The Role of Leaders in Worship
David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. — 2 Samuel 6:14
When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, "O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them." — Acts 4:24
Author
Dr. Roberto Miranda
Summary: As spiritual leaders, we must lead our congregations in worship. David praised the Lord with his whole being when the ark returned to Jerusalem, without letting royal protocol restrain his joy. We cannot treat praise as something reserved for the laity or absent ourselves from it during worship services. If we neglect our intimacy with God, the congregation will eventually reflect that neglect. A vibrant congregational life requires us to cultivate passionate, consistent worship, including outside the church. Prayer, songs, and continual praise sustain our spiritual vitality, our wisdom in making decisions, and the authority and protection we need for ministry.
It is vitally important that we, the spiritual leaders of God’s people, lead our people in worship. The image of David comes to mind, dancing with all his might before the Lord and the people of Israel,
when the ark was being brought back to Jerusalem after having been held captive among the Philistines (2 Sam 6). At that moment, David forgot all about the king’s need to maintain a certain protocol and royal dignity in public (That enthusiastic attitude, incidentally, drew the scorn of his wife Michal). His joy at seeing the ark of God—which signified His presence among His people—enter the capital once again was so great that he let himself be swept up in the emotion and praised the Lord with his whole being.
Unfortunately, many of us pastors and spiritual leaders think that the spirit of enthusiastic praise we are talking about is only for “the laity.” During the service, when it is time for worship, we pastors are often wandering around other parts of the church, attending to administrative matters, or talking with people in the courtyard.
If the spiritual leader of a congregation does not show a strong commitment to a life of praise and intimacy with the Lord, inevitably, in time, that leader’s congregation will reflect the same neglect, resulting in spiritual loss for all the people.
Sustained, passionate worship and the pursuit of the Lord’s presence and anointing are the foundation of a powerful, enthusiastic congregational life. There are no shortcuts to building that kind of vital congregation. The spiritual leader of a group has to pay the price! That leader must cultivate a vigorous and sustained devotional life. The leader’s life of spiritual intimacy will be the foundation for the spiritual growth of the rest of the congregation.
The spiritual leader must live a life of intense worship. That practice of praising the Lord through prayer, songs, and continual cries to Him must be evident not only when the leader is in church or preparing a sermon, but at all times. David declares in Psalm 34:1,
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Spiritual vitality, the authority to declare the word of God, ministerial anointing, illumination to make wise decisions—these come only through continually cultivating the presence of God in our lives. Only that kind of attitude raises a hedge of protection around us. Only in this way can we hold at bay the powers of the Enemy that seek to undermine and destroy our ministries. Only this brings down the specific revelation and spiritual anointing that give our ministries power and authority.