8 Guidelines For Talking While Leading Worship

By Jon Nicol –

When a worship leader opens his mouth to do something other than to sing during the service, he’s either popping a throat lozenge or is about to talk. Most of the time, we’re better off if he’s going for the Hall’s.

Let’s face it: we worship leaders aren’t the most eloquent bunch. So we need to have some boundaries when it comes to becoming verbose on Sunday morning. Here are eight guidelines for talking while leading worship:

1. Don’t Wing It

It’s OK if you’re not great at talking “off the cuff.” It is actually good that you have acknowledged it. Plan out what you’re going to say, and only go off script when you really feel the leading of the Holy Spirit.

2. Keep It Brief

Verbosity can kill momentum, stifle the mood, and cause people to check out. “Don’t use seven words when four will do.” (Rusty, Ocean’s 11)

3. Have A Point

And preferably just one. I know this sounds a little snarky. But we’ve all been in a service when we wonder if the worship leader remembers the point he was making. So ask yourself as you’re planning, “What’s the point?” And in the spirit of #2, figure out a way to get there as quick as possible.

4. Don’t Sermonize

Your church has a teaching pastor. And he would love it if you’d let him do his job.

We CAN teach as a worship leaders. But we have to look for ways to do so in memorable sound bites, versus a sermonette between songs.

5. Use Scripture More Often Than Not

We cannot go wrong using God’s word. It is not only true but it actively changes people through the illumination of the Holy Spirit:

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. (Hebrews 4:12 NLT)

6. Enunciate, Especially If You’re Talking Over Music

People may not hear us as clearly as we ourselves in the monitors. And keep the music sparse when talking.

7. Let The Songs Speak For Themselves

Often times, a song doesn’t need a verbal segue or set-up. If you’ve planned a well-flowing set, let the lyrics and music do the work.

8. When In Doubt, Keep Quiet

If you have any question about something you are about to say, don’t say it. It’s better to have awkward silence than to fill it with blundering words.

For discussions: What guidelines would you add to this and why?

The original post is found here.