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 19 Go therefore and  make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)

When we stand before our churches as worship leaders, there is a great responsibility being entrusted to us. Sometimes the measure of success has been evaluated by how many people you can get to sing, or raise their hands, or respond in some way.  Often times the importance of what is happening in the hearts and minds of people can go undetected from our limited perspective.  We must remember that outward forms of worship, apart from us growing in obedience as disciples of Jesus is a recipe for disaster every time.

The mandate given to the church in Matthew 28 is to go and make disciples.  What does this have to do with leading worship you ask - everything.  I would contend that discipleship is the very fuel for worship. When our minds are saturated with correct theology, our hearts are filled with tenacious love, and our lives marked by ever increasing obedience - there is a beautiful collision.  As worship leaders, it is vital to see the connection between leading worship and the discipleship process.  As we lead in worship, we are assisting in making disciples.

Dallas Willard says of discipleship, “…you lead people to become disciples of Jesus by ravishing them with a vision of life in the kingdom of the heavens in the fellowship of Jesus.  You do this by proclaiming, manifesting and teaching the kingdom to them in the manner learned by Jesus himself.”  When we step in front of our church and lead people in worship, various things are happening in order to make disciples.  We are proclaiming God’s worth and glory, teaching the scriptures and theology through song, modeling what Jesus-centered worship looks like.  We are teaching, through word and music - what is is to be a disciple.

Pray for the people that you lead in worship.  Pray that their lives would continually be shaped into the likeness of Christ, and that together you would grow in Godliness.   Pray that together, you would grow as disciples of Jesus, and that your continued discipleship would be fuel for worship.  

 

Reflections:

As a worship leader, have you neglected first becoming a disciple? How and why?

How and when will you start a healthy conversation with your worship team about the importance of discipleship both for the team, and your church?

What steps do you have in place to ensure your continued growth not only as a worship leader, but first as a disciple?