If you’re like me, you know that being a worship leader means a lot more than just showing up on Sundays. We put in hours choosing songs, rehearsing, praying, and preparing to lead others into worship. But there’s a part of this role that is easily marginalized: it’s showing up on Sundays when we aren’t leading.
It’s funny, isn’t it? The very thing we’re called to do can sometimes become the one thing we struggle to just be in. I’ve learned that regularly being in church without the spotlight isn’t just important—it’s necessary. Let’s get real about why attending matters, and how showing up reminds us why we are serving in the first place.
True Worship Isn’t Done Alone
Think about it: when was the last time you really worshiped with your church family, in the congregation, with nothing to do but just be there? Hebrews 10:25 reminds us to not “forsake assembling together,” and that includes us leaders! We’re part of the body, too.
Worship was never about a performance; it’s about a community coming together to seek God’s presence. When we attend church, we’re choosing to worship alongside others, deepening that sense of community that fuels us all.
Staying Grounded in Why We’re Here
It’s easy to get so caught up in leading that we forget our true purpose and why we’re really there. Trust me, I’ve been there—moments when I realize I’m more worried about the transitions and tempos than the fact that I’m standing before the King of Kings. Showing up when I’m not leading keeps me grounded and reminds me why I serve.If I can’t worship unless I’m on stage, then I’m not worshiping. Our hearts and desire to worship should come from a pure heart, not one filled with selfishness. When I sit in the congregation it helps me put my heart in check. Sometimes, stepping back from the platform is the very thing that helps us keep our focus where it belongs—on God.
Leading by Example: It Starts with Us
If you’re a leader, your team is watching. They see when you’re fully invested, and they see when you’re checked out. Showing up and engaging, even when you’re not leading sends a powerful message: worship isn’t about being on stage. It’s about a heart that’s committed to God, whether in front or behind the scenes.
When we make being there a priority, we’re building something bigger than a team—we’re creating a culture of worship that’s authentic and raw. We’re showing our teams that worshiping together, as a family, matters. Guidelines are great, but they come to life when we live them out for our teams to see.
Real Worship Means Checking Our Hearts
Have you ever had to ask yourself: why am I really leading worship? Is it the joy of worship, or is it because I enjoy the spotlight? No one likes to admit it, but sometimes we need a heart check. Are we truly here to glorify God, or has it become more about us?
For me, being in the congregation helps to reset my motives. Without the lights, the microphone, or the attention, I’m reminded that worship isn’t a performance—it’s surrender. It’s humbling, and it’s freeing. God deserves our worship every bit as much when we’re in the seats as when we’re on the stage. When we get this right, our worship becomes something pure, something powerful, and something real.
Building a Worship Family: Encouraging Your Team to Show Up
Here’s a tough truth: when team members aren’t engaged in worship outside of leading, it’s time for us to take a closer look. If your team members aren’t attending service when they aren’t leading, it may be time for them to take a break. As leaders, it starts with us. Encourage your team to be there on Sundays when they’re not leading, and be an example to them.
We’re in this together, and our presence matters. I want my team to know that worship isn’t just a “job”—it’s a calling. And part of that calling means showing up, pouring out, and participating in the family of believers we’re blessed to serve.
Worship as a Lifestyle
At the end of the day, our role is to point people to Jesus, whether we’re on the platform or not. Attending church while serving reminds us that worship is more than what happens on stage. It’s about being part of a family, honoring the God we love, and choosing to keep our hearts and motives in check.
If we’re truly here to worship, we’ll find ourselves in church on Sundays—no matter our role for the day. When we’re all in, we create a space where worship flows naturally, glorifying the God who deserves it all. So let’s make worship a lifestyle, not just a job, and see what God will do through us when we’re fully present, heart and soul.