Leading Not Controlling

I recently read a portion of Bob Sorge's book "Exploring Worship" that caught my attention. "Exploring Worship" was published by Oasis House in 1987. He writes "The worship leader is a prompter, not a cheerleader at a pep rally. Being a "leader" of worship does not mean being a "conductor" or "controller" of worship. When worship leaders try to manipulate people into a certain response or expression, they are moving into this forbidden area of conducting or controlling worship. A leader does not elicit a response through manipulative means; he or she inspires a response by way of example. He leads by encouraging and inspiring the people to enter into praise, but the people have the prerogative of either responding or observing. We must never attempt to coerce the people, even if the desired goal is a noble one. Good worship leaders do not learn manipulation, but they do learn exhortation. ...In order to be effective, a worship leader must be visible to all the people and yet must simultaneously assume a style that becomes invisible, in order that the people's attention might move from the horizontal plane to the vertical."
As a worship leader, this transition is a wonderful thing to experience and is likewise a wonderful thing to witness. But the true test of any leader is the preception of indifference in those you are attempting to lead. It's helpful to remember, timing is important to everyone. And we're not all wired the same. Depending on what people are dealing with, some will quickly transition pushing the clutter of life aside while others may need a little more time and encouragement. Either way, consistent loving encouragement will ultimately draw our congregations into the biblical pattern where focus ultimately is directed toward God, not anyone or anything else.