Whether you're leading at home or out on the road there can be a real pressure to 'perform'. If the last time you lead worship was an amazing time - how do you live up to the expectations to repeat those results? There can be very real pressure to attain or re-create the scenario again and again. Or if you're on the road and you're leading people only once, maybe you have a reputation to uphold or CDs to sell… Unfortunately there's a consumer culture we've built around what we know as worship music these days - and it's so not what our worship is intended to be.
Perhaps we've mistakenly associated God with the feelings of elation we feel during high points in music? If we don't feel those did we not meet with God? How can we 'conjure' up the right feelings each time? Is there a formula of things we can say or sing to make the manifest presence of God 'show up'? God is not manipulated by magic words and He's not subject to systems; yet sometimes as worship leaders we're only perceived to be as good as the last set of feelings we served up. It's this pressure to perform in our consumer churches that leads to worship leaders and pastors using tactics of manipulation to achieve the good results we all want to see and be a part of. Its cyclical.
As a worship leader, even with this understanding of what worship is and isn't, you're still living and ministering in a context that may not quite get that - or even serving a pastor who's distracted or pressured themself into forgetting. So your worship leading abilities are being judged and compared. There are worship CDs and DVDs to live up to and all the Randys, Paulas and Simons out there are filling out their score cards. Do you measure up?
How do YOU deal with the pressure to perform in your ministry?
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteI hadn't visited your blog in a while and thought to drop by. I really like your post here. It's really good. Well thought out and it's about time somebody has grasped this revelation in the context of worship leading.
How do I deal with the pressure to perform in ministry?
I don't deal with it.
There really needs to be a centering in ourselves. We really need to know what I call 2. fundamental principles.
1. To know who we are in Christ
2. To know our strengths and weaknesses
When we know who we are, ie. our calling and identity then we have a greater freedom to move freely in the gifts that God has given us which in term will not only bless the church but bless God as we bring our offerings to Him.
What can be very damaging is if you assume people are judging you when they aren't. You can set up a whole scenario in your imagination that has no bearing on reality. Suddenly you begin to crumble under the pressure of your own expectations. You become your own judge, and that in itself is a sin.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point Kenny.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope it's clear in this post that I'm saying a bunch of that tongue-in-cheek to stir up response and get thoughts from others! :)
You absolutely have to keep "an audience of one" in mind when leading worship and relax in His approval and calling!
I try to keep things simple...
ReplyDeleteRemember what my job is: To facilitate (through music, in this case) a time/space that allows for people to release their worship, detox and be filled. I do this by prayer, practice and by doing my best to follow the Holy Spirit. I also try to educate the congregation (through personal testimony usually) about the purpose of this part of the service and have a relationship with them (develop trust).
Remember what my job is NOT (what a relief): Making people worship - not my job. Making God "move" - not my job.
Focus on the goal: To praise, honour and glorify our most excellent and indescribable God and give people a chance to receive from Him.
You have no more control over what happens than an instrument the notes it plays. Peace comes when you just revel in being the insrument the Master has chosen for the occasion. What a privilage!
I have only been leading worship in the main sunday morning service for a short time, almost a year now. I do sometimes feel under pressure to 'hit the mark'. Sometimes I seem to 'get it right' nad know that I have. other times I come away feeling that I havent done well, even in my personal worship. As a result I'm beginning to feel quite pressured about leading and not by anyone else but myself. Noelle, I really appreciate your comments about 'what worship is not!' Thank you - demasblue
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