On Wednesday, we published a list of 11 questions worship leaders should ask search committees. Because interviewing is a two-way process, today we are posting 11 questions for the search committee to ask.
- What do you consider the main responsibilities of a worship leader in the life of the church?
- What is your theology of worship and how has it impacted the way you plan and lead?
- Why do you want to lead worship at this church?
- How have you worked with a worship committee and other ministry staff to plan individual services as well as themes for later in the calendar year?
- What does your weekly schedule look like?
- What music do you listen to?
- What is your music involvement outside the church?
- What does your personal worship life look like?
- How familiar are you with worship technology?
- How do you recruit people to participate in various roles?
- What skill level do you require of musicians and others participating in some way?
I have been a worship leader and am now a lead pastor. I would ask the following question: “Tell us how you worship God when no music is involved?”
I’m glad you asked. I, too, am a church musician from the traditional church of piano and organ with no amplification! Twelve years ago I became part of a new church and a band… Sound boards…Sound checks… And suddenly people in that church began talking about the fact that the music was so loud they could not worship and that they had to wear earplugs!
I was so grieved I stepped down from the platform to experience worship from the other side – in another church. It is devastating out in our congregations and I have felt so convicted about the part I played. But God has allowed me to be in prayer meetings and Bible studies without any instruments, and the Holy Spirit is so strong, and people are ministered to under the anointing.
It’s worth giving musicians a break and just being able to hear your own voice and others around you sing! Join in as members of the body to usher in the presence of God in worship!
If we as believers truly want the power of God in the services, the Bible says “.. He inhabits the praises of His people.” He is looking for us to worship him, “…in Spirit and in truth.”
First of all I’m much older than millennials so I have a greater love for organ, piano, and four-part harmony than I hear in many churches today who tend to be led by musicians with guitar(s), acoustic instruments and drums–different generation, different tastes. But here are a couple of questions I might ask a worship leader candidate: “Do you own a tie and a shirt with a collar that you might wear to church services at least once or twice a month?” “Do you own a pair of slacks or jeans without holes in the knees or a pairs of sneakers that don’t glow in the dark?” “Have you ever played a worship hymn that was written more than four weeks ago and did you play it less than a volume of 200 decibels?” I’d love to get answers to those questions!
No, I do not own a tie or a collared shirt that I intend to wear on a regular basis.
The other two questions are very obviously pointed at a stereotype that you have unfairly given to anyone who uses different mediums to involve their congregation and invoke a sense of awe and reverence in times of congregational worship.
I have never met anyone who does not own at least one nice pair of jeans – and I’ve never seen anyone wear slacks with holes in the knees. I’ve also never met anyone over the age of 13 with glow in the dark sneakers, excluding those who prefer to jog at night.
The only songs I’ve every played that were written less than four weeks ago are songs that were written from within the congregation, and therefore meet the current worship needs of the congregation much more effectively than a 200 year old song. To boot, I’m not sure you comprehend how loud 200 decibels is – I’ve played very loud music to crowds of over 4,000 and never exceeded 150db, and I’ve most concerts, regardless of size, don’t break the 150db mark. When I lead worship, I rarely break 90db and I get noise complaints from many of the older generation; the last time I was dragged to a Gaither’s concert, they hit 120db and I didn’t hear a single complaint from any of those people.
You’re implying that because of the way I dress, the volume that the sound engineer runs my team at, or the “age” of a single one of my songs would singlehandedly remove me from eligibility at your church. In light of this, I’d ask you to check your heart and review your definition of worship based on biblical standards.
We may prefer to worship in different ways, but I do not discount your way. I ask that you consider adopting the same approach.