For those who lead from a public platform there is often the post-presentation question, “Did anyone engage or resonate with what I prepared?” I had a conversation with a young worship leader recently about the minutes after leading a worship service, sitting down wondering if anyone was with you.
As worship leaders and teams it is sometimes easy to count on the affirmation of physical expression to guarantee that you haven’t lost the people. When it’s not there, or it is few and far between, it can be easy to slip into a few different reactions.
Bad Reaction 1.) INDIGNATION
This reaction says, “Those un-spiritual people – they really need to mature and get out of their comfort zone. Don’t they realize how much work we’ve done to prepare this time for them? They aren’t very grateful.”
Bad Reaction 2.) INDIFFERENCE
This reaction says, “Well, I am just going to worship and if anyone comes with us, great. If not, that’s their loss. The Holy Spirit will have to work in them so they can grow as worshipers.” This is the passive response that will never help anyone grow or participate in gathered worship, or see how they can continue to worship all week long.
Bad Reaction 3.) BEAT THE SHEEP
This reaction says (literally to the people), “Jesus died for you, the least you can do is sing to him! Come on! Let’s go!” It makes 99% of the congregation dig their heels in by either sitting down or putting their hands in their pockets. The other 1% are guilted into singing with abandon, afraid that the worship leader will harass them further if they don’t.
Recently I was talking to a friend who had just resigned as worship pastor at a church he served for a number of years. He said that rather than developing a negative feeling toward the people’s lack of response as he had done, he wished he would have assumed each weekend, that the people had come to worship. They just didn’t meet his expectations.
I got to thinking that it is true. The people who come have come to worship. They may not have come to worship the way that strokes my insecurity or need for affirmation, but they have come because they desire to meet with God. The Psalmist expressed this very thirst on paper (papyrus?) in Psalm 42:2 and it resonates still today among the people of God, gathered in His name. 
So what do we do when it seems there is dryness and no life in our gathered worship?
1.) POINT TO GOD THE FATHER, SON, SPIRIT
Worship is always a response to the revelation of God. So let’s read scriptures together that tell us who He is and what He’s done. Let’s sing songs about Him, what He is like, what He does. Let’s tell the stories of what God is doing among us in our communities of faith and then celebrate and thank God. As Matt Redman writes, “Worship starts with seeing.” Let’s pursue and cast a large and compelling vision of God, who is high above our thoughts or understanding.
2.) REMOVE DISTRACTIONS
If you are effectively pointing to Jesus and yet there is still a lack of response, there’s a good chance that there are some environmental distractions that are making it difficult for people to get on board with what is happening. Walk around your gathering space and think about what people experience while they’re there. From the time they walk in the door to the time they leave, what distracts? Are the lights helping or hindering? Are the lyrics projected in time for them to sing? Do the worship leader and team look like they want to be there? Does your room smell bad? Do your ushers smell bad? 🙂 Sound operators, media operators, singers and players are environmental architects, creating spaces for open conversation with God.
3.) PRAY
Our battle is not against people, but against spiritual obstacles and enemies. 2 Corinthians 10:4 So our prayers are effective in gaining ground ahead of the people, for the people. Our worship teams regularly spend time together at our practice praying for those who come, that the walls and barriers would be removed and there would be spiritual freedom.
4.) TEACH
This is where the worship leader steps into the role of worship pastor. Maybe not in a paid, vocational sense, but definitely in practice. Encouraging, teaching, and equipping the people to grow as worshipers of God is very pastoral and hugely needed. Taking moments to give specific directives, scriptural insights and nuggets of teaching is one way to help move the people into deeper waters.
Let’s assume that God is drawing hearts – that part isn’t up to us. He is doing it.
Let’s rather focus on fanning the flames and sparks of worship, thankfulness, and love toward Him.
The people have come to visit with God.
chadlangerud 