Young Worship Leaders
Have you ever heard the phrase “congregational song” before? I haven’t. It sounds like it screams “study.” I know — I’m a worship leader, but no, thanks. I’m not interested. Besides, as a young, hip, 22-year-old worship leader, I’m looking for the next best song to show my congregation. You see, my generation looks for the the most popular songs played on Christian radio. Does my church really need to know what “congregational song” is anyways? I’ve never heard about it before, and to be frankly honest, it sounds boring. All I need to sing is Hillsong and Kari Jobe and they’re good to go.
Sadly, the above quote is the reality for many young worship leaders today. They sing without study, and they sing for emotional experience. I should know. I grew up with them. Though I’m all for getting teary-eyed while singing “Nothing But the Blood,” it shouldn’t be our goal as worship leaders to impose this type of reaction. Unfortunately, today’s generation seems to place too much emphasis on these experiences during congregational singing.
Is it me or is the church of the new millennium is creating a bunch of emotional Christians? They sin one day, question their salvation and cry during worship. It’s an endless cycle of remorse, repent and repeat. It’s these same Christians that grow up and become young worship leaders and send their own sheep on spiritual roller coasters. They may have their congregation belting Jesus Culture, but is it really move of the Spirit or pressured singing?
It seems possible that my generation may have mistakenly rationalized that people respond better to the gospel through emotion.
Consider the following scenario: If a worship leader plays a sad, slow song while dimming the lights and tells everyone they are a filthy sinner, do you think there is going to be an emotional response? Of course there is. Young worship leaders see this and give themselves a pat on the back. However, what they don’t see is the congregation committing the same sin the following day.
Young worship leaders are trying to force a dramatic event after a prayer of confession. There is a problem with this though. What of those who are bystanders of the dramatic spiritual event taking place? Young worship leaders may sometimes overlook these people and tend to focus on those who are emotionally responding. This, however, teaches the bystanders that if they don’t “feel” anything during worship there is something wrong with them, no matter how hard they try.
Young worship leaders need to be careful and should be knowledgeable in congregational song. There’s a tendency for them to search for songs that bring hype without considering the fact they may not even be biblical. Many young worship leaders do not know the content of what they sing, and it leads to the congregation not knowing either. The study of congregational songs can help.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15
According to Paul, every believer is to be a student of the Word. Worship leaders must learn to handle God’s truth with care and consideration in every aspect, not just emotional. We have the opportunity to share the gospel and we cannot base this on something as fickle as feelings. Congregational song is a privilege more young worship leaders should learn about, as it is one of the many offerings the people of God can lift up corporately. Congregational song is the singing of truth, one line at a time with your family in Christ. In the words of Luther:
“[Our] plan is to follow the example of the prophets and the ancient fathers of the church and to compose songs… so that the word of God may be among the people in the form of music.”
