I’ve recently been thinking about my role as worship leader in the context of a fight.

To be clear, the fight to which I’m referring is not like the ones we typically hear about in church. Choruses vs. hymns, too loud vs. too quiet, feeling like a concert vs. feeling like a funeral, digital vs. analog, dress shoes vs. … I could keep going. I’ve heard most everything over the time I’ve spent in ministry, but honestly, I’m not interested in engaging in those battles. The fight I’m talking about is the one that happens in our worship services between what is true and what is false. Between light and darkness. Between victory and defeat. Between presence and isolation.

Every time our worship team steps on the stage we are entering into a spiritual battle. We may not see the wounds or the damages that have occurred during the fight, but we can be sure that a conflict has been had and whether we knew it or not, we were swinging swords left and right.

Every person who comes into our worship gatherings enters with a variety of issues they use as their defenses. Some are consumed with fear, some with disbelief. Some are unable to trust and some are drawn to darkness. Some have no reason to smile and others are hiding underneath one.

As worship leaders, we bring our weapons of voice, instrument and song to go into a battle against those defenses. Every time we sing about God’s love we cut the legs off of fear. Every time we proclaim God’s promises we drive an arrow through the idea that He can’t be trusted. Every time we repeat the truth we smash the shield of falsehood and pride. Every time we smile and dance, we stomp on the forces of worry and discouragement. Every time we declare that the grace of God is amazing, we sever the sinner’s assumption they can make it on their own without Him. Every time we praise and worship, we crush the powers of panic and worry. Every time we announce God’s presence, we break down the barriers of isolation.

Every time we worship, we declare war against the defenses that are brought into the battle. As you participate in the music at church this weekend I encourage you to enter boldly. Pick up your sword and sing your song. You can be sure that defenses will fall for the enemy has already been defeated.