This is the final in a three part series about the basics of Worship Leading and how I mentor Worship Leaders.

You can check out Part 1 and Part 2 if you are interested!

As I’ve discussed, I break down three parts of Worship Leading; the Leading itself, Playing – vocally or instrumentally, and finally Directing; this is the role of Band Director. Again, I break these up into three parts because most people don’t come pre-wired with all three. I have met people who are great singers who need help leading. I have met people who have the heart of a worshipper, but need help learning an instrument. And most often I meet people who have a little of those two skills, but don’t know how to speak ‘Band.’ Some of you know what I mean. That time during rehearsal where you want the drummer to kick on 1 and 3 and snare on 2 and 4. Or maybe you want 4 on the floor. Then the bass player needs to do a chord substitution for the C# instead of the A. Some of that is music theory, some of it is experience with different instruments. All of it is Band Directing. I spend a lot of time coaching Worship Leaders on this. The best approach I’ve found is to co-lead with a Worship Leader and have them watch what I do. I’ll even call out to them what I’m doing, while I’m doing it. Then we’ll follow up and have a specific conversation afterwards. This is a very important skill in Worship Leading that unfortunately is not really taught in schools that I’ve seen. You don’t generally get it in a music education. You certainly don’t get it in a Biblical education. If you were in a garage band in high school, maybe you saw it happening or learned it by accident. Most however, need examples to show them what to do, what to say and when. It is just like learning another language. It is one half the language of music theory and the other half the language of sounds. Sometimes calling out chord changes or rhythm accents. Sometimes just saying ‘boom, boom, boom.’

So, if you are a less experienced Worship Leader, seek out a seasoned veteran Band Director. Chances are you already know one! There is a scary element here of asking for help, but don’t avoid the learning process. One thing I learned a long time ago is that I am usually not the best musician in the group, I am just the leader. My job is not to run musical circles around the team. My job is to pull the team together. My job is to take the weekend guitar shredder and the classical pianist and the classic rock drummer with the basement bass player and create cohesive Worship music. This takes the three skills of Leading, Playing and Directing, all at the same time with excellence to the Glory of our God and King, Jesus!

If you are a seasoned Worship Leader, maybe you could look around for someone less experienced and see if you can teach them what you’ve learned over the years. They will be grateful and the Kingdom of God will grow in ways you probably can’t even imagine!

Make a Joyful Noise!