The Hidden Worship: Encouragement for Worship Pastors
Abstract
This article encourages worship pastors to prioritize private worship, emphasizing that their public ministry must flow from their personal relationship with God. Using biblical examples such as David, Jesus, and Paul, it explores the joy and necessity of worshiping in secret, offering practical advice for balancing private devotion with public responsibilities and reminding leaders that God sees and values their unseen offerings.
The Hidden Call of Worship
Behind the public act of leading worship lies a deeper calling—to worship privately, authentically, and wholeheartedly before the Lord. This article encourages worship pastors to cultivate a secret place of worship, reminding them that their ministry must flow from their personal relationship with God. Drawing on biblical examples, it challenges leaders to see worship as more than a transitional moment in a service and to rediscover the joy of worshiping when no one is watching, knowing that God sees and delights in their offering.
As worship pastors, it’s easy to focus on the visible aspects of our ministry—preparing song sets, rehearsing with the band, and leading the congregation in corporate worship. But behind every song, every chord, and every moment on stage lies a question: Are we worshiping behind closed doors? Are we, as leaders, pouring out our hearts before God when the lights are off and the sanctuary is empty? Worship is not merely the transition between announcements and the sermon. It’s not a tool to fill time or stir emotion. Worship is sacred. It is the intentional turning of hearts to the living God, offering Him the praise and adoration He alone deserves. And while public worship is a vital part of our calling, it cannot replace the private moments where we meet with God in the secret place. Without these unseen moments, our public ministry risks becoming hollow—a performance rather than an offering.
David: Worshiping When No One Is Watching
David is one of the most powerful examples of a worshiper whose private devotion shaped his public ministry. Before he was a king, before he wrote the psalms we sing today, David was a shepherd boy in the fields, playing his harp and singing to the Lord. Alone with his sheep, David cultivated a heart of worship. Psalm 23, one of the most beloved passages in Scripture, was likely born out of these moments of solitude. His trust in God as his Shepherd flowed not from public acclaim but from the intimacy of private worship. When David danced before the ark of the covenant (2 Samuel 6:14), he was unashamed to express his devotion to God. His wife Michal despised his exuberance, but David’s response was clear: “It was before the Lord… I will celebrate before the Lord” (2 Samuel 6:21-22). David’s public worship was an overflow of his private adoration. He cared more about God’s approval than the opinions of others.
Jesus: Time Alone with the Father
Jesus, the ultimate model for all worship leaders, consistently prioritized time alone with the Father. Throughout the Gospels, we see Him retreating to pray, often in solitary places (Luke 5:16). Before choosing the twelve disciples, He spent an entire night in prayer (Luke 6:12). Before His crucifixion, He knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane, pouring out His heart to the Father (Matthew 26:36-39). Jesus taught His disciples about the importance of private worship in the Sermon on the Mount: “When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). Worship pastors, the most profound moments of your ministry will not be on stage—they will be in the quiet moments when it’s just you and God.
The Prayer Closet: A Sanctuary for the Soul
In the busyness of ministry, it’s tempting to let your personal worship take a backseat to your public responsibilities. But neglecting private worship is like trying to draw water from an empty well. Your prayer closet—whether it’s a literal room, a favorite chair, or a walk in nature—must become your sanctuary. It’s where you pour out your heart to God, listen to His voice, and allow Him to refresh your spirit. The prophet Elijah experienced this in 1 Kings 19. After a dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal, Elijah fled to the wilderness, exhausted and disheartened. God met him there—not in the powerful wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper. It was in that intimate moment that Elijah found the strength to continue his mission. As worship pastors, we must remember that our strength and creativity come from God. In the prayer closet, we find the clarity and renewal needed to lead others into His presence.
Fellowship in Secret, Speak with Wisdom
As God reveals His truths and provides personal revelations in your secret place, it’s vital to steward those revelations with care. While private fellowship with God often results in insights meant to guide and inspire others, timing and discretion are essential. Proverbs 13:3 reminds us, “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” Not every revelation is meant for immediate or public testimony; some may be for your personal growth, while others require prayerful discernment for the right moment to share.
The story of Joseph and his coat of many colors in Genesis 37 serves as a cautionary tale. Joseph’s dreams were divine revelations from God, but his premature and perhaps boastful sharing of those dreams caused strife and jealousy among his brothers. While God ultimately used Joseph’s journey for His glory, the challenges he faced remind us to seek wisdom when sharing what God has entrusted to us.
Jesus Himself modeled this balance. He often taught His disciples privately, sharing truths that He later revealed more broadly. For example, after the Transfiguration, Jesus instructed Peter, James, and John to tell no one what they had seen until the right time (Matthew 17:9). Worship pastors, be mindful that your personal revelations from God are sacred, and discerning when and how to share them ensures they are received with the impact He intends. Thus, if you steward revelations with prayerful discernment, you will protect the sanctity of your fellowship with God while also allowing His truths to bear fruit in the lives of your congregation. As Ecclesiastes 3:7 reminds us, there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” Let your testimony be guided by the Spirit, ensuring it aligns with God’s purpose and timing.
The Joy of Worshiping in Secret
Worshiping in private is not just a discipline—it is a joy. It’s the place where we experience the fullness of God’s presence without the distractions of performance or responsibility. Psalm 16:11 reminds us, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” The apostle Paul and Silas understood this joy. In Acts 16, after being beaten and imprisoned, they sang hymns to God in their jail cell. Their worship wasn’t for an audience—it was for the Lord. And in response, God moved powerfully, shaking the prison and opening the doors. Private worship has the power to shift atmospheres and bring breakthrough, even in the darkest circumstances.
Balancing Public Ministry and Private Worship
One of the greatest challenges for worship pastors is balancing the demands of public ministry with the need for private worship. It’s easy to feel that the ministry will fall apart if you step away. But remember, God is the one who sustains your ministry—not you.
Here are some practical ways to keep your personal worship vibrant while fulfilling your pastoral responsibilities:
Schedule Time with God: Block out time in your calendar for personal worship, just as you would for rehearsals or meetings. Treat this time as sacred and non-negotiable.
Delegate and Empower: Train and trust your team to handle responsibilities, freeing you to step away without fear. This not only benefits you but also develops leadership within your team.
Incorporate Worship into Preparation: Use moments of song selection, rehearsal, and sermon planning as opportunities to worship. Let your preparation be an act of devotion.
Rest in God’s Provision: Jesus reminds us in Matthew 11:28-30 to come to Him for rest. Your ability to lead others into worship depends on your willingness to rest in His presence.
Encouragement for Worship Pastors
Worship pastors, your calling is holy, but it’s also demanding. You pour out your time, energy, and creativity to serve your congregation. But never forget that your first ministry is to the Lord. Before you can lead others, you must allow Him to lead you. Before you can guide others into His presence, you must dwell there yourself. Your private worship matters. It matters because God sees it. It matters because it sustains your soul. And it matters because it transforms your public ministry. So play your harp in the field like David. Retreat to the wilderness like Jesus. Sing hymns in the jail cell like Paul and Silas. Worship when no one is watching, because the One who matters most always is. Let your ministry flow from the overflow of a heart that is captivated by God’s glory. As Hebrews 12:28-29 exhorts us, “Let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Allow this to serve as a reminder that our worship should not be limited to a single day or location, but should be a way of life that reflects our love for Jesus Christ.
About the Author
Dr. José Valentino Ruiz, born and raised in the Church of God denomination, is a Christ-centered, serial-award-winning arts entrepreneur excelling as a performing artist, composer, producer, audio engineer, digital content strategist, ensemble leader, writer, and professor. Dr. Ruiz is the 2024 Grand Prize® Winner and 10-time Global Genius® Award Winner, four-time GRAMMY® Award Winner, four-time GRAMMY® Nominee, EMMY® Award Winner, Dove® Award Winner, 2-time IADAS Anthem® Award Winner, 4-time AMCP AVA Digital® Award Winner, Inc Magazine’s Best in Business® Award Winner, Fast Company Magazine’s Top 10 Most Innovative Company in the World for Video® Award Winner, 8-time Beethovinci® International Music Award Winner, and record-holder with 55 DownBeat® Music Awards and 33 Global Music® Awards. Renowned for his cross-genre artistry as a flutist, saxophonist, and bassist, Dr. Ruiz has headlined over 1,400 concerts worldwide, including two performances at Carnegie Hall. Dr. Ruiz has led 40+ mission trips, delivered 110+ keynotes, consulted Fortune 500 companies, and produced 150+ albums and award-winning film scores. As Founder & CEO of JV Music Enterprises, he creates compelling music and media while providing ministerial, entrepreneurial, missiological, and leadership insights in churches, universities, companies at local and global levels. Passionate for advancing the field, Dr. Ruiz also serves as Expert Columnist of Music Business & Creative Enterprise Leadership for F-flat Books, Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Music Entrepreneurship & Leadership (IJMEL), former Music Producer at Hayden5, and Director of Entrepreneurial Initiatives at the Global Institute for Music Research. At the University of Florida, Dr. Ruiz is a Tenured Associate Professor and the Founder/Director of the Music Business & Entrepreneurship program. Learn more at www.josevalentino.com.
