Does Performance Have a Place in Worship?

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Does Performance Have a Place in Worship?

If I were smart enough, I would love to be able to coin a brand new phrase. In fact, that is my goal – to find another term that says performance without saying performance! Confused? Here is what I mean…

In the church, we have been taught that performance is wrong. That it’s arrogant, it is self-centered, and there is no room for it in leading worship! Well, I have a slightly different take on that.

We tend to look self-conscious on the platform. We often appear a little timid while we lead or sing in a church because we know we are not to draw attention to ourselves. The entire reason we act the way we do on stage is to deflect the attention to God. However, the exact opposite happens. When we do not act as though we have authority on stage – when we act as though we are “too timid” – we appear nervous. Therefore, we cause the entire congregation to stop worshipping and start praying for us because we look so uncomfortable! (OK, I am being a little dramatic, but you get the idea!)

One of the definitions of “performance” in the dictionary says “the act of presenting a piece of music.” So how should we present our music? A few ideas come to mind…

Authority. Live Music Producer, Tom Jackson, talks about authority a lot! Bono = authority on stage. Now, I know you are saying under your breath “…but I am leading worship.” Exactly! If Bono can have authority in a rock show, and Sting can have authority in a rock show…how much more authority should we have, as we attempt to lead the congregation into the Holy of Holies! We stand in the authority of the One who created everything. The One who gives you breath has called you to lead your group of people into His presence. Now that is authority! We need to allow ourselves to act in HIS authority and actually lead the congregation.
Humility. True humility is taking on the authority given by God and standing in it! The tough part of leading worship is not singing well or playing well or picking the right songs. The tough part is acting in His authority. Being what He has called you to be is the difficult part. It’s easy and comfortable to stand and sing…it is not so easy to act in authority and lead!
Faith. It is a huge step of faith to act on the authority given to you. It is uncomfortable, it makes you feel uneasy, there is a little fear involved as well…but when you allow yourself to take risks and act on faith, not fear, you will be amazed at how the “singing of songs” is transformed into a time of worship.

By the way, another definition of the word “performance” is this: “the act of doing something successfully.” And, after all, isn’t that what we want – to successfully lead worshippers to God’s throne?

Kevin Pauls has been in the music industry for over 20 years. He has recorded 7 independent projects and been nominated for many awards by the Canadian Gospel Music Association. Kevin won Canadian Recording of the Year in 2005 and was nominated for Inspirational recording of the Year in 2004. He has also toured with the Gaither Homecoming Tour, Avalon, Michael English, Russ Taff and many others. Kevin is a Live Music Producer and leads Expressive Worship workshops for Tom Jackson Productions, helping artists and worship teams across Canada and the United States. He is based out of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, where he lives with his wife Wendy and their 3 children. Visit www.ExpressiveWorship.net and www.OnstageSuccess.com for more information.

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Psalm 40:1-6

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.

4 Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.

5 Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced;
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.

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