My Philosophy on Worship.

I was thinking about my philosophy of worship during camp.
There were quite a few things that made me think about this.
But this is my philosophy of worship, not just at camp, but everywhere.
So here we go:

During camp, I tried my very best not to let any of the campers on stage during the worship, to serve on the team, for multiple reasons.
1. Serving on the worship team is a ministry. And it takes concentration. Sometimes this concentration blocks your worship. Trust me...I know all about it. This may impact your worship time and may create frustrations, rather than relaxation during worship.
2. If you are on stage, you may be missing a total God moment that you experience with your friends and family off stage.
3. Worship is definitely a privilege. If I can lead worship, just by myself, and the campers are experiencing that worship moment, then I have done what God desires of me to do, but if I'm desperately in need of "other band members" then who am I putting my trust in concerning worship...if that makes sense. I believe if you have one person, with or without an instrument, with the gift of worship, you don't even need a band. Just you, God, and worship.

Okay, moving on....
My philosophy on repeating songs. I was asked by my Dad during Camp Wakefield why I didn't try out some new slow songs instead of doing the same three or four slow songs each night, different order, based on what God pushed me to do. Well, the answer is simple:
-If we repeat things in our heads, like "I will have a good day today", then guess what? Your heart follows that and you end up having a good day. Same goes with worship. If we repeat the lyrics of worship songs in our heads, and with our mouths, our hearts will soon follow.
-I've noticed since camp that the repeated songs that we have used are now facebook status' and I've gotten text messages asking about the songs we've done. If I can introduce songs and repeat them, and people enjoy worshiping to them, then my job as a worship leader is progressing. "More I Seek You" & "You Are For Me" are the ones we definitely repeated a lot, as well as "Jesus at the Center of It All".
-The more songs we repeat, the more these kids can enjoy worship, instead of having to look at a screen for words. If the lyrics of a worship song are simple, the better and more profound the worship is, in my opinion. If a song is too wordy, it becomes a distraction.

Next philosophy:
Worshiping before hand as an individual and as a band.
This does not mean practice. This means worship.
Yes, you can worship during practice....but something I believe in is fasting, praying, etc. before I lead worship. This means taking the ten minutes or so before you lead worship to put worship music on that touches your core piece, praying over pews, alters, musical instruments, sound equipment, etc. and enjoying your own God time before enjoying everyone's God time together. I'm a FIRM believer in praying with your band over the people's hearts, your hearts, music stuff, etc. beforehand. This is the best way to start your service as a worship team.

Worship is anywhere: I think praying is a form of worship. Writing. Drawing. Painting. Taking photographs. It can be anywhere: your car, your room, a restaurant, church (obviously haha), bathroom, in the shower, etc. Practice worship any and everywhere. It pleases God and enhances your relationship/intimacy with Him.

This one is going to offend:
If you're heart is on stage to sing or play an instrument because you're good at it, don't be on the worship team.
If you're heart is not into that worship that day, don't fake it. Don't be on the worship team.
If you are burnt out but are being asked to serve, be honest. Don't be on the worship team.
Being on the worship team, or leading worship, is a true privilege, but don't make it a chore. Allow God to sing/play through you and use that time to worship God....not the leaders of your church, your church members, or pastors. Worship is about you and God.
If you are exhausted and don't feel Spiritually prepared, don't lead worship.

I know this all sounds harsh, but worship is not about performing at all. In fact my favorite quote is:
"The best worship leader is forgotten by the end of the set." ....that's my goal. To step out of the way, and allow God to shine through worship. To set up an incredible "God-moment-filled" worship for people. But if my heart is not into it, it will show.



I thought about all this stuff last night, but had to share it.
Worship is a privilege and it's amazing.
So let's worship today, like no other. God is good. (: