At some point or the other, people active in on-stage ministries like preaching or worship struggle with the performance spirit.
On stage, with the spotlight on, with all the excitement, songs, music, people clapping & cheering etc. it’s so easy to get carried away and turn the session into a musical concert riding on people’s emotions. That’s when the session doesn’t anoint but annoys.
Signs of having yielded to the performance spirit:
- I want to be doing the worship leading all the time and do whatever I can to ensure other worship leaders do not get opportunities.
- I forget compliments are just a way of confirming my calling and instead look forward to compliments only to feed my ego.
- I feign humility when receiving compliments while gloating on the inside.
- I want only my songs to be used in the worship session.
- I monopolize the stage as much as possible.
- I can’t stand it when another worship leader is complimented.
- I dislike small crowds and enjoy only big crowds and big programs.
- I wear flashy, attention-grabbing clothes or accessories.
- I make exaggerated gyrations and movements when playing my musical instrument (guitarists are particularly susceptible to this!)
- I need all kinds of trappings like multicolored strobe lights, smoke bombs etc. to get into that “worship” groove.
- I manipulate people and their emotions to create feel-good “worship.”
A few tips that have helped me and continue to help me:
- I have an honest spiritual guide who gives frank feedback on my sessions. I also choose a few more sincere people who know my ministry, from whom I can expect straightforward feedback and opinions.
- Always have a time of personal worship at least a day before a worship session.
- Pray against pride and pray for the Lord to increase.
- Work with my worship team closely, mentor them and share the stage as much as possible with them even if it means ‘my time’ is reduced.
- Remember worship is all about the Lord and His people, NOT about me.
- Learn to enjoy all crowds, big or small: this keeps my heart in its proper place.
- Never forget that God is the real audience.
- Never run after an opportunity to lead worship. Trust God and joyfully take whatever He provides.
- Remember, we can probably attract people with the flashy, but cannot keep them without integrity.
In short, worship should always be awe-filled not awful. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30
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