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.
So agree here-leading others into the outer court through praise and learning to wait on The Holy Spirit when in the inner court, allows each individual to enter into the Holy Of Holy’s and receive. This requires great sensitivity and the time to allow The Holy Spirit to work – sometimes being quiet is a good thing!
Totally agree. Also if you are not ‘distinctly annointed’ you can displace the potentially annoionted, and youi and God and everyone lose out! You must only abide in Jesus’ inspired NOW-WORD! Otherwise what you do will be burned up. May as well shut up nd have a cup of tea!
1. Don’t do it.
2. Don’t do it.
3. Don’t do it.
4. Don’t do it.
5. Don’t do it.
6. Don’t do it.
7. Don’t do it.
8. Don’t do it.
9. Don’t do it.
10. Don’t do it.
I treat it as I treat moving in the gifts. If I’m not being specifically directed by God in the moment to open my mouth to do anything but sing, I stay quiet. Like prophecy, words of knowledge, and tongues (any of the word gifts, really), the Father has to lead me there and it has to be overwhelming.
I’m with you