Why Worship Leaders Can't Ignore Bible Reading

When I was a teenager was invited to lead worship on a weekly basis for the contemporary service at a Lutheran Church. I distinctly remember my first Sunday morning. As I pulled into the church parking lot I recounted everything I did to prepare.

Listen to the songs - Check

Practice the songs - Check

Print the charts - Check

Change my guitar strings - Check

Take a look in the mirror to make sure I'm presentable - Double Check

I wanted so badly to do a good job. They were even paying me $20!  

You may see something missing from this list. I had neglected to spend personal time with my God and Father. Pouring over His Word and letting Him pour into me. I’m ashamed to admit that personal Bible reading was at the bottom of my checklist (if it was there at all) for far too long.

I was consumed with “sounding” good on stage. Doing a good job. Not messing up. I was elevating the influence of celebrity worship leaders above the influencing of Scripture in my life. I’m thankful to say I didn’t get too far before that changed and I discovered the monumental importance of the word of God in the life of a Worship Leader.

Here are 3 Reasons Why A Worship Leader Must Read Their Bible.

1) God’s Word Gives Language To Our Prayers

Many worship leaders pray from the platform on behalf of their church family. It's a common temptation to pray the same words about the same things. With little passion or enthusiasm, we pray “Dear Lord, thank you for today. You are so good to us. Amen.”

Thankfully God has not left it to our own creativity to invent ways to pray to Him. God’s Word gives language to our prayers. Especially the Psalms.

In His book Praying The Bible Donald Whitney says:

"God has inspired a Psalm for every sigh of the soul...The reason God put the Psalms in His Word to us is so that we could put them into our words for Him."

I make a habit of reading in the Psalms every day. If you adopt this practice I promise your prayers will edify your church and Honor our God.

2) God’s Word Gives Descriptions Of Himself

I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon. Sure, I’ve seen pictures. I've heard other people talk about what it’s like. I even helped pay for an anniversary trip to the Grand Canyon for my parents. But I’ve never been myself.

I could try to describe the Grand Canyon to you but I wouldn't get very far. I may say it’s “big” or “awesome” or “like nothing you’ve ever seen before!” Obviously, I’m not equipped to tell you what it’s really like.

I’ve heard worship leaders describe a God that bears almost no resemblance of the God of the Bible. Their descriptions are vague and void of details at best, and borderline heretical at worst.

Are you praising God with the words He gave us to praise Him?  Are you describing God with the descriptions He uses for Himself?  If not, you may be worshiping a God you have created and not the God who created You.

3) God's Word Paves The Way For God's Spirit

God’s Spirit is not separated from God’s Word. Being filled with the Word of God is the catalyst for being filled with the Spirit of God.

Please don’t think that you can lead with power, strength, and a fresh filling of God’s Spirit apart from God’s Word.

The Holy Spirit is the one who “Breathed Out” the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16) And He uses that scripture to breathe into you.

I like how Bob Kauflin puts it in his book True Worshipers.

“Every church or individual Christian who claims to be Sprite-led must be Word-fed. If we want to know more of the Spirit's Power in our lives, we would be wise to fill ourselves with riches of His Word.”

So, do you want to be an exceptional worship leader? Read and study the Word of God faithfully. True worship is responding to Who God has revealed Himself to be, not who we think Him to be. No amount of musical excellence can make up for bad theology.

Before you memorize a song - Memorize scripture

Before you practice your instrument - Practice His Presence

Before you choose your next set list - Hide His Word in your heart

If you would like to grow in your gift and calling as a worship leader join our next Worship Leader Mentorship! The Fall Session Begins October 1st.