You Don't Have to Have It All Figured Out to Lead Worship
Can I be honest with you for a second?
I don't have a theology degree. I don't have a seminary background. And there are still days I walk up to that mic and wonder if I am really the right person for this.
But I keep going back. And I think that's kind of the whole point.
Sam leading worship at Rock Creek Church
When I first started leading worship, I thought the "qualified" people were the ones with the credentials, the training, the right answers in the right order. I looked around and felt like everyone else had a map I never got. What I didn't realize then is that faithfulness doesn't wait until you feel ready. God tends to call us forward right in the middle of our questions.
That's actually why I do what I do now. I talk to worship leaders, specifically women who are newer to this, who are standing right where I stood. Maybe it's your first time leading a song at your church and your hands are shaking. Maybe you've been doing this a little while but you still feel like an imposter most days. Maybe nobody ever sat down with you and explained why we even do this, like really why, and you need someone to remind you that this is a privilege.
I want to be that person for you.
Because worship is never just a song. Every time you step up to lead, you are creating a space for people to encounter God. That's not small. That's not something you do when you feel confident enough. That matters right now, in the season you're in, even if you're still learning, even if you're asking a lot of questions, even if you're borrowing courage from mentors you just recently met.
Here's what I have learned, and what I want you to take with you today: excellence is not the same as perfection. You can pursue excellence in your preparation, in your heart posture, in how you show up for the people you're leading, and still not have everything figured out. Those two things can exist at the same time.
You are not disqualified because you are still growing. You are exactly where you're supposed to be.
So if nobody has told you lately, let me say it: you were made for this. Lead with courage. Lead with honesty. And give yourself a little grace while you do.
