As a worship leader, you’re leading yourself, your team, and your congregation.
Your ministry role may be paid or volunteer, but either way, you are visible in the church. People may begin to follow you just for your title, but for them to keep following, you need influence.
Here are four attributes every worship leader can acquire to keep people following:
Courage
A leader must have courage to move ahead. The leader must have courage to make tough calls. The leader must have the courage to step out and take risks.
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the capacity to act in the presence of fear. Faith is not the absence of doubt, but the courage to believe in spite of doubt.” ~ Rev. M. Harvey
Courage is the ability to solve problems realistically in the presence of fear. ~Stuart Walker
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
*Courage in worship leadership may take the form of leading through tough changes in your church, it may be the willingness to include new people, it may be setting higher standards or growing in self-awareness of ares for improvement.
Enthusiasm
People will follow someone who is upbeat and enthusiastic about life, the ministry and the organization. It’s not always a glass is half full attitude. Leaders don’t gloss over difficult issues. But they do have an ability to take things in stride, to smile and to be friendly. They are enthused about their work. It becomes contagious.
“There is real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.” Norman Vincent Peale
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11
*Enthusiasm in worship ministry may be your contagious attitude toward the congregation, your spirit of hope for growth, you’re kind and upbeat words about the pastor and staff, your presence on stage or in communication with your team.
Vision
People will rally around a solid and clear vision. The leader must not only have a vision but must also articulate it well. People will follow a vision that is larger than any one of them can achieve.
The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but no vision. Helen Keller
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18
*In a practical sense, your vision can be the next step for your team. On numerous occasions, we have laid out a vision for the next step (a move to all digital music, a desire to move to in-ear monitors, a new purchase to upgrade video). Each of these simple steps requires a vision and then action. But it begins with a vision.
Compassion
People will be drawn to leaders with compassion. Leaders need to care about those they are leading. They need to have compassion for those are serving with them. Leaders need compassion for those they are serving through their ministry or their organization.
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. Plato
Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation. H. W. Beecher
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36
*Your people need a challenge, but they also need a compassionate leader. Don’t beat the sheep – your team and congregation are there, serving alongside you and joining you in this ministry. Show compassion when things don’t quite click or when things don’t align. Take time to talk with your people about what’s going on in life. People are always dealing with stuff and your care for them will go a long way to a Christ-like, loving team of people serving together.