A good friend said to me “I worship until I feel like worshiping”.

So began a journey for me about what is really going on when we come and worship God. In a refreshing way she admitted that at the start of our Sunday gathering, often she wasn’t in the mood to worship God, but she gave testimony to what happens when we do; when we choose to worship God despite our feelings and our circumstances, our feelings change.

I've been leading worship for quite a few years now and have never led with an instrument so it really doesn't have to be a hindrance.

Here are a few thoughts I hope you’ll find helpful:

A typical line-up we’d be talking about is a small setting is: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Keys and Cajon or other percussion.

Key points to take away

Texture – there are several things you can use to give different part of a song a different feel. Use Unison singing, Harmony, and Synchopation to add colour. The most important thing to remember here is that each person doesn’t have to play the whole time.

Dynamics – you can think with a small line-up that you’ve...