It really builds team and relationships when you know you can challenge someone and they will take it on board. A friend of mine who leads worship once mentioned to the guitarist that he felt he needed to try and be more creative in his playing. This guitarist took the encouragement on board and invested in his playing to improve his creativity. I thought that was a great example of having a teachable spirit.

Attitude towards others – Being involved in worship will inevitably mean being involved with a church. Along with leading people in sung worship, it is important to understand that as a worship leader you’re also called to be a pastor to those people you are leading. I therefore prefer it to have musicians who also see their role as being pastorally aware of those around them. It makes such a difference when band members are approachable to others and can be involved in encouraging people within the congregation. One of the things I value in the band I often use is that when we’ve led at different events, the musicians involve themselves with the people at the meetings. To me this models something very important. It demonstrates that everyone is working together and that just because someone is on a stage – it doesn’t make him or her any more important.


MUSICALITY:

Having talked about the importance of a band member’s character and attitude towards worship, it is also necessary to look at musical gifting. Someone may totally have the heart and values, but if they can’t play an instrument or sing in tune maybe their calling isn’t to be involved in the worship team. At times I’ve played with great people but hopeless musicians. To be honest their standard of play rather distracted people’s attention away from God and onto their hideously out of tune guitar or total lack of rhythm on the drums. So it kind of goes without saying that you do need a certain level of musical skill. Below I’ve put some of the qualities I look for in terms of the musical aspect of worship.