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Who's the Leader?
Article by: Tom Lane
In most cases it's obvious! I am asked often does the leader have to be the worship leader? Can a band member be the musical or spiritual leader if they're not the lead singer? Is the lead singer always the leader? Every situation is different and normally there's one who stands out as being the most capable leader. If you're church has hired or appointed one as the leader then they're the leader even if they're not the most qualified. I've said before it's important to follow and listen to your leader and that's biblical Godly responsibility for all of us. What the best leaders do however is find those better than themselves and help them shine in their strengths. First let me separate areas of leadership into Spiritual, Musical, Song leader, Worship leader, Administrator. Spiritual Leadership: Gifts of leadership as outlined in Ephesians 4 are given to the church to build up and equip. A spiritual leader will have natural strengths that lean towards one of those giftings and should. So it's not the talent but the gift that makes the leader spiritual! God gives certain people a unique heart and concern for the spiritual condition and well being of others and above all Himself. Musical Leadership: Competence, skill, experience, knowledge, and talent make up a good musical leader. Though it can be learned and refined through education it can also be a natural talent and ability which some have more than others. The musical leader is the one who the band depends on most. Typically they carry the songs and provide the stability and foundation. Often it's the key leader but not always. Song Leader: In most cases it's one person who leads the songs and they may or may not be the worship leader. I have seen it where it changes every other song who leads. In any case I call the song leader the point person and lead singer of a particular song. It's a rule, to me anyway, that the band supports the singer who is carrying and delivering the song lyrically thus making them the song leader. For the singerless bands, you carry it through the music! Worship Leader: Worship leader anymore means different things to different people. I had a young teenager friend and worship leader say recently, "I've noticed something that’s different about certain worship leaders that goes way beyond talent, ability, and whatever else, like a special power that not everyone has.." He went on to use the word anointing! I would say that while I don't see Worship leader listed as a spiritual gift there are some who seem more able to lead others into worship. It does seem to have to do with the heart more than skill though some have both, and it's certainly something God does (anointing) and not us. The worship leader is the one who is keenly, humbly, and earnestly seeking God and ministering to Him while leading others into worship. Oddly enough it's not always the lead singer but most commonly. Administrator: In most bands there's an orginizer/administrator who pulls it all together, again it's a gifting! (1 Cor. 12:28) Sometimes it's the worship leader, maybe it's the worship secretary. Someone's always handling the details etc.-they're the administrator! The reason I've separated these aspects of leadership is to help you identify "Who's the Leader!" What is important is that there is leadership in your band otherwise artist types can notoriously flounder! To me the worship leading ministry is a holy and reverent thing that God didn't give to just anyone to steward throughout history. He set aside a whole tribe to be devoted to ministry unto Himself and service in the temple on behalf of his people. Where I see a rub is when we give place to talent over leadership and stewardship. I also know some with the heart who aren't rich in the talent department. So leadership is key to bringing these together and setting the standards of holiness and excellence as we serve. Comments: The given is-you are responsible to follow the leadership provided by your church. If you don't have that but want to find it then start by identifying the key spiritual leader of your band, affirm and support them as such. Determine who is the most able and willing to be the musical leader, let the natural organizer do that job, and let God point out the natural worship leader in your midst. It may be more than one, if so make room! The key is that it's not a thing to control or dominate nor is it about performing for people. In truth the whole band is in a sense the worship leader with someone at the helm. Actually it's not uncommon for one person to be all of the above and great if so! Don't be scared to share the responsibilities as they relate to your giftings. When I read about the priests in the old testament what stands out is that there were many of them, all with different gifts and talents committed to the same purpose! Closing: Leaders are often just the ones willing to do the job and who take initiative to do it. There are many who serve in the area of worship leading with no pay. (In fact most and I will write that article soon!) If we're not careful we may also boil it all down to a formula and let only those with the highest qualifications be the ones to do it. What I always go back to is King David. He was the runt of the litter and most likely to have been overlooked by humanity but was seen with the eyes of God through a prophet, chosen and anointed king. His worship leading really was just the way he lived his life and that made him a man after God's heart and the best leader as he valued God's glory and will above all. If you're a worshiper then you're also a worship leader to some degree. What marks good leaders in general in the bible is brokeness, honesty, and humility. Whoever the leader, these should be elements of who they are and how they lead. God gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud! To desire to lead is noble and good but comes with responsibility and we need God's wisdom to do it best! Leader Tips: Article Reprinted with Permission From: Worship Musician Magazine, Sep/Oct '04 |
