Ross Parsley is an excellent post. But I feel it is missing on a few points….

But worship goes so far beyond songs and into the fabric of each of our daily actions. And so the focus of our worship pastoring must be much broader than the big weekend event. As we begin to understand it as more of an equipping ministry, we are able to begin releasing people to walk in the truth of Psalm 89:15, “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.” We lead people to become individual and corporate beholders of God, more than consumers of an “great experience”.

I think that sometimes as worship leaders we make the mistake of telling people to forget about all of life and just enter into “this worship experience right now”. If worship is a relevant act for all of life, then let’s go ahead and bring in all the baggage, openly and honestly before God, asking Him to shine His light and to breathe life on the full scope of our circumstances! Otherwise, what hope are we giving to these dear people for meaningful worship on Tuesday or Thursday? This is a classic worship leader move that I think most of us just haven’t thought through.

I think one of the other important distinctions between a worship “leader” vs. pastor is the way in which we measure success. It can be tempting to seek self-gratifying indications of a worship response in our congregation… let us be careful not to take a commission in the worship transaction…

As worship pastors, we model for people how to respond to the revelation of God. The song is a tool for a heart response, but it is not the response itself.

I love what you say about technique. That was so balanced! I think it is important as leaders to be aware of our culture. One of the distinct hallmarks of postmodernism is an emphasis on technique over and against content. I would submit that a secondary emphasis would be an emphasis on experience over content… Let us be counter-cultural in this!

I love that the first mention of worship in the bible has nothing to do with music or song. It is the story of Abraham & Isaac in Genesis 22. Abraham did not go up that mountain looking for a great worship experience. He did not approach that moment for what he could get out of it. He walked up that mountain I’m sure with a great deal of confusion, but trusting that the wisdom of God was bigger than his own understanding of the very promises God had made to him. Then, Abraham finds a ram in the thicket. I love this, because it demonstrates that there is something about worship that only God can provide. As worship pastors, I pray that we can lead our people to that moment of surrender and trust, where God meets desperation & obedience with provision.

Thanks again for all the balanced and practical insight in your post!