Leading with Eyes Wide Open

Is it really more spiritual to close one’s eyes while leading worship music or does it just feel that way to the leader? I asked one worship leader how he could lead with his eyes closed. His reply was, “My job is to worship. If I worship, they will follow.” Last time I checked, preaching was still a part of the worship experience. What if I closed my eyes as I preached? (I know, some worshippers do – as I preach) What if my preaching logic was, “my job is to worship (with my eyes closed), if I worship (at my own preaching), they will follow.” That appears to be a bit egotistical. Is it really all about me? Whether leading worship through music or preaching, let’s remember, worship is not about us. It’s about God. And leadership is about leading, as well as feeling. I’m so glad the Psalmist said, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills” (Ps. 121:1) rather than “I will close my eyes to all that is around me.” Granted, one can experience God with eyes open or shut, but leadership carries with it responsibility. Open your eyes and look around. If no one is following, you’re not really leading, no matter how you feel. God give us responsible worship leaders who lead with their eyes wide open.

Join me in remembering the following global prayer concerns:
• Pray for Bob and Carol as the start a new English-speaking Baptist church in Darmstadt, Germany.
• Pray for the new “International Coffee House” ministry in Northeast Poland.
• Pray for Tommy and Beth as train cell leaders in the southern Mexico city of Puebla on November 6-9.
• Pray for Canadian Christians as they minister along the route of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay and for ongoing plans for the “More Than Gold” Winter Olympic ministry.
• Pray for the Macau Baptist Church as they begin their 106th year of service and for Larry and Sarah who serve in that country.