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You are here: Home / Music Ministers/Worship Pastors / Brian’s 5: Top 5 Ways to Get out of the Way This Week – By Brian Brown

Brian’s 5: Top 5 Ways to Get out of the Way This Week – By Brian Brown

January 18, 2017 1 Comment

The role of a worship leader in the church is unique, to say the least. We are on the stage, under the lights, and the center of attention – but that’s not where the attention should be focused. Ultimately, Worship is a response to the revelation of Jesus Christ. It seems more than obvious that Christ should be at the center of our worship service, not the worship leader. For that reason, unlike secular musicians, the Worship Leader’s job each week is essentially to get out of the way and let people see Christ. So how do we do that, and do it effectively? Here are five methods I’ve found helpful in attempting to be a conduit rather than an obstacle on the worship platform.

  1. Be prepared. The best way to get out of the way is to eliminate distractions. Nothing is more distracting than an un-prepared leader. If I don’t have the songs down pat, if I haven’t proof-read the slides, if the band isn’t well rehearsed, the audience will see it, and it will be a distraction. Getting out of the way starts with preparation during the week.
  2. Eliminate visual distractions. Lighting and moving background images can enhance the worship experience up to a point, but all too often the desire to more creatively exercise artistic expression gets in the way of practical execution. If the super cool moving background and multi-colored stage lights make the song lyrics and scriptures harder to see, they need to be changed.
  3. Remove the awkward pauses. It only takes a second for the audience to become distracted and start checking their phones or thinking about where they’re headed after the service. Continual engagement is critical and every element of the service should flow smoothly. Be sure everyone on the platform knows exactly where to be and when to be there. Microphones need to be ready and it should always be clear to the audience where to focus. The other people on the platform can be of particular help here. The focus of anyone visible on stage should be directed to exactly where the audience attention needs to be – if someone is speaking, every visible eye on the platform should be focused on that speaker.
  4. Songs should be chosen to increase the people’s focus on Christ, not the worship leader. The topic of song choice and singable keys has been well covered by many others, so I won’t say anything more than the simple reminder that it’s not about you and your incredible musical ability.
  5. Pray earnestly. Every minute I have between sound check and the start of the service I try to spend in prayer. My prayer is always the same. I simply pray, “Lord, please help me to get out the way so that the people can see you clearly and hear what you want to say to their hearts. Don’t let me be a distraction today.”

These five help me. I’d love to hear what works for you.


Brian Brown is LifeWay Worship’s Manager of Sales, Marketing, Events & Business Development. With LifeWay for more than 21 years, Brian has a passion for worship, numbers and history. He’s well-read. He’s quick-witted. He’s worth following on Twitter @TheBrianHBrown.

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Filed Under: Music Ministers/Worship Pastors, Words, Worship Leaders Tagged With: Brian Brown, Brian's 5, worship leading

Comments

  1. Dean Watson says

    January 18, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    Brian, I’ve been involved in Worship Ministry since 1973. I’m 68 now and God continues to open doors for me to lead and teach those younger. I mention this to only say I know I’ve been a distraction as the worship leader more times than I want to think about over these many years. I’ve asked for His forgiveness on many occasions. Sometimes in the rehearsing and scheduling of Sunday after Sunday after Sunday of worship times I’ve forgotten to birth into my team the things you have mentioned. You are spot on with these 5 ways to get out of the way. I am aware of these and have tried to apply these many, many times.
    I think one of the struggles is how to present these to my team in a way that is encouraging. It’s kind of like how to eat an elephant . . . well, one bite at a time, right?
    A little here and a little there.
    Thank you for the reminder.
    May God continue to use you.
    Dean

    Reply

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