Here's Where Worship Leaders Need to Grow

By Derek Volkmann, 2.1.2025

Many worship leaders think that their role is only wrapped up in music, tech, Bible reading, and prayer, but they often miss out on a key part of doing worship ministry that affects the trajectory of their local church.

It comes down to pursuing the gift of hospitality.

What Is the Gift of Hospitality?

Hospitality is mentioned in the Bible as something we ought to do, particularly in Romans 12:13, where the apostle Paul says:

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

We also see it in 1 Peter 4:9, where the apostle tells the early church:

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Some interpret the gift of hospitality to be a gift of the Spirit (i.e., teaching, preaching, prophesying), while others view it only as a virtue/talent (faith, love, kindness, other "fruits"). Regardless of your view, hospitality is commanded of each Christian; it's something that we can all grow in.

And worship leaders are no exception.

How Do I Practice Hospitality as a Worship Leader?

Traditionally, hospitality work is much like showing benevolence to strangers, persons in need, widows, etc. What comes to mind is someone who organizes meal trains for a couple who just delivered a baby, or inviting guests of the church over to your home for a meal.

But really, a person gifted in hospitality relates well with others and makes them feel welcome. They do this by:

• Listening more than speaking.
• Asking plenty of questions.
• Being sensitive to non-verbal cues.
• Showing love that points to Jesus.

As worship leaders, it's super easy to fall into the trap of busy-ness on a Sunday morning; we have to get through starting up our systems, running through soundcheck/rehearsal, then do the service(s), shut everything down, and then go home. With all of these duties, we often leave those outside of our team "in the dust"; there's often simply too little time for chit-chat and getting to know people.

But that's exactly what you must do! Getting to know the congregation outside of your team helps you better identify their passions, dreams, struggles, and prayers, which then fuels how you minister to them in song and exhortation.

For me, I struggle with the same issue of not having enough time on Sunday morning, or even throughout the week to regularly welcome people, whether in passing conversation or through inviting them to our home. But I'm trying to get better.

I've tried to strengthen and maintain the existing connections I have with the rest of the worship team, and then I stick to our rehearsal times to the "t," even taking the opportunity to end a little earlier so I have extra time to mingle and say hi to folks before the service starts. That kind of consistent "showing up" pays big down the road, as you form stronger connections to the people who you "do life with." (Plus, if you're like me, you put names with faces A LOT better the more times you interact.)

Also, pay attention to the prayer needs that come through, whether from the pulpit or in a message thread, and then connect those needs to a face. Keep them in mind as you prepare your set lists, and then when the opportunity arises, you can speak encouragement throughout the set (as appropriate, of course.) I can recall powerful moments when as a church, we were able to minister to families whose loved ones were facing inevitable death, and we sang songs that reminded us of the hope and everlasting life we have in Jesus. At other times, we used songs and Scriptures to minister to folks who were struggling with financial need, addiction recovery, and general hopelessness. The point is, we knew the need because we paid attention and connected with the people, which allowed for specific ministering in our own talents and abilities.

Aside from that, look for someone new in the lobby or auditorium and be sure to connect with them—when they see that someone from the platform leading service took time to make sure that they were seen, then they are more apt to keep coming and join your church family.

Baby Steps

A great place to start practicing hospitality is to show intentionality in your "margin" times, where the chit-chat usually takes place. For me, it usually happens when I grab a coffee in our welcome center, and I almost always end up talking to someone unfamiliar or whom I haven't seen in a while. Ask questions that go beyond the, "How are you?" and more into the, "Hey! How has your week? Anything interesting happen?" You get a chance for more specifics to emerge, which lead to more questions and a deeper connection.

And when you keep doing that, with more and more people, then pretty soon you'll find enrichment everywhere, both personally and in your ministry.

Be blessed ????