It’s easy for Pentecostal pastors and worship leaders to imagine a crowd of churchgoers wholeheartedly worshipping God. We envision raised hands, enthusiastic singing, spontaneous clapping, and fervent prayer. Such an atmosphere would surely prepare people to receive the preaching of the Word, after which many would rush to the altars to seek God.

But the reality doesn’t always match our hopes. Many of us know what it’s like to face a poorly attended service where people stand around like tree trunks. Some sing, but most just stare. Few raise their hands.

The issue goes beyond participation. When people who have been attending church for years seem uninterested in connecting with God through worship, the missing element might be just discipleship. So, what can worship leaders do about it?

Understand

Worship leaders often feel frustrated with congregants over their lack of participation. But blaming the congregation is unproductive. Get to the root of what’s really going on.

You shouldn’t assume people know what to do, even if they have been in church a long time. Have they received instruction? Do you model worship for them? Are they reflective but still engaged?

Just as you need to understand where the congregation is coming from, they need to understand you. The apostle Paul emphasized the importance of clarity during worship:

If you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying? You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you (1 Corinthians 14:16–17, NLT).

Paul was talking about tongues here, but the principle holds true for other expressions of praise. Not everyone comes from a Pentecostal background. What may seem natural to you can be totally foreign — and even confusing — to others.

Consider the maturity levels and experiences in the room. Then find ways to help people expand their understanding of worship.

Reflect

Secure leaders can engage in honest reflection.

Sometimes I have to ask myself some tough questions: Do I like doing this song just because it’s fun to play? Is the sound making it harder for people to connect with God — or even hear themselves think? Am I cycling through new music too quickly?

That last question is especially relevant for today’s worship leaders. Many churchgoers attend only a couple of times per month. A worship team may tire of a new song after including it in the rotation four times, but a significant share of people in the seats have likely heard it only once or twice.

Prayerfully consider what you can do to make it easier for people to engage in worship.

Teach

Just because congregants don’t understand Pentecostal worship doesn’t mean we should shy away from leading it. But it does mean we need to bring them along. It’s remarkable how many people will respond to worship when they begin to comprehend it at a heart level.

Teaching on worship can take several different forms. The worship leader can present short lessons between songs. The pastor can preach on worship and its significance to our faith. And the worship team can receive coaching behind the scenes.

When people who have been attending church for years seem uninterested in connecting with God through worship, the missing element might be just discipleship.

I recently led worship during our district youth convention. We sang “Worthy of It All,” which includes the words, “Day and night, night and day, let incense arise.”

Rather than changing the lyrics to make them less weird, I paused for a teaching moment just before we sang that part. I shared a Scripture and explained that incense in the Bible is representative of prayers. It was powerful to see teenagers awakening to this biblical concept and responding to it through their worship.

Don’t dumb things down for your congregation. Increase their understanding. That’s discipleship.

If you stop to teach, keep it brief. Avoid pausing too many times, especially during Sunday morning services. In general, limit these teaching interludes to one per service, and wrap up each presentation in about a minute.

Say something concise but purposeful. Don’t just try whipping up an emotional reaction.

There are many topics you can address in one minute. For example, you could discuss what the Bible says about calling on the name of Jesus, lifting hands, singing in the Spirit, or clapping.

Spending more time teaching during the music portion of the service might be appropriate in some settings, such as midweek services, retreats and camps.

Disciple your worship team members as well, developing their leadership skills rather than simply rehearsing songs. Take time during each practice session to explain a worship concept and then rehearse it with the team.

Don’t be afraid to coach worship team members. The goal is not to create a performance, but to help them develop the skills to express what is in their hearts.

Demonstrate

Many aspects of praise are caught, not taught. If you want people to get it, you need to model it.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” To lead it, you must live it. After you explain a worship concept, demonstrate it.

Encourage church leaders who are not on the platform to sit in the front and take part in praise and worship, rather than standing around in the back. This includes pastors, staff members, deacons, teachers, and small group leaders. To create a worshipful culture, leaders need to show people how to worship.

Worship team members are a vital part of demonstrating proper responses. I sometimes need to remind singers and musicians during practice to look up, participate, and smile. It’s powerful when everyone on the platform is all in.

Practice

Libby, my 16-year-old daughter, is learning to drive. After years of laughing at friends whose kids were going through this stage and wondering why they were so nervous, I’m realizing the process is more difficult than I expected. It is nerve-racking to sit in the passenger seat while Libby navigates heavy city traffic.

My daughter has watched me drive for years and recently spent 30 hours in a driver’s education classroom, but at this point Libby will gain confidence and skill only by applying what she has learned. I have to release her to drive, even though it is an uncomfortable experience for me.

It is similar to allowing people to step out in Pentecostal worship. At some point, you will need to release them to practice what you teach and demonstrate. If you teach on singing spontaneous songs, encourage the congregation to try it right then and there. Create space in services for such times.

When there is a lull or an unprogrammed moment, it can feel uncomfortable. But practice — however awkward it may seem — is critical to growth.

Rather than blaming congregants for their lack of participation, prayerfully evaluate what you could do differently. Teach and demonstrate worship.

Then watch the Holy Spirit move as people step out and worship in beautiful ways that touch the heart of God.

This article appears in the Fall 2022 issue of Influence magazine.