Do you have a few frozen chosen in the worship team? What about your church?

Aside from other worship leading problems, having a vocal team, band or leader that cannot connect with people is one of the top numbers of reasons why churches don’t sing.

Stand out

In our Worship Team Training Workshops, we work with hundreds of worship teams and leaders. Some vocal teams either had fears of being upfront, or did not realize that being upfront is a good thing.

Fear of the stage is natural, and it’s fixable as most struggle with this same or similar issue. Sometimes, I still get that tingly feeling just before the service. But there’s another thought that some worship leaders have: it’s the humble approach of not wanting to be the show.

They back away from the front, sink their heads down into the music and seem to hide behind the mic or band. Not being the show is a good value, because it’s not about us, nor a performance. However, there are some worship leaders who let this go to far and fear consumes them, affecting their abilities.

There’s also difference between showing humility and false humility as well as being confident and being showy. Humility is to have a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance: “let each esteem others better than themselves.”

Confidence is the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust: “Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.

False humility is someone who thinks of himself or herself poorly, without regard to Christ. It can also be a form of pride or self-seeking. If we are to esteem others better then ourselves, then we must also rid negative thinking of ourselves. Everything needs to point to Christ and God the Father in giving thanks to Him.

Unfortunately, some worship leaders and team members compare themselves to others. It can happen in the form of thinking too lowly or highly of their gifting and abilities over others. This is not only human to feel this way at times, but it can often be a barrier. Importantly, it can interfere with the way one leads worship. Thoughts can become tunneled with fear of who they think they need to be, rather than who God already made them to be.

God made you. He also called you. First as His child, second into His service. If you are truly called by God in His service to lead people, then step up. Your church needs you. This is why God put you there.

Lack of esteem in Christ, not only affects the way we lead, but also how we sing and play. The Psalms tell us to sing joyfully. True joy comes from God and His goodness and character to love. Even in the hard times, joy is the root of our faith because we are plugged into the Vine.

In some respects I have probably led better worship services because I was in the middle of trials. My reality and faith enabled me to be more in-tune with God. As a result, I felt more transparent because of Him who is true, was working in me.

I believe how we live vulnerably and honestly before God, not only turns our worship into one that is sincere, but it also turns our leading into something that is real to others. It doesn’t mean we sob or click our heels, it means that we become better in-tune with the church.

People can closely identify with both our struggles and victories – when we recognize that it is His power that works within us. We no longer lead, but the Holy Spirit leads through us.

From a singing / playing standpoint, when our confidence is purely in Christ, we have a better foundation to lead. In combining our efforts of good practice, rehearsal, and determination, God takes our abilities and makes them purposeful. This should help encourage us not to stand in the shadows, but lead in the light of Christ for His worship.

Again, the service belongs to Him, not to us.

When we learn a better confidence, we also learn to better connect with people. Take a step of faith. Lead out from who you are.

Trust in the Lord and do good Give your insecurities over to God and watch Him make miracles in your heart. As He molds and shapes you, you become the leader He has designed you to be: like Christ Jesus.