Connecting to the Congregation
- By Rick Muchow
- Published September 23, 2008
Rick Muchow
Rick Muchow is the Pastor of Worship at SaddlebackChurch. He has been serving faithfully at Saddleback for 21 years and oversees the Worship Arts ministry which consists of the Creative Arts, Technical Arts and Worship Leadership Teams at SaddlebackChurch. Rick also serves as one of 7 Elders which serve the ministry at Saddleback. Rick has recorded 11 albums and has 84 songs registered with CCLI. Encouraging Music publishes all of Rick’s music including sheet music and companion resources for the Worship Leader and congregations worldwide (www.encouragingmusic.com). Rick is the author of The Worship Answer Book published in 2006 by Thomas Nelson and is a Contributing Editor for Christianity Today’s Leadership Journal. Rick also writes a monthly column called “Ask Rick” which is published by several magazines including Worship Musician. His latest CD “More Than Music” is to be released June 23 2008. Rick founded the music and tech team with the Slogan “More Than Music- We’re a Family” and is tremendously proud of Saddleback’s Worship Arts staff and volunteers for their sincere dedication to Christ, love for each other, humble service and the fantastic results of their labor. Rick has been married to his beautiful wife Laura for 24 for years and they have 5 wonderful children: Brandon, Logan, Jordan, Megan and Nolan.
How does one have a balance in how they worship on stage when others are really watching? I am a singer in a choir and I am having a hard time with looking at the congregation when I am singing a song that leads to a personal time towards God, yet I want others to know that this is a message to them that they to can have this personal time with Him as well it is not just for those on the stage leading them into a realm of worship. I love to close my eyes when I am singing. I can block out all the distractions and focus on Him, however it looks like I am ignoring the congregation, or that I am lazy, or tired even though I have joy on my face.
Rick Muchow:
Simply put, when I am singing a lyric to God like “I love you Lord,” I don’t look into the eyes of other people. I look up or close my eyes. When I’m singing a song about “when we worship” for example the song Shine by Matt Redman that says “we will shine like stars in the universe,” I will thoughtfully, sincerely look at other worshippers to acknowledge we’re all in this together as the body of Christ. We serve and love a wonderful God.
It is important when leading worship to remember that the goal is to connect others to God in worship. The worship leader’s most intimate worship experience is mostly done when we are NOT leading others: in a quiet time, private worship, or when we take part in a corporate worship services as a member of the congregation.
