#worshipfails: Lessons I’ve Learnt as a Worship Leader

Here’s a confession: one of my absolute favourite Instagram pages is @worshipfails. It’s a collection of moments caught on video where things go hilariously wrong during a church worship set. From keyboard stands giving way, worship leaders’ voices breaking comically at the high notes, to lead guitarists majestically playing in an entirely different key. These clips either make you cringe or laugh out loud. Or both.

I love it, but not in an evil or malicious way. I love scrolling through these ‘fail moments’ because it reminds me that we don’t always have to take ourselves too seriously. Mistakes happen to the best of us. Even bands like Hillsong and Bethel Church aren’t off the hook (yes, their epic fails are forever immortalised there too).

I’ve had my own fair share of #worshipfails. During a worship set last year, the backing track to the first song just wouldn’t play. After embarrassingly restarting it three times, we had no choice but to power through without it. And beyond technical failures, perhaps something that hits a little closer to home is when the congregation just doesn’t respond to your leading. Nothing makes me want to bury my face more.

Thankfully, these are moments I can look back on now, knowing that they were good learning experiences. It wasn’t always like that though. When I first started leading worship, I would be devastated for days if I felt things had gone south. It was a process of learning to disassociate my failings from my identity. So here are 4 tips I’ve learnt over the years in overcoming #worshipfails.

1. Don’t be awkward

Started a song in the wrong key? Forgot your lyrics? Do not panic. Your awkward energy rubs off on people, and it will make the atmosphere uncomfortable. Try managing the tension by first owning the mistake gracefully yet without making a big deal out of it. Stay calm and collected, I’ve learnt that if I can smile about it on stage, people skip past that blunder rather quickly. Check out how Brian Johnson from Bethel Church handles the moment he sung a wrong lyric.

"I'm not gonna act like I didn't say it.. I said it" 😂🙌🏼 @brianjohnsonm #worshipfails

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Posted on 6 January on @worshipfails Instagram page

2. Don’t condemn yourself

I realised I was doing myself a disservice by constantly faulting myself for things that didn’t go well. It created an unhealthy and dangerous connection between ‘my performance’ and ‘my identity’. If we can agree without hesitation that taking glory for a breakthrough is unacceptable, then why are we criticising ourselves to death when things don’t go according to plan? It’s one thing to not practice or prepare well, but it’s another if you’ve given your best and served with excellence. We are mere vessels; partners with the Holy Spirit. Our responsibility is in showing up prepared, and God will do the rest.

3. Don’t give up

“I will NEVER lead worship ever again in my life!”. This might be one of the top things worship leaders say (other than “Lift up a shout of praise!”, or “Just the voices...”). I’m not ashamed to admit that I have repeated this to myself after every awful worship leading experience. But one of the most important lessons I’ve learnt is to keep my chin up and keep going. The more we clock in the practice hours and sets we lead, the better we get. Part of worship leading is the honing of a craft, which means we can grow in it. This is always the first advice I give to worship leaders starting out: keep leading, and you’ll find yourself getting sharper and increasingly comfortable leading others.

4. Don’t forget who worship is for

The last and most important point – remember who worship is for. As much as we might have dreaded the experience or hearing disapproving comments from people, remind yourself the offering and sacrifice was really only meant for one Person. Receive feedback humbly and work on growing your craft, but resist falling into the performance trap. Afterall, this was never about pleasing men, but God.

Finally, do yourself a favour: follow @worshipfails on Instagram. It’s life changing.

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Blog, Worship, IdentityIan ChewJune 23, 2020Comment

#worshipfails: Lessons I’ve Learnt as a Worship Leader

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