What is a Worship Leader?
Worship is at the heart of all we do as God's people. As Christians living our daily lives and seeking to follow Jesus, our lives become worship. And we gather to worship together to celebrate who God is and what God has done. As we worship, we watch and listen for what God is doing amongst us, and what part we can play.
Worship is encounter with the living God. Leading worship is simply (but incredibly) about providing an opportunity for people to meet with God.
“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 (NRSV).
In our Methodist tradition, everyone is encouraged to take part in worship, and in the leading of worship. Some people take part by doing a Bible reading or leading a prayer, others may share a little of what God is doing in their lives through sharing testimony.
Others, called Worship Leaders may do some or all of these things, and also take a more wide-ranging role in planning and leading worship on a regular basis. Are you interested in finding out whether you could be a Worship Leader?
What do Worship Leaders do?
Worship leaders are appointed, trained and commissioned by their Church Council to take a leading and significant role in public worship in their church. They work alongside the minister or local preacher appointed to lead an act of worship. Their role may include choosing and leading music and prayers, reading Bible passages or other readings, facilitating dance or drama and any other aspect of worship other than preaching and presiding at Holy Communion.
Increasing numbers of Metrhodist Churches are realising the benefits that worship leaders bring. They often know their local congregation well and can introduce new creative insights and gifts into worship which are grounded in their local community and shaped by local mission priorities.
Who can be a Worship Leader?
Worship leaders must be members of the Methodist Church, and are appointed to serve in this role within their local church. The Church Council is responsible for accepting prospective worship leaders for training, providing them with opportunities to develop their skills and for appointing them to their role. Worship leaders serve for a period of three years, following which their appointment can be renewed by their Church Council based on the recommendation of the local preachers’ meeting.
How are Worship Leaders trained?
The authorised training course for worship leaders is the Worship: Leading & Preaching (WLP) course, which is also followed by local preachers. Modules 1-4 are used by worship leaders and local preachers. Local preachers carry on to study modules 5-8.
The training for worship leaders is flexible and modular. As a minimum, there is a Worship: Foundations workbook which you work through with your Mentor. You are also required to complete Module 2 of the WLP course. The level of training you need is set by your Church Council, but the Circuit Local Preachers Meeting can help out by providing a mentor and tutor for you.
If you want to carry on beyond Module 2 of the WLP course, you are of course free to do so. Here are some Guidelines for Church Councils which may help you work out, with your Minister and your church, the level of training that is right for you.
To satisfy safeguarding policy, all Worship Leaders are also required to have a full DBS check and to complete advanced safeguarding training, and to complete the Methodist Church’s mandatory training in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
For more information on the Worship: Leading & Preaching course, please click here.
Want to find out more?
If you know someone who is a worship leader already, have a word with them to find out what is involved. You could volunteer to lead prayers or do Bible reading in your church to gain some experience. It's always a good idea to speak to your Minister, who will be able to help you work through whether this is something for you, and will be able to advise on next steps.
You may find this booklet helpful. It includes testimonies, Bible passages and practical guidance to encourage reflection, prayer and talking things through with others.
How are worship leaders appointed?
Worship leaders who are appointed by their Church Council are commissioned at a service of worship in their local church or circuit. A suitable service is included in the Methodist Worship book on page 350.
Those who successfully complete modules 1 to 4 (Portfolio A) of the Worship: Leading & Preaching course receive a certificate to mark their achievement, which should be presented at this service. The certificate is available as a download here. Please note that printed copies of this certificate are not available from the Connexional Team.
Worship leaders serve for a period of three years. They can be reappointed by the church council for a further three years following a review conducted by the local preachers’ meeting.
How is long service recognised?
We encourage churches to actively support and encourage their worship leaders in their calling. We also encourage churches to celebrate long and faithful service in this role. A long service certificate for Worship Leaders is available to download here.
What does our Constitutional Practice say about worship leaders?
An extract of our Standing Orders concerning worship leaders can be downloaded here.