Short thought – Worship teams

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OK, quick thought here. Maybe good for more analysis later. Why do worship teams lead worship from an elevated stage? When I was playing for the band in my youth group, I was told that we need to change the way we look at it. Here is what I was told.


People see worship time as the people on stage are the performers, giving praise. The people in the seats are the audience, and God gives cues to the band. We need to look at it differently. God is the audience. We are giving him the praise. The people in the seats are the performers. They are here to worship the lord. The band provides some music and is giving the cues to the performers. That’s how it’s supposed to be. It’s not about the performance, it’s about God.
So, this is what I was taught, and I think it’s pretty good. But, I have one question. If this is true, why then, did we play on a stage? Why did the crowd face us and clap after every song? Why were there lights, fog, and backgrounds? If it’s not about us, why were we center stage? Why do people pay tons of money to see a worship band in concert? I mean really? How can you tour the world, making money, and call it worship? Maybe I’m being too harsh here. Maybe God has a plan going here, but I’ll stand by my idea here when it comes to a church service.

If you’re going to a concert, please accept that it’s a concert. You are not going to a worship session with 5000 people. You are watching skilled musicians play music. It’s great, but don’t call it worship. My 2 cents.

Anyway, worship is given by the individual, not the cooperation. You must worship, not your church. If I had a church, I would put the worship team in the back, under just enough light to see what they were doing. What would people look at in front? How about Jesus? You don’t need to be entertained. You need to spend time with Jesus. Sure, I’ll put the words up for you, that’s about it.

What I remember from playing in the band, was how amazing it was to sing for Him. I cared nothing for the stage. I don’t like to be the center of attention. Anyone who’s ever sang “happy birthday” to me knows that. I loved playing good music to Him. I loved practicing, getting good, and playing with other believers. It was fun, and I connected with Him during those times. And, I would have loved it just as much, maybe more, from behind a curtain, being watched by no one. I often closed my eyes on stage and just played and sang. I didn’t see the people. I wasn’t there for them. I was there for Him. They shouldn’t have been there for me. They should have worshiped him with my nice music as a background.

Take the performance out of church and see who still comes. Just saying.







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