In almost all forms of communication – the message is followed by feedback (a response). Sometimes, the feedback is nonverbal. For example, if I told you I had lost my job, you might provide feedback by simply frowning and never saying a word. This form of feedback is most common, especially in churches. Think about the pastor during Sunday morning. Nods, smiles, frowns, and maybe an “Amen” are all forms of feedback that let the pastor know that he’s communicating clearly or not. We don’t think about it often, its just natural. The good communicators pay attention to it.

Imagine being a fourth grade Sunday School teacher, and a bunch of kids in the back room start making fart sounds with their armpits. Yes, those kids need to be corrected and taught how to be respectful, but is there something the teacher can learn from this? I think the Sunday school teacher really ought to take the hint: isn’t it possible that they’re making fart sounds because the teacher didn’t keep their attention? Spice it up!

So what’s that mean for worship leaders?

I believe that our purpose in the church service is to help others experience God. The mission of worship is to encounter God, but the mission of worship leading is to take other people with you. If we’ve gone onto the stage, had a wonderful encounter with God, but failed to lead anyone else towards God, we’ve completely failed the mission by only going halfway.

When you’re leading worship, do you ever get discouraged by many people just standing and staring at you with a blank look – like they have no idea what they’re supposed to be doing? Is it possible that those blank stares are actually nonverbal feedback? Is it possible that wise worship leaders should take a hint from them?

Imagine how absurd it would be for me to lead worship for a Nursing Home’s church service with a full rock band and sing a bunch of Hillsong. Or how insane would I be to start a missions project in the Costa Rican barrios and require everyone to sing worship songs in English. That’s rediculous. If I wanted to help the elderly experience God I would do songs that they could connect with. If I wanted to help the Costa Ricans, I would need to SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE.

If I’m going to be effective, what I like is irrelevant. It’s important, but completely irrelevant.

These examples are exaggerated, but they occur every week in many churches. They happen every single time a worship team or worship leader puts his preferences above what will help the congregation experience God.