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Here We Are to Worship

Sarah shares her passion for sung worship and what it’s like to be a part of the worship team at CCL.

Being part of any team is a humbling experience. It’s a reminder that we cannot do many things by ourselves, and there aren’t many teams that are more obviously ‘better together’ than a group of musicians. There is no greater testament to what can happen when folks come together to sing from the same song sheet, to literally play their part, however small, for the sake of the whole. There isn’t much that tells us more about the power of teamwork than the sound of voices blending in perfect harmony or the sense of unity when the whole band is playing together, each person with their own place in the groove, none more important than any others, but all integral to the moment. Even better is when this can be done in order to serve the church.

There is something transcendent about music, and I think, more than just knowing that, God is the reason for that. Music is spoken of highly in the Bible. God Himself sings, and so it leads me to conclude that it is important for us too. Saul’s soul was plagued by an evil spirit and it was only the sound of David’s harp playing that would soothe him. Paul and Silas sang in the midnight hour and their prison doors were flung open. On one occasion, the Lord even commands that a band of worshippers be sent out before the army in a battle…and as they sing, they are given the victory. Corporate sung worship is so significant and it’s a privilege to be a part of the band that helps to lead the church in it.

We do not stand on the platform as performers. This is no show. We are simply leading the way and inviting the rest of the congregation to join us as we offer up songs of adoration to our Father and sing declarations about what we believe to lift our weary spirits. We aren’t closer to God, holier or better for being in this particular ministry. Paul describes it well when he writes about the body:

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. . .If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose… there are many parts, yet one body. 1 Corinthians 12:12; 17-19.

God wants to hear everybody’s voice in sung worship – he is not looking for perfection or performance from anyone, but as a worship team, standing at the front to lead, we are playing our part in the body.

Being on the worship team is a joy. I have the best (figurative) seat in the house one Sunday a month. Standing on the stage and facing the congregation, I get to look out and see people’s decisions. It is so encouraging. People choosing to engage in worship, saying no to fear and inhibition – whether that looks like dancing feet, lifted hands or a smiling face, encountering God and choosing to declare His goodness over their situation.

As a worship team, we are united as we arrive at church to set up hours before the service starts, as we learn new arrangements or contribute new ideas, or when we share songs we have written. We are made one when we pray together, when we catch another’s eye during a set, when we talk about how aware we were of God’s presence. We become family when we meet mid-week to rehearse, when we wind up cables and pack down after the service, when we laugh over a meal.

If you feel a pull or a nudge to join the worship team, don’t delay. Come join this band of imperfect brothers and sisters, being bound together in love through the beautiful medium of music, offering our gifts as a sacrifice to the One from whom every good and perfect gift comes.

If you’re interested in getting involved with the Christ Church London worship team, you can email our worship leader Rich at [email protected].

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