Leading Change: 5 Ways to Change the Worship Enviroment

I work in a church that is truly an amalgamation of different denomination coming together in one worship service.  A melting pot of denominations if you will.  All different backgrounds joining together in song and prayer and me – an amalgamation myself.  My personal history in different churches has shown me many different ways in which people respond in moments of worship.  From demonstrative to reserved and everything in between.

So what about a church pursuing a transition in worship?  Generally churches looking to transition from a more traditional worship experience to a more contemporary one are also looking to see a change in how their congregation responds as well.  So how does a worship leader do that?  (I mean aside from taking the mic and making comments that come across as more of a chastisement than encouragement – oh you know what I am talking about, we’ve all said something like that at least once).  This is something that takes time so be patient and be encouraged to know that you are not alone.

While this is not an exhaustive list, here are 5 ways to encourage change in the way your congregation worships.

1. The Pastor – It may seem strange for a worship leader to think of the Pastor as the focal point of worship response but it is not as strange for a congregation.  They tend to look toward how the Pastor is responding to the worship in order to determine their response.  I know it sounds funny but think of it this way.  If you have a passionate band and worship team but the pastor is stone faced and not participating that sends some message – even if it is subtle – to the congregation.  If you want to see how a congregation will respond, look toward the Pastor.  If the pastor doesn’t want to see a change, it will be a hard go of it.

2. The Worship Pastor – sorry in this scenario we are number 2 on the totem pole.  But just as important is how we respond in those worship moments.  I mean the moments outside of just the music too.  How you respond dictates how they will feel comfortable responding.  And let’s be honest we all have days when we just don’t feel it.

3. Write about it – Use your newsletters, blogs, and other outlets to educate through scripture and experience about worship response.  Our goal as worship leaders is to see people connect with a loving and wonderful God – whatever that may look like for them.  Showing biblical examples (I mean c’mon you can always go back to the old David dancing naked well…) and encouraging people through all mediums available to you will help to break down those walls that keep people from freedom in worship.

4. Talk about it from stage – without chastisement.  Take an appropriate moment to explain why worship posture is appropriate, what hands raised means, and the like.  You truly are leader and teacher.  Now understand the line between encouragement and demeaning.

5. Pray about it.  I cannot overstate this step.  Prayer is the foundation for any change personal or corporate.  No matter how hard you try or how brilliant you are, it is the moving of the spirit that changes hearts.

Was this any help?  What did i miss? What have you seen in your experience?

Related posts:

1. 5 Ways the Worship Leader is Responsible for the Sound…
2. Who Dictates Your Worship Music Style?
3. Non-Lyric Lyrics in Worship. La De Da De De: Scatting for Jesus
4. 10 Things Every Worship Leader Wishes Their Sound Person Knew (and vice versa)
5. Grace Church Set List 6.13.10