Presence-Focused Worship

I invited Zeke to write a guest blog. He has become a friend over the last year and is the worship pastor at Bedford Acres Christian Church. He was also deeply involved in the Asbury Outpouring as a student at the university.

Recently, questions filled my mind: What is "spontaneous" worship about? How do I know what to play or sing next? What is the point of doing worship this way?

These questions pop up in my head when I think about worship opportunities. I want to find clarity and embrace a vision for what the Lord can do when I have the right posture!

My Context

When I think about a typical "worship night" we've done in the past, I think of a long setlist of songs, lots of extra practice time to prepare, and hopefully a place of meeting Jesus in a special way.

Planning gives me more control over what happens in a worship setting, and it's not a bad thing to prepare musically as a team. However, I've noticed that sometimes the intent of producing quality music gets in the way of actually encountering the presence of Jesus. As a worship leader, I often feel pressure to execute music perfectly, and the consequence is missing out on what God is doing in the room.

I want to become more comfortable being a WORSHIPPER FIRST.

Worshippers First

I experienced a moment of freedom recently when I sat in on a rehearsal where I was not leading. For some reason, probably pride, I have struggled to consistently experience God on stage for the last two or three months. There are dry seasons of spiritual life where it is more difficult to feel God, but He has been gracious to expose my desire for control over worshipping Him.

When I got to sit at the piano without the pressure of "directing traffic," it felt so different. I was able to focus on the Lord in a way I hadn't in a while. It was so freeing to worship that way, and I want to keep that my priority.

I also recognize that some of my church family may view what we do on stage as a "worship concert." I want to help create a space where those who see themselves as mere spectators grow in their active participation in ministry to Jesus.

Theme Verse: Beholding Him

2 Corinthians 3:18 - "And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Simply put, when I focus on Jesus, I am changed in His presence. The "unveiled" face Paul describes refers to how Moses experienced God's glory on Sinai and Moses had to cover his face because it shone too brightly. But I have FREEDOM in Jesus to behold who He is without a veil, because wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

I no longer have to hide before Jesus because I have been cleansed by His blood. I have full access to His presence anywhere and anytime!

My goal for worship is to ENCOUNTER JESUS and let Him do the work of making me more like Him.

Practical Tips for Keeping Jesus at the Center

Keep my eyes on Jesus. I will let my worship be directed to Him as if He's right in front of me. I can't control others' reactions, but I can choose my own posture. When I minister to Jesus first, He will transform me and draw others to Himself.

Notice how He's moving. Jesus' character is deep and rich, and I have my own preferences about who He is to me. But my job is to worship Him; His job is transformation. When the Spirit moves, He reveals different aspects of who He is. I've been in environments where the palpable sense of His HOLINESS takes over the entire room, and other places where Jesus revealed Himself as the Good Shepherd. I won't just lean into what's comfortable; I'll ask Him how He is working and how I can join.

Respond appropriately. When I notice a need for leadership (for example, Jesus calling the room to repentance), I'll ask Him how I should respond first, then consider what application is best for the group. I'll take the step of faith. And I'll never say "God told me to...," because that can lead to spiritual abuse. Instead, I'll say, "I think the Lord is... Let's respond by... and see where He leads."

Keep my eyes on Jesus. Notice how He is moving. Worship Him accordingly and invite others to join. Reflect on how, as a worshipper, Jesus is inviting you into a place of renewed focus and sensitivity. The opportunity is there to reengage in worship with a fresh perspective.

Zeke is the worship pastor at Bedford Acres Christian Church in Paris, KY and recently graduated from Asbury University.

Join readers like you by partnering to help others discover these insights