love show through conducting techniques?  I contend that out of the song leader’s belly (heart, or inner being) should flow effusions of love and praise!  They come forth like gushing water from an artisan well.  These “living waters” cannot be contained because the director believes what Jesus said.  It is amazing to me that a minister of music can stand in front of an  assembly of worshipers and fail to let this "living water" be effectually expressed through his or conducting gestures, facial expressions, and deeply passionate body language.

Therefore, the song leader’s love, joy, belief, understanding, praise, adoration and blessing should all show on his or her face.  The song leader’s body language, facial expression and conducting gestures should all passionately express the glorious praise of our God!  If this happens,  musical worship will be changed dramatically.  Not every member of the congregation  will  have a degree in music or necessarily deeply understand music, but they will all  understand when a song leader is overflowing with deep and meaningful compassion for what he or she is doing and expresses this understanding through performance conducting  and body language that is expressive of his or deep love for the Lord!

Quote for the Day

"Worship is the single most important event that happens weekly (and sometimes weakly ) in the local church." Church Music in the Real World, by Bob Burroughs p. 86.  It is our responsibility as song leaders to make sure that it does not happen weakly.