I write and teach with the perspective of a worship leader; that’s really the heart and goal of this site: to create an easy and affordable on ramp to help singers improve as we lead worship vocally in the church.
Having said that, it is important to remember the opportunity we have to communicate every time we sing. It is kind of scary though, isn’t it? Our voices are attached to our body. It is a very vulnerable thing. Unlike talking or teaching in front of people, to effectively sing we have to have energy and conviction to tell stories and relate messages through song – singing on notes.
For you fans of the movie Elf, there is a great scene where Buddy the Elf explains that singing is just talking, only louder and longer. Not always easy, but simple!
So what’s my point? If our goal is to communicate it changes our mindset. If I sing to be heard, that is about me; there is a lot of pressure there. However, if I sing to tell a story, to communicate a truth, to take people on a journey – now it is about them.
In the context of a worship service at church, I am there to serve everyone else. It is no longer about me, but about encouraging others to go on a journey together. Pretty empowering and freeing when you think about it.