Worship Leaders

A 2018 Pew Research survey revealed four reasons people attend worship services: 1. To become closer to God; 2. To give their children a moral foundation; 3. To make them a better person; 4. For comfort in times of trouble or sorrow. In other words, worship should shift people’s thinking and behavior in a divine direction. Dr. James K. A. Smith wrote, “Worship is the arena in which God recalibrates our hearts, reforms our desires, and rehabituates our loves. Worship isn’t just something we do; it is where God does something to us. Worship is the heart of discipleship because it is the gymnasium in which God retrains our hearts.”


Jesus identified “in spirit and in truth” as characteristic of acceptable worship. The writer of Hebrews encouraged us to “draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” with reverence and awe.


It is every worship leader’s responsibility to enhance a sense of being in God’s presence bringing honor and glory to His Holy Name. Inherent in this role is a strong sense of commitment and respect for the worshiper and the object of our worship.  This involves prayer, preparation, and presentation. The guidelines suggested here are meant to help you lead worship as a team that will provide a deep, spiritual encounter with God.


GENERAL GUIDELINES:

1. Be considerate of time. While we do not want to rush through the service, we should facilitate people’s time.

2. Be prayerful in preparation for your part in the service. 

3. God is the focus of our time together. Exalt Him through your leadership.

4. Coat and tie are not a requirement, but dress appropriate to the position of leader.

5. Please meet in the AV room at 9:50 for prayer and last-minute checks.


Download a PDF of all the Worship Leader guidelines on this page by clicking the button below. 

Worship Leader Guidelines PDF

Song Leader Guidelines

1. Be considerate of time. Plan the number of songs you lead to fit the worship schedule. 

2. Short transitions from one song to another might be appropriate, with a focus on the song. Keep comments to a minimum. 

3. Do not lead a song unfamiliar to the congregation before the sermon or as a closing song.

4. Turn in the list and order of songs by Tuesday at noon before the Sunday you are leading. Early submissions are encouraged.

Communion Leader Guidelines

1. Communion is meant to draw attention to our “Lord Jesus Christ who rescues us from this present evil age” (Galatians 1:4). 

  • “The table proclaims the good news of Jesus Christ. It proclaims his atoning work and his resurrection victory. It proclaims God’s judgment upon those who reject his offer of grace but it also welcomes all who come in  faith. It proclaims hope, but also proclaims the finality of God’s work in Christ. Even as it includes, it excludes those who set themselves against the gospel” (Dr. John Mark Hicks).

  • The Lord’s Supper is to be compared not to eating alone in a restaurant full of people but to a community or family meal, where the being together is as important as the eating (1 Cor. 10:17; 11:33)...The Lord’s Supper is expressive of the central realities of the Christian faith and of what the church is all about” (Dr. Everett Ferguson).

2. Be considerate of time. 

3. Be biblical. A lead in story to set the tone might be appropriate but it should point to a scripture.

4. Templates for a communion meditation:

  • Scripture - Reflections - Prayer

  • Song Lyrics - Reflection - Prayer

  • Story - Reflection - Prayer

  • Personal Story - Reflection - Prayer

  • Parable - Reflection - Prayer

  • Reflection - Silent Meditation - Prayer

  • Testimony - Reflection - Prayer

5. Please have a prayer for the bread and a prayer for the cup.

6. If you have a song or slideshow it must be to the office staff by Tuesday at noon before the Sunday you are presenting.