Criticism can be hard to swallow. Regarding criticism, it has been said, “Your friends have everything to lose, and your enemies have nothing to lose”. In other words, listening to criticism can be a helpful thing, if the criticism is true and accurate. Your friends take the risk of you getting angry at them, so they take a chance in sharing a criticism with you. Your enemies don’t care if you like what they say or not, so they can be blunt. In either scenario, there may be things to learn.

But I think I have a better idea than listening to critics, and it is this: Critique yourself. Examine yourself. There is Biblical precedent for it.

The Apostle Paul told the church at Corinth, “For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged”. (1 Corinthians 11:31)

The church at Corinth was mishandling the Lord’s Supper, and God had judged some of them. That was the immediate context of the passage, but there is an application that can be extracted from that verse. We ought to judge ourselves in regards to how well we are doing as worship leaders.

I’d rather be an honest critic of myself, than be surprised by the words of another. It just makes sense to me that worship leaders ought to examine how they are doing regarding the ministry that God has given them.

Here is what I suggest:

Listen to yourself. I regularly listen to the recorded worship sessions from our church. I am often disappointed in my playing and singing, but I am able to identify mistakes that I regularly make, and have an awareness of what needs to be worked on. There might be a certain note that is consistently off pitch. Maybe a phrase could be sung better. Sometimes during the worship leading, I am ‘really feeling it”, and it seems to be “right”, until listen back to the recording, and discovering that I rushed the song, or played it too slowly. Listening to myself has helped me identify problematic areas of my playing, singing, and leading.

Sometimes the recording off the soundboard may not be a good representation of what the church is hearing. I suggest that the serious worship leader use some kind of recording device to record the sound of the room. The Zoom H1 digital recorder can be purchased for about $125, and gives the worship leader a clear representation of what the worship experience sounds like. It is a great investment for the serious worship leader. Older models can be found for $60-75 on Craigslist or eBay.

Better than listening to yourself, is watching yourself. The congregation watches us for at least part of the time. What they see can affect them positively or negatively. We all have funny idiosyncrasies. We might have poor posture, and that makes us look lazy. Some people have distracting facial expressions when they play or sing. I regularly watch myself both play and preach. We are fortunate to have a good video system, so I see “every little thing”.

Have a friend video record you with their iPhone. Set up an inexpensive video camera, and have the band examine itself. I would rather discover visual distractions and correct them, than to force the congregation to endure them until I figure them out.

Worship leading is a platform ministry. We are in front of people. How you stand, sing, play makes a difference. Some clothes may not be flattering to you, and might be a distraction. Certainly, modesty in dress should be practiced. We look in the mirror before we leave the house. I think it is a good idea to “look in the mirror” regarding our worship leading.

So Mr./Mrs./Miss Worship Leader….critique yourself. Listen, watch, and make adjustments as needed. Your church will appreciate it, and the worship experience will be enhanced.

There are those who lead songs at church, and those who lead worship. There is a huge difference. Leading worship songs is something that somebody does. Being a worship leader is something that someone is.

Familiarity With Worship Music
Worship leaders listen to worship music. They listen to a lot of it. They learn songs, and can sing or play many songs from memory. At the very least, there is a familiarity with many songs. They understand different styles of worship music, and though they may not be able to play all those styles, they know how a style of music ought to sound.

Knowing a lot of music allows the worship leader to be spontaneous during a worship gathering. He/she might include a song that wasn’t planned for, but is perfect for the moment. Sometimes a worship leader will think of a song that would be perfect for the moment, but cannot play it for lack of familiarity with that song. That is a lost opportunity. Worship leaders need to listen to a lot of worship music. They need to have a big repertoire. They need to be able to play dozens of songs by memory.

Music charts should be there as a reference, not as a lifeline. The worship leader ought to be able to play most of his/her songs by memory, which allows for freedom of expression as opposed to a desperate dependence on the written music. When the worship leader is struggling with a song because of lack of familiarity, the congregation feels it. Know the music, and practice it frequently.

A preacher needs to be able to spontaneously quote any number of scripture passages as the Spirit leads. The same is true for a worship leader. He/she needs to be able to bring up a song as the Spirit leads. The band needs to be able to follow.

Proficiency With Their Instrument
Worship leaders need to be proficient with their instruments. This includes vocalists as well. That means practice, practice, practice. The idea of practice is an interesting topic. One would think that a worship leader would love to sit at home and either play or sing. Such is not always the case.

Some worship leaders rarely touch their instruments at home, and pick them up only for a rehearsal or a worship gathering. God can and does use the person that doesn’t play well, but I believe that the worship experience is enriched when the leader sings and plays well.

A song sung out of tune, or with awkward lyrical phrasing makes singing more difficult for the congregation. An instrumentalist that doesn’t play with steady time, or can’t play needed chords also limits or hinders the worship experience for the listener.

An instrumentalist who hesitates to play a certain chord, or plays inconsistently because of poor technique, will hinder the musical and spiritual flow of worship. The congregation consciously or unconsciously picks up on such hesitations. They cannot flow freely with the song, because the person called to lead them is fumbling or stumbling to play the music. Again, it is that mysterious but very real “X-factor”, that makes the difference between “getting through” a song as opposed to being an embellishment and a transparent vehicle used to deliver a song. It is like the difference between a machine and a person doing the same task. The machine may awkwardly get it done, but a person does it with feeling, flow, and an artistic touch.

Musicians and singers who are proficient with their instrument and/or voice embellish and make beautiful a song of worship which is pleasing to the ears and easy to sing to. Unpracticed singers and instrumentalists end up being a distraction at worst, and a modicum of blessing at best.

In teaching the Corinthians about the gift of tongues and the need for interpretation, the Apostle Paul uses musical instruments as an illustration that clarity is needed when one hears something. When the musical sound isn’t understood because of lack of clarity, the correct response is difficult.

1 Corinthians 14:7, 8 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?

The aspiring worship leader ought not avoid leading worship as their talents and abilities are being developed, but lots of practice ought to be a regular part of their lifestyle. Beginners should not forever sound like beginners.

Psalm 33:3 Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

Ensemble Performances: Listen, Listen, Listen
Having studied music at the college level, one of the things that was constantly re-enforced in ensemble playing was the importance of listening to the entire group AS you played/sang your part. How can I know how I fit into a worship team, if I am not listening to the others musicians/singers? Every person on the team ought to be able to sing back what every other musician is singing or playing. The bass player needs to know not just what the drummer is doing, but what the backup singers are singing. And so it goes with each member of the worship team. Ensemble playing requires paying attention to the entire group, not just to what you are doing.

In an amplified setting, this means proper amp adjustments, so that the stage volume is manageable for all. Good communication with the soundman is essential. If you can’t hear yourself or the team members, TELL THE SOUNDMAN! That is what they are there for, to help you hear well and sound good.

I believe that the ideal situation for a worship leader is that he/she tells the team, “Follow me”. Some pre-determined arrangements can be worked out, but much happens spontaneously during a worship experience. That requires that people pay more attention to the worship leader than to themselves or their music. Stand where you can see the worship leader, watch for body language, visible cues of songs, starting, slowing down, breaks, or stopping. Be a team player by paying attention with your eyes and ears.

This listening approach is a non-negotiable for jazz musicians, who often use the chart as a starting point, but then play off of one another as they listen to one another. Much of the same is true in the worship team experience. Listen, listen and listen some more to what your team members are playing and singing.

1. Know the music well, and memorize songs.
2. Practice a lot. Sing and play skillfully to the Lord.
3. As a worship team member, “have ears to hear”.