Be Authentic

As I’ve traveled, I’ve seen worship teams who seem to be engaged in leading worship, jumping up and down in excitement. But it’s been fake. It’s almost as if they were coached to look excited or to move their hands in a certain way so the congregation would know what to do.

And to my chagrin, I have to admit that I used to coach teams to do that very thing, but with one caveat—I’ve always said that it needs to come from your heart, not from your head.

I appreciate seeing someone on the platform who is abandoned in worship—still leading with their eyes open but focused on God—not caring if they look pretty or if they’re moving their hands in a certain way. Oh the habits we pick up.

Be who you are in Christ. Stop trying to put on an act of joy. Know WHO lives inside of you, and allow Him to manifest His presence in and through you.

If you’re not living a holy life, or you’re so focused on putting on a good show, or you think you have to be a cheerleader for the congregation, then you won’t be authentic. The congregation will see it, and they will disengage from the worship experience—you’ll distract them.

I’ve also seen worship teams who don’t know how to smile, or use eye contact, or how to release the joy that’s inside of them as they lead.

I think that since God lives inside of you, you should be so consumed by Him that He is one that people see when they look at you. Otherwise, all they will see is your body, or your professionalism, or in some cases your fear.

Get to know God. Allow His Spirit to show you areas in your life that need to change. Repent. Move forward. Be real—who you really are—one who expresses the life and character of your Savior in all ways.

Be authentic.