You may have already noticed, but we are having a presidential election this year. With all the commercials, news coverage, signs in the neighborhood, and the endless posts on social media it’s hard not to know about it. But no matter what your political beliefs are, it is simply fascinating that though the actual election will not take place till November 8th, the campaign has been going on for years now. Years! No one is going to legitimately declare candidacy the day of the election. It’s too late. Partly because it takes time to work the process of getting onto the ballot but also because people’s minds are pretty much made up when they arrive to vote. You have to win them over beforehand.
The point of our mini-political science lesson is how it applies to winning people over as a worship leader. If you wait to begin your attempt at influence till it is time for people to participate, it’s already too late. It’s part of why it may seem to take three songs to gather everyone or why some call their first song a ‘throw-away.’ Similar to our elected officials, you really should begin your campaign earlier. You need to learn how to lead before you lead.
Meet the Voters. Many worship leaders are introverts or at least shy away from engaging with people before a service. This however, is a key time to win people to your cause. Instead of the worship team hanging out with each other in the back, you need to be out actively meeting people. Let people know you’re the worship leader or are on the team, that you’re excited for the worship today, how today you’re singing one of your favorite songs, and help people know why they should vote to follow your leadership. It takes a different kind of courage to shake some hands, kiss some babies, and converse with the people you will be standing in front of but it’s very effective.
Do you look like a leader? If people didn’t already know who the leader was, could they tell? Like it or not there are certain qualities that make one person seem like the leader over another. (Height, Age, etc.) While some that may feel unfair and be out of your control, there are also a lot of ways to conduct yourself and communicate that determine who will follow you no matter what you look like. To begin, you need to identify yourself as the leader in multiple ways every week and online. This is true for all leadership especially if there are multiple people who are referred to as ‘Pastor’. Then, stand in the front and center. That’s where leaders stand. It’s a little scary out there but if you don’t you’re making your job harder. Welcome people with an introduction, “Hello, welcome to church my name is _________and I get to be your worship leader today.” If you’re not the regular person take an extra moment to tell where the regular person is this week.
What if voter turn out is bad? Candidates take it upon themselves to mobilize people to vote. If worship begins and there are not very many people in the sanctuary, then where are they? If they are late in arriving, that is one set of issues. But if they are in the foyer, that’s another. You might ask, ‘what’s in the foyer?’ Coffee, doughnuts, or breakfast burritos? You might actually be leading people away from participation and think the problem has something to do with your music.
Campaign for your Pastor and the Church. In many ways you should campaign like a vice-president. Not always pointing people to yourself but rather something bigger, that you are a key player in. Say things like, “I know Pastor has an amazing word for us this morning” and “Worship was so good last week, we’re looking forward to today.” Some of that will come off as cheesy unless you truly believe it but the point is not to assume that people don’t need a reminder of the value of what you’re trying to get them to do. Execute this in small ways with consistency over the long haul with perseverance.
Campaign for your song selections. People don’t know why you chose these particular songs so you need to help them know why they should participate. If your service structure allows you to set up a song then succinctly give its significance. Then within your leading, add in comments like, “That’s so good, let’s sing that again.” Even if people don’t necessarily get it or agree yet, they will be moved to take another look by the sincerity of your leadership.
In church, every week is an election and the people are going to vote. With their attendance, money, and/or participation. It’s not just about how great your musical candidate is or how amazing the opportunity is to worship. People need leadership, so get out on the campaign trail and be inspired, be confident, and be a leader worth voting for.
This is Steven Reed and I approve this message