Personal Preparation For Worship

A constant enemy of worship leaders is busyness, for it takes them away from the all-important time spent with God. Other aspects of personal preparation for worship leading include knowing the needs of the congregation one serves; beginning preparations for services early in the week, if not weeks ahead of time (by choosing sermon themes far in advance); and seeking input from others. Exactly how does a worship leader prepare to lead the congregation each week in worship? If my experience is typical, many leaders spend most of their time preparing the various elements of worship-such as the sermon or congregational prayer-and give little attention to preparing themselves for that majestic privilege of ushering people into the presence of God. What strange creatures we are! We meticulously groom ourselves to meet some human dignitary but will waltz unthinkingly into the presence of the Almighty. The Busy-Servant Syndrome. For me, the first step in personal preparation for worship…