I can remember as if itwere yesterday, when it was actually over thirty years ago. As a high school
student my local church asked me to lead worship for the services. I can’t
remember if I was given this chance because they recognized some talent or I
was their only choice. (It was a very small church.)
We were having dinner with
some family friends and without fanfare or introduction the lady made a comment
about my leading: ‘you need to smile when you lead. Worshiping the Lord is
something to smile about.’
Today, thirty years later,
I am a worship leader at a local church and almost every week I am reminded by
that memory the importance of communicating not just through words and melody
but with our body language.
I know there are songs
that don’t call for a smile, but your face and body expression still need to
communicate.
I am amazed at how many
people can make great music and communicate effectively through the words and
melody and yet stand motionless without a smile while they sing. Honestly, this
is the wrong person to have on stage leading. Being a worship leader means
communicating and great communication must include pleasant body language that
states I believe what I am singing about and I believe in the God I am singing
about.
Smiling while singing did
not come easy for me, it is something I had to practice. Yes I practiced this.
I wanted to make sure that how I presented myself on stage did not hinder
someone else from worshipping.
Is it time we look at the
people who lead or help us lead worship each week? Don’t we need to see how
they are communicating? It is more, much more than making beautiful music.