Being led by the Holy Spirit seems like it would be a good thing, especially when leading worship. Being open to the Holy Spirit’s leading is something we’re called to.
But I am beginning to wonder if this “creative liberty” is harming worship more than helping.
Years ago, when a worship leader went “off script” in my worship experience, I found it slightly refreshing. “Ah,” I’d think. “He/she isn’t letting the Holy Spirit be boxed in. They’re allowing the Spirit to move.”
Now, it just annoys me.
When worship leaders start leading a song that’s off script, it can make for a really awkward situation, for several people.
If the band doesn’t know what you’re about to lead, how are they going to follow along? Sure, you might have a few really talented musicians who can jump on in and improv with you, but if they’re anything like me, not so much. I have got to have music in front of me, or my guitar ain’t making any chords. I am just not that good. So, instead of playing along, the band stands there, waiting for the worship leader to wrap it up.
And the poor person doing the slides. Oh, that poor person. I pity them the most. I have done that job. There’s nothing worse than 50 heads whipping around, giving you the evil eye because there are no words, or the wrong words on screen. My husband, the sound tech, wanted to make a sign that said, “NOT MY FAULT!” to flash when everyone turned to look at him. When the road map is changed or a new song added without any notice given to this person controlling the slides, what are they supposed to do? Read the worship leader’s mind? Usually this person is a nervous volunteer, and when people start staring at you because the slides aren’t right, it’s hard to think under pressure. Being led by the Spirit is not a worshipful experience for that poor person behind the computer screen. (Let me insert here a huge thank you to all those volunteers who control the slides during worship. Yours is a noble task.)
Then we have the person out in the audience who is relying on the words on screen. Suddenly, they’re now left on their own. Sure, some are comfortable ad libbing or closing their eyes and getting lost in the moment, but then there are others who are just standing there, wondering what to do. Even if it’s a “well known” song or hymn, I don’t think it should be casually thrown in. My very wise husband made a very wise comment recently.
Assuming that everyone knows the song you’re leading is dangerous. There could be that newcomer who has never heard it, and now they’re completely left out.
Like anything, “Being Led By The Spirit” can be overdone. I put that in quotes because I’m not sure it always is led by the Spirit. As someone who speaks rather than sings, I have heard preachers say that they want to be led by the Spirit, so they wait until the last minute to prepare. This just seems like an excuse to be lazy. Why can’t you be led by the Spirit to prepare ahead of time? Why can’t an orderly, scripted service be led by the Spirit? I’m not saying you don’t go off script on occasion. But it should not be the norm.
I agree; I wonder how much is actually authentically from the Spirit. And yes, saying you’re waiting to be led by the Spirit and waiting until the last minute is just being lazy. It makes it seem like the Holy Spirit is a procrastinator.
Having grown up in a Pentecostal tradition, I have seen “being led by the Spirit” done very beautifully–definitely adding to the worship experience for everyone. I’ve also seen it done very poorly–adding to the worship experience of a few.
I think sticking to a plan is best, as long as you don’t completely shut out any leading you receive. Unfortunately, this leads to the other topic of “When is the Spirit leading?” The answer to that question is “I don’t know!”
I agree that it can be beautiful, but I’m afraid much of what I see isn’t done very well. It almost seems forced sometimes.
Yeah it does seem forced. One thing that the newer generation of ministers is doing is seeking the Spirit in preparation rather than in action. When I look at biblical examples, it seems like the Spirit acted in the moments rather than in preparation, but I don’t see why/how the creator of the universe should be limited in that way.
I agree. Like Larry said in his comment, it seems some ministers use “being moved by the Spirit” as an excuse to be lazy and not prepare. We need to be open to the Spirit’s leading, but we still have to do our part.
It seems to me, and please correct me if I’m wrong, that being “led by the Spirit” in this fashion–if it doesn’t work out–kinda makes God the scapegoat? Thing is, last time I checked, He doesn’t make any mistakes.
“We felt God leading in this direction.”
“Didn’t work out so well, did it?”
“Well, God told us, so…”
And that’s not even close to some of the weirdness I’ve heard about. Anecdotally, I’ve heard there have been churches where the leadership decides who’s going to have which musical gift. As if the gifts of the Spirit worked that way.
“Brother so-and-so, come on over so we can lay hands on you. You’re going to have the gift of… piano.”
So I’ve heard anyway. And lest you think I jest, I was once personally prayed over by a group of four sweaty elders to “receive the initial evidence of the indwelling” (tongues), and nothing happened. When it became evident we weren’t getting anywhere, one of them told me “Just start muttering, it’ll happen.”
WOW. Just… wow.
I know, right? Crazy.
If they are really being lead by the Holy Spirit, it seems like the Holy Spirit could also lead the slide person to the correct words at the exact moment of the worship leader going off script assuming that they are least repeating words sung previously or skipping ahead to a prepared slide. When they start making up their own version I just put on a blank slide and hope I don’t get questioned about it later.
Y’know, it’s funny how the poor slide person is never led by the spirit. I think putting up the blank slide is the best thing you can do in that moment. Looks better than completely wrong words.