WORSHIP TEAM
3 WAYS TO ENGAGE YOUR CONGREGRATION | Jon Nicol
As platform vocalists and instrumentalists, we sic, what do they naturally do? They close their (Isaiah 57:15). Some songs contain both kinds
need to disappear so all the focus is on God. eyes. So we need the next way to engage the of lyrics: ‘about God’ and ‘to God.’ So let the
Right? congregation. lyrics inform your gaze.
As I learned more about our roles as lead wor- OPEN YOUR EYES One caveat before we get to the third way to en-
shipers on the platform, I realized that this state- The congregation can feel ignored when the mu- gage. Am I saying you should never close your
ment sounds spiritual, but it’s kind of stupid. If sic team has their peepers clamped shut. It’s a eyes as a lead worshiper on the platform?
taken to the logical conclusion, why have any- relational barrier.
one upfront? We’d just need ‘worship DJs’ in
Definitely not. There are times when it’s both fit-
every church’s sound booth. People usually close their eyes because they’re ting and a beautiful expression of worship. But
timid or they’ve abandoned themselves in wor- just remember that you’re not on the platform for
As lead worshipers on the platform, our job goes ship. And for many, if they did open their eyes, your own personal worship experience. You’re
beyond just creating the sounds that accompa- they just wouldn’t know where to look. So let me also called to engage the congregation.
ny our musical worship. We have a dual role on give you three places to look: over, out, and up.
the platform: to worship God and to help others
worship God.
I promised three ways to engage with the con-
Over gregation. We’ve looked at two: lose (or lower)
I checked—it’s finally legal in your state. You are your music stand and open your eyes. And the
The second part of that job description is one free to look at another person on your platform. third?
of the Seven Critical Commitments for Worship So look over at your fellow team members. Give Team Members that we’ve been exploring for a nod of encouragement to the alto when she SMILE
the last few months in this column. It’s number comes in with her part. Look over at the gui- Some team members need to have their heart
four: Engage with the Congregation. tarist during her solo. Take a few steps toward inform their face that they’ve been saved.
the drummer during his Animal-esque, trashcan
The quality of our connection with the congrega-
Not all songs call for shiny, happy faces, so don’t
ending.
tion is as important as the quality of our music.
plaster a phony grin on for the whole set. But if
Our leadership isn’t just musical, it’s visual. So let This on-platform connection helps to put the the song is a celebration of who God is and all
me give you three ways to better engage visually congregation at ease. When you look like you’re that He has done, I think that warrants a smile.
with the congregation. confident and enjoying yourself, that allows the Just imagine, a smile from you towards some-
congregation to relax and enjoy themselves. one in the congregation might be the thing that
MOVE THE MUSIC STAND
the Holy Spirit uses to draws that person closer
You can move it down and off to the side, or Out
to Jesus.
lose it altogether. There are two big reasons why The next place to look is out at the congregation. doing this will help you engage. A great time to do this is when you’re singing So engage with the congregation. Remove the
songs ‘about’ God. “How Great is Our God” is barriers and interact with your church family. And
It’s a barrier. A music stand is a visual black hole. an example of that. While we’re exalting God by remember, you don’t just lead musically, but you
The more you hunker down behind one, the less singing of His greatness to one another. also lead visually.
engaging you are.
But what about a song like “Great Are You Lord”,
It’s motivation. If I know I’m flying without my which is sung ‘to’ God? That’s a perfect time to
music stand, I spend significantly more time turn our gaze upwards.
practicing. As a result, I’m more confident and
freer to worship and engage.
Up
Now, God is everywhere—not just in the heav-
The problem with this? When platform musi- ens. But looking up helps us experience and
cians—especially vocalists—get out of their mu- express the truth that God is high and exalted
58
October 2018
Jon Nicol
Jon is the founder of WorshipWorkshop.com
and WorshipTeamCoach.com, two sites that help
worship leaders build strong teams and lead
engaging worship. He loves to have living room
dance parties with his wife, Shannon, and their four
kids during the end credits of family movie night.
WorshipTeamCoach.com
WorshipMusician.com