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Monday, October 19, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Eyes Wide Open
When you lead worship are your eyes open or closed? Once you have figured out your answer ask yourself “Why?”
My pastor has just started a new sermon series titled “Intentional”. His idea is that Christ was intentional about all He did in order to accomplish a certain task or destiny. (click here to watch "Intentional") The problem is that most of us are unintentional about our Christian walk. We wait for the ship called “Destiny” to arrive and never take the steps necessary to become the person that is capable of fulfilling said destiny.
Likewise, if we were more intentional in our worship leading we would find ourselves taking steps as a people that would lead us to deeper moments of worship and a greater sense of effectiveness. One of the simple ways we can be intentional about worship leading is to keep our eyes open.
Here are some reasons to keep your eyes open:
Allows you to connect with people and people to connect with you.
- It’s very difficult to trust someone and/or connect with someone who won’t look you in the eye.
- Try to make eye contact with individuals throughout the service.
Gives you the opportunity to “read” your congregation.
- Often times I have found myself in a great moment of free praise only to open my eyes and realize that nobody is with me.
* The goal of worship leading is not to have some great personal time with the Lord (though that hopefully happens); it is to lead a people into a great time with the Lord. Sometimes we have to sacrifice slightly on the personal side of things for the greater good of the group. Have your personal time with the Lord personally. Lead when asked to lead.
My pastor has just started a new sermon series titled “Intentional”. His idea is that Christ was intentional about all He did in order to accomplish a certain task or destiny. (click here to watch "Intentional") The problem is that most of us are unintentional about our Christian walk. We wait for the ship called “Destiny” to arrive and never take the steps necessary to become the person that is capable of fulfilling said destiny.
Likewise, if we were more intentional in our worship leading we would find ourselves taking steps as a people that would lead us to deeper moments of worship and a greater sense of effectiveness. One of the simple ways we can be intentional about worship leading is to keep our eyes open.
Here are some reasons to keep your eyes open:
Allows you to connect with people and people to connect with you.
- It’s very difficult to trust someone and/or connect with someone who won’t look you in the eye.
- Try to make eye contact with individuals throughout the service.
Gives you the opportunity to “read” your congregation.
- Often times I have found myself in a great moment of free praise only to open my eyes and realize that nobody is with me.
* The goal of worship leading is not to have some great personal time with the Lord (though that hopefully happens); it is to lead a people into a great time with the Lord. Sometimes we have to sacrifice slightly on the personal side of things for the greater good of the group. Have your personal time with the Lord personally. Lead when asked to lead.
- If a congregation is highly involved during a certain part of a song don’t be afraid to repeat, repeat, repeat.
* If you don’t have your eyes open, you can’t usually tell if your people are with you or not.
* Often times people sing songs just as they are written and never deviate from that plan. That can be very limiting.
* If you don’t have your eyes open, you can’t usually tell if your people are with you or not.
* Often times people sing songs just as they are written and never deviate from that plan. That can be very limiting.
*If people are highly involved it is because something in the song is connecting with their spirit. This is what we want. Use it to your advantage.
- If a song isn’t working move on. It’s ok.
Keep your eye on your pastor.
- There may be a prophetic word or an exhortation that needs to be shared. Nothing more awkward than someone walking up to the stage and the worship leader starts the next song.
- This improves the flow of the service.
- On the more practical side, maybe you’re too long and need to cut out the last song. Or, vice versa, you need to sing the chorus a couple more times because something isn’t ready to go.
- Always submit to the direction of your senior pastor. They will always have a great sense of where the service needs to go.
I pray this is helpful. God bless.
PN
- If a song isn’t working move on. It’s ok.
Keep your eye on your pastor.
- There may be a prophetic word or an exhortation that needs to be shared. Nothing more awkward than someone walking up to the stage and the worship leader starts the next song.
- This improves the flow of the service.
- On the more practical side, maybe you’re too long and need to cut out the last song. Or, vice versa, you need to sing the chorus a couple more times because something isn’t ready to go.
- Always submit to the direction of your senior pastor. They will always have a great sense of where the service needs to go.
I pray this is helpful. God bless.
PN
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