Friday, July 6, 2012

Worship Pastor or Worship Leader?

While speaking on the topic of worship once, I was asked the question by a panel - "what is the difference in a worship leader and a worship pastor". It is a good question - and one that some churches don't understand or fail to see the benefit of the difference. For that reason, I wanted to take a couple of days and look at the answer - and outline what I feel the makeup of a worship pastor should be.

What Is A Worship Leader?
We certainly can't differentiate one term without defining the other - so we first need to look at what a "Worship Leader" is. For the most part, "Worship Leaders" are those who lead in worship. In a vague sense - that would include those lead worshipers such as choir members, team members, etc... but we are specifically dealing with those tasked with leading a congregation in a worship setting.

One person - usually with guitar or piano - or with voice alone, who "leads" the congregation in song. This person may be a member of the congregation or may be visiting from another. Most times, the leader is tasked with hand-picking the songs for the service he/she will be leading but may or may not be charged with assembling the band or arranging the service.

The Community Difference

So what separates a worship leader from a worship pastor? One main difference - the responsibility of the community he serves. I have been a part of some spectacular services by some brilliant leaders. When the service was over - and life went on - and the leader (be it a traveling leader or a Christian music artist who leads in worship) leaves the church or gets back on the tour bus after a Spirit-filled night... the community remains. There is no deep emotional bond nor responsibility for that bond in a worship leader environment.

The main difference in a worship leader and a worship pastor is the level of pastoring done within the community. A worship pastor is involved with encouraging those within his community - raising up leaders, investing in others, determining the needs, evaluating the strengths, and acknowledging the weaknesses. He knows his community like his own family. He is a pastor. He is a shepherd. He brings more than a song - and his job responsibilities weigh moreso Monday through Saturday than they do on and given Sunday.

This - is a worship pastor - and in upcoming articles we will focus on the skills and skill-set that I feel a strong worship pastor should have.

This article, along with many others, can be found at http://www.gotworship.net. got worship? Media is an online resource for worship leaders/pastors, worship teams, musicians, and creatives across the globe. It's resources have earned the site the honor of becoming one of Worship Leader Magazine's "Top 10 Sites" in their "Best Of The Best" issue. Visit http://www.gotworship.net for more details.