Girl Worship Leaders

The “controversy” and the defense.

Welcome to Talk Tuesday! Today we will be talking about the role of a WORSHIP LEADER.

The Controversy

 I am a worship leader. And I am a girl!

There are some out there that would argue that “women should be silent in the church and definitely not be leading worship”. 

Yes, that is the opinion of some people. I disagree.

It’s unfortunate that these sort of things (opinions) cause such division in our churches. Especially (in my opinion), when there are so many other more important things to spend our energy on “arguing” about as christian brothers and sisters. (Not that we should be arguing at all. Lol).

Unfortunately, There were other subjects that were brought up about other disagreements such as song choices, clothing style, prayer, etc.

At first, I started to doubt myself. Why? Because I didn’t want to “stumble” anyone, and I for sure did not want to be doing something that was not biblical. When I started hearing that some people disagreed with my role as worship leader, it really weighed me down. I began to become bitter and started over thinking how I lead worship on Sundays. I had thoughts like, “I wonder if people are angry with me being up here?”, or, “are these songs choices “stumbling” someone right now?”, “Does someone disagree with what I am wearing today?”.

These people probably had good intentions, but didn’t realize that this disagreement with my role, for me was very personal.

It was more of a harmful distraction that I later realized was so un-needed and un-founded. It made me frustrated and distracted from what I was supposed to be focused on…God.

The Defense

Fortunately, my husband was very encouraging, as well as some other people who I really respect. We began to search the scriptures on the topic, and finally concluded that it is, in-fact very biblical for women to lead worship in the church. 

God can use anyone, anywhere for his glory.

Obviously, this conviction needs to be your own personal conviction, but I believe that God wants us to use our gifts to benefit the body of Christ (the Church), Whether we are male or female. We all have different gifts that we can use to serve others in our churches.

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.

to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,

And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then giftsof healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.”

-Rom. 12:6, 1 Cor. 12:1, 4, 9, 28

There is a distinct difference for me between a worship LEADER, and a worship PASTOR.

• As a worship LEADER, your role is to organize, lead in music, schedule band practice and teams, administrative responsibilities, motivate and encourage, etc.

• As a worship PASTOR, your role is to lead every member in a “shepherding” sense, guide and counsel members of the team, disciple and lead studies, teach doctrine during the worship set or in a teaching role, administrative responsibilities, motivate and encourage, etc.

I personally have the conviction that women shouldn’t be pastors. However, I believe that God has called us as christians to be always ministering to people. No matter if you are male or female.

I believe that ministry happens wherever you are.

The worship ministry leader role allows for a lot of ministry. The relationships that I build with people who are in the ministry allows me to have so much influence, ability to serve, and gives me the opportunity to invest in them.

Do I need to be a PASTOR to do that? Nope.

Like I said before, ministry happens wherever you are.

The Conclusion

So, to settle this topic, I just wanted to finally put my belief into words. I have struggled for a couple of years now, how to speak truth to people who may have (possibly with all good intentions) caused division and or frustration for me as a worship leader.

I have come to the conclusion that God has to convict them. The Holy Spirit has that role, not me. I can only be obedient to what God has called me to do for “such a time as this”. I am not perfect. I am no “professional” musician (that’s for sure), but I believe God has called me to use my gifts in music and leadership.

Meanwhile, I will continue to be faithful and consistent in my role as worship leader. I will give of my time, my energy and my recourses whenever I can, because I believe that leading and serving others in worship is one of the most important things I can do for my church. I want to be an example for my children of what serving others looks like.

I believe in consistency. I believe in being faithful to your calling.

Whatever your role is in your church, I just encourage to continue in it. There will always be people who disagree with “something”.

Don’t be discouraged like I was. Know that God is delighted in you! He loves you and is using you in serving others for His glory! It can be so rewarding!

Isn’t it amazing that the God of the universe uses us for His ministry???

I pray that you will be encouraged.

Thanks for reading! Have a blessed day!

-Z