Leading worship week in week out is one of the greatest privileges. The joy of seeing people encounter God, the excitement of seeing a congregation respond; the encouragement of seeing lives transformed is nothing short of incredible. And yet the reality is that mixed in with these great highs are huge frustrations, many hours, often unseen, of hard graft, times of disappointment. In the light of this, as leaders, maintaining joy in what we do is essential.

I’ve been thinking about how we view worship. Is it something we do through our own endeavor? Or is it something we’re invited into? As worship leaders whom are we ultimately following? How do we define a successful time of worship?James Torrence, a Scottish Minister and Theologian set’s out 2 contrasting views of worship. Firstly we can view worship as something we do – we sing, we pray, we give our time and resources to the church, we regularly attend small group meetings and the like. Essentially when we view worship in this light, we see it as a task. This concept of worship often leads to a perpetual sense of weariness. Our worship can lead to burnout.

A contrasting view is to see worship as a gift, an activity we are invited to participate in. Here we understand that through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit we are invited in Christ to worship the Father. In worshipping we receive and enjoy all that God has for us. As Chris Cocksworth writes, “Worship is a gift we are invited to receive.” In viewing worship this way we rediscover joy, renewed purpose and hope.

Of course there are elements of worship being both of these activities. Worship is about something we do. It involves sacrifice. But at the heart of the gospel is this truth, we are called and chosen by God to join in with the dance of the trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are saved for relationship.

As we prepare to lead worship for the first time or hundredth time, how are we preparing? With a groan and a sense of ‘here we go again!’ Or with great anticipation and expectation? When we realize the privilege and honour it is to worship God, to be invited into relationship with the King of the Universe, I hope it will be the later.