How do you lead worship? Do you start with learning an instrument? Perhaps by choose songs to build a set list? Maybe leading worship happens when you’re standing in front of people with a microphone? While those things might be involved in leading worship, those things are not the primary ways you lead worship.

Be a worshiper

Everyone is a worshiper, so in theory, everyone is in fact a worship leader. We all direct the aim, attention, and affection of others toward what we worship. But it is only followers of Jesus who are able to rightly worship the only one worthy of right worship. And that is why to be a worship leader you must…

Have your face turned toward God.

We must continually lift our eyes to behold and treasure Christ. To turn away from sin in repentance and faith, and find the satisfaction of our soul in Jesus. Use songs, music, and liturgy to serve the people you lead to turn the hearts, eyes, and lives toward God.

Go first

In the early 2000s it was popular to call worship leaders, lead worshipers. A subtle way of saying that we go first. We lead out. We serve intentionally. Go first in your preparation, go first in your time and attention worshiping God.

What else would you add?