How are Worship Leaders trained?
Worship Leaders are involved in leading worship in many different ways. For some, their calling is public reading of the Bible, the leading of prayers or as musicians. You don’t need to be appointed as a worship leader to do these things, but you are encouraged to engage in training if you wish.
Some people take responsibility for shaping and leading worship in their local church, working with ministers or local preachers. Some are involved with co-ordinating local arrangement services, or in leading musicians in worship week by week. If you are involved in these roles, being a recognised worship leader is appropriate. The training and formation this involves will help you in your ministry and enable you to be the best you can be for God and for the church. Anyone can join the training to be a worship leader if they are keen to learn more about worship in the church.
Worship leader training is based on the Worship: Leading & Preaching course, which is also followed by local preachers in training. Modules 1 to 4 are designed for worship leaders and local preachers, local preachers continue with modules 5 to 8.
Download this information as a PDF document: Training & Assessment for Worship Leaders
Learning Options
The training for Worship Leaders is designed to be:
- Flexible – to enable it to fit around busy lives and church commitments, and be appropriate for the wide variety of local churches and worshipping communities
- Thorough – reflecting that worship is for God and at the heart of our identity as church
- Modular – to enable people to add to their skills and knowledge progressively as their involvement increases and other commitments change
In summary, there are three levels of training:
Bronze
This is the minimum level of training required to be recognised as a Worship Leader. Training is organised, led and assessed locally.
Students work through the Worship: Foundations workbook and WLP Module 2.
Silver
Building on the Bronze level, students can study more modules from the WLP course. Training is organised, led and assessed locally, although students are encouraged to build a portfolio online to allow them to progress ultimately to the next level:.
Gold
To achieve Gold Level, students complete Worship: Foundations and WLP modules 1 to 4, including the 12 associated projects. They are awarded a Completion Certificate and can continue to train as a local preacher (modules 5-8) if they also receive a Note to Preach.
Enrolment on WLP is required for all three levels.
Formation and Assessment
Training of worship leaders happens under the oversight of the Circuit Local Preachers’ Meeting, who need to provide a tutor and a mentor for each trainee. The tutor may or may not be an existing local preachers’ tutor, and (especially at bronze and silver levels) be an experienced local worship leader or preacher who convenes a local group aiming to develop their skills in worship.
The mentor will generally be a worship leader or local preacher based in the student’s church or who can share worship there with the student from time to time.
Leading the worship of the People of God is a huge privilege, and can be daunting! Worship Leaders need time and practice to develop their approach to preparation, practice their skills and receive constructive feedback.
Normally this is done through regular opportunities to lead worship in their local church, starting with simple contributions, and gradually building to the level of involvement expected. Working with another Worship Leader, Local Preacher or a Worship Team or Band provides excellent practice in working collaboratively, and learning from others.
Assessed services should be provided periodically during the training, at which someone provides structured feedback on the worship. The Worship & Preaching Feedback form, which can be downloaded from www.methodist.org.uk/wlpresources should be used to record feedback for the assessed services. The assessor can be a Local Preacher, Worship Leader, Steward, or local church member with a working knowledge of worship.
Local Arrangements can also provide excellent opportunities for Worship Leaders in training to develop their ideas and skills and work collaboratively with others.
For those working towards Gold Level, we recommend that they follow the same practice as local preachers in training, with quarterly assessed services arranged by the Local Preachers’ meeting.
Recognition as a Worship Leader
Once the specified training is complete, as confirmed by the Local Preachers’ meeting, and the Church Council is satisfied that the Worship Leader has gained sufficient experience during their formation, they can appoint the worship leader. It is appropriate to celebrate this in worship either in the local church or at a Circuit service.
In circuits where the Local Preachers’ meeting is open to worship leaders, they are warmly encouraged to attend and play a full part as valued members of the worship leading team in the circuit.
Worship Leaders are appointed for a three year period. After three years, the Local Preachers’ meeting conducts a review and gives their recommendation to the Church Council, who may choose to reappoint the worship leader for another three years. All worship leaders (and local preachers) are encouraged to review their own continuing calling each three years as part of their continuing development.
More Information
Download this information as a PDF document: Training & Assessment for Worship Leaders
For more information, please contact the Local Preachers’ Office at localpreachers@methodistchurch.org.uk.