What is a Worship Leader?
July 31, 2014
www.kurtscobie.com/worship
In Christian circles (bubbles) it is easy to lose sight of the fact that some people have no freaking clue what we are talking about because we use these "Christianese" terms.
So, let me see if I can explain what I mean when I say I'm a "worship leader".
The short answer is this: "Using my musical and leadership talents to encourage people to engage their hearts in Christ-worship and to experience God's love in a life-changing way". At least, that's what I might say if we ever ran into each other at one of those Christian conferences.
But there is so much more.
A true worship leader is one whose entire LIFE brings glory to God. The truth is, every single person on the planet is a worshiper. We all spend our days worshiping something or someone. Think about that. What do you spend your time doing? Who do you serve? What are you always thinking about? What can you not stop talking about? Whether it's money, or technology, or God, or sex, or your kids, or your boyfriend, or your work, or school... you are "worshiping".
I believe that the worship that happens on the platforms of our churches should be an overflow of the worship that happens in day-to-day life. In other words, worship leaders without a private and ongoing prayer life... are kinda... fakin' it. I know, I know, that is quite a statement. And I am not saying that I have this down. I'll be the first to admit that I have failed horribly at this. Many times. I am the biggest hypocrite of all hypocrites. But, I am working on it. With God. And I think that is the difference.
Our foundation cannot be the music, or our ability to lead, or our charisma. Our foundation is not within ourselves. It is in Christ alone.
My desire is to be authentic in my worship. To lead from a pure heart. And purity can only come from the one who is perfectly pure. I want to be a man so drenched in God's presence that when I get in front of people, they don't even see me, only Jesus.
So, worship leaders, are you filled with God? Does your LIFE lead people in worship? When people encounter you do they see God? Or do they just see your pretty clothes? Or do they just hear your pretty voice?
I hope that I am not just learning all the right Christianese terms, but really learning the language of heaven by meeting with my heavenly Father every day.
I hope that I am becoming more like Jesus, and less like my old self.
I hope that I am becoming more of a worship leader off the stage than on the stage.
What do you think? What does it mean to be a worship leader?
July 31, 2014
www.kurtscobie.com/worship
In Christian circles (bubbles) it is easy to lose sight of the fact that some people have no freaking clue what we are talking about because we use these "Christianese" terms.
So, let me see if I can explain what I mean when I say I'm a "worship leader".
The short answer is this: "Using my musical and leadership talents to encourage people to engage their hearts in Christ-worship and to experience God's love in a life-changing way". At least, that's what I might say if we ever ran into each other at one of those Christian conferences.
But there is so much more.
A true worship leader is one whose entire LIFE brings glory to God. The truth is, every single person on the planet is a worshiper. We all spend our days worshiping something or someone. Think about that. What do you spend your time doing? Who do you serve? What are you always thinking about? What can you not stop talking about? Whether it's money, or technology, or God, or sex, or your kids, or your boyfriend, or your work, or school... you are "worshiping".
I believe that the worship that happens on the platforms of our churches should be an overflow of the worship that happens in day-to-day life. In other words, worship leaders without a private and ongoing prayer life... are kinda... fakin' it. I know, I know, that is quite a statement. And I am not saying that I have this down. I'll be the first to admit that I have failed horribly at this. Many times. I am the biggest hypocrite of all hypocrites. But, I am working on it. With God. And I think that is the difference.
Our foundation cannot be the music, or our ability to lead, or our charisma. Our foundation is not within ourselves. It is in Christ alone.
My desire is to be authentic in my worship. To lead from a pure heart. And purity can only come from the one who is perfectly pure. I want to be a man so drenched in God's presence that when I get in front of people, they don't even see me, only Jesus.
So, worship leaders, are you filled with God? Does your LIFE lead people in worship? When people encounter you do they see God? Or do they just see your pretty clothes? Or do they just hear your pretty voice?
I hope that I am not just learning all the right Christianese terms, but really learning the language of heaven by meeting with my heavenly Father every day.
I hope that I am becoming more like Jesus, and less like my old self.
I hope that I am becoming more of a worship leader off the stage than on the stage.
What do you think? What does it mean to be a worship leader?