3 Learnings from Leading Worship in an Empty Room

In March and April of 2020, most of us have been leading worship for an online (only) congregation. It appears this will, for many, stretch into May. I've been standing in front of congregations for nearly 30 years, trying to help them sing, to worship. Counting morning, evening, mid-week, and special/multiple services, that probably means I've led worship well over 5,000 times.

That didn't prepare me for the empty room.

This has been so much harder on many than on me--like my cousin, who is a medical professional in New York City. But still, it's hard.

And I've learned a lot.

These three stand out as top of the list.
1) Private worship matters.
2) Preparation matters.
3) People matter.

So none of those are new for you either?

But my goodness... I know them so much more deeply now!

First, private worship matters. If I cannot worship Jesus alone, and be completely comfortable with it, there is no way I can authentically worship Jesus on the platform with others and do it well. That may speak to my own limitations, but I don't think so. The better I am at loving Jesus alone, the better I will be at helping others love Jesus.

Second, preparation matters. A room full of people and a platform crammed with leaders is very forgiving. If I miss a note, a word, even an entrance, the people around me can pick me up. Have my back. But in an empty room and very few people serving with me, my failures are exposed. The best way to limit failures is to prepare deeply. Thoroughly.

Third, people matter. I have written about it before: we don't lead music; we lead people. As worship leaders, part of what makes us effective is to "read the room." We pick up on the cues of those we serve, and we sing faster, slower, louder, softer, repeat a chorus or cut a song short. (When the people are finished singing, we might as well stop the song!) But we can't read an empty room. This has been the hardest part for me. I miss the people terribly.

So as we walk back into (less) crowded rooms in a few weeks, let me encourage you as I'm challenging myself:
1) Worship alone every day, even if only for 5-10 minutes.
2) Know the songs you're singing/playing/tech-ing better than ever.
3) Serve the people by leading with sensitivity to their needs and dreams.

Now... what are YOU learning in this unprecedented season? Whether you are a worship pastor, worship leader, or worshiper, I'd love to hear from you!

10 Tips for worshipping online

While many in church leadership are trying to figure out how to provide the best online worship experience, it would be wise to remember there's another side to the equation. Perhaps we can serve our church families by helping them know how to worship from their family rooms. Here are ten suggestions I'd make. I'm curious if you see anything I've missed. Let's learn from one another!

1. Get the time on your calendar. If at all possible, meet at the same time as the rest of the church. You won’t see the people in the next row, but there is something about knowing you’re doing this at the same time as the rest of the church family. Blocking out the time may help you focus. Don’t do the dishes during the sermon or check your email. Practice being fully present. 
"It occurred to me one day that though I often worry aboutwhether or not I sense the presence of God,I give little thought to whether God senses the presence of me."Phillip Yancey

2. Get your space ready. Have your Bible handy, and maybe a notebook and pen. You could light a candle or do something else that helps your space have a sacred vibe to it. If possible, use the biggest screen in your home. Turn up the volume so you can sing along, talk back to the preacher, say “amen,” etc. If you’re not sure how to do “screen sharing” and get the service on a smart TV (which you’ll need to do this), ask a tech-savvy friend.

3. Get yourself ready. Get dressed. Whether you dress up as much as normal isn’t as important as that you simply “get ready” for the online experience by getting some clothes on. Comb your hair. Dress for an encounter with God, not just a seat on your couch.

4. Get your family together. If you have children in your home, this is a tremendous opportunity to teach your children how to worship, especially by your example. You can do things at home that might feel uncomfortable in the church building. Kneel when it’s time to pray. Sing. If you have to, turn up the volume again so you can sing without feeling self-conscious. Dads, lead your family here. You are the pastor of your home. If there’s no dad in your home—which was true for much of my upbringing—God will empower you moms to do this.

5. Get communal. If you know of a single person, invite them to watch with you via FaceTime or Zoom. You could do this with your small group. It takes a little more work and technical resources, but many of you can do this. It’s a way to feel more together while we are physically more separated.

6. Get active. Stand up for the first song, or any time the music is upbeat. You can move around. Again, kneel when you pray. If this feels awkward, do it anyway. God is going to grow you in this season in ways you've never experienced--if you let him. We all know growth usually happens outside our comfort zone.

7. Get generous. While we are not meeting together physically, the church is still operating. Many churches are taking care of people who are struggling financially. The church staff is still working, many are sacrificing more time than usual to make ministry work in a paradigm we've never known. The equipment it takes to do online worship well is expensive. If you are able, this is a great time to step up your giving. And if you are in need, be sure to reach out to a pastor or church leader. We want to take care of you.

8. Get a plan for afterwards. Follow the service with a meal, an on-purpose meal. And while you eat, talk about the service. You could use the “events” tab on the YouVersion app to talk through the sermon. If there was a song lyric that grabbed you, talk about that. If there was a call to action, decide with those in your home how you will respond. This could become a powerful habit after we’re back together.

9. Get word out. Inside the service you can leave comments any time. Real-time feedback is familiar to church-goers. We say “amen.” We clap. We interact. Now you can do that online using the comment feature. And get The Word OUT! Invite your family and friends to attend with you or after you. Share the post if you're on Facebook. You can text or email a link to others inviting them to be part of this. Online invitations seem a little less intimidating than in person invitations, so invite people to "church" online.

10. Get gratitude out. Unexpressed thankfulness is just a feeling. Expressed, it is far more powerful. People are taking a great deal of their time to make this experience possible, and at the top of that list is the tech team. Reach out to those who serve in your church and tell them thank you.
Let me know what else you're doing to make the most of online worship in your house?

The Idol of Musical Style

[DISCLAIMER] I am serving the best church I've ever known. This has never been the issue at Woodburn Baptist that it has been in other churches I've served or in churches I hear about. My pastor has led through the "worship war" part of history with wisdom and grace. I am certainly not targeting  any individual or any church. It is a post for Christendom. For me and you.]

We have become far too tolerant of the idol of musical style.

There. I've said it.

Far too tolerant.

For nearly 35 years I have led worship as part of a church staff. That's about 1800 weeks. Most of those weeks someone has been upset over musical style in worship. And by most, I'm guessing somewhere in the neighborhood of 1750 of them.

Far too tolerant.

God is not so hesitant: "I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods." (Deuteronomy 5:9, emphasis mine)

That's actually part of commandment #3. Yes, that #3. Of the Ten Commandments.

You may say, "But my love for old hymns, or new songs, or loud drums, or organ sounds... those aren't gods!"

Can I be bold? I often see more impassioned posts on social media about the style of music than the saving grace of Jesus.

If an idol is anything that gets between me and God--takes my affection away from God and puts it on something else--then surely musical style is an idol in the modern church.

I have been screamed at. I have been cried on. I have gotten letters that are pages long. I have had my job threatened. I have had annual reviews with a personnel committee where my performance was called into question.

All over musical style.

  • Not the amount of prayer in our services; Jesus was pretty big on that one. (Mt 21:13)

  • Not the theology of lyrics; that seems like a pretty big deal. (2 Tim 1:13)

  • Not the level of engagement of the people; God is seeking those who will worship (that's a verb) him. (Jn 4:23)

Musical style.

If you don't think it is an idol, can I just be so bold as to say... there's a chance you may be the idolator.

Of course I don't know your heart. I'm not accusing you. Remember, through this whole series on idolatry, I've been journeying with you as a confessor.

I have idolized musical style too.

I once visited a hero of mine in the ministry. It was early on; I was under 30. It was upon that visit that I discovered he had, in my mind, "sold out" to musical style. I confess to you that I thought less of him that day. Makes me want to throw up to think of it now.

I have good news: God has a 100% track record of welcome repentant sinners like me. Like some of you. Every time we confess, every time, he is faithful to forgive.

And so maybe this is where your repentance starts. Think differently about musical style so you can start behaving differently around style. Get to the other side of music you don't like so you can give your heart to the Savior you love.

Maybe you will be able to say, along with Harold Best, retired professor of music at Wheaton College and one of the godliest, smartest men I've ever known:

"Let the music come. Traditional, contemporary, avant-garde, ethnic, jazz, rock and chat... rejoice in it. Dance with David in it... Let the emotions roll and the endorphins break their dikes. But for Jesus Christ's sake, let's get music back where it belongs--as a lisping sign and not a glittering cause, as the response to a commandment and not just a set of tools for influencing people."

If you need help, I'd be honored to walk this journey with you, one recovering idol-worshiper to another. If you disagree, and I suspect more than a few of you will, I'd love to see your civil thinking in the comments below. Seriously.



If you want a couple more quotes that might help, here you are. They are from a book I just finished called "Preaching as Worship."

  • "It seems to me that if a church splits over music, that music has become more important than togetherness in itself." -- Keith Getty

  • "Whenever worshipers choose music out of personal preference (whether traditional or contemporary), they are in danger of excluding others and causing disunity." -- Michael Quicke

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The Idol of People

I idolize people all the time. I'm terrible about this! While I know God does not show favoritism (according to Rom 2:22), I do. I hate this about myself. And I do it in two ways.


First, just to be brutally honest, I too often think too highly of people. Celebrity preachers or worship leaders feel like they are beyond my reach. I'm sometimes intimidated to reach out on social media or by email. I think they are, somehow, better than I am. Busier than I am. Holier than I am.

When I go to a worship event led by one of the mega-influential bands or worship writers of our day, I look on them with wonder and awe, emotions that should be--that MUST BE--reserved for the God we worship. I do this with preachers, too. Those I listen to via podcast, or read in their books.

But pedestals are made for idols, not for people.

I wonder if you do this as well.

There's another side to my idolatry... to my pride.

The second way I show favoritism is to myself. When anyone on the platform -- preacher, vocalist, instrumentalist, etc -- does not seem to be leading the way I think is right, I can be dismissive. That sounds bad, doesn't it?

It gets worse.

Because when I dismiss those people, I end up dismissing Christ-in-them. (Col 1:27)

Lord, have mercy!

Tragically, the very presence of God that is in those made in His glorious image is lost. At least on me. And perhaps, depending on how 'on display' my idolatry is, it is lost on others as well.

Image-bearers and presence-carriers bring the hope of glory to me. And I miss it.

As I said in the post that introduced this series, oh how this must grieve the heart of God!

Now, may I be even more honest?

I'm sometimes the person that people put on a pedestal or look down on. And this breaks my heart. I am no more more or less than anyone. You and I are made in the same image, broken by the same sin, and covered by the same righteousness.

Wouldn't we all be better served if we looked for Jesus in everyone?

And recognize that the same Jesus is in us, as in in everyone?

I'm deeply curious... how do you avoid putting yourself or others on a pedestal? What do you DO or THINK that rescues you from idolizing people?

The Idol of Music

I have loved music since I was in elementary school. Second grade, best I recall.

By the time I got to high school I was hooked. Singing. Playing tuba. Singing. Trying to play guitar or piano. Singing. I loved it all!

So I went to college for music. Vocal performance, officially.

And then I went to graduate school for church music. I learned to stand before a choir and orchestra with a conductor's baton and lead reasonably well.

For years I read everything I could about how to hone my craft. I geeked out on professional journals, attended the finest conferences, and talked shop with some of the best in the field.

I really, really loved music. Maybe even more than Jesus. I don't think so, but maybe.

It's a good question to ask, especially in the church of our day: Do we love Jesus more than music?

Here are some ways we can examine our souls:

  1. Invite God to do this with us. Psalm 139:23 gives us words to pray: "Search me O God, and know my heart."

  2. Pay attention to your feelings when we are in worship. Does your heart light up more over a song than the name of Jesus? If so, music may have become an idol. Consider Deuteronomy 5:10, "I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods." That's in the 2nd of the 10 commandments. Notice the word affection.

  3. Consider the ways we spend time with Jesus daily. Are we more likely to pour our hearts out in song than in prayer? That may be a warning sign.

  4. Have we ever considered leaving a worship gathering--or our churches--because of music? How good or bad, how old or new, etc.? Then perhaps our attention to music has become greater than our affection for Jesus. Perhaps. That's why we start with the prayer of David in Psalm 139. God is the one who knows our hearts better than we know ourselves.

  5. Are we more likely to evaluate the worship music in our gatherings than to be evaluated by the word of God in those same meetings? I find, when I do this, that it is from a place of pride, not humility. Again, I don't know your heart--and sometimes you don't either--but God does.

Just to be clear, I'm not talking about musical style. Yet. That hot potato comes in two weeks. I'm just talking about music in general. Style may be an indication, but music itself can be an idol. God gave it to us as a gift, but we--according to Romans 1--all too often exchange the gift for the Giver. 

Let me close with good news. God has a very, very long and faithful track record of welcoming the smashing of idols. If music has become too important to you, confess and repent. God is eager to forgive and ready to help us change the way we think and act about music. About all of our idols.

When you smash the idol of music you will find something beautiful in the shards. The glory of God that has been bottled up will explode your heart with pure praise of Jesus in new and beautiful ways.

The Idol of Space

Sacred spaces are amazing.

Walk into a number of churches and look up. Do you see "ribs" lining the ceiling? Those may not just be decorative, but communicating that the church is an ark, a container for the redeemed. Much as Noah and his family was rescued by God, worshipers have been rescued by Jesus.

I remember walking into the former national cathedral of Canada when I was in my early 20s. I was overcome with awe. The colors. The smells. There was no doubt that it was a sacred space.

I also remember standing in a charismatic church in Cincinnati, Ohio, best described as a modern, plain, giant theater complete with cup holders attached to the chairs. There was a rock band on stage and not a stained glass window in sight. But I was undone with the presence of God in that simple room.

And it was a long time ago, more than a decade, that I was sitting in a gathering of church musicians. We were singing one of those amazing choral anthems that seem to transcend time. It was a beautiful piece of music in very sacred feeling space--a single massive stained glass window, a grand pipe organ, and more.

It, too, was a holy moment.

That is until after the cut off of the last note, the guy next to me--a colleague from another state whom I'd just met--said something like, "Moments like that don't happen in those metal-building churches that are popping up everywhere." And yes, there was disdain in his voice.

I believe that dear brother had an issue with idolatry.

Now before we shake our heads with disdain of our own, you and I could probably share the same kind of story. Maybe you were worshiping in a building that looks more like a shopping center, or one that is cathedral-esque. And you may have thought, "Finally, THIS is what sacred space is supposed to be."

Idols. 

They're everywhere.

And they are hard to see, especially when we are surrounded by them.

So look around. What is it that tempts your affections away from Jesus and toward itself? The kind of seating--pews or chairs? A beloved window? The color of the carpet or the paint on the walls? It can be just about anything. All of us deal with the temptation Paul mentions in Romans 1:25. We are inclined to worship created things rather than the Creator.

What makes a space sacred is the Presence of a holy God. It can be a barn or a forest, a meetinghouse or a basilica. Friends, let's remember where to place our eyes--on Jesus, the author and perfecta of our faith.

Next week it's gonna get real! We'll talk about the idol of music. Gulp.

Any thoughts y'all have about the idol of space?

The Idol of Fashion

What's an idol? Anything that becomes more important than, or gets in the way of, our relationship with God. It has been said that the Bible is the story of our idolatry and God’s desire to replace our idols with Himself. And as I wrote last week, I offer these thoughts confessionally, not judgmentally. I have been an idol worshiper, even an idol pusher.

So... fashion?
Chances are, you and I notice what people are wearing--may even their shoes--before we see the color of their eyes. We care a lot about what people wear.
We care even more about what the people on the platform wear, especially the preacher. The staff. Some would say "if the preacher is in a coat and tie, I feel like he is distant, even disconnected from God." Others say, "blue jeans and flip-flops are disrespectful and I just can’t worship like that." My brothers and sisters remember, anything that gets between you and Jesus is an idol.
The Bible doesn't give us a lot of clarity about how to dress in 2020. The toga might have been popular in Jesus' day. Not so much in today's worship gathering.
But still, fashion matters, and not in the ways we might think. Here are 3 things I believe are helpful in thinking about how to dress to lead worship:
1) Be modest.
2) Be considerate.
3) Be contextual.
Be modest. Let's go straight to scripture here. The end of Exodus 20 contains instructions about worship, specifically about sacrificing on an altar. God says, "Do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts may be exposed." (vs. 26, NIV) Seriously, that's in the Bible! So be modest. Don't draw attention to anything but Jesus. Nothing too short. Nothing too low-cut. Nothing too tight. Don't expose yourself, especially with the choice of your clothing. Our goal is for people to see Jesus, not us.Be considerate. If your grandmother attends your church, wear something that would please her. After all, chances are pretty good that somebody's grandmother is there. Be considerate of them. But also be considerate of the outsider, the person who hasn't yet found their way into your fellowship. Consider what they will think when they walk in for the first time. Look like you respect the church, the role you've been entrusted, and the God you worship.Be contextual. Dress like you really are from where you're serving. Don't try to dress like a Nashville artist if you live in Chicago. And don't try to be urban if you're in a country church. Dress like you, but dress like the best you in the community where you live. Think like a sociologist and a missionary. How do people dress in your town? Bridge the gap between the church you attend and the city where you live. Connect with the regular attender and the first time guest. If the preacher doesn't want to wear socks--in an effort to connect with the culture of his city--he can do that in a considerate way. Love people enough to tell them why you're connecting with those in your context.Bottom line, whether you are the one picking out the clothes to wear or the one noticing what is being worn, just don't let it be an idol.If you haven't read it, check out the previous post. Last week we started with an overview of five idols in worship gatherings in our day:

  1. Fashion

  2. Worship Space

  3. Music

  4. People

  5. Musical Style

Next week: pews or chairs... does the look of the space matter?

Minister of Idols?

"Do not make idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves." - Leviticus 19:4

That same instruction appears dozens of times in scripture. 

In fact, it has been said that the Bible is the story of the idolatry of humans and God’s desire to purge those idols and replace them with Himself. The more I read through our sacred texts, the more I agree.

But somebody has let the idols in. My fear? That's I've been the one to bring them in.

I fear I have been, not a minister of music but a minster of idols.

So let's ask ourselves what idols have made their way into our lives. And as a leader in worship (pastor, worship leader, platform and booth folks, committee leaders, etc) we should be intentional about asking what idols we have brought—or allowed—into our gatherings.

What is an idol? Anything that becomes more important than, or gets in the way of, our relationship with God.

I’d like to share just five that I’ve observed repeatedly and increasingly across 35 years of leading worship. And in order to be able to talk about all of them responsibly, this will be a series. I’ll introduce all five here, and then be you to explore them with me more thoroughly before determining that you and I aren’t idol-worshipers. Or idol pastors.

One more word: I offer these confessionally, not judgmentally. I have been an idol worshiper, an idol pusher. I am as guilty as anyone. But I don’t know about you. I don’t know if you’ve been as fallen and broken as I have or not. I simply invite you to look into the mirror of scripture and see what God shows you.

Speaking of scripture, remember that our enemy, when tempting Jesus, used scripture. You may find yourself doing what I’ve done—using the Bible to defend our idols. This is one of the reasons we need spiritual community. We can, full of grace and truth, point out the errors in one another. I offer these five under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and with grace.

  1. Fashion — some say "if the leaders are in coat & tie or long skirts and blouses, I feel distant from God." Others will say, "blue jeans and flip-flops are disrespectful and I just can’t worship like that." My brothers and sisters, anything that keeps you from worshiping is an idol. It has taken the place reserved for God.

  2. Space — I hear people talk about how contemporary worship spaces (chairs, black background, lights, and haze) are obstacles to worship. Others will describe stained glass, wooden pews, and formal architecture as cold and distant. If the place you’re in keeps you from encountering the sacred, the space has become more important to you than the sacred. 

  3. Music — Not style, just music. Some can’t wait for the music to end so they can get to the preaching. Others wish the music would have a bigger place. Music isn’t that important. While it is commanded by God in scripture to sing, music is only a medium and never an object. If music matters that much to you, it has become and idol.

  4. People — I just can’t listen to that preacher. I just can’t worship under that worship leader. I just can’t pay attention when that person is on stage. Oh how this must grieve the heart of God! If God can talk through a donkey, he can talk through the person you don’t want to listen to. If you aren't able to listen, then that person is getting in the way of you hearing God. That’s what idols do.

  5. Style — Yep. This is perhaps satan’s favorite tool of the last 50 years. "Old hymns leave me feeling disconnected." "New songs make me feel empty." Here’s the good news of scripture: you don’t have to depend on a style of music to encounter and experience God. Instead, be filled with the Spirit and you will find that the style of music becomes largely irrelevant.

One of the reasons I want you to stay with me for a further, deeper dive, is that the Bible actually talks about every one of these five things. They aren’t un-important. They are just easily made into idols. And while I’ve been quiet about these issues for decades, I hope I’ve finally gotten to the place personally, in my own soul, that I can talk about them as a servant, not as an expert. I want to serve you—the reader—with the ways God has delivered me from my own sins of idolatry in hopes that he may deliver you too.

Next week: does it really matter if my preacher wears socks or not? (Because too many, it does.)

Stop Producing THAT!


One of my favorite things about teaching is what I learn. I imagine the same is true for you as well. This past weekend I had the honor of teaching about time management at a local worship conference. In preparing, I learned something that has rocked my world.

Hang with me for a couple of paragraphs and I'll tell you straight out.

First, I reflected on how much I like producing stuff:
   --Rehearsals that are spiritually energized, relationally oriented, and musical productive;
   --Worship gatherings that are dripping with the Presence of God, build up the body, and testify to the not-yet-redeemed;
   --Meetings that are meaningful and effective, full of handouts that show how prepared I am;
   --Better musicians, and more effective worship leaders;
   --Events that are life-changing with shared leadership.

I could go on and on with the things I DO produce that are far less righteous sounding. Things like an impressive image, a good reputation, and a professional platform.

Ouch.

Second, I reflected on what God says I'm supposed to produce. I came up with three things. Just three:
   1) Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25)
   2) Christ-likeness (1 John 2:6)
   3) Disciples (Matthew 28:18-20)

I'm sure there are others, but they seem to be contained in those three.

If my calendar (aka my time-management) is to honor God, then I should spend more time doing the things that produce Spirit-fruit, Christ-likeness, and Jesus-followers.

So I'm curious. What could you and I stop producing SO THAT you and I could start producing more fruit, more of Jesus, more disciples? That's a question I expect to spend a good bit of time thinking about in the coming weeks, and one that may help me decide what to say "yes" to and "no" to as ideas come to my mind and invitations land in my in-box.

Maybe that's the key to all of the time-management challenges we face.