As worship leaders, we often carry the weight of Sunday mornings on our shoulders. We invest time planning the setlist, rehearsing with the band, and making sure transitions are smooth and the production is flawless. And while excellence matters, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the best gift we can give our church is a perfectly executed worship set. But the truth is, the most valuable gift you can give your church isn’t your talent, your leadership, or your creativity—it’s your deep, sincere walk with God.

In John 15, Jesus reminds us to abide in Him because apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). As worship leaders, this truth must anchor us. Our primary role isn’t to lead songs but to lead people to Jesus. And we can’t effectively lead others where we haven’t been ourselves. Being in tune with Jesus and loving him deeply is the single most important contributor to being a great worship leader. 

Spending time in the secret place—studying Scripture, praying, and delighting in the presence of God—is where our hearts are renewed, and our love for Jesus grows. When we lead from a place of deep intimacy with Him, our leadership becomes an overflow of our personal relationship with God. This is how we help our church encounter the presence of God, not just through our words or music but through the authenticity of our own worship.

If we’re honest, it’s easy to fall in love with the idea of being a great worship leader. We can find ourselves chasing validation through excellence or applause. But being a good worship leader means loving God more than the platform, more than the role, and even more than the affirmation of others.

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). This is the foundation of worship leadership. Our love for God should far outweigh our love for the craft or the position. When we love God deeply, it frees us from the pressure to perform and aligns our hearts with His.

Matthew 6:6 teaches us the importance of praying in secret, away from the eyes of others. It’s in these private moments that we humble ourselves before God and remember that we’re not the center of the worship experience—He is. The secret place is where pride is dismantled, and humility is formed.

When we regularly humble ourselves before God, we begin to delight in Him for who He is, not for what He can do through us. This posture of humility shapes how we lead. It shifts our focus from trying to impress others to simply serving God and His people with love and sincerity.

Success as a worship leader isn’t measured by the energy in the room or the applause at the end of a set. It isn’t measured by our competency or the size of our platform. True success is measured by our faithfulness to love God and lead others into His presence. When your heart is captivated by Jesus, it will naturally draw others to Him.

Your church doesn’t need a superstar worship leader. They need someone who walks closely with Jesus, whose life reflects His love and humility. They need a leader whose passion for God is evident not just on stage but in every aspect of their life.

Worship leader, let this be an encouragement and a challenge: yes, grow in your craft and, yes, strive for excellence; but don’t neglect the secret place. The most powerful worship you’ll ever lead will flow from a heart deeply connected to God. Spend time studying Scripture, not to prepare for Sunday, but to know Him more. Pray not just for the setlist but for your own soul to be in tune with the Spirit. Delight in God, not for what He can do for you but for who He is.

Your walk with God is the greatest gift you can give your church. As you deepen your love for Him, you’ll find that everything else—your leadership, your creativity, your skill—will fall into place.