Acoustic Guitar: Lose The Safety Blanket

by Adam Johnson on April 28, 2010

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Leading worship with an acoustic guitar has become somewhat of a staple for worship leaders in this new “modern worship” age. I am included in that staple. I lead worship every week with my trusty guitar right in front of me. There are many reasons why I think that leading with a guitar is beneficial, one of those reasons is you are in total control of not only the vocals but the band members as well, they will follow wherever they hear the acoustic guitar going. This is a great way to avoid awkward silence if the band for some reason gets lost or stops playing. If you decide to do an impromptu song at the leading of the spirit, you are free to start doing that just you and the guitar, the band will typically figure out what you are doing and fall in with you.

There are, however, a few downsides to it. It’s hard to engage with the congregation without being able to clap, raise your hands or move around the stage a little bit. Sometimes it can also become a safety blanket. I visited a church just last week where the guy leading worship was holding a guitar while he led, but he rarely played it… he just held it. 

A few weeks ago I embarked on a little experiment. The congregation I lead for was having a hard time engaging in worship. It didn’t matter what I said to encourage them a good majority would just stand and watch the band play. I decided to lose the guitar the next week and become a visual example of worshiping expressively and freely. I will admit it was awkward to not have my guitar in front of me, but it was amazing to see the congregation’s response. When I clapped, most all of them clapped. When I put energy into what I was singing, I could sense an increased energy in the congregation.

The next week I went back to playing guitar as I led, and it was great to see that whatever had happened the week before had carried over.

I rarely lead without my guitar, and I know there are ways to engage the congregation while playing, but if you’re feeling crazy, give leading with no instrument a try. See what type of response you get and let us know about it.

Other instrument articles.

Adam Johnson

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Adam Johnson is the Worship Arts Pastor at Grace Community Church in Spring Hill, KS. In addition to leading worship, Adam is in charge of all graphic design/media for the church. Outside of the church Adam enjoys spending time with his wife Natalie, trap shooting, and being with friends and family.

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  • debdub

    great =))

  • http://twitter.com/chris_vis Chris Visocnik

    Hi Adam – same here! Just last Sunday I decided to finish off a worship set without my trusty acoustic guitar as well. I agree it was awkward and did stretch me a bit – and fortunately it went well. Our sets are normally very modern but I wanted to end with an older tune/hymn. We did a piano-led rendition of the well known tune “Lord, Be Glorified” and kicked it up a key for the ending to add some dynamic.

    All in all it ended up being a good ending to a worship set, the congregation responded (especially the older folk who remember that tune) and I felt like I had challenged myself and grown a bit in the process.

    Thanks for the article!

    Chris

  • Zach

    STALLION!

  • http://twitter.com/mitchvdb Mitch VanDenBerghe

    There's been one or two experiences when I've led worship without a guitar. I remember one service about a year ago, i broke a string on my les paul during the first song, it was either the low e or the a, rendering my guitar virtually useless for the rhythm stuff that I normally play. I decided to go all out like J.D. from Hillsong United for the next few songs without the guitar. It was incredibly awkward for me not to have an instrument in front of me. I can sing while playing drums, I can sing while playing acoustic, I can sing while playing bass, and I can sing while playing electric, but man, singing without anything in front of me is weird.

  • http://patkashtock.squarespace.com/ Pat Kashtock

    Sometimes I’ll just stop playing and clap or raise my hands. That seems to help. But with a congregation that totally is having trouble, putting the guitar down altogether seems like the best. I do find that things like transitions and free form sponteneous worship are easier when I play acoustic, but lately I’ve had to play bass while leading. That a whole other problem :)

  • labrousse

    I’m at a church with two morning services — the same service twice. I remember leading, and my guitar string broke on the first song. I set the guitar down and trusted my piano player (we are blessed with an amazing pianist), but I must admit it was awkward without that familiar weight on my shoulders.

  • seth wilson

    i know exactly what you mean. i go to a very traditional church, where hymns are still our main source of music with a little organ haha. but i am only 17, and feel that God has called me to worship ministry, and i face this problem every sunday! I’ve found that teaching the song to them to begin with really helps, and having the words is a priority to have! haha

  • Saraha Gerlach

    This article makes me think of myself…im totally using my guitar as a blanket im the leader who has the guitar but barley plays it..im going to try doing worship wthout it and being a true worship eample thhanks :)

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