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Often, people among a body of worshiping Christians will say, "We were created for worship." That is true. God created man not just for His glory but for worship. However, there are many individuals in our congregation who need to understand this concept more. For many worshipers they believe in God. However, they are in need of more guidance about Christian worship due to the varying levels of their spiritual growth and experience. If their acts of worship are going to be sustained over time in order to become disciples and kingdom builders, they need to understand some essential foundations for Christian worship. Below are eight foundations that can help foster discussions and generate a more in depth examination through small study groups with believers and those who attend our churches that want to understand Christian worship.

1. The foundation for Christian Worship is the Word of God.

The revelation of who God is in regards to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost is revealed through the Word. That revelation commands, if not demands worship. The Word of God is infallible, a historical account of what was and is to come and nothing short of the truth. It is while reading the passages and discovering firsthand just who God is, one becomes compelled to offer God praise, adoration and words that acknowledge His greatness.

2. The foundation for Christian Worship is a right relationship with God.

The phrase, we were created for worship is said often. This is true because through adoration and reverence we establish a relationship with God. God is interested in dwelling and communicating with His creation. God is interested in worshipers who offer Him glory for his majesty as creator of heaven, earth, all things above and all things below. A proper relationship with God acknowledges his qualities such as everlasting, almighty, sovereign, master, redeemer, holy, glorious and more. God desires to have daily communion with His people through His Son Jesus Christ and by His Spirit, all of which establishes a right relationship with God.

3. The foundation for Christian Worship is the belief in Jesus Christ.

Christian Worship cannot exist without acknowledging Jesus Christ with regard to his birth, life and death on the Cross for our redemption. From the Garden of Eden to the birth of Jesus Christ, God always wanted to be amongst His people. Jesus Christ was the Old Testament tabernacle in the flesh, living, and walking among the people. Through Jesus Christ and believing in Him, we have access to the Father as a redeemed people covered in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. As Christian worshipers, we confess that Jesus is Lord, we worship him as Lord. We are to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. By believing in Jesus Christ, we have everlasting life in His name according to John 20:30. We have unhindered access, unlike Old Testament worship, to the Father through Jesus Christ as worshipers.

4. The foundation for Christian Worship is the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit draws people into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and makes their worship acceptable to God. "The Spirit is given to enable trust in the promises of the gospel and to bring men and women from every race into a sanctified relationship with God and with one another, in the community of the new covenant." Through this sanctification, our worship is acceptable and sanctified unto God whether it is through song, words of praise, the clapping of hands or kneeling in His presence.

5. The foundation for Christian Worship is servanthood.

In the book of Matthew, the Word states, "Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve,’" in Matthew 4:10. Jesus was telling Satan that man and God's creations are to serve God. Man and God's creations are to minister to God, render religious homage as acts of service, and to worship, or be worshipers of Him. Furthermore, surrendering and serving as worship provides opportunities to express gratefulness. “God is giving (us) grace to follow the example of Paul who said, ‘For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as our servants for Jesus’ sake.’ …we’re declaring allegiance to the Savior who came not to be served but to serve.

6. The foundation for Christian Worship is authentic worship.

"Throughout the centuries and around the world, people have tried to articulate what worship is and what worship does." To be sure that one's worship is authentic, personal importance must be placed on the fact that God searches the heart at all times. Authentic worship is always God-centered and free of a person's own ideologies, thoughts or will. John 4:23-24 admonishes that worshipers must worship God in Spirit and in truth. The worshipful act of reverencing God has to reflect what He desires and what He judges to be authentic. On the whole, worship that is authentic will reflect the depth of one's relationship with God. God desires to be Lord of His people.

7. The foundation for Christian Worship is sacrifice.

Romans 12:1-2 states, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." As living sacrifices, we are to worship God and serve others as representatives of Jesus Christ. Every opportunity to serve others is an acceptable sacrifice demonstrating worship that is pleasing to God and in alignment with living the example of Jesus Christ. We are His feet, hands and eyes when we serve and an opportunity for someone to experience salvation. As worshipers of God who live a sacrificed life, we are willing to be transformed and this change will be evident in our worship practices and in the way we treat other personally and publicly.

8. The foundation for Christian Worship is holiness.

Psalm 24:3-5 says, "...who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation." Today, that blessing and righteousness comes through the salvation of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. This is important because God desires his people to be holy so much so that, "we are being saved, in the present, from the power of sin. Although we shall never be sinless this side of heaven, God is at work within us by his Spirit to help us fight sin in our lives and become more like Jesus. We must certainly play our part and work hard to resist evil.

The worshiping believer needs to know that their Christian worship has a foundation. This foundation includes the Word of God, a relationship with God, belief in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. It also includes servanthood, authentic worship, sacrifice and holiness. The individuals who walk through our church doors represent a spiritual continuum. These are people are exploring Christ, growing in Christ, close to Christ or Christ-centered. For each of these groups to grow in their understanding of their created purpose, the foundations of Christian worship needs to be explored and understood.

A. W. Tozer, author of The Purpose of Man wrote, "God created man to worship. Man is the darling of the universe, the centerpiece of God's affection...God made man to be like Him so that man could give more pleasure to God than all the other creatures... Man is the reflection of the glory of God, which was the purpose and intention of God originally." There is significant truth to Tozer's statement, which is why understanding at least eight foundations of Christian worship is pertinent to the worshiping life of a believer.






A worship leader is more than just a person who stands in front of their congregation on Sunday morning and leads the congregation in singing songs that offer praise, adoration and thanksgiving to the Lord. A worship leader has several roles that shape their calling to lead others in worship on a weekly basis. An example of these roles include being a worshiper, a disciple, an evangelist, a professional, an artist, a musician, a servant leader, an administrator, a staff member, and even a pastor. Most worship leaders may have not considered the last role, but worship leaders have pastoral roles too. While worship leaders are not the senior pastor, there are actions similar to that of a senior pastor that worship leaders must practice. There are pastoral roles that worship leaders should implement in order to lead effectively in their congregation.

Although not an exhaustive treatise, this article answers the following questions:

· What are the pastoral roles of a worship leader?

· Do these pastoral roles have specific actions?

· Do these actions have an impact of the worshiping congregation?


Like a pastor, a worship leader needs to read the Bible daily. Worship leaders should read their Bible daily to not only hear from the Lord but to touch His presence through the Word. Psalm 119:105-109 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word. Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, And teach me Your judgments. My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law." As a worship leader, one cannot shepherd others without allowing God's Word daily to guide their life in all that they say and do.


Like a pastor, a worship leader must study the Word of God. Similar to the role of pastor, worship leaders need biblical preparation too. Worship leader should know and understand Old Testament and New Testament biblical principles. Through careful study, worship leaders will be able to understand how and why the Bible has a clear theme of worship. This theme is "intimately linked with all the major emphases of biblical theology such as creation, sin, covenant, redemption, the people of God and the future hope."[1] To serve the evangelical community and share the Word with others, worship leaders have to understand the direct biblical link of worship to these major emphases. This can only occur by studying the Word of God.


Like a pastor, a worship leader prays for their people. Just like the pastor's role is to pray, worship leaders need to pray for the worshipers also. Worship leaders have a responsibility to intercede for the people they are leading in ministry and in worship. Prayer needs to occur in order for worship leaders to be authentic in their worship and relationship of the true and living God. Worship leaders should also pray for their spiritual victory so that when they are leading worship, God's presence will manifest and find the corporate worship pleasing and unhindered by the cares and weights of this sin-filled world.


Like a pastor, a worship leader needs to practice fasting. The act of fasting draws a believer closer to God. During a fast, worship leaders can gain direction and understanding for the constant will of God. Worship leaders are not excused from this spiritual discipline. Fasting has a purpose for the worship leader. The purpose is to chasten the soul, to humble the soul, seek the Lord, and prepare for spiritual warfare.[1] These purposes are needed in order to lead others and be consistently reminded that worship is not about the worship leader but about glorifying God at all times.


Like a pastor, a worship leader provides guidance for their church's worshipers and the ministries they oversee. Worship leaders need to be committed to teaching people about worship and helping them understand the purpose and outcome of authentic worship. Worship leaders have a responsibility to be prepared to answer worshipers' questions about living a lifestyle of worship. Worship leaders have to be willing to offer guidance and suggestions that will strengthen a worshiper's spiritual walk with the Lord.


Like a pastor, a worship leader needs to live above reproach. The life of a worship leader is on display to their family, friends, co-workers, church family and ministry family every day. Although worship leaders are not perfect, they have to be conscious of the fact that their actions can draw someone to a relationship with Christ. Or, their actions can be a stumbling block that hinders someone in understanding what true righteous living looks like today. The spiritual cost and price is too high to not seek to live a life above reproach. Worship leaders are surrounded by temptation daily. However, worship leaders must stay focused on the larger picture, which is their relationship with Christ.


Like a pastor, a worship leader maintains the heart of a servant. Other than being humble, worship leaders need to understand that they are to serve God and His people. Every day is an opportunity to be in service with and for God. People have a desire to worship. The role of a worship leader includes serving in such as way that the people's desires for worship will be met through their relationship with Christ. As a servant, this means worship leaders' time and agendas are truly not their own but the Lord's. Worship leaders' time and agenda are designed to serve and the only way to embrace this idea is to maintain a servant's heart.

It may seem that the list of a worship leader's responsibilities just became longer, however, let's examine that thought in the light of the words of Stephen Miller, author of Worship Leaders We are Not Rock Stars. "When a worship leader leads the church in corporate worship...he or she is taking on the role of Christ's undershepherd, helping to create an atmosphere and environment where people can meet with God and find spiritual refreshing and nourishment."[1] In other words, as Christ's undershepherd, a worship leader takes on pastoral roles too. Like pastors, they are to daily read the Word, study the Word of God, pray for their people and fast. Worship leaders are to provide guidance, live above reproach and maintain having a servant's heart. These pastoral roles in action will enable a worship leader to be more personally and spiritually equipped to lead the people of God in worship.







OUR FOCUS

God created us for worship and in order to fulfill our destiny as worshipers, we must seek after God's will, His heart and our purpose as servants of the true and living God.

CONTACT

Teshua Ministries

(856) 627-9688

teshuaministries@gmail.com

 

Steven J. Byrd

Byrddove MGMT 

(216) 702-4082

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