Worship

On the Frontlines: Why a Praying Unified Worship Team is Vital to the Church

On April 5, 2022 by Anna De Lay

What makes an effective worship team?

Musicians that are always on cue? Professional singers with stage presence? A sound and light crew who know how to carefully craft a commercial concert atmosphere each Sunday? Does dressing in coordinating colors help the Spirit flow better???

Of course not! I’m being facetious here; but over the last couple of decades, you have to wonder what happened to the simple act of worship in a church, without the preface of smoke, darkness, or a concert-ready perfected song set. These natural and worldly manipulations brought into the church have weakened not only true spiritual worship, but I believe, has also lessened the efficacy of the body of Christ at large.

If only we knew how significant the role of the worshippers is to a church! If only we knew the magnitude of this calling to be on the frontlines!Many worship teams just don’t get it. We half-heartedly meet together for worship practice, say a quick prayer, and expect God to show up. But we neglect to understand our vital function in the spiritual health of our congregation.

There are two very important things that a worship team needs in order to thrive in abundance for the Kingdom of God. These two go hand in hand:

Prayer and Unity.

Prayer.

…pray without ceasing…

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Obviously, prayer is number one. I say obviously, but I know that’s not the case. Many churches today have cut prayer time completely out of their services. Even many Pastors today spend just a few minutes a day in prayer; so, one can imagine how much less the average Christian spends time talking to God. This is the sad reality of the Church in America, and it’s no wonder our faith is watered down and conviction is weak! Without prayer, we are nothing; for prayer in Jesus’ name is the avenue by which we reach the throne of God.

Many scriptures attest to the continual steadfast heart of prayer believers are called to possess. Jesus himself placed prayer at the forefront of his life. Prayer was vital to Jesus’ earthly ministry, and it is vital to our very lives today.

So, why do many worship teams only say a quick prayer before practice or before service? How can we expect God to use us when we don’t give him more than 30 seconds of our time? How can we expect to grow together as a team without spending much time with God in prayer, at home first and when we meet together? If your church is one of those that has left prayer out of the equation, then seek God all the more with your team! Make this the priority and see God change the atmosphere in your church. Set the example.

Prayer is the precursor to spiritual unity. So often, we come to the church for practice and get right into it, when what we need to be doing is praying for each other, which far exceeds the need to perfect that chorus.

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer…

Romans 12: 10-12

What are the needs of your group? Is anyone discouraged? How are their families? Is anyone in need of healing– physically, emotionally, etc…? It doesn’t take a lot of thought to immediately start the first song on your list. But what should be first on the list is prayer. These are the things believers should do for each other, and it is equally important in a small setting such as a worship team. When the worship team is genuinely connecting and caring for one another through prayer, it will carry out into the whole congregation. Prayer is the foundation for unity in a worship team and is the crucial ingredient to a church on mission for God!

Unity.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

What an awesome passage of scripture. The early Church was undivided! They became unified by spending time together, worshipping and praying together, and caring for one another. Ultimately, more people came to know Christ because of their love and unity. But do we even know what unity is today?

Unity is defined as “oneness of mind, feeling, etc., as among a number of persons; concord, harmony, or agreement” (dictionary.com).

The church often talks about unity; although, we pale considerably in comparison to the early church. Many equate unity to shaking hands on a Sunday, some small talk in the foyer, a complement or two… This barely scratches the surface of such congregational unity; and surely, this goes for the worship team as well.

Today, we are so fast-paced as a society that an hour and a half (if that) on Sunday is the only time we’ve got to fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Unfortunately, fellowship may be too strong a word for many, because we are so caught up in our own lives that we miss conversation with the people even in the same row as us. And if the Church as a whole in America is this detached from each other, imagine the disconnect we have with the people we are called to reach.

I’ve been on teams where the only interaction between members was on the day of leading songs together. We were thrust on stage for a purpose, and certainly, God moved on the people despite the relational disconnect. But our ministry to the church is so much more powerful when we are truly unified!

When people are engaged with each other and in prayer throughout the week, it brings a wholeness to the table on a Sunday morning! The bible speaks about meeting together all the more as we see the end approaching, and I believe churches and worship teams should take this to heart. Be involved in each other’s lives. Go to prayer meetings, women’s or men’s meetings, Bible studies together during the week. When we come to church on Sunday, be ready and expecting God to do great things!

Then the World Will Know.

In John 17, Jesus prayed for his disciples and all believers:

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

John 17:20-23, NIV

Unity isn’t just for us. It is wonderful to fellowship, to know our brothers and sisters in Christ, to worship together and share together. There is nowhere I would rather be than worshipping in unity with other believers! There is simply nothing like it. But our unity is also vital to seeing salvations and Church growth with signs following. This is the victory of the Church in the earth: winning souls to the Kingdom! This is our mission! For the Church to live victoriously and see the miraculous of God, especially in these days we are living in, we must strive for unity. And as worship leaders, I believe our role as ambassadors of worship is vital to this victory.

Frankly, we have forgotten why we sing. Why we worship. Why we come together in the first place. It’s not about how good the singers are, nor the musicians. Not the smoke and lights. And it is certainly not about what people are wearing. We sing to magnify the name above all and proclaim his goodness to the world! Prayer and unity in Christ is the only way a worship team will ever lead their congregation into true spiritual worship. It is the foundation of a healthy church and the only way the Church will see revival!