“Worship” – What On Earth Do We Call It?

We try to use 'Lead Worshiper', a small change, I admit, and not one that fixes all the issues you outlined. We're up front to bring people to a certain kind of worship but it's not the only kind of worship. We also use the term 'Worship Musicians' for people without a microphone that are up front, and to describe the team as a whole.

We also try to never use the phrase 'with us' like 'Sing with us' or 'worship with us'. We try to use words like together instead. 'Let's worship together', for instance. Obviously the word 'let's' is a contraction for 'let us' but the idea for us is to not create a situation where it's us versus them. It's corporate worship, not us up front worshiping and the congregation should join in… We are all worshiping together as one body.

My two cents…

Personally, I like to stay away from using the term “worship” in the context of the singing portion of our weekly/regular services and events (for the same reasons you state). Especially when it comes to listing that section in a program or bulletin…. I'd prefer to use – Songs of the Church, or Songs of Faith and Devotion (I know, people might not get past the fact that is a Depeche Mode album title)…. As for the artist that leads – song leader seems appropriate enough. And for the team of people involved – Music Ministry, Fine Arts Ministry, etc. seem like logical alternatives to Worship Team. Just my $.02

We have a music group and a music group leader. We might refer to the person who's leading the songs/worship by 'the Leader' or 'Pete is Leading this week'.

We refer to the worship part of the service as 'sung worship' or 'open worship'.

I think it was in a little book Matt Redman?? wrote on worship that I first heard the term “lead worshipper.” I love that and have used it a lot. I tell my worship teams–we are all lead worshippers. I may be leading the songs with my voice, but each of you are leading with your instruments and we're all leading with our souls.

You could say something to the effect of corporate worship leader… we worship with our whole lives, but we gather together as the body of Christ for corporate worship. And someone has to be at the head of it or there will be no direction. Some of us need direction to be led into God's presence… I like the lead worshipper idea someone below posted…

These are great ideas.. keep 'em coming!

These are great ideas! Keep them coming!

Hmmm…never thought of that. I guess if you want to call them something, how about “worship conductor”? A conductor sets the tone for a band or choir. As for the music, “worship service” or “song service” will do.

musical response coordinator
psalmady minister
Glory to God enthusiast
response minister (leader)
response encourager
(can you tell I like the word response??)

It's tough to change a BRAND name (worship leader) with something clunky, however it is needful.

All of life is worship. In my mind, the most accurate title for one who leads singing , if one is necessary at all, is 'song-leader' or 'music-leader' or even just 'musician'. When I stand up and lead God's people in sung worship, as someone here so well described it, I am just me…just Audrey; not a 'worship leader'. . . but a singer and an instrumentalist who has a heart to serve God and Church with the talents the Father has bestowed upon me.

I'm just making my offering like anybody else can/should/might.

The Catholic and Jewish faiths both use a great word — 'cantor'. It seems to be culturally irrelevant in other parts of the Church but it is perfect for this; it's defined as “1. The Jewish religious official who leads the musical part of a service.
2. The person who leads a church choir or congregation in singing; a precentor.”
(source; http://www.thefreedictionary.com)

Shoot, Aud, why didn't I think of that word? One of the characters in the AD Chronicles (great book series!) is called that.

I think that we should call the position of what is traditionally known as worship leader… rather that we can call it lead worshiper…

As far as labels go, I've never liked anything that can sum up what I do in a few simple words. All I know is that most of the epistle authors (Paul, James, Peter, Jude) refer to themselves as “bondservants of Christ Jesus.”

I'm loving @audrey's term “cantor” though!

I have always leaned more towards “lead worshipper” or even simply “music director”. some people have called me the “sung worship leader” but i find the more wordy the title gets in trying to be role specific… the more it seems to carry a “status”. in the end…. much like what Audrey said… I'm just a musician using the gifts i've been given to serve my God and my church. keep it simple and true.

Also, I don't like being called a “leader” when Jesus called me to be a “follower”…however, “song starter,” just doesn't have the same effect, you know??

I agree! We in the Church have really limited our view of worship. We have shrunk it down to something so small, when in truth, it is something that is actually a little hard to understand. I love in “The Heart of Worship” that it says, “I'll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself, is not what you have required”. That is such a Biblical statement, but is easily said and not often lived out.
The title I have at my Church is Worship Pastor and this is not something I take lightly. I don't feel like the title needs to change as much as our understanding of the title and the responsibility that comes with it. The “pastor” part is key for me. I fully believe that in the local church that I lead in, it is my responsibility to help shepherd and teach about worship and how it is NOT limited to a song. This can be done in teaching, song selection, blogging, conversation, ect…
I do not think that everyone who leads in sung worship should be called a worship pastor, but I do think that ALL “lead worshipers” in the local church should evaluate their position and constantly be finding new and creative ways to encourage the body to bring “more than a song”.
Hope that makes sense and sparks some more conversation. Thanks Vicky, for bringing up a GREAT topic for debate!

I tend to call them “the band” and when I am presiding I ask people to stand and “sing”. But in Yorkshire we tend to call a spade a spade.

I also often point out as people are leaving the church that it is time for them to start worshipping.

I don't know? I don't necessarily have a problem with “worship leader.” Just for basic understanding alone, we need to title it as something. I do however have a problem with those who only desire the title rather than the true reason behind it. It has been widely recognized that satan himself was the “worship leader” in Heaven. He also was motivated by self seeking glory. I think this says something about those of us who serve Jesus, the king to keep our motives in check; seek only to usher people into the presence of God and worship the only ONE who is worthy of our praise! “For those who worship me, must worship me in Spirit and in Truth.”
I also think it's worth mentioning that in the spirit realm there are ranks of authority…Just prior to battle, they would send in the worshipers, sound the trumpets(shofars), sing to the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob; a leader was required…This would in turn, confuse the enemy. (in essence they were on the front lines) I truly believe that the same goes for us in the realm unseen. Oh how it must confuse our enemy when we praise the Lord Jesus, and lead others to do the same! Surely, one praise song can shake the pits of hell. So keeping this in mind, if we have been appointed as a “Worship Leader” let's not take it lightly, keep our hearts pure, worship with abandon and lead others to do the same! Blessed be the name of the Lord!

I love the way you are thinking, sister. Stream of consciousness here on my lunch break… I think we should be known by what we do within the context of a given gathering. Titles would merely be superfluous if we weren't so distracted by them, but I think the danger is that they take our eyes off the Head and cause us to shutdown other parts of the Body. The authority conferred by titles is something I believe Jesus said was not to be so among us; it certainly seems to me to inhibit the house-to-house one-anothering commanded in and demonstrated by the New Testament record. I think not having a title lets us decrease and Him increase. For example, Paul said he wasn't an apostle to everyone. Like I inferred from what Toby Mac said, we need “portable sounds” to take us higher… if we're stuck on a place, a person/position, we're making idols. Well, back to lunch. Thanks so much for sharing!

Vicky,

Some really good thoughts on this. I lead at a fairly small church and I've said a few times during service that worship is not what only what we do on Sunday mornings, but it's the way that we live our lives. At that particular moment we are worshiping through music and song, but true worship is what we do with our lives.

Usually, I'll say something like “join us as we continue in worship” or “let's all stand and sing this morning”. Something to emphasize that what we are doing is a continuation of what we should be doing all the time, but that it is also corporate song, not just a band in front of them singing.

As to alternatives, it's hard to unring the bell of “worship leader”. As musicians and singers, we are using the talents and gifts that God has given us to (hopefully) bring glory to Him. We're not really different from those who are in the congregation but because of our visible role in the church we are expected to be. I'm not a big fan of the glut of talk about “leadership” in churches, but I do think that being in that position as the lead worshiper does place that mantle on us. People will take their cues in musical worship from us, whether we like it or not. So, what do we call it? Song leader, lead worshiper, music director, musical engineer? I have no idea. Like Roy said, it's hard to change the brand name of worship leader.

Clay W. Ginn
@claywginn

not to be a “blog dropper” but I wrote a blog on this http://attentiondeficitdisciple.blogspot.com/20… where I basically came to the conclusion for myself that I am way more comfortable with the term “song leader” much like what my grand father was called when he led worship at his little Nazarene church as a lay servant. His position was not nearly as glamorous as the position is now and you didn't have a bunch of people clamoring for his spot….in fact it was more of a “someone's gotta do it” type gig..

I see this the same way Vicky. I also stand up front and encourage people to express their worship to God, and there is an inaccuracy with the term Worship Leader. That's why I just go by a symbol now instead of a name. Most people just refer to me as “The artist formerly known as Worship Leader.” ;)

Worship arts leader, Music minister, Music leader, Music team leader, and many other are names I have heard.

This is just my opinion…

Music has been used within the context of the eklesia – the gathered congregation – for many different reasons over the centuries. For example, Charles Wesley wrote great hymns that taught the illiterate masses good theology and scripture. The early restorationist movement that gave birth to the modern “house church” networks often used singing as a method of spiritual warfare (march for Jesus etc). Some streams of the church recognise the significance of singing as an evangelistic tool (eg evangelistic carol services!). It was the influence of John Wimber that left the modern “Charismatised Core” of the Evangelical church with the notion of using singing to draw near to God in intimacy, praise and surrender…the notion that you quite rightly critique as being labelled a “time of worship”.

I think it'd good both to critique this phrase (I love your observation that just as we use words, so words use us)…the best definition of worship I've come across is John Drane's suggestion that “Worship is all that I am responding to all that God is”…ie, we worship God when we act in response to a revelation of Him…

…I think it would also be good to explore the varied ways that music and song has been used over the centuries in the life of the church, and the reasons why. That's another question though…and maybe the answer to it would form a really good book!! How about it??

Godbless, DAVE

Wow, you struck a chord with this one, Vicky! Brings back good memories of hearty discussions here at VB.com. It's a great community you've built here. I agree with your thoughts entirely, and I like what Audrey said. My favorite terms are musician and song-leader (depending on your role in the “worship team”). :o) They're accurate without being awkward.

The word 'worship' is both too narrow and too broad. In a certain sense, all of our lives are to be lived in worship of God. I am to give God all that I am and the best that I have.

On the other hand, worship also seems to be synonymous with praise and adoration. This seems too narrow, in that what is happening in a worship service is a sort of corporate time of prayer and interaction with God. We have times of worship, praise and adoration, we should also have times of laying out our requests. All the different kinds of prayer (including listening) need to be happening in our services.

The Psalms are a the lead in directing us in the sorts of songs we should sing: some are praise and worship, some are cries, some involve requests, some involve recounting the past. In some of them, God's people are speaking to Him. In some, God is speaking back to His people.

I don't think the term is too bad, so long as there is discussion in the community about the need for a total life of worship, and as long as the service involves more than praise and adoration–that is, it reflects a full-bodied interaction with God on different levels of our lives.

I was back and forth with this one.. I understand completely the misusing of terms that imply incorrect theology. I always used to refer to myself as the “Music Leader”, because it not only accurately describes what I do, but for the unchurched, or the lost, the term “Worship Leader” get's lost in translation sometimes. “Music Leader” is a term that I think most can understand no matter who you are.

Lately I've been drawn back to the term “Worship Leader” simply because that's what everyone else calls it, and knows what it entails in the context of a church body for the most part. I didn't want to be the guy correcting everybody, not that I had to, but I always think in my head when someone uses the term “does this person really know what 'worship' means?”.. not that I have my head wrapped around what “worship” is, but I found myself almost judging people before I even knew them.

Since then I've always wished someone could renew this term in the back of my brain, but for now I think it works as long as there are teachers of what 'worship' is in the context of our daily lives. With more of that maybe there will be a turning point in the future where we rid of the word entirely. Side note: I love how Audrey said “I'm just me”. We're just people, there are no other “special” intercessors from us to God other than Jesus. Great discussion! I am always inspired by your theological wrestling, Vicky!

~Nate

This is such a good point – labels/titles we give things either as part of our faith or in society as a whole can do so much damage. In light of this (thinking out loud as I type!) it seems to me that the term 'worship' isn't the problem so much as that it's full meaning isn't always appreciated/known. Perhaps this highlights that we need to re focus on how much it encompasses and bring this to the attention of our wider church body – making sure it becomes 'cultural'. That led me on to think that perhaps the worship leader title is the inaccurate one in that so many people may be involved in leading non musical worship – music leader seems good and as a format can be applied to people leading other forms of worship like prayer.

Some things I would like to say about worship are the following. Worship needs to be addressed to all Three Persons of the Holy Trinity and not to just one or two of them. We need to worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Often, many people address their prayers to only the Father or the Son and sing hymns to the Father or the Son, while ignoring the Third Person of the Holy Trinity altogether. In the Nicaeno-Constantinopolitan Creed, it says “[We believe] in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets.” It is alright to worship the Holy Spirit. He, like the Father and the Son, is God, too. It is also alright to address our prayers to Him.
Another thing to mention about worship is that our worship should be patterned after the worship that is done in Heaven. Old Testament worship was patterned after heavenly worship. St. Paul in the Epistle to the Hebrews wrote:

For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the Law; who serve the copy and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” (Heb. 8:4,5, NKJV)

The priests under the Old Covenant “served the copy and shadow of heavenly things.” Their worship was patterned after the worship done in Heaven. (Only there were no animal sacrifices in Heaven.)
In the first century, when Jesus was walking the Earth, there were two types of worship being practiced among the Jews: synagogue worship and temple worship. The worship was liturgical. There were certain liturgical prayers that were prayed during the services and there was a certain order to the services. It was not a free for all, do whatever you want, whenever you want type of worship.
The ancient Samaritans had their own version of temple worship in the first century, but they did theirs on a mountain in Samaria and not in Jerusalem.
When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, she said to Him, “Our fathers worshiped on the mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” (St. John 4:20, NKJV)
There were Jews worshiping in synagogues in various cities, too. Read the gospels and the Book of Acts and you will see that Jews did not just worship in Jerusalem. So, what was the woman talking about? She was talking about temple worship. In temple worship, there were sacrifices offered. No sacrifices were offered in synagogue worship.
Ancient Christian worship developed out of these two forms of Jewish worship: synagogue worship and temple worship. The most ancient divine liturgy (that is the name of the ancient Christian communion service) is the Divine Liturgy of St. James. I have heard that this service lasts six hours and that during the times of the Communist repression of Christians in Russia, people went to church to celebrate this particular liturgy because they did not get to go to church that much. The Divine Liturgy is derived from both synagogue worship and temple worship, but it is Christian, not Jewish. The first part of the liturgy is called the Liturgy of the Word. The second part is called the Liturgy of the Faithful. Instead of animal sacrifices, there is the “unbloody sacrifice,” the Eucharist. The Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross is a once for all event, but this event is relived during the Divine Liturgy. There is only one Eucharist in the entire universe because there is only one Lord Jesus Christ. (This is a mystery! Do not try to analyze it!)
Jesus told the Samaritan woman, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (St. John 4:21-24, NKJV)
He was talking about some other form of worship that would replace the temple worship of the Jews and the worship on the mountain practiced by the Samaritans. (People were already worshiping in synagogues, remember.)
In Malachi, there is a prophecy. It says: “'For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; in every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering; for My name shall be great among the nations,' says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 1:11, NKJV) The ancient Church Fathers interpreted “the pure offering” in this verse to be the Eucharist. Notice the prophecy also mentions the use of incense in worship. This is a prophecy about Christian worship that will be practiced by Gentiles who convert to worshiping the true God.
As for heavenly worship, look at the Book of Revelation. It is described there. A seven branched candlestick with seven candles, a gold altar, incense, four living creatures which represent the four Gospels, and hymns sung to God are mentioned there. We need to worship God with all of our senses: sight (the Holy Icons, the beautiful adornment of the Church), hearing (the music, the Bible readings, the sermon), smell (incense), touch (kissing the icon of Christ with the intent that the kiss be directed to Christ Himself), and taste (receiving the Eucharist and eating sanctified bread that is not used in the Eucharist). Jesus said that when we pray, we should pray, “Thy will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven.” (St. Matt. 6:10) We need to pattern our worship, therefore, like the worship in Heaven. The Divine Liturgy, by the way, is based on the Book of Revelation.
I know that many people who read your blogs and post comments on them are Protestants, but I, a former Protestant, just wanted to provide an Orthodox Christian perspective on worship.
As for what you said about Rom. 12:1, I agree. Father Thomas Hopko says that we are doxological, eucharistic beings. In order to be fully human in the sense that God intends us to be, we need to be constantly giving ourselves to God in all that we do and offering praise and thanks to God.

Steve

Vicky-
Thanks for being bold and standing up to ask this INCONVENIENT question! This really makes my heart beat out of my chest.

And I agree with Roy, it's hard to change a BRAND name/term, but it's much needed.

I like “lead worshiper”…as we are all worshipers, but in the moment of the singing part of our worship, there's one that's championing us and leading us corporately.
Journey (back in Franklin) uses this term, as well as “Worship Guide”…as someone who is guiding the moment of worship.

Sunday mornings and singing (& other corporate moments) are definitely WORSHIP.
And so is the rest of our lives… going to the least of these… this is worship. You could say someone who leads you to serve is really a “worship leader”…a missionary is a “worship leader”… not just the person leading the songs on stage.

but i long for the day when most “worship” settings (aka corporate gatherings) put less of an emphasis on who's on stage “leading”… not doing away with that role, but i definitely think there needs to be much more visual emphasis on God and each other, not the one person or band on stage.

Lately, I've really identified with the term “curator”…as one who prepares & facilitates a place for people to gather & worship, but when the event starts, he/she just sits in the shadows. But more on that later.

great post! one of your best!

2 quick thoughts to add to the noise…

1. we need to enable and free every member of our congregations to be 'worship leaders'. The name is only really a problem because we assign it to one or two people instead of engaging with the reality that we all have a responsibility to lead ourselves and each other in worship (in the broadest and narrowest usages of that word and its biblical heritage from multiple words). Time for the church to stop pre packaging consumer worship and challenge everyone to participate and lead together. We must choose to worship, and release each other in all our diversity to bring something to the table and become communities of 'worship leaders'.

2. When we use music to worship God we must be diverse in what we offer. Check out this article I wrote over at cross rhythms about just this subject: http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/La…

Good stuff to be discussing Vicky

Keep It Real.x

We've started calling the “Worship Leader” the “Lead Worshipper”…. still not perfect, but maybe a bit better?

I want to thrown in a vote for keeping “worship leader”, mainly because I want to make sure Worship Leader magazine do not find themselves in an awkward place when “worship leader” starts to be shunned. All tongue-in-cheek aside, I go back and forth on this. “Worship leader” can communicate so much, but one thing it communicates to me is that someone is being intentional about shepherding a group of people to throne of God, and that's for sure not a responsibility to be taken lightly. That person needs to be trusted, and they are responsible to God to be someone leading God's people in integrity and humility – along with all of the qualities we hope to find in the role of a church leader.

“Worship” as a term spans meanings, but ultimately seems to refer to an offering made to God to rightly say how great God is. Finding a term that means we are doing that through song is difficult since we don't have a single word with that meaning (maybe we could introduce a new word to the english language solely for this purpose!!). In a poetic sense (and probably a bit cheesy), a life lived as worship to God seems to be likened to the endless praise happening right now in heaven as angels offer God praise.

With that in mind, I'm fully okay with “worship leader” remaining the descriptive phrase since it seems to be pointing us to that sort of image in our lives. Just as we're pouring out our hearts in praise and adoration and joining with the angels, so may our lives do the same thing. And the fact that we've labeled someone as the worship leader to me solely means someone is ushering us to the throne of God. This can be anyone in the congregation as the Holy Spirit is ultimately leading us all to bring praise, but for the sake of giving a title to someone entrusted with a role, “worship leader” is lacking in that it needs clarification, but still describes so much rightly.

Great question, Vicky!

Our team has started to call it “musical expression of worship” when we start off our services. It is a mouthful, but I am hopeful it sticks.

Hi Vicky,
I have always viewed 'Worship' as being everything that we say, do or think. Being a true Worshipper of God should be the foundation on which we build our lives. Offering acts of Worship seems to have been catagorised into specific things that we do i.e singing. Sung Worship or 'Praise' is a great tool to enable us to connect with God both corporately and individually but it isn't the only tool. Calling ourselves Worship Leaders perhaps suggests an authority over others that maybe we don't have. We are servants of God just as much as the people singing along with us. I feel Worshipping God is about strengthening our relationship with Him and encouraging others to do the same. With this in mind, surley the only person worthy of the title 'Worship Leader' is God. After all, it is Him who writes the songs, picks the set lists and gifts the musicians. As for an alternative title, i have no idea but i feel as long as the Worship Leader is humble in their role and comfortable in their calling and the responsibility God has given them, we must continue to seek God's wisdom ensuring that he is first leading us in Worship and second equipping us to guide others to Him, enabling Him to lead them too.

Does it really matter what we call ourselves? In the Vineyard we don't go a bundle on titles – let's just get on with the job. The important thing is that we lead people into God's presence so that they have a dynamic encounter with him, are changed, filled with wonder, pour out their whole being in worship, are given hope because of who God is…
There are millions of people far from God, so let's not be inward focussed on what we call ourselves. Let's worship & move out to reach out to the lost.

This has bothered me for years, it's at the very least unhelpful to have wedded the word, “worship” to the singing section of our meetings. It's a nonsense. “Worship is our occupation with God Himself, with the greatness of His being.” – Ray Stedman. So that CAN be anything we say, do or think. To diminish this aspect of ourselves, made in His image, to singing however long, on whatever day is crazy! Which leaves us with the problem of semantics. Vicky, you're going to have to re-write your “About” section if someone comes up with an alternative! “worship and justice”, hmmm…justice IS worship. We all know this and subconsciously interpret the word, “worship”, when we see it in the context of music and song. But this is far from ideal. I've been trying, “musical worship” for a while, at least it flags up the distinction. As an adjunct to this, have you seen Noel Richards' discussion on Christian celebrity culture and idolatry? Take a look, challenging stuff: http://www.worshipjournal.com/en_GB/poll_24.html

love the conversation you've started with this post, vicky!

i would agree with the thought in some of the comments that while re-naming this role in corporate worship gatherings may be tough, it's important. because i think it communicates more than we think about beliefs about corporate worship and what we value in those environments. i love your comment about words using us. it is so very true. and i think in this case it's probably getting to a point where the words are using us. the title's we've given people have affected what we believe about and value in corporate worship in many churches.

as for alternatives, i personally like “song leader.” “lead worshiper” sounds like “worship leader” reversed to me. it still seems to place to much emphasis on that one person somehow being a step ahead of the rest in worshiping God. i think using “song leader” would also help in the disassociation of only the musical portion of a corporate worship gathering being “worship”

we use the phrase “worship through…” a lot in our church. we still have a weekly bulletin and when we list the songs we list it as “worship through song” for us it's a small but helpful piece to communicate that all of that we do when we gather together is “worship” but we also try to be intentional about communicating that corporate gatherings aren't the only time & place we worship.

I personally like “lead-worshiper” – this term gives me the vision of serving as a doorkeeper, opening the door for others to enter into the Lord's Presence, and maybe being a step ahead to help them find their way in, if they need that. I absolutely love leading groups that DON'T need someone to “show” them how to worship, where I just get the song going and they're all-out, all-on for the Kingdom!

I'm not sure how we do this exactly but I think we should stay as far away from titles as possible. See Jesus' words in Matthew 22:1-12, particularly verses 8-10. The Pharisees became all wrapped up in the titles of Rabbi and Master. Jesus wanted us to focus on the fact that were are all just brothers, by which I think he meant family.

I like what someone said earlier that titles distract us from Jesus, the Head.

I made an error. The verses I am referring to in Matthew are in chapter 23, not chapter 22.

Thanks so much to everyone for sharing your thoughts.. I feel like there are some great ideas here!

Audrey's comments on the catholic and jewish tradition of “Cantor” is fascinating.

Benji – thanks for pointing us to your great blog!

Roy – “glory to God enthusiast' has got me laughing!

It really is a tricky subject isn't it, as it's way easier to keep the terms the same rather than labour over new ones.

I don't agree that we should keep the term “worship leader” simply to avoid putting “Worship Leader Magazine” in a tricky spot! We can't base our thological use of words on a magazine title. Plus I know those guys and am at their event next week in ABQ, so I would never want to undermine them :)

I also disagre about us just needing to ignore titles and get on with the job. Words are so crucial to church history and church growth. If the council of Nicea hadn't laboured over their specific use of words, our faith would not be defined or protected from heresy. We can't afford not to pay attention to titles, because even if we wish we didn't need titles, practically speaking we do as people need some reference point for what their role is. The titles we use will affect the way the positions and roles are viewed and performed, so we need the correct title in order to make sure church leadership continues on a Biblical and theologically accurate path. So I think this issue of what to title the 'worship leader' does need futher discussion.

Anyone else got any ideas, or any come back on my thoughts in this comment?

Vicky

Vicky, I agree with your assesment of titles. I wish we didn't have to use them, I know of several that get caught up in the title they have, but I have also seen the effects that someone has on another since they have that title. Ex. Just anyone walking into a room in the hospital is met with a 'Who are you and why are you here?' attitude. But introduce yourself as a reverend or pastor, and the attitude softens almost immediately.

As for me, I have told people that I am a music minister. I minister through music, so that title seems to work for me. I still get labeled as a worship leader or worship pastor, but my preference is music minister.

Just my couple of pennies here. Enjoying the blog.

Hi Vicky,
In my University, my professors use the term “worship leader” for lack of use of a better term. They are very weary in using that word. Sometimes, we may use praise leader, leading praise and worship, song leader. leading the choir (depending on the type of church setting you are in). Worship is not only through music either, so there are deeper things that get lost in translation. Worship is a response to who God is. To prove that point, my fellow students at our University said that when it was time for the Worship Majors to lead chapel, there was absolutely no music. They wanted people to be theologically correct and alert in their thinking rather than simply go along with “pop-culture vocabulary”. We see this all too often. In addition to all this, worship is a response to who God is. Well, how do you know who God is? The Bible. WHen you read the Word of God, and spend time with Him, you begin to know the God of the Word. That is worship in Spirit and Truth, not emotion. Although, emotion is God-given and certainly not wrong. But, to not stray to much from the initial topic, just know, there are many of us in the same “boat”. Whether it be, worship leader, director of music, choir director, song leader, set list leader, the praise team, etc. But, the authority and privilege of such a position is not one to be taken lightly. We are leading the saints into Worship, giving them tools to connect with God, and equipping them into the truth of the Almighty God. This is certainly nothing to take lightly. Reverent fear is beautiful. It's absolutely vital for the people of God to know their Bibles inside and out, and to pray, always!

Until Vicky pointed this out, I must admit I never saw the title of 'Worship Leader' as misleading. I instinctively knew that there was more to worship than corporate singing on a Sunday morning and that worship should be woven into everything that we do, and hopefully most people who have been going to church for several years know that too. I'm probably at a slight advantage because in our Church the Worship Leader leads all aspects of worship, although unfortunately this means that a piano playing a MIDI file leads the music…

What worries me most is the impression that the title may be giving to non-believers – are they going away from church services thinking that worship is something that only happens on a Sunday? Hopefully they'll be there for more than one service and hopefully join a small group so that we can explain to them that that's not the case, but what if they don't? What if they only come along to one service in their entire lives? Are we making the right first impression?

[...] a recent blog post, Vicky Beeching takes on this [...]

I think everyone should read, “And Now Let's Move into a Time of Nonsense: Why Worship Songs are Failing the Church” by Nick Page. It partly covers this and is challenging for the songwriters amongst us, and even recommended by Graham Kendrick on the back. Thought provoking…

My church doesn't do titles very well – I generally get called 'the music bloke'.

A few years back I saw a link on a church website to the site's 'webservant' rather than 'webmaster'. Perhaps we should be called worship servants?

I quite like the term “worship guide” or “guider” as we are all worshiping but one is steering when we do it corporately. I think the whole band as a team is leading too. Not so much in determining the next chorus or verse but interpreting the Spirit's lead musically/prophetically.

Timm

I'd be wrestling with this as a worship leader myself. … these are my thoughts

http://krispkreme.wordpress.com/2010/06/10/why-…

Vicky, this is a fabulous point. I struggle with this at times as well. I tend to catch myself at times, adding in “-through music” after a title of “leading worship.” I agree that we should replace the common label of 'Worship Leader' when talking specifically about music. Worship is anything that we do to bring praise and adoration to our Heavenly Father. We do not EVER want to limit worship to song.
Ideas: “Worship Music Leader”; “[leader/director of] Worship through music”; “Sung Praise Director”; “Sung Worship Leader” –or any combination of these ideas… It is difficult to come up with one short term that is all-inclusive the way we are trying to work it. If I think of anything brilliant I will post!

How about combining two words and making it “songship leader”? We just have to remember that it's not about us who are up there in front of everyone leading the people in song, it is about His people singing praises to Him. He loves to hear us praise Him in song.

I like this thread…I think that there should be the term “worship leader”, and I think that person is the Pastor. The caveat is that the Pastor knows and understands this, and what worship is. This doesn't mean that the Pastor has to lead the singing/playing. But it does mean their care for their flock leads the congregation to worship. Remembering as well that we need to give our worship to Him, more than He needs to receive it. Similar to tithing; He doesn't need our money, we need to give it.

For those who play/sing in front of the congregation, perhaps calling us worship facilitators would be appropriate, because we facilitate the Pastor/Worship Leader's call.

I like “Praise & worship conductor”

What this does is The 'praise' adds the musical connotation to the all encompassing 'worship'. While the conductor signifies a lead of instruments. Wether it be cantor, strings or wind.

I still think the voice is the most precious instrument, anyway this is a volume of my thoughts crammed into a single sentence. My grandfather was identified in the community of believers as 'conductor' because of the revelation of the word WORSHIP at the time was much more thorough….

The Greek word latria best fits which is best explained as 'adoration' exclusively reserved for God alone.

Ok that's enough lol, I really like the direction of this blog.

Bill x

I think the term “worship leader” is entirely appropriate… and sobering at the same time. When describing all of life as worship, we don't want to undermine the special worship that God calls us to in singing and hearing the Word of God preached in the gathered church. The Bible uses words translated “worship” to refer to specific acts of worship at times, so I think calling the service “worship,” and our role “the worship leader,” is perfectly legitimate. To reduce our role or function to “the song guy” or the “music time” I think minimizes what God has called us to do in those times.

At the same time I think the term “worship leader” is also sobering. The fact that worship is also a lifestyle means that as a “worship leader,” I also need to be concerned about leading off the stage. The term “worship leader” actually helps us broaden our scope so that we humbly consider if our life is in accordance with our song. I want to lead by modeling worship on and off the stage… not minimizing either one. If I seek to be a “song leader,” then I am just that (but any person with a decent voice can do that)… but if I seek to be a worship leader, my priorities change and I seek to disciple people at a different level.

PS- I also don't really like “lead worshipper.” I understand and appreciate the heart behind the phrase being that we need to be leading by example as a worshipper ourselves, but I personally think it makes us sound like we're the guy (or gal) that God wants to hear first. In reality, I'm a leader among equals.

i like “song leader”… seems sensible because we lead the songs! Worship is how we respond to God everyday, in any context, with any expression… hopefully we who lead songs are worshippers…

If we take a legalistic view of what Jesus describes worship as in John: 4, 20-24 we are sorely missing the mark unless we play air guitars and sing in tongues (think about the poor power point guy trying to type in real time, no one would volunteer for that job, LOL)
Being real though, If I were to ask most mature Christians who play music for an audience I think most would describe what they do as a ministry. Vicky, I think this holds true for you also. So why not call it what it is, a music ministry with the title music minister. I think most folks find it easier to talk to a “minister” as opposed to a “leader”, less intimidating
If we honestly look at what we do at church when music is played it fits well into Webster’s definition of devotional. To me it’s corporate devotion. This is how I view it. If I ran a church this is also what I’d call it.
To me the fact that our God is seeking a one on one relationship is the great discriminator in our faith and one that should be taught when in comes to our life as well as worship
Sorry if I sound preachy or like I’m splitting hairs as that’s not my intention. I just know in my own life worship is something far greater then music and I’m very grateful for that.
Keep the Faith,
Z

This is first time I've read the blog post and good, challenging thoughts, it is these kind of questions that keep us evolving, moving forward and striving to better. So forgive me for paying catch up and being a bit simple.

It has been something that I have thought about. If we refer to worship as soley a time of co-orporate gathering then what are we doing in own times of worship? I'm sure all of us have moments when we are in our private times of prayer, praise and worship.
It is odd how something that might not quite sit right becomes the definition and everyone knows what is implied by the words used.

Words are incrediby important to define things so people have some idea of what is happening. Titles are also important but perhaps we need well defined titles not just a case picking of something.

Who was first called a 'worship leader'? Does the title Music leader or director take something away from the holy and spiritual nature of what we are doing? I guess you could say I'm with Nikki (I have just skim read some comments).
I have often though that worship is a response of a heart and soul that has felt and seen a glimpse of the majesty and awesomeness of the great love of God expressed on earth by Christ and stirred in us by the Holy Spirit.
The songs that we sing in a corporate or personal time of worship are an expression of that.
Perhaps there are no Worship Leaders other than the Holy Spirit and we are all worship followers (entirely random thought). Maybe song leader is the best description we will get?

I would trace back the emergence of the modern 'worship leader' from the time of the Jesus Movement that was a 60s Christian counter culture period. People like Campus Crusade for Christ were part of huge festivals that rode on the back of musical jamborees that changed the face of music amongst Christian youth. The liturgical traditions were quickly being replaced by more familiar contemporary sounds. Kind of like God taking back his music!

I for one am happy about this, because any genre of music thats good, is from God. Musical notation is annointed, its only the words that corrupt.

I think that the song leader has a bigger task than this title suggests, when my pastor addresses the band its only after he knows the holy spirit is finished doing what he wanted to do with the music. The sound changes, lifts, stops often; Even then, minstry time should be given every opportunity.

And this I feel is the reason why contemporary worship has developed into the mould & need for a song leader per say, because more and more congregations are focused on being led by the spirit during this time.

Even very mainline protestant Churches in my country can't deny the influence of more charasmatic groups like the AOG from traditional hymn books into similar styles.

For me, a worship leader is the one leading people to worship God. A song leader is the one teaching the right song to be sung during worship. Both of them should have the heart of Jesus with always a right motive before God.

Romans 12:1 is the spiritual act worship, a daily worship that worship / song leader should always remember.

As a pastor, I feel the same concerns. Within our worship arts team, I refer to what is normally called a worship as our weekend team. I refer to our worship leaders as team leaders. I have found this helpful.

- Brad

Amen! Preach it sista'.
The first mention of the word “worship” in scripture is
Gen 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and the lad will go yonder, and worship, and come again to you. (Now The Dude is going to Kill his boy in obedience and uses the word “worship”, wow)

That Hebrew word is:

שׁחה
shâchâh
shaw-khaw'
A primitive root; to depress, that is, prostrate (especially reflexively in homage to royalty or God): – bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.

So how bout “The Psalmster”

Why not use the biblical term from the Psalms, Music Director? Side note – Can someone please tab Emmanuel? Ever since I first heard it I've so much wanted to do it for communion. Thanks

hey vicky

i recently went on this 2 day course thing at the elim hq, it was fun. it came up with a few points that i never really gathered until now let me share them

what is worship?
1. a response to something God has done
2. an offering, therefore a choice ( psalms 34:1| Ephesians 5:1-2)
3. something we do with our hearts (genesis 24:26 | psalm 63:4 | 2 chronicles 6:12| psalm 47:1 | Joshua 5:14 | 2 samuel 6:14)
4. a sacrifice (hebrews 13:15)
5. a way to give God pleasure ( psalm 149:4 | zephaniah 3:17)
6 spiritual (John 4:24)

Worship is not music or songs, worship is a relationship that is developed over a lifetime.

if it is a relationship lets look at what we do in worship

- we converse with God
- we recognise the sound of Gods voice
- recognise Gods presence
- we have a relationship with God that is open and Honest

now, because its a relationship its a two way street, so lets look at what God does in Worship

- he sacrifices
- he gives
- he wants
- he sends

God has been doing everything to initiate a relationship with man.

worship is a lifelong process of responding to God in the security of a loving relationship.

1. moving closer to God (James 4:8 | Hebrews 4:16)
2. being shaped by God (romans 8 : 28-29)
3. hearing God ( luke 6:47-49)
4. obeying God (luke 11:28)

question: is your church a worshipping church? is your church a “going” Church?

when we worship God, God will always always always whisper Go….
God never leaves us when we go to church on a sunday and goes oh that was a nice worship time. no God goes with you where you go, so that you can worship him in the places you are at.

the importance of Coporate worship

- worship is a journey in which we must encounter God. without a meeting with God our worship is pointless
- The result of worship is to be transformed
- worship should involve conversation with God and recieving revelation
- as we draw close to God, his desire is to draw close to us (James 4:8)
- God wants us to get so close to him that we become more like him and are permanently changed. (corinthians 3:18)

we gather to give to God

‘i will bless the lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth’ psalm 34:1
bless God and give him pleasure psalm 149:4 : for the lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

- give worship, God is worthy ‘to recieve Glory, honor and power’ rev 4:11

- give each other (hebrews 10:24)

- ‘teach and admonish one another with all wisdom’ (colossians 3:16)

we gather to remember

1.Jesus dying on the cross, and raising to life for us
2. Gods faithfulness in your Journey

rememberance is central to worship
remember his saving grace

we gather to recieve
-revelation
-strength
- encouragement
- to be comissioned

we gather to praise

1. its our primary calling to praise
2. God inhabits praise
3. God responds to sincere prais
4. praise silences the enemy

praise is

-aknowledgement
- commending
- a declaration
- aspect of Worship
- rejoicing in God
- it carries on after the music
-praise is based on fact not on feelings

1 Corinthians 14:26

Good Order in Worship
26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.

Worship as songs.

Colossians 3:16

16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts

-psalms = Gods words to Music
-Hymns = our story of God to Music
-Spiritual Songs = spirit led, inspired revelations

this made me really laugh, because we have some people come up to our band at the end and say ” i really liked the worship, however i think you should do more hymns” you can reply and say, ” well…can you describe to me what a hymn is?” lol

there is alot more to this and its all from my notes, and im sorry its written in note form. but i hope it helps in any way to anyone reading.

i like the phrase worship pastor. always have. it shows the leader cares for the band, and prays for the band, and basically pastors the band.

its either that or worship Donkey, because you are carrying the congregation to a God encounter. just like the Donkey carried Jesus on palm sunday.

that is all.

L X

L x

I think our lives should be worship unto God..I am a worshipper and I try and do everything as unto the Lord , whatever we do.. If you are cooking or baking singing praying reading your bible or walking your animals, playing with your children or friends.
Remeber God made us and we are an extension of Jesus Christ. We are his hands and feet.
In the bibile they do talk about true worship and worshipping the father in spirit and truth.Once we understand the word of God it sets us free.We are worshippers and some in music and some worship God in other ways…If you heart is pure before God then whatever you do you do it for Jesus. Dont get too technincal just worship as jesus asks us to worship him and him alone. He is the bridegroom and we are his bride,,Hallelujah