I’m sure it hasn’t escaped your notice that there’s definitely an awkward incongruity with the genre of music we call ‘worship’. My job as a worship leader, my primary purpose – really the only purpose – is to lift the name of Jesus above every other name and to help others do the same. To lift His name above all the other names and words and tasks and things and people that clamor for our attention in this world. As worship leaders this is our task. We are to simply lead others and indeed even our own souls in the worship of God.
But as musicians who aspire to, and in fact do occasionally make a living making this kind of music, one of our important goals is to make our own names known. Obscurity does not feed a family. As working musicians our job is to sell records. And to do that we have to let people know about us. In a very real and practical way we have to lift our names above all the other names – even the other names in ‘worship’ – so that people will recognize, acknowledge and hopefully buy what we make! I think everyone who bumps into the ‘worship’ genre, even unbelievers, quickly becomes aware of it’s tricky combination of priorities. We’re people who promote our names and then go onto to say that Jesus’ name is above every other name… hmmm.
I suppose it’s worth saying that the awkwardness is not quite as severe for CCM musicians. There, it seems, the goal is to make art that also makes known our God. But the language is clearer. They are artists. They make art. They sell art. No problems. The categories seem easier to see and recognize. But worship leaders on the other hand – a title, by the way, that does not exist in either the Old or New Testaments – are ‘afflicted’ with the reminder of our purpose every time we’re mentioned, interviewed, advertised, played on radio, pasted on a poster, tagged on a webpage. Whenever our name is being lifted up as worship leaders, we’re reminded that it’s Jesus’ name who should be lifted higher still.
It’s definitely awkward! And for those of you who know me or maybe track what I do, I just needed to mention the elephant shuffling his feet quietly in the room. Jude tells me I should probably relax. That unless I ‘speak up’ the message won’t be heard. I guess in the same way that John the Baptist spoke up to announce and make way for the (humble) King of Glory. But if you ever see me enlarging my name in a way that doesn’t make His name higher or honor Him, please let me know. This is a pretty narrow road – no doubt the same kind of road that all of us walk. But like any path walked in faith, it can be done much more easily within the safety of the community of believers…
Maybe another answer to the awkwardness lies in that little comment I made about ‘worship leading’ not being a named category in scripture. We all know what we mean by the words ‘worship leader’. They’re shorthand for describing the person who leads the singing we do when we get together to meet with each other and worship God. Put it this way – a song leader – the ‘role’ becomes significantly less elevated or bloated. Who’s Brenton Brown or Matt Redman or Paul Baloche or Kathryn Scott etc? They’re just people in our community of believers who happen to write songs, songs that the church sometimes makes use of to worship God.
But God’s mission, God’s church and God’s kingdom will certainly continue to grow with or without these songs! The increase of His government will know no end whether a few musicians in the 20th century throw their tunes into the mix or not. In the light of God’s sovereign plan for His people and the earth, it’s laughable to think that a few song leaders would make a difference either way in His purposes. In the end we’re just musicians – maybe we’re ‘artists’, who knows – who go about their work in this time of history and hope that it helps the cause of God’s mission and God’s people. We are no more sacred or secular than carpenters or firemen or painters or artists. We are just people who have been welcomed into the wide, wide world of God’s love and grace. And as working musicians this is what we bring when we meet.
b
Great perspective! This perspective should be burned into the souls of all who "Lead songs"
B - There is a place for everything you're saying. Everyone who serves in God's kingdom should display God's values in their character - humility being up at the top somewhere along with grace, love, and mercy. I'm no expert, but I've heard Matt Redman talk about worship songs as a set of vocabulary words that are needed to express our thoughts and feelings to God (not an exact quote by any means). Worship is also a form of teaching. (I know I'm preaching to the choir). I can see where you might feel uncomfortable with the title of "worship leader." (By the way, the word "Trinity" does not appear in the Bible either, but it's a great title!). But I've never seen a congregation worship spontaneously without a worship leader. God doesn't need any particular person to write or sing these songs, but it's obvious that He's the One who has gifted individuals in His kingdom to write and sing these songs. I think the right attitude is to be humble, but not apologetic. I for one need a good worship leader. Would I dare lift my hands if I didn't see the worship leader do it first? Would I dare sing louder if the worship leader wasn't singing loudly already? Would I be able to engage my God in worship if I didn't have someone in front of me showing me how? And not just me... what about the multitudes of Christians on the earth? Would God's name be lifted as high without His worship leaders showing us all how? God wants us to excel with the gifts He's given us, but always for His glory and not our own. That's true of any gift. As long as we can keep that straight, I dare say, "It's all good!"
As someone who has never released an album, the precarious nature of the industry is felt from the other side too. Largely, the songs we sing at our church are provided by people in the larger body of Christ. I need to be able to find out about these writers, their songs, to buy them, to worship with them, to assess them, and to hear the Spirit's choice of them for our congregation - so I'm thankful there's an industry of resources. On the other hand, I often feel frustrated when visiting worship leader websites where the bio is self-congratulatory or filled with cliches ("in the barren wasteland of worship music comes a fresh new voice" etc, etc). It's a catch-22 of publicity and hype. Worse is that sometimes the song-writers have little say in how their music is publicized. In the end, the people I listen to in the worship music world are those who have a passion for God to be exalted in their local church, and talk about that passion. That message tends to cut through the marketing buzz, and I feel I am being resourced to help my congregation rather than being sold a new product and personality.
I appreciate these thoughts very much.
I particularly like '”in the barren wasteland of worship music comes a fresh new voice” etc, etc'. Genius.
Found you through a mutual aquaintence (Brody). Loved your post. I have no problem with you making a living, and even a good living. Kinda, the only thing I struggle with is a paid worship leader. I'm okay with it and yet not okay. I see in the bigger churches this becomes an issue and not in the smaller ones. My biggest issues with christian music in general, and its changing for the positive, is that our music sucks. Christian music, and even more Christian movies aren't made with the panaz as secular. I can only hope one day we blow their socks off, cuz we are doing a pretty good job already.
Great words B. I remember a while back in the comments that ensued after your "worship lounge" segment about "breaking into the industry" some mention of the elephant in passing... Yes you do need to promote yourself as part of the job but it's not entirely what makes the job work. Your songs don't appear in the "CCLI Top 25" just because you're out there peddling yourself. It's because you have a gift for writing songs that speak to many of today's Christians, songs that lead us in worship. In other words, it begins with the talent that the Lord gave you. To speak directly to self-promotion it's prominent throughout the Church. Newly ordained/unemployed ministers have to "sell" themselves over others in order to get a ministry position. Churches have to "sell" themselves, sometimes at the expense of other churches, to grow. But the church that selects the pastor selects the pastor not because that pastor is the "best/most pious available pastor," but the best fit for that church's needs. Same the person "church shopping" and their selection of a church. Same the person w/ $10 in their hand trying to decide what CD to buy. In other words, I would say that promotion in this aspect in no way stands as lifting your name above others (it's not a contest as to who can shout the loudest, as I implied above) as much as putting your name in with the others (much like a ministry candidate submits an application or a church lists themselves in a local paper's "church directory."). Remember, too, when it comes to CD sales and show attendance you are not necessarily "competing" just "against" Paul, Kathryn, etc but everything else we could spend our time and money on. Maybe I buy your CD instead of a bottle of booze...maybe go to your show instead of a movie... By no means am I trying to trivialize your point tho. I agree strongly that this is a really awkward area with a lot to consider. I think the minute you stop being concerned about it is the time you start falling on the "wrong side" of the tightrope. But consuming yourself too much with it is not good either... Still don't think I'm completely happy w/ this comment but I'll hit submit now... :-)
you're a wise man Dan O.
Brenton, all I can say is that two weeks ago I'd never even heard of you (though I'd seen your name on music) and had given others credit for music you had written. Then I got the opportunity to join with you in worship at Creation fest UK. The thing that blessed me most and spoke to my heart was the way that you allowed others to introduce you, spoke little of yourself but just got on with the business of worshipping God. Granted you are the first 'famous' lead worshipper I have met so I have no point of comparison with others but there were a lot of bands there that week and to me.......your humility continues to speak to me. (did I secretly not want to jump on stage and harmonise my little heart out? absolutley.....but) I came to that first meeting on the sunday so very low and dry. I left that night feeling blessed and refuelled. I know that paying the bills is a necessity but as a singer and previously a songwriter.....I am definitly un-famous and unknown. Its God who ultimately promotes us. It wouldn't work otherwise. As someone who leads occassionally at church, it can be so difficult to be yourself in Christ but keep ego out of the picture. Personally I have found this very challenging at times not to mention confusing when you want to lead others into freedom of worship and not a performance. I am very grateful to God (and to you) for the example you set for me. Your approach to song-writing also blessed me more than you could ever know. Be in no doubt that you are a man used by God.
These are great thoughts, and refreshing to hear that even the guys who's song we sing have the thoughts that we who don't (write for the larger Body), have thought (if that makes any sense at all?!). I was at your 'gig' (if that's even the right term) at the church in Motherwell, Scotland, a few months ago. I was inspired and filled with love for God during our time worshipping together. Thanks for being real.
You are too kind, b. As usual hitting "post" on my comment reveals other comments that have come in the interim that are more eloquent and concise than mine. ;-) Good conversation here.
I think that you're right to be concerned especially in a culture that is desperate to find heroes. The good thing is that people haven't really heard of you, but they love singing your songs. And that's a pretty good litmus test. I know - I have to tell them. This is because I believe that you still live by the mantra "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.." Under a unique form of elongated chinese torture, this would still be what you would claim as your motivation for what you do..."SAY IT SAY IT - you want to elevate yourself skinny man...." "No....no...it's all for Him, Mr Chan..."
LOL @ Doug …”SAY IT SAY IT - you want to elevate yourself skinny man….” “No….no…it’s all for Him, Mr Chan…” that creates an interesting and highly amusing picture in my head.......but the sentiment is one I definilty want to emulate.
Brenton thanks a ton - love this. Would you be open to allowing us to publish this as a Featured Article on TheWorshipCommunity.Com (I'm the owner/publisher)? Thanks a ton! Fred McKinnon
I am a worship leader who has also worked in marketing in the past. My advice to companies who are trying to get their name out there - "What you say is more important than who you are. If what you say doesn't matter to me, why should I care who you are?!" The words in the songs God has given you B are more important to me than who you are (sorry) and thus, I buy your album and you make money (hopefully). Of course, hearing your heart in your blog helps solidify my desire to support you financially. Continue to let God stir your heart and gifts to write words and music that stir my heart and the rest will take care of itself! Blessings,
Thanks for the shout-out!
No worries. Just honoring that pay for promotion agreement we had. Expecting the $5 in the mail.
You're right Nat B. That's all the greater church is looking for. But it does a leave space for writers to abuse the trust placed in them by the greater church - if not the local church. This used to worry me a lot. Especially when i witnessed people falling away from God. But in the end the Glory belongs to the Lord and He will receive the glory - whether we honor Him or not. Obviously, we have the opportunity as writers to honor Him with our lives, but His greatness is not diminished by our failings - thank goodness! brenton
Great post!! I always refer to myself as a lead worshipped, instead of worship leader. For me, it takes the away some of the stature. I need your help with a post I'm working on. I'm looking to all of the Christians who inspire me for guidance. How would you describe someone who is "religious," and why? Do you think there is a difference between Christian and religious? Thanks for all of your help!!
[...] Re-posted with permission from Brenton Brown. [...]
I like what you have to say and appreciate you saying it. I am usually more than frustrated with how worship music is peddled for profit. I can't claim that I know how the game fully works, nor am I in any position to know the 'artist's' intention, but I think it's fair to say that record companies and churches have different priorities. The top priority for a record company is to make money. There is nothing wrong with that, they are a business. The top priority for the church is to glorify Jesus and spread his praise through the gospel. So when you mix the two they will naturally collide. (the whole Serving Two Masters thing...) You will find that there are pros and cons to this collision, but I tend to think the cons outweigh the pros, (my opinion.) I have no problem with an songwriter writing music for the church to use in gathered worship, nor do I have a problem with them making money when people buy what they have created. But I wonder how many songwriter/performers compromise the priorities of the church in an effort to make their 'name' or song big enough for the church to sing it? I think that's a fair question to ask. The difference is fairly obvious to me when God raises someone or some song to the forefront compared to when a record company or artist pushes their name to the forefront. I think the difference is huge. When God does it, it is for His glory and the man/woman he chooses to raise up can rest in Christ, whether they are paid or not. The latter are in danger of shoving God off his throne. Again I appreciate your honesty in this post. It is nice to hear it from someone on the inside. But, (again, in my opinion, and I say this with all sincerity about myself and no one in particular) I would find it troubling if I was put in a situation where I had to promote 'my name above all other names' just to support my family. There are other options and other ways to support our families besides being a worship rock star, but it's not often the sexy or easy route to take. Thank you for the great post and the great discussion it generates!
You are a good man to struggle with these things. Once I answered the question "Who is your favorite worship leader" by saying "Gandhi!" and got the strangest look. But I think you are getting at here what I was getting at there.