Is STAGE PRESENCE a distraction?

[@joemiller9856]

The main thing for me to know the songs well enough so I can worship and play freely.

[@worshipartistry]

that's great advice. How do you generally go about learning the songs well enough?

[@ryangross714]

As someone just starting out playing in worship (and in any band in general) but having played guitar for over 20 years, I really appreciate that our worship leader encourages doing what you need to do. I still have to pay so much attention to what I'm doing and chord charts and stuff that it's super hard for me to have any sort of real presence (even if that's just looking up)! However, one thing our leader does encourage heavily is when you aren't having to do anything OR you're able to cause it's an easy section, simply sing along. Really helpful to show the congregation you're engaged AND it's super easy to be authentic with that in a real place of worship within yourself.

[@deniseciofani7727]

I’m a children’s worship leader and this was a very interesting conversation for me. We have always told our kid helpers to not be a distraction on stage as they are an example for the other kids. I do think it’s different for everyone of course but I really appreciated that the conversation came back to the core value which is that we are all there to worship God!! Thanks so much for these insights!!

[@DIGITAL7Media]

I play guitar at really big global church. I truly feel grateful that not once has anyone told me how to look and act on stage. One of my main issues playing on stage is trying to focus on what I need to play and also being present and feeling the moment that god is working through me and i can see how the crowd is feeling the emotion of the songs. Trying to take in the moment has distracted me from hitting the right notes. It’s a good discussion. This is a great topic. I love gear talk but i needed to hear this today. Thank you so much.

[@GC-bk1mv]

Great convo! I, myself, have always been very active on stage. It’s just who I am and how I express myself. I used to receive a lot of very positive feedback and encouragement with it as well. I never understood the people who just stood there, lifeless. I get that some ppl just don’t move because that’s just not their thing. Cool; but at least look somewhat engaged in what you’re doing? Just my take on that. As far as the whole idea of “here’s a big stage with lights and all that. Look engaged, but don’t bring attention to yourself!” Always has me scratching my head in bewilderment. It’s the same thing as hearing “we’re not here to perform….even tho we have a big stage and lights, etc.”. That still makes me laugh because it’s almost disingenuous? I totally agree that we are not putting on a concert, but it looks AND sounds exactly like that. Just one of the many things I shake my head and laugh about when it comes to churchianity, lol.

[@glennbeckman7815]

So helpful. As a drummer who worships, I related to the kids running around. I had a toddler wander on stage and got behind the drum shield while I was playing. He had a glow stick and was using it to hit the cymbals . I found it quite amusing more than distracting as i knew the song and wasn't thrown off. It became part of worship. It did get a bit interesting when the little boy started pushing to shield and someone ran on the stage before it fell into me.

[@worshipartistry]

haha man that would have been wild if the shield would have come down!

[@MattLeFaitMusic]

What a great conversation!

[@worshipartistry]

thanks! any other topics you'd like for us to discuss?

[@ElmanAuthement]

I’ve been involved in worship music for over 40 years, getting saved right at the end of the Jesus Revolution. So I started when there was someone up in the front working the lyrics with an overhead transparency machine. You wanna talk distraction, if you allowed it? But I’ve never been around the most authentic worship like we were involved in 40 years ago. There was no internet. No such thing as a flat screen TV yet lol. I’ve watched worship music evolve from singing, “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus”, Maranatha Music, to Integrity Music, to Vineyard, to Hillsongs, which really changed a lot. All the girls wanted to look like Darlene. All the guys wanted to be Nigel. The more we tried to be like them, the less authentic we became. 45 years later, I’m still passionate about what I do, and probably still goofy looking, by some church standards. It’s been an interesting journey though

[@5150serg]

It’s sad when churches are more focused on how things look then authenticity. Not everyone looks the same when they worship. They don’t have to. A way someone worships is also a journey that no one has the right to dictate. In the same way, not everyone plays guitar the same way. They don’t have to. That being said, whatever you play should compliment the song. I’ve seen worship leaders call out musicians for a solo, a fill, a beat…oh, but when then worship leader decides to solo, ad lib, go off the rails, it was God inspired. Very convenient. I appreciate these videos and the honest chat. These conversations should happen more in ministry.

[@worshipartistry]

good thoughts, have you ever been called out for doing something?

[@gretschfreak]

I think ultimately stage presence only matters enough to get out of the way in worship. If you're awkward and weird, you're in the way. If you're running pell-mell from one end of the stage to another, you're a distraction. Somewhere within these banks of the river is success as far as I'm concerned, and there is a LOT of room inside those bounds. Whether you want to duck and cover for the stage decor or you run for the stage light, everyone has the thing they need to watch. I get guitar face, and I definitely work on it and remind myself in the more playing intense parts of a set to NOT to bite my lower lip and suck in my cheeks. I also am a FIRM believer that when we're not playing in stripped down choruses and verses that singing along (even without a mic) and even raising our hands in true worship makes for an intimate moment and redirects people's understanding of our intentions. Maybe they have misjudged us to be overly infatuated with our guitars or have thought of us as mechanical parts of the worship machine. Showing heart is also worship leading and demonstrates that idea of presence in my estimation.

[@worshipartistry]

good thoughts, showing heart is also worship leading.

[@joemiller9856]

Love theses discussion episodes. Thanks guys.

[@worshipartistry]

thanks Joe!

[@JTCox]

When movement, body language, and facial expressions are forced or fake, people see it. I think eye contact and smiles from team members can be good, but those things should be relaxed and natural. Sometimes the fake stuff can be compensation for stage fright and nerves. Hopefully that is something that teams members can let go of with experience.

[@worshipartistry]

great thoughts!

[@landonoliver]

Love the content. Very helpful. Thanks for posting.

[@worshipartistry]

Thanks, Landon!

[@jburdsinfuse]

Unnatural behavior is distracting. If you’re trying to rock out…you’ll look goofy. If you naturally move with the music and try to stand still, you’ll look goofy. Be yourself, and be present in the music…the rest will take care of itself.

[@richardmorris363]

Be yourself. But, just like all human interactions, be mindful of the place you’re playing as well. That requires some “reading the room” and recalibrating to fit the mood of the moment.

[@dallasmcfaul1405]

Love this episode so much. At my previous church, we used to have someone on the livestream team who would legitimately guilt trip us for not smiling when we were on stage 😂 I guess I was only anointed if I was cheesin.

[@worshipartistry]

man, that's such joy kill to me! I've been there before, for me, it really took the worship out of what was going on. The more cheese you had the bigger the anointing I guess ha.

[@coywood203]

one of my favorite worship leaders ever was incredibly "active" on the stage...she'd be over by the drums, then over by the keyboard, then at the front of the stage, then standing near the other singers...constantly on the move dancing, waving her hands, just constantly in motion...she was NEVER distracting! you could tell she was never trying to put on a show, never trying to draw attention to herself, never trying to be the center of attentions...she was just being who she was...I've been around a LOT of other worship leaders who knew the "right things" to do in order to get the congregation "involved" in worship and they ended up being incredibly distracting...like y'all said, you HAVE to be authentic

[@worshipartistry]

I love that story. But yes, being authentic is everything.

[@traciesurvance7864]

My church is mindful about NOT using strobe lights because I experienced refractory seizures back in May 2020. They may be cool for most people, but not for those who are prone to seizures.

[@worshipartistry]

those definitely can be wild

[@CAN2012Leadership]

I naturally tend to go lower or become smaller/quieter in my private worship as He draws nearer. I’ve had to work at being open with it, especially publicly. Unfortunately, I obviously can’t stay pulled in like that on a Sunday morning. Because of that, I’ve struggled with worrying that I’m perceived as being inauthentic on stage because I’m more prayerful in my worship with the congregation on weeks out of rotation. There’s an added pressure of “Is she worshipping the same down here as she is on the stage?” You’re welcome - now you can all worry about being a “distraction” on your weeks off, too. 😂

[@Keverember]

Love this format, been really digging y’all’s conversations. I feel like there’s no right or wrong answer to this. There are some people who are very demonstrative and their natural state of worship is very physical. There’s many Hebrew commands for the physical display of worship! But we all can also tell when someone is just trying to make themselves the center of attention. As an aside, where did you get the vertical lights? I’ve been looking for something like that for a setup I’m working on. Thanks!!

[@worshipartistry]

Thanks! We appreciate you watching! Those lights are govee tube lights on amazon

[@fishmank27]

This is very useful insightful stuff. Thank you. I’d be interested in a discussion on dealing with some conflict, lack of relationships in the leadership and a big one, paying musicians for their time on Sunday if a lot is expected, also when some people get paid and others are not. How to approach this. Thanks!

[@worshipartistry]

Great thoughts. We have a lot of thoughts on all of that 😂

[@rhoydotp]

love the convo but missed the opportunity to put the plant in front and talk behind it 😊 i’ve always moved when I play even before I started playing at church. i do ask my WLs occasionally if my movements are distracting and I am fortunate enough to be encouraged to keep doing it. I get distracted easily by the lights and smoke, though

[@worshipartistry]

haha you're right we failed real bad with this one haha, we should have done that. What about the lights and smoke distracts you?

[@rhoydotp]

@@worshipartistry it’s the light show moments like a concert. i get that it helps evoke emotions but that is where the problem lies, imo

[@ElijahBarrientos]

At our church we’ve unintentionally moved away from the term “distracting”. Is what we’re doing engaging, or is it out of place?

[@worshipartistry]

how's that working for your team?

[@markoverholser3694]

As a Bass Player, I think of John Entwistle, just standing there, playing solid….

[@worshipartistry]

I don't typically watch a lot of bass players, pardon my ignorance, don't most just stand there? Or do you notice bass players moving around a lot?

[@NickRiceFilm]

coolest dudes on the internet, great discussion...I may be biased.

[@worshipartistry]

you settle down now

[@jonbecker3561]

I'm a bass player so take worth a grain of sand ;) ... My priorities when I walk on stage are: 1) Support the worship leader's vision for the day/night. 2) Point people to Jesus - really #1 priority 3) Model Christ-like behavior to others and engage with the congregation before and after services. Anything else is not a priority however, I don't feel I can't move, can't drown myself in the music, can't interact with my band mates, etc. It is only about where my focus is... On Christ = good, On me=bad...

[@worshipartistry]

good thoughts, even from a bass player ;)

[@richardmorris363]

You what is a distraction? If you’re on the stage, while someone is talking or preaching, and you’re noodling. Very bad form.

[@TheSmack67]

I can't sit still, my wife (on stage with me) says I am too much. My band mates say I am on a trampoline. But the members of the church give me nothing but encouragement and appreciate my hyperactivity. But that is me and I am excited to be before the throne.

[@worshipartistry]

that's so rad man, I bet it's a joy to worship with you

[@evanmthw]

Keep these up. Talking about taboo topics

[@worshipartistry]

what do you think are some more taboo topics?

[@jimduyck]

Yeah man, it can be really distracting if the presence isn’t dialed in on the JCM 800s.

[@worshipartistry]

hahaha

[@stevealexander7772]

It's congregation worship; not a concert. I've often wondered how many "worship musicians" would continue to do it if they weren't on stage at all. Orchestras and bands supporting actual stage performances are in the pit. They are not seen (generally).

[@worshipartistry]

have you ever played in a pit or behind a wall? just curious to hear your thoughts on what it was like

[@stevealexander7772]

@@worshipartistry Yes, I am a classically trained musician (music major in college and US Army School of Music). I've played in pretty much every venue. I've supported musicals in the pit, played in orchestras, brass quartets, marching bands, military honor guards, and on stages (and as a worship leader 25 years ago before the current concert-style became a thing). As a trained musician, I didn't notice the venue at all. I was there to play my instrument. As a worship director, my only role was to facilitate the worship experience of others.

[@moon__unit]

Finding and eliminating "distractions" is just one of the many busywork items that keeps worship leaders employed full-time.

[@worshipartistry]

Why do you think that?

[@moon__unit]

@@worshipartistry like you said, looking for distractions is itself a distraction. I'd rather a worship leader spend their time practicing and honing their leading abilities. Coming from my limited experience as an employee of worship leaders, they (my current and previous employers) sure don't spend much time practicing their instruments.

[@dansands6363]

I have a Frost Blue Gibson Firebird V '65 Reissue that works REALLY well for this genre of music, but I feel so obnoxious using it sometimes because I feel like it's a bit too flashy and a distraction, but dang it sounds really good.. The one day the youth pastor even said to me when walking up to the stage, "dude that guitar is sick!" And so I genuinely feel uncomfortable using that guitar because I don't want to be a distraction.

[@worshipartistry]

How many people have said things to you about the guitar besides the youth pastor?

[@dansands6363]

@@worshipartistry just the other guitarists xD

[@alexisjimenez925]

It's a great way to connect with people. I use guitars that don't match the genre at all. (Ibanez Iceman, 8 string guitars) It starts a conversation about worship and even testimony, all of the launch point of "that's a cool guitar." Point it right back to faith. 🙂

[@briandreger7006]

Many people hide behind "don't tell me how to worship" as a means to call attention to themselves or do what *they* want. We serve in ministry, usually under a pastor or team/worship leader. They set the expectations. If you chafe under those expectations, don't join the team. If you feel you *need* to be on stage in order to worship, it's become about you. It is a fine line to walk, which is why I choose to submit to my leadership, not go my own way. People teaching Sunday School are given direction and a plan, why should worship leaders be different?

[@worshipartistry]

good thoughts!

[@nolanreimer1193]

As a musician, being in the congregation is distracting because I’m always listening for the musical aspect of it

[@worshipartistry]

have you ever overcome that distraction if so how?

[@nolanreimer1193]

@@worshipartistry like you said in the video, it’s a mindset. I still notice different things musically when I’m in the right headspace, but it just adds to the spiritual worship, not take away

[@deedee-vt6il]

I found it weird for a worship leader to say your singing is distracting him/her, Unless you are singing out of key

[@worshipartistry]

me too

[@BluSnafu]

There is definitely a noticeable difference between somebody who feels compelled to physically move by the feeling and emotion behind worship music and then somebody who is performing.

[@worshipartistry]

so true

[@unclescott8792]

great topic to cover pretty sure I'm a distraction on stage 🙃

[@worshipartistry]

Thanks! Why do you think you're a distraction?

[@unclescott8792]

@@worshipartistry I've been told I get into to worship a tad much! 😂 I move around a lot (almost like I enjoyed P&W).

[@guitarplayer1434]

I have received more "you are showing off" and that 's distracting. They don't understand the "getting into it" a guitar player needs to do to play well and at the level the are asking. Paul Gilbert said it best "playing guitar and not making faces is like eating without tasting"

[@dominicgraham5310]

Is a big part of the issue the fact that there's a 'stage' at all? Old church buildings which have adapted to have worship bands, sometimes have the band at the side, or low down, so you can't really see them over the congregation's heads. Shouldn't we be looking at the words on the screen, or an amazing stained glass window, not a set-up like a rock concert? I don't think we should notice the band or the worship leader, The current trend on youtube worship videos tries to get away from this by having a circle congregation standing around the band, who are in the middle, so we're all together, but I think it still ends up emphasising the band. The design of modern churches with a theatre set-up is causing problems for us, I think.

[@worshipartistry]

At my church the band is on the floor surrounding a table that has a standing cross in the middle and the congregation surrounds that. It’s not the most convenient but I think it says something about what the focus is. - Jason

[@falazarte]

If we have a "stage", stage presence is mandatory. If there is an altar (symbolically) then a humble heart is the only requirement.

[@worshipartistry]

good perspective

[@ByTheSpirit84]

I routinely feel divinely inspired to Bruce Lee karate kick my amp over and jump on it like Rambo. Think a slightly more aggressive version of Marty McFly playing "Johnny B. Goode" on Back to the Future. :) Is it distracting? Nahhhhhhhhhhhh

[@worshipartistry]

I'd be stoked to see that. I myself am a bit of an amateur karate kicker on stage.

[@shadowm3ld]

I used to go to a mega church where the worship leader had a good vibe, but whenever he talked, he either talked too fast or mumbled… it was distracting bc we had to focus and concentrate to even understand him…

[@worshipartistry]

bummer, that's a huge distraction for me as well! Just slow down and enunciate please ha.

[@joelortiz2281]

Moving or acting a certain way comes across as fake..... but..... our body language should match what we are saying in the lyrics.... if you don't believe what the lyrics say, maybe you shouldn't be on stage.

[@bluzzjazz]

Whatever you do, don't do an Elevation version of Rattle. That has little, to nothing to do with worship.

[@worshipartistry]

We had Chris Brown on our podcast and he gave some pretty eye opening context to that song and “it might get loud”. Highly recommend you check it out. Really changed my feelings about it.

[@bluzzjazz]

@@worshipartistry I've heard him speak before. I just think you have to be careful, when Steven Furtick is your pastor and you stay, I question ALL of your motives.

[@jimyoung9262]

Is stage presence a distraction? Yes.

[@worshipartistry]

Say more

[@ellarodriguez3773]

For me it’s a distraction to see song leaders jump all over the Stage. Especially when it’s his or her turn to lead a song and he moves forward like a celebrity smh 🤦‍♀️

[@benjaminkoskinen5835]

Haha, sure is cringe as heck xD

[@worshipartistry]

haha "I need to let everyone know I'm about to sing, it's my turn" that distracts me a bit yeah.

[@richardputman3506]

People walking around stage with cameras are SUPER distracting. Boom cameras moving around SAME.

[@worshipartistry]

Never been a fan but when my university chapel was televised I learned that we all had a ministry and I had to work to discipline myself to stay focused and present rather than get frustrated at the guy running the camera

[@carlostorres1171]

Look... if some segment of people are gonna accuse you of seeking attention anyway...

[@worshipartistry]

what are you suggestion?

[@christianpaulreyes8784]

For me, just worship God but do not forget what was rehearsed or to be mindful of the cues. Haha. Also, try not to interfere with other worshipping God.

[@worshipartistry]

How do you try to not interfere with others worshipping? Like what steps do you take to not do it?

[@careyvinzant]

Two observations: 1) Jesus likes children. Churches that view kids being kids as a distraction are moving into dangerous territory. 2) What constitutes "overplaying" is largely cultural. Listened to any Black Gospel lately? Those guys GO for it. I mean, what are all the hot drummers talking about lately? "Gospel Chops."

[@worshipartistry]

🙌🙌🙌

[@jimduyck]

Shoegaze introverts FTW. 🤘

[@worshipartistry]

@@jimduyck yesssss