Ragamuffin Soul - Latest Comments in Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

dave — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:29:57 -0000

i think you should be ashamed of yourself man... quite worship leading if you're that insecure... why dont you ask your pastor that question.... then talk to God about it... who do you think you are?? get over yourself then maybe you'll be an effective "worship leader"... jackass.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Luke — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 05:46:55 -0000

I think that most people above are being too picky. No worship leader is perfect, you are there to worship God. My worship leader is great, there are things that annoys me but I ignore them and concentrate on God instead. No worship leader is perfect, so cut them some slack!

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Brad — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:50:37 -0000

Growing up in the church of Christ, we had "songleaders," and everyone sang (in four-part harmony, mind you) with the songleader. There was no stage, often no multi-watt sound system and no instruments...just Christians engaged in communal worship - when it was done right, that is. Often, the music became a chore for most people, and "going through the motions" during worship was the norm. Now that I worship in a non-denominational church (instrumental), I am often distracted by many of the things that have been mentioned here: commands from the worship leader (raise your hands, etc.), talking during the music, sloppy musicianship and lack of planning...the list goes on. However, the one thing that irks me the most is when the worship leader does not sing the melody of the song being sung by the congregation. It causes me to hearken back to my days in the C of C when I was directing music. Yes, we used hymnals, and one of the songleader's primary responsibilities (due to the lack of instruments) was to pitch the song and actually "lead" the congregation by singing the melody. In many churches today, it is impossible to follow a worship leader because he/she does not sing even familiar songs in a recognizable fashion. A music teacher told me many years ago, "The song has already been composed - just do your job and play the notes." Don't get me wrong, being led by the spirit surely has its place in worship. However, when you are responsible for leading hundreds, sometimes thousands of people in song, it helps to actually sing the composed melody of a song, especially with songs the congregation already knows.

Brad

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Becky — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:27:57 -0000

Update: We visited a small church last Sunday night and they immediately asked if I could lead worship for them. A friend of mine had told them that I lead and what we had encountered while living here. They said that they had been praying for God to send a worship leader and are so excited about it! I'm praying about it but so far feel led that I should help out.

Leigh, I feel so badly about what is happening to you. I do not fit the stereotypical "young guy in t-shirt and jeans" either. Even though I play a contemporary style, my looks are deceiving (46 year old mom who is known to wear skirts to church). And even though the contemporary stuff is great, it's good to throw some of the hymns and older stuff in there now and then for the sake of the people who have been around a while.

They don't know what they are missing out on by selecting someone with maturity to fill in and maybe mix things up a bit! I'm not sure of your situation, but you know there are a lot of churches who really need good worship leaders, and age does not matter to them.

Also, I'm finding that the church is not the only place to play gospel music. There are coffee houses, fairs, etc. that would probably appreciate your talent, too!!!

Blessings to you and to your desire to continue to use your talent for HIM!

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Joni — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:22:05 -0000

Ugh. I can't say that most worship leaders are interested in building a cult but it does seem to happen around them. Fortunately the people we serve with now are pretty humble but we've seen what you're talking about too. Kind of sad. I take comfort in knowing that God is truly in charge and has it all in His sight.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

leigh 77 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:46:52 -0000

Most worship leaders today are interested in building a cult around themselves. See for example: Chris Tomlin. The guys you see in front of churches are usually wearing the faux mohawk haircut, worn jeans, and are just cookie cutter in appearance. They are mostly interested in promoting themselves - trust me. I am an older guy, playing for multiple years in a worship setting. I have led worship in churches other than where I worship today, but the worship pastor does not have me in that role. As an example of the mentality of the young leaders I come into contact with, one evening at rehearsal, the worship pastor had selected this younger guy to lead worship. He knew I was available but did not select me. He came in late to practice, said he was sorry but he had just gotten the word that he was needed to lead. I quote: "I just got the call from XXX that I needed to be here cause there wasn't anyone else around to lead". I looked at him and said, " RXXXXXX, you should be careful to remember that this is a privilege and not a right. There are a lot of folks who have the ability and calling to do what you have been asked to do, but haven't been selected. Don't disrespect your brothers by thinking this is something only you can do." This is a guy who walks around asking, "Do I look hot?" He is trying to act like it's a joke but he loves the attention he gets from all the women on the WT.

And this is typical of the guys I have met. They think they are God's gift, rather than realizing that all their gifts come from God and He can take them away and all the opportunity in an instant.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

scott — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:13:56 -0000

We need a worship leader, male or female, who can front our band at The River Church in Canton, GA. If interested in filling in and trying out, go to www.riveratlanta.org and email us. We prefer someone who plays guitar. I'll take anyone who loves Jesus and senses God's strong leading to be with us. I'll even take someone who violates some of the above gripes...

Let us hear from you, and give us some info about yourself or attach a resume'.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Becky — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:20:04 -0000

In the first church all I did was sing a song, not become part of the team. In this particular church I know the pastor did let the worship leader and her husband know that we were going to be there beforehand.

When I was a worship leader I was under the authority of the pastor, and to my knowledge, that's the way it is supposed to be. Yes, I had a certain amount of freedom, but I did not have the freedom (or the want to) to make someone feel unwelcome.

But for now I will be happy doing other ministries...and those wonderful older folks in the nursing home will be more than happy to join in on some songs...

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Joni — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:43:54 -0000

Becky, in those instances, it sounds less like the insecurity of the worship leader as it does a lack of leadership and communication between the pastor and the worship leader. For a pastor to involve a new artist without including the worship leader in the process is a little undermining I think. Sadly, the worship leader needs to not take it out on you but address the leadership issues between he/she & the pastor. I've been in the situation where church leadership did not trust the worship leader and it just ruined the team. Hang in there.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Becky — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:00:16 -0000

I lead worship for years and have played keys since I was 7. We recently moved and have been visiting churches looking for a church to settle into. We settled at one church for a short while but the pastor asked me to do a song, and after I did the worship leader made several comments about "going through him" to do a special, and even made comments (on several occasions) to my husband that HE was the leader and they didn't need anyone else to help with worship. Yikes. I hadn't even asked to help. I just did the song that the pastor asked me to. So after praying about it, we thought it would be best to try another church.

Now we've found another church that we dearly love. The worship leader is quite young and she has just started to learn to play. The pastor invited us to worship practice as they are a small church and are in need of help and, once again, the worship leader treated me very cold, to the point of pretty much ignoring that I was there (there were 4 people total...).

I'm not trying to take anyone's position. I've prayed and asked God for the right spirit, because I don't ever want a contentious spirit in my heart. As a leader and a musician at Vineyard churches, I learned to be open and enjoy the gifts God has given us. Unfortunately, the nearest Vineyard is many miles from here.

Our hearts are also in other worship (kindness ministries, nursing home ministries--there are many ways to worship God). So we are planning to do those things to help out the church we are attending.

I guess my pet peeve about worship leaders (I've just recently found this out) would be insecurity. Open your heart and let others help; it's not about us, anyway, it's about HIM! When we work together, abilities multiply and He is glorified!

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Carol — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:12:56 -0000

I would guess that I am older than most here. There has been a lot of use of the word "I", The funny thing is, most what I see are complaints about preference. He/she to talks too much?don't want to be told what to do (i.e. raise our hands)-then don't, if you don't feel led by the Spirit/don't like candy wrappers/don't like to shake the hands of those around us (have YOU ever been new, and felt lonely? I have.

I see a couple of valid Scriptural things here. One of them to be sure, is their walk not matching their talk. I think I would need to perhaps talk to the Pastor about this, and/or find a new church. The other might have to do with not being able to end a song, and I say that because it "could" be that person wants to stay up front longer, and cannot let go of the spot light.

Something that concerns me in the singing portion of the worship service, is that we don't know how to be quiet anymore. The music has to be at deafening decibel levels, and I am sorry, but I cannot hear the "still small voice of God" in all of that. Has anyone ever thought what a worship service would have been like in the first century, or what they are like in underground churches? I am convinced they are passionate in their worship, but they (the underground church) cannot afford to be loud. What would we do if we couldn't have all of our noise? Please do NOT misunderstand me, I LOVE music, and have been on a worship team in the past. I have just been wondering, with all of the distractions outside of the church, has our worship music become one of them? Not the leader, but the music. I have heard people say they cannot worship w/out music.
I am sorry, I will stop here. I know I have gone on too long already.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Chris — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:02:38 -0000

I've read each and every comment and there are many things to think about and some to learn from, but the biggest discouragement for me is that worship in many churches seems to be about catering to certain people...like the squeaky wheels, big givers, certain staff members, specific age groups,or even your boss's personal tastes.

When did worship become about us? When did it become about our preferences and consumer wants? It just seems so self-serving. We cater to the audience's wants and if we satisfy them well enough then they will stay in our church, maybe bring friends, and "pay" us for our service via the tithe (you know what I mean).

I see so many people in churches trying to manipulate things towards their own preferences (I guess that is called, "influence" in most churches). Wink, wink. They don't do it for evil intent, it just happens. Then, we worship leaders get very frustrated about one thing...are we spending our time learning how to worship God better and be a better worship leader, or are we learning how to please our "base" more and satisfy our customers?

It has frustrated me to the point of considering leaving the ministry. Your thoughts?

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

lee — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:13:16 -0000

being a worship leader myself I can appreciate some of the comments given; but I am reminded of an interview I heard of a well known Christian artist recording his latest cd He prayed givemesongs thatwill touch thehearts of people.a reasonable request I said, but then came Gods reply." I don't want you to write songs that will touch people's hearts. i want you to write songs that will touch my heart" I tell you that it hit me where it hurts. how powerful and how true. Let me tell you it gave me an entirely new perspective on song selection and everything else that goes with it. I may not be the best worship leader but I am encoursged to know that there are people praying for me. perhaps this is something we should all do.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Naomi — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:11:07 -0000

Also, in response to The Epic Beat (commenter): Why don't we all discuss what exactly is worship? What does the Bible say worship is? Forget what the world says-what does God say?

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Naomi — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:02:16 -0000

I couldn't have possibly read all the comments but I'd like to say what I think. I think the worst thing that can happen in any worship setting is distraction. The point is to worship God and fellowship with Him, be focused on Him, so when, for example the worship leader interrupts a song or the worshipful setting with something like a sermon or telling people to stand in the middle of the song, I just think this is uneccessary. But the distraction that bothers me the most is when you're trying to follow the lead of the worship leader and they break off, mid-verse, into some 'unique' way of singing that song or even just one word of that song that NO ONE can follow! People can't follow along with that and it just ends up being a show he's/she's putting on AND a distraction from being with God. I guess I just think it's rude. It would be one thing if someone in the audience were to sing in such a way but the job (and a special job it is) of the worship leader is to help people to be in the presence of God by their (the audience's) honest worship of Him. The worship leader needs to keep it simple.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Sam L — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:59:02 -0000

Shut up and sing!

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Shayne — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:25:37 -0000

Wow. I'm not a worship leader per se, I sing on the praise team at my church. And I find most of these comments heartbreaking.

I was privileged once to be under the leadership of a guy whose heart was to see congregational led worship. He wanted to get rid of the stage, and let the people go to God themselves. Because that's how it will be in Heaven. No worship leaders or praise teams. Just a vast sea of grateful souls lifting up their voices in praise to Jesus.

So I think, since there is such unhappiness with the worship leaders, that maybe we should just do away with stages and music and praise teams. That way, there won't be ANY distractions and people can just worship God. Because I know that's what everyone is after right? No one on this forum is looking to be catered to or entertained right???

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Kristen — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:45:24 -0000

Wow, reading all of these comments make me absolutely terrified to step foot on a stage and lead anyone in anything ever again. I guess it's a good thing I'm only playing for an audience of One huh?

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Greg — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:13:11 -0000

As a worship leader, I love when I get before the congregation, and they look bored to tears. I just get this thrill that I"m doing God's work right, especially when the teenagers are texting during the songs. I also get a strong dose of the Holy spririt when I look around and can tell from the stressed look on everyone elses face that they are terrified of what the person sitting next to them may think if that sing the words at an audible volume. Can I get an AMEN?
Seriously, I'm not jumpin down anyones throat, I'm just curious as to what everyone here who threw in their 2 cents about their worship leader would do different if they had to lead peaple. Can we make that the blog topic and have the people who so graciousely chastized their worship leader through this forum come up with the perfect way to lead worship? Just a thought.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

alex mclean — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:48:06 -0000

I hate it when worship leaders don't lead people.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Tiffany Sellers — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:47:46 -0000

I don't like it when prayer is "used" as a transition--you know when the band just played a really fast song and then they want to do a slow one so they stick a prayer in there to bring the mood down.

And on the note of prayer transitions--I hate it when whoever does the prayer "sets up" the next song by using the title in the prayer (i.e. "Thank you God for being Mighty to Save...") even when it has nothing to do with anything else they've prayed...

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Sam Middlebrook — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:34:57 -0000

I hate it when worship leaders become more like cheerleaders.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

MoPar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:57:27 -0000

What I hate...

When people make worship all about them and not about God.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Joshua — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:01:15 -0000

I think worship pastors should be able to go to people's place of employment or follow them along as they do what they are gifted at and complain and mock everything they do... Fair?

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Hate It When My Worship Leader…

Simone Widney — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:57:14 -0000

I'm catching up on your blogs, Los, so sorry for the delay in responding.

The music minister at our former church is immature, unprepared, lazy, unfocused, and incompetent at her job. But she is a very sweet, likable person.

Elizabeth's voice is high and rather shrill. All of the songs she choses are in her key, which is higher than most people's. She was asked to lower the key of the selections and to take voice lessons. She went to a couple lessons but stopped. Didn't lower the key either.

Her clothing choices were so bad, a board member's wife took her shopping. And, she got a great stylist to do her hair. She looked great for a couple of months. Elizabeth started showing up in mix-matched rumpled clothing and her hair looked like she just rolled out of bed. When asked about it, she said she just couldn't be bothered putting that much time into her appearance.

Elizabeth was sent to an intensive - and expensive - music conference halfway across the world. When she came back and was asked how it was, she said, "It was okay."

People were dropping like flies from the choir and the band, under Elizabeth's leadership. The pastor gave her several leadership books to read. A few months later, she was asked about the books. Elizabeth told her boss she never read them.

For 3 years, for Christmas/Easter productions, other people came up with the idea for the production, wrote, executed and produced them. Elizabeth, as worship director, got the credit. Last year, her best friend did the production. It was all over their MySpace pages.

Elizabeth was not fired. She was promoted.