WorshipSource.com

At some point or the other, people active in on-stage ministries like preaching or worship struggle with the performance spirit. Many a worship session has been ruined by giving in to it.

On stage, with the spotlight on, with all the excitement, songs, music, people clapping & cheering etc. it’s so easy to get carried away and turn the session into a musical concert riding on people’s emotions. That’s when the session doesn’t anoint but annoys.

Signs of having yielded to the performance spirit:

- I want to be doing the worship leading all the time and do whatever I can to ensure other worship leaders do not get opportunities.

- I forget compliments are just a way of confirming my calling and instead look forward to compliments only to feed my ego.

- I feign humility when receiving compliments while gloating on the inside.

- I want only my songs to be used in the worship session.

- I monopolize the stage as much as possible.

- I can’t stand it when another worship leader is complimented.

- I dislike small crowds and enjoy only big crowds and big programs.

- I wear flashy, attention-grabbing clothes or accessories.

- I make exaggerated gyrations and movements when playing my musical instrument (guitarists are particularly susceptible to this!)

- I need all kinds of trappings like multicolored strobe lights, smoke bombs etc. to get into that “worship” groove.

- I manipulate the people and their emotions to create feel-good “worship.”

A few tips that have helped me and continue to help me:

     - Be open and encourage frank feedback on my sessions.

     - Always have a time of personal worship at least a day before a worship session.

     - Pray against pride and pray for the Lord to increase.

     - Work with my worship team closely, mentor them and share the stage as much as         possible with them even if it means ‘my time’ is reduced.

     - Remember worship is all about the Lord and His people, NOT about me.

     - Learn to enjoy all crowds, big or small - this keeps my heart in its proper place.

     - Never forget that God is the real audience.

     - Never run after an opportunity to lead worship. Trust God and joyfully take   whatever He provides.

     - Bear in mind, we can probably attract people with the flashy, but cannot keep them without integrity.

In short, worship should always be awe-filled not awful. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30