Worship Follows

True Statement:

One of the most pressing issues for a person in the ministry of leading worship is that of skillful presentation of the music. In other words, we musicians work to make sure every note, every song, every transition moves with flow.

Why do we focus on this so much? Because at the heart of it, we desire to see the people in our congregations worship and connect with the God of Creation in an unhindered setting. It is as simple as that. Except its not that simple...

True Confession:

We also get so caught up in the perfection of our craft that we sometimes easily lose sight of the reason for our effort in the first place. We become skillful musicians with no depth of heart.

David was described by the Psalmist as one who led with skill AND heart. Psalm 78:72 "...David Shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them."


One of our (musicians) pitfalls is to overemphasize excellence at the expense of ministering to hearts. In this case, we can at best just be referred to as "church musicians" - because what we do takes place inside of a Church building.

When we allow this skill that God has provided to us to be a multifaceted door of ministry to both God and people then we become musician-ministers.

On the surface it may sound like I am speaking of those "Up-Front" folks, but not true. We all minister.

Just this morning in our church office, I was speaking to my friend John Requa, a senior member of our congregation who loves to share the Gospel with anyone and everyone. He mentioned to me that he was on his way to the laundromat to do the obvious, but he said to us just as he walked out the door, "Maybe I can find someone to witness to..."

That is taking his skill and showing integrity of heart just like David.

Church musicians are constantly touting that they are worship leaders... in other words, they are these self described "up-front" folks taking us to the throne room in adoration, praise, and celebration; they facilitate corporate WORSHIP with music.

But when the heart is transformed and stays fixed on the object of our skill, that is when I believe true worship follows.... and sometimes, but not always, music is involved.

-John