What Every Pastor Wishes His Worship Leader Knew

What worship leaders will learn from this article:

• How pastors actually want worship leaders to lead
• Why discipleship in worship matters more than entertainment
• The role of posture and teaching congregational response
• How to align with your pastor on song choices and service flow
• Ways to read the room without compromising theology
• How spoken words on the mic shape worship culture
• Keys to building trust and ministry partnership with your pastor

Church isn’t a concert, and pastors want worship leaders to lead, not just sing well. In this piece J.D. Greear unpacks 14 heartfelt, pastor-to-leader reflections that reveal what often goes unsaid. At the heart of the article is a simple truth: worship leadership is discipleship first, performance second. If people seem unengaged, the problem isn’t necessarily their hearts; it’s often a lack of instruction and invitation from the platform. Greear urges leaders to teach congregations how to respond in worship, including biblical postures like lifting hands and lifting voices, because posture guides the heart in worship just as clearly as words do.

Pastors want leaders who pastor their people, not just front a band. That means getting out of the backstage bubble, building relationships, and shepherding with warmth. Clear communication with your pastor about why you choose certain songs or transitions makes goal alignment far easier and builds trust between the worship ministry and pulpit.

Artistic sensibilities matter too, but not at the expense of shepherding. Greear acknowledges that mood and musical style influence engagement, so leading with intentional energy and variety helps people connect without compromising truth. He also challenges leaders to be thoughtful with spoken words: skip the rock-show lines and craft intros that actually introduce God’s glory.

This article will reshape how you think about your role, giving you tools to lead with biblical depth, relational wisdom, and pastoral sensitivity. Exactly what pastors hope worship leaders bring to the room every Sunday.

Read the full article.