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Worship Leaders, You Have Pastoral Roles Too!

Writer's picture: Dr. Janicka NewbillDr. Janicka Newbill





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.







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