When I observe some of my favorite worship leaders I know what to expect. Their natural skills and gifts take over and the Spirit is able to work through them. For example, I know that when my friend Steve Maxwell leads, I am going to experience the "Joy of the Lord." He brings energy and a smile that is infectious. What he does each time he leads, is remove myself from the picture and puts my focus on the one who created that joy.

In John's gospel he writes, "The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less." (3:29-30)

A worship leader is one who attends to Christ, to the bridegroom, and makes God greate. He is responsible for leading people in prayer, in song and drawing worshippers to God's glory and excellence: a God centered worship. The focus needs to be on substance, not in the distractions that come if you focus on style, performance or the latest cultural trends.

A skilled worship leader that has "undistracting excellence" helps us to think about God and think about Him alone.

D

Derek and Luke - I love your comments! What special thoughts about the role of worship leading. - KL