People respond to worship invitations. Use them!

Being invited to something is far better than being required.

First, we are talking about being a worship leader who uses Invitations as suggestions to a congregation toward an attitude or posture. We are not speaking about the invitation. This is the time in some services when the pastor says, “every head bowed, every eye closed…” and lives are changed forever by asking Jesus to be their Lord and Savior.

Instead, imagine being invited to a birthday party as a little kid. It is so exciting to be asked. I believe we will always appreciate being invited to things; no matter how old. The following paragraphs give you some ideas for why we need to be invited. How to assume the best about your audience. And then we look at some practical ways to invite people to worship and have them respond.

People leak with their intentions. Life happens. Reminders help.

This is how life works. You have the best of intentions. You wake up well-rested. Your family is extremely happy too. Then the dog eats one of your favorite shoes. One of your kids forgets to eat breakfast and is wailing in the backseat on the way to church. You slip getting out of your car in the church parking lot. All of this changes your mood and you end up grumpy and fighting the urge to leave as the worship leader–who seems to never have a bad day–says, “isn’t life with Jesus wonderful?”.

That’s how real life works. Remembering this, worship leaders who invite the congregation toward God’s best and to refocus when sensing that focus may be lost are effective. People leak in their intentions. Most are not grumpy with you as the leader, they just need to have the dust of the morning knocked off to be reminded of why they are there. Don’t be mad at them. Lead them through it.

Assume the best about your audience.

One of the neatest things about the stage is how it can transform a person. Someone may be quiet and reserved offstage, yet alive with a rich personality on. Part of this is becoming a character or even stepping into your role–which we discuss in the next section. The other part is that the stage is a bit mysterious. It offers a sense of control or voice that you wouldn’t have without it. That said, it can make you say things you wouldn’t normally. Or even, you may speak what your mind is thinking with less filter than in normal life.

Have you ever heard a worship leader say things like, “I know that you don’t want to be here, but it’s time to worship, let’s change our attitudes.” Then you wonder, what is this leader thinking? The truth is that most of a sanctuary or a room is not thinking the worst about you or the situation. Instead, they are waiting to be lead. They understand that they’ve shown up as part of the larger group awaiting instruction. Now you as the leader must assume they have the best intentions and lead them from that supposition. Never try to assume the worst about what someone may be thinking. Rather, begin from the mental model that everyone in the room can be lead. This means you have a group you can work with or lead.

You are the leader. They are the followers. Step into your role. The audience is in theirs. Practical ways to invite.

The best teams, organizations, or even marriages thrive when each person knows and steps into their roles. It’s when someone either cannot see themselves for what they are called to be or actively ignores their role when the balance is off. The best worship leaders know that their pastor and congregation have asked them to be in the position so they lead under that authority.

It’s with that authority that you’re able to invite the congregation toward goals. If you would like to see them sing more, ask them to. If you find that lifting hands is a goal, ask them to do that. Give cues throughout the song as well. Beginner worship leaders will practice and practice the words ahead of a song. Professionals will sense the room during a song and provide cues or feedback to the congregation. These cues are helpful and prove to be reminders. Remember, we all leak and forget our intentions. Use invitations.

Summary & Action Steps

Whether you are first beginning as a worship leader or stepping into your thirtieth year, you can learn different ways to invite people to worship. Invitations are not one-style-fits-all. Each moment is unique. We challenge you to take from key points from above and let us know how they work. Did your congregation respond? Was it an overwhelming response or perhaps more subtle? Incremental change is typically better than sweeping change. Let us know what you think in the comments below. As always, send us a message if you have questions or recommendations for future topics.