HOW TO ENHANCE ON
STAGE-PRESENCE.
As Worship leaders, or (lead Worshipers) our purpose is not
to model a personal Worship experience on stage. It’s not even most importantly
to perform well, but to facilitate corporate-Worship; to enable the people to participate
and engage to what is going on and to direct them to the truth of the Gospel!
When we remember that our role on stage is primarily one of servant leadership,
that it’s not about us and what we do but about God, we are freed to serve and
lead well! Thus the following are some tips:-
1. PRAY. We should know
that God is interested in our relationship with him more than what we do for
him! Therefore we ought to have a constant fellowship with God “EVERY DAY” and
he will fill us with insights and revelation on how to lead his people!
2. WATCH WHAT YOU DO. Be (or become) aware of
your body language and gestures. If you can, have someone take a video of you
leading worship so that you can observe yourself and see what you might be
doing, consciously or unconsciously, that is awkward, distracting or helpful.
Our body language and gestures should be natural, relaxed and appropriate.
Remember that you are seeking to invite and enable the congregation as a whole
to engage and participate in what is going on, not to be the poster child
for how a person “should” look when worshipping. Carefully consider
whether what you would normally do in private worship or as a participant
in the congregation–or even what you do naturally when you hear music–will be
more helpful or distracting when leading from the stage.
3.SING LIKE YOU MEAN IT. Sing
clearly and in such a way that people can easily sing along with you. We’re not
being good leaders if people can’t follow! Reflect on and give an appropriate
facial or bodily response to the words we sing. The intent is not that we “act
out” each song we sing, but rather show, by our expressions and actions, that
we understand and agree with what we’re singing. If a song is joyful, smile! When
singing a true statement about God, I will often affirm and agree
with the statement by nodding my head as I sing that
line. When singing a truth about our hearts, I often
indicate that by placing my hand over my heart. When we lead songs,
we are proclaiming that truth (telling that “story”) to everyone
there gathered, inviting them in to sing it and realize what we’re
saying with us.
4.CUT DOWN ON “DOWN TIME”. There
are two things that commonly happen to a congregant or a vocalist
during an instrumental solo or extended instrumental break in a song: either
they disconnect (because there’s nothing for them to do) and stand awkwardly
waiting for their next cue to sing, or they start noticing and admiring the
skill of the instrumentalist. Is this always the case? No. Is it often the
case? Probably. This is not to say that arrangements should be so simplified as
to cut out all intricacy and beauty, or
to deprive instrumentalists of using their skills to offer their
sacrifice of praise. But it is a call to worship leaders and arrangers to
consider what is going on for the congregation and the singers during
those times. Are all the interludes, solos, instrumental
transitions necessary? An overly showy arrangement with extended
instrumentals and/or solos can be just as distracting and awkward as a
song sung off-key.
5.USE READINGS AND TRANSITION WISELY.
Be reverent, conversational and sincere, but use appropriate expressiveness and
emphasis when you read or speak. Slow down a bit: don’t drag, but remember that
not everyone in the congregation is a fast or good reader. With regards to
readings, a seminary professor once pointed out that verbs are actually the
most important part of any given text. Practice emphasizing verbs instead of
pronouns, adjectives or adverbs. You’ll be amazed at how
this highlights the truths of Scripture.
6.SHOW AND TELL. Show or
tell people how the song we’ve just sung relates to what we’ve just done or are
about to do. Mention the Scriptural truth that gives us the basis for this
action, song, or activity. Be honest about how our feelings may not seem to
line up with what we’ve just sung or what we are about to sing, pointing out
that truth is not so subjective.
7.PRACTICE. “Practice,
practice, practice,”! One of the best ways to look and feel comfortable
and relaxed and engaging on stage is to know what you’re doing. Learn the words
and music to the songs so you can look up from the page and establish eye
contact with the congregation. Practice your readings out loud several times so
that you are familiar with all the words before the service. Run through the
order of the set and service as a team before going up on stage so that
everyone knows what’s happening when and where.
*BE BLESSED AS YOU MOVE
TO THE NEXT LEVEL*
