I’ve always loved it when worship leaders take a moment to talk and explain things before or during a song. It adds such a personal, human touch to the worship experience. Lately, there’s been this push from service production teams to streamline everything and keep transitions tight, but honestly, I think we lose something valuable when we discourage those moments.
When a worship leader shares the heart behind a song, a verse that relates to it, or just a word of encouragement, it transforms the moment. It’s no longer just singing—it’s fellowship. It gives context to the lyrics and makes them resonate in a deeper, more meaningful way. It reminds us why we’re singing in the first place and connects us as a community. To me, that’s what turns a playlist into worship and a service into something unique and special.
When I used to lead worship years ago, I remember being told to stop talking because it messed up the timing of the service. Someone even said, “You’re just the singer, not the preacher.” I can understand where they were coming from—there’s a flow to the service, and everyone has their role.
But at the end of that same service, someone from the congregation came up to me and thanked me for something I had mentioned during one of the songs. She said it was exactly what she was going through and that it gave her the encouragement she needed. That moment made the solution to my dilemma instantly clear. Timing matters, but so does ministry. If even one word can touch someone’s heart, it’s worth it.
This brings up another important thing we need to approach more intentionally: the alignment between the message and the songs. You can sense when both parts of a service are on the same page. Each song starts preparing the minds and hearts of the church for the topic that’s going to be shared. It creates a sense of unity and focus that goes beyond the music itself.
When a short word of encouragement or testimony during worship aligns with the direction of the message, it has the power to amplify its impact. However, it’s crucial that these words are rooted in Scripture, ensuring they don’t distract or mislead but instead point people toward God’s truth. It’s like planting seeds that the sermon later waters, making the transformation even deeper. That connection between worship and the Word isn’t just a nice touch—it’s a way of creating a seamless flow that points the congregation toward God’s truth with clarity and purpose.