JESUS, TAKE THE WHEEL

A few years ago there was a popular Country song called, "Jesus, Take the Wheel."  It's a fun, yet meaningful song, about letting Jesus take control of our crazy lives.  Fun to listen to, difficult to put into action.

When speaking of "leading worship" in churches, the assumption is that, because we ARE in a church, and because we ARE singing Christian songs, then certainly we are giving Jesus the freedom to do as He desires with our music and worship leading.  Yet, I wonder how true that really is.

Are we truly letting Jesus "take the wheel" of our worship leading?

As I have pondered this over the past several years, I have come to the conclusion that sometimes we do, and sometimes we don't.  And, sadly, I believe often times we don't really let Jesus "take the wheel."  This has become especially true in today's worship culture.

Before we discuss this further, we need to agree on what "worship" is.

For the purpose of this blog post (and in alignment with Scripture) "worship" is not "a collection of songs."  This may come as a huge shock to many of today's worshipers who have been misled over the past few decades by the growing trend to "professionalize" and "perform" worship songs in churches.  Worship is only one thing - it is our full response to the God of all creation for all He is with all we are.  Music can LEAD us to worship, just as prayer can lead us, or a sermon can lead us, or silence can lead us.  But music - in and of itself - is simply NOT "worship."  Along the same lines, we don't "watch worship" (as so many of today's believers will say).  We ENGAGE in worship.  We PARTICIPATE in worship.  We DO worship.  When all we do is observe "a worship set" we are not in the act of worshiping God.  

So, with that as a working definition of "worship" let me unpack my thoughts.

PRESENTATION VS. PREPARATION
We live in a time when the presentation of our music has become far more important than the preparation.  By "preparation" I am not referring to rehearsals, I am talking about aligning our hearts with the guidance, leading and power of the Holy Spirit as we approach the role of "worship leader." This is true of all the musicians, by the way - not just the "assigned worship leader."  

It is a simple reality that many of today's churches have followed the current "Contemporary Worship" model as seen from movements like Hillsongs, Jesus Culture, Elevation Worship and the like.  These are not wrong - not at all.  There are people in those churches who absolutely worship God, as best as I can tell or

know.  Yet, there is also the unmistakable "performance-driven" aspect to current worship music trends that did not exist just a few decades ago which has been a distraction to the authentic worship of God.  My concern is that as this trend continues to grow, God will become far less important.  We will create a type of "fake worship" that does not honor God.

Why is that?

I believe the main issue has to do with the advancement of technology.  Technology is wonderful! I love new technology!  It's amazing that I can create a finished, radio-ready song on my desktop computer using software that replicates the giant 2-inch tape in those 24-track studios we all used not that long ago.  That said, many of us have gotten a little lazy and have chosen to rely on technology, rather than spend more time enhancing our God-given talents and abilities in music.

Many of today's church musicians (ie: "worship leaders") spend time listening to the latest YouTube links of popular worship bands and then strive to replicate what they hear - exactly!  This makes me so sad - as a musician and as someone called to help lead others into a place of true worship of God.  There is an unstated notion here that if we sound just like the recording, then our "worship" will be better.  This is absolutely not true at all.  Not at all.  Your worship will never be "better" even if you sound exactly like the Elevation Worship Band in your presentation, but your heart preparation has been void of a truly Spirit-led and Spirit-filled encounter with God.  It will be fantastic MUSIC - but it will not be "better worship."

MY TAKE ON TECHNOLOGY AND WORSHIP
I believe that the more technically complicated we become in our presentation of our music, the more it takes away from the actual worship of God being DRIVEN BY Jesus "taking the wheel."  Think about this - one guy at a piano with one vocal mic requires a certain set-up.  The need is quite small from a technical stand point.  It may not be as exciting as watching a full band with lights and fog machines and giant video screens - but, believe it or not, actual worship of God can occur in a simple musical presentation such as this when the person leading is allowing the Holy Spirit to "drive."  

If you add one more vocalist who plays an acoustic guitar you have now doubled your NEED for tech - another mic for the singer and another input for the guitar.  Add a bassist who sings - you have tripled the need.  Add a drummer - more mics.  Add an electric guitar - another input.  Every additional instrument and singer that we add to the mix demands more from the tech team.  It also demands a tighter unity within the band. This is typically what causes the music portion of the worship gathering to become more "performance-driven."  I honestly think it's less about ego and more about simply needing to keep all the balls balanced - which means more perfection among the band members, singers and tech team.  On top of that, we need to make sure that our songs match the words on the screen to avoid confusion.  By simple logic, this means WE are "taking the wheel." When we allow this model to DRIVE our worship, there is absolutely no room for the Holy Spirit to lead as He feels led to lead us.

Let me say this - I have worshiped with, and participated in worship leadership, where the musicians all share the same mindset as to why they are doing what they do.  Perhaps they have played together a long time so there is far less of a "learning curve" among the band.  And perhaps the band members and vocalists share a unified idea of what worship as led by the Holy Spirit looks like.  In those cases, the problems are far less present.  But for most churches today, this is not the case.  That freedom to move WITH the Holy Spirit is highly tampered simply because of technology or, dare I say, the LOVE OF technology.  

What drives our worship - the Holy Spirit or the Tech?  This is a question you will need to ponder on your own with your musicians and tech team - and your Pastor!

SPEAKING OF THE PASTOR
I am a firm believer that the Pastor of your church is the "second worship leader" following the leading of the MAIN worship leader - the Holy Spirit.  The Pastor's role is to shepherd the flock and that includes the church musicians and tech team.

For many pastors, the idea of "letting go of the reins" is difficult.  They carry a heavy burden to make sure the boat moves in the right direction and ensure quality, consistency and continued church growth.  This responsibility is huge for pastors and, therefore, they tend to be a bit controlling and/or micro-managing.  I totally get that and I thank God I am not the Senior Pastor of a church!  Honestly, it would drive me nuts.

That said - Pastors... listen.  You NEED to do the unthinkable.  If you want your music and other leadership to truly honor you and follow your leading, then you need to loosen the grip on these people gifted by God in creative areas that support and enhance your ministry.  You need to allow them to do what THEY do best so that you can do what YOU do best.  Most pastors are not quality musicians.  They might have a feel for what they enjoy or maybe they took piano lessons when they were eleven, but there is a reason you hired pro-musicians to lead the music in your church - bluntly, they are better than you at that task.  So, let them do what God has crafted them to do.  Stop handcuffing them by micro-managing them.  Otherwise you will yank the wind from their sails.

Musicians... listen.  You are called by God to fully support the pastoral and elder leadership of your church.  If the pastor wants you to sing a particular praise song 8 weeks in a row, you will do that - even if you are dog-tired of that particular song.  You can certainly offer your suggestions for other song ideas but, in the end, you follow the leading of that pastor.

MUTUAL TRUST
This is the key - the absolute must!  The pastor must TRUST the musical leadership and the musicians must TRUST the pastor.  This is far easier said than done - trust me - been there, done that, bought the app!  The pastors AND the music leaders need to discover TOGETHER how best to let Jesus "take the wheel" and then faithfully and boldly move together to help lead their church into deeper worship encounters of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.  When we reach this place of mutual trust and honor for each other, that is when things will "take off" so to speak.  I dare you to test me on this... no, really - try it and see what happens.

It's time to do all we can to give Jesus the wheel of our worship leading so that our churches can truly become healthy and growing fellowships of believers shining as lights in this dark world.