Introduction
As a worship leader my learning never stops. I know I will always have two goals: to improve my heart and toimprove my art.
To stay grounded in God I need a good Theology of Worship.I must always ask the question, am I performing music or enjoying God?
With these in mind, it is easier to access where I am in my lead worshiper journey.
Just beginning?
How do you know if you have the right stuff to be a worship leader?
Are you just starting a worship team? Maybe you're used to being the lone musician in a small church, but the church is growing and you sense there mightbe enough musicians, ...if only you could herd them all together. For some simple steps of how to make it finally happen, find out more about starting a worship team.
There aren't many places where all the musicians in a band can play by ear. It's a good idea that people learn to read music. It's not like you play fully published works like a concert band or orchestra, but chord charts come in handy.
So the moreyour team knows about reading music the better. Here is a great way to get started learning to read music online
You've practiced a couple times. You have a few songs coming together. Next, you just want to sound like you all belong together playing as one band. For useful and practical help, I've used Playing Together As a Worship Band, written by the Maranatha Praise Band, and found it very helpful.
I subscribe to a great newsletter resource for drummers. DrumJunction.com - Uniting the pulse of today's drummers. Discover our authentic blend of insight and opportunity when you search for a drum teacher, get advice from the pros, or study the FREE Drum Lessons!
What is the best way to rehearse a worship band? Find help here!!
Do you have a worship tip to share?
Have you been part of a team building worship where you are? If so, wow, you are our heroes!Would you tell us how you did it? What is just one tip you would love to pass along to those who follow in your footsteps?
Click here to share your tip!
Ready for the next level?
As a worship leader you've got to be legal and register your church song usage. You'll find everything you need here, from CCLI.
When you're ready for some help preparing charts and parts of instruments like flute and strings, you'll want to Worship Leader Assistant, from Integrity Music, a try.
Remember to check with the tower
Don't be an expert, be a learner
A worship leader needs to consistently serve people, study worship-related topics, pursue experiences in leading worship and most of all, BE a devoted worshipper. Abraham, from the book of Genesis, is a great example to us. He may have been the first worship leader whose story was ever recorded. In fact, God called him His friend. Click here to learn more.
Training to replace yourself
Personal worship
To learn to worship without music can help us focus on God. Here's an article to help you learn, as a worship leader, to have a life of worship.
Corporate worship
In his book, The Unquenchable Worshipper: Coming Back to the Heart of Worship , Matt Redman tells a story about how worship without music can purify the motives of the worshippers. He explains how, at his church, attention had shifted from God to checking out the band, the songs, then, if everything felt right, people would enter into worship.
So his pastor had the PA system and the band unplugged and put aside. Although awkward at first, the spirit of intimacy returned as hearts reconnected with worship's purpose to please God.
Worship is big, really big. We will never discover all the creative ways we should express honor and praise to God. Music is only one vehicle and should be kept in its place, never drawing too much attention, lest idolatry result.
Click here for some ideas on how to worship without music.
Or maybe you are looking for more than music to enhance your corporate worship expression. Here's a surprisingly helpful book, Up With Worship.
The following links give an excellent background and growing knowledge of how worship works for many different sorts of people all over the world.Bookmark this page to make it easier to refer to these music resources.
Web Sites:
Positive Share offers a creative approach in Personal and Leadership development through illustrations that encourage those thoughts and ideas that impact life through wisdom and experience. (http://www.positiveshare.com)
Inspirational Motivational Speakers (http://www.inspirational-motivational-speakers.com)
Magazines:
Worship! Magazine(http://www.worshipmag.com)
Worship Leader (http://www.worshipleader.com)
Christian Musician (http://www.christianmusician.com)
Books:
The Heart of the Artist by Rory Noland
The Unquenchable Worshipper: Coming Back to the Heart of Worship by Matt Redman
The Air I Breathe by Louie Giglio
Conferences:
Purpose Driven Worship Conference (http://www.purposedriven.com)
Christian Musician Summit (http://www.christianmusiciansummit.com)
Soul Survivor (http://www.soulsurvivor.com)
Worship Together (http://www.worshiptogether.com)
Online Seminary Classes:
Regent University (http://www.regent.edu)
Liberty University (http://www.liberty.edu)
Dallas Baptist University (http://www.dbu.edu)
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Do you have a worship tip to share?
Forming and rehearsing a worship team is hard work! Do you have a great tip to share with us about this? If so, we'd love for you to share it!
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