Do you know that "how to be an effective worship leader" is one of the most searched for topics around worship leading? Isn't that encouraging to know that worship leaders all around the world simply want to get better?

There are so many facets to leading worship it's hard to come up with a definitive guide to say "if you do these things, you will be effective in your worship leading." However, there are several qualities that effective worship leaders exhibit.

Here are 5 characteristics of an effective worship leader:

1 | They focus more on their congregation than themselves

Effective worship leaders are not selfish. They understand that their job is to serve their congregation. That means that sometimes they have to make sacrifices - whether that's musical choices, song keys, song preferences, etc. - in order to better serve their church. Effective worship leaders are first and foremost servants who put other's needs before their own.

2 | They put the work in in private

Effective worship leaders understand that what's done in private comes out in public. You may be able to fake it for a while but eventually your private life leaks into your public life. Effective worship leader put in the work behind closed doors when no one is watching and THAT fuels their public ministry.

3 | They push others into the spotlight

Effective worship leaders do not seek the spotlight. They understand that it's better to put other people in places of recognition by equipping them to do ministry instead of doing everything themselves. Sometimes an effective worship leader might not even lead a single song on Sunday because they have properly equipped their team.

4 | They think long-term instead of short-term

An effective worship leader is prudent. They make decisions with the future in mind. They understand that sometimes short-term pain is necessary for long-term success.

5 | They are laser focused on the "big thing" and are not distracted by a million small things

An effective worship leader is focused on the important thing. There are a million things you can do in worship ministry - effective leaders determine what is most important and wholeheartedly pursue it!

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