Talk Is Cheap People Wanna Sing by Brandon L. Smith

Over the years of leading worship and training others to do so I have noticed that most young up and comings, including myself, tend to feel the need to talk during a worship set.  Talking during a set isn't necessarily a bad thing but when talking becomes a mini sermon and a mini sermon becomes rambling it has a tendency to take away from the worship experience. 

The congregation is there to worship and the worship leader's job is to help them do that.  It is not to give the people a mini sermon on whatever topic.  The job of preaching belongs to the pastor or person chosen to speak that day.  Sometimes worship leaders get to talking because they feel nervous about the setting they are in, anxious about the next song, or have a need to say something insightful.  At times this nervous and spontaneous talk can lead down a most regrettable path and leave the congregation in a state of confusion and the worship leader embarrassed.  So here's a few things to think about if you absolutely must talk during a worship set.

1.  Pray

Sounds simple but I'm not talking about a prayer from the hip here.  I'm talking about a designated time between or during a song that is planned for prayer.  The topic of prayer should be consistent with the theme of worship.  It is purposeful, meaningful, and well planned with music.  It should draw attention back to Christ and the reason people are in the service to begin with.  

2.  Scripture

Taking the time to read some scripture is a wonderful piece of worship that I think in many circles has been forgotten about.  A simple passage about worship or one that will point people in the direction of the next song is something that can enhance the worship experience.  Also reading scripture together as a body of Christ can have a powerful impact on hearts and minds in a corporate setting.  It has the potential of bringing all worshipers, both leaders and participants, together with one common goal.  

3.  In the Loop

Sounds musical.  It's not.  I'm really talking about the time the worship leader and the pastor spend together in preparation for the service.  Take a moment to be in the loop on what your pastor is preaching about.  It will help you have more purpose behind prayers and scripture reading during the worship set.  This also means that when you give instruction for prayer or insight to the scripture it will be in line with what the pastor is speaking about that day. 

Remember to keep things moving along and to practice what you will say before you actually do it.  This will help things stay concise and to the point maintaining an even flow through the worship experience.