Corporate worship is the central act of the church. The leadership and planning of corporate worship should not be entered into lightly but soberly and reverently and maybe with a touch of fear and trepidation.
Worship, in its essence, is a response to God’s revelation of himself. We are aware of his revelation through his word, the Bible, and through the Word, Jesus Christ, as revealed in the New Testament. The primary New Testament passage about worship is John 4:19-23. The principal verse is verse 23, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” (ESV)
Pause a moment and consider the closing phrase of verse 23. It is astounding that God, the creator and sustainer of a universe we cannot truly fathom, is seeking people who will worship him. He is seeking you and me. He, who is complete, in and of himself, who has no needs, is seeking people who will worship him. That is a breathtaking truth. We were created for relationship; designed to worship our creator. When we worship God, we are acting according to our nature; we are fulfilling our purpose. Think about how natural this is. To humble oneself before a superior is a common response.
When granted a vision of heaven and the throne of God, John, the Apostle, fell at the feet of the messenger. John was overwhelmed by the revelation and his reaction is understandable. Though slightly off the mark, it was quickly corrected. John wrote, “I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.’” Revelation 22:8-9 ESV, emphasis mine.
In response to God’s revelation, we humble ourselves before him. This is worship. This is what it means to “worship God.” It is to put God in the first place, in our hearts and by our actions. It is to set aside all distractions and focus on acknowledging God and honoring Him. Worship grows out of a relationship with God, the creature with the creator. “Worship is communion with God in which believers, by grace, center their minds attention and their heart’s affection on the Lord, humbly glorifying God in response to his greatness and his Word.” Corporate worship is simply fulfilling our purpose together with other believers. Together we put God in the first place. Together we set aside all distractions. Together we declare the greatness of God. Together we encourage one another, building relationship with each other and with God.
How can we appropriately and effectively plan and lead worship? How can an individual fulfill such a profound responsibility? We take our cues from King David, the prophet Isaiah, and from Jesus. Throughout his psalms and in his instructions to Solomon David teaches us that an active relationship and dependence upon God is paramount for leaders. In the Psalms David continually expresses his reliance on God. This is an indication of his intimate relationship with God.
“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill.” Psalm 3:3-4.
“Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!” Psalm 4:1.
“O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.” Psalm 5:3.
“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart: I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2.
At the end of his life David gives these instructions to Solomon, the son who will succeed him as king, “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind…. If you seek him, he will be found by you….”
Isaiah underscores the truth that God is a personal God and he encourages all to, “Seek the Lord while he may be found; [and] call upon him while he is near…” Isaiah 55:6.
There is no shortcut for the leader of worship. We must be men and women who cultivate a relationship with the Lord. We must actively, daily, study his word. This is where we will find him. We must read the word with an ear to hear his voice. This is how he now speaks to us. When we do this and we respond to his revelation, we will worship. If we are to lead others in worship, we must be worshipers.
Jesus sought the Father and in so doing he teaches us the primary practice of our dependence upon God, prayer. We are told that Jesus prayed early in the morning, in a solitary place (Mark 1:35). At the close of a demanding day “he went up on the mountain to pray (Mark 6:46).” As the crowds increased “he would withdraw to desolate (“lonely” NIV) places and pray (Luke 5:16).” Before choosing the twelve he prayed all night (Luke 6:12). Before he was betrayed his prayer was so intense that he sweat drops of blood (Luke 22:44). Jesus prayed. He sought the Father in his weariness, before a major decision, and in his darkest hour.
There is no substitute for prayer in the life of the leader of worship. Relationship with God must begin with prayer. Planning must begin with prayer. Rehearsal must begin with prayer. Public leadership must begin with prayer. Before a word is written on the planning page, before we stand before our team to rehearse, before we walk onto the platform, we must pray. It can be as simple as “Lord, how do we worship you in song this Sunday.” It must be honest submission realizing that if anything of significance is going to happen in corporate worship, it is because God saw fit to do it. The leader of corporate worship is nothing more than a facilitator and nothing less than a servant of Almighty God.
Jay Hill is the Music Pastor of Vista Grande Baptist Church