Hey guys.  This post won’t appeal to everyone, but I’m interested to get your feedback anyway.  What you’ll read below is a product of me thinking about things related to my current job.  I was trying to come up with a name for an imaginary worship band, which got me thinking about the roles of the worship band, which led me to thinking about the guys who brought their friend to Jesus on a stretcher, lowering him through the roof.  That story is found in Mark 2.  As I began to look closer at the whole chapter, I found that there were principles you could derive from the stories there and apply to leading worship.

Please feel free to comment and/or correct and/or make addendums to it.  It may or may not be helpful to some of you, but I thought I’d pass it along anyway.  Go read Mark 2 first, then come back here and check these out.

Story #1 – Jesus heals a paralytic

4 friends bring the man to Jesus and lower him through a roof.  The band’s role isn’t just to perform, but to bring people to Jesus.  He does the work, we are the vessels.

Principle #1 – we are servants in worship to bring people to Jesus

Story #2 – Jesus calls Levi, the tax collector

Jesus told Levi, “Follow me.” When questioned about his company, Jesus replies, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”.  The band’s role is to present the radical call of Jesus and to minister to the broken, realizing we are all in need of healing.

Principle #2 – we are catalysts in worship for hearts to respond to Jesus’ call

Story #3 – Jesus questioned over fasting

The Pharisees were concerned with forms of worship more than the Spirit of worship.  Jesus replies that new wine requires new wineskins.  The band’s role is to listen to the creative voice of the Holy Spirit and seek new ways to express that voice in worship, not content with “that’s how we’ve always done it”.

Principle #3 – we are creative artists in worship, listening for God’s voice

Story #4 – Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath

Jesus sets the record straight, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.”  God is good and gives to His children from His goodness. The band’s role is to encourage God’s children to enjoy Him and worship Him from a place of thankfulness rather than duty.

Principle #4 – we are responders in worship, underscoring God’s goodness