Leading Worship Beyond Where You're At

I've been pondering this lately, as a worship musician and potential leader.

Listening to speakers in our monthly worship workshop, I've realized that leading worship is no easy task. There are so many factors at play, especially in a multi-generational congregation of a few hundred. Sure, we have a morning service that is more conservative, and an evening "youth" service, but to try meet everyone where they're at is HUGE! There's a fine line to walk in balancing elements of worship, in discovering what congregational needs are and in developing worship that will both challenge participants to new heights and fill up their empty places.

Worship leaders tend to choose things to include (songs, Bible passages etc.) in a worship "session" that appeal to them personally and where they're at spiritually. It could be a particular song that just speaks to you, or a verse that jumps out. But where you're at isn't necessarily where everyone else is at!

So how do you lead worship in a way that meets everyone where they are, that is not just a reflection of where you are? How do you meet the needs of others in worship who have different struggles, or have gotten past what you're dealing with?

Some days I'm glad I'm "just a musician"....