Read SEE’s opinion on Qualities of a Good Worship Leader;

Worship (Kuramya in Kinyarwanda) is the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for God. Or it is the act of attributing reverent honor and homage to God. In Hebrew they used the word “Avoda/Avodah” which was applied to sacrifices offered in the temple in Jerusalem. Literally meaning “Work, Worship & Service”.

There are different ways in which we may express our worship to God although, when we say worship, we basically hear “music and voices.” We use music, voices and songs to worship in church and we always have a team in the front singing and leading us through the worship session. We call this a worship team or a team of “worship leaders.”

What does it take to be a worship leader? What are the characteristics or qualities that a good worship leader must possess? Let’s look into it now;

Love for God: Mathew 22:37 “You shall love the lord you God with all your heart, soul and mind.” This what Jesus replied when he was asked what the greatest commandment is. Therefore, before any other thing, a worship leader must love God entirely.

Love for People: Then he continues in the same verse saying “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” For these are the greatest 2 commandments and with these, all the laws hang on them. As a worship leader, if you don’t have love for people and you’ve got all the other skills needed, it is still useless. For in 1Corinthians 13 Paul says that; even if we speak in tongues of angels without Love, we are like clanging cymbals.”

Spiritual Submission: After these two, a worship leader must submit to Jesus. When we worship we long for God’s presence and we know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. So, For God to manifest, we must offer our bodies, voices and everything as a living sacrifice of worship (Romans 12:1). It’s only our voices and instruments without God. For through submission, God is able to work through us and touch his people.

Musical Talent: Finally! Music! This is something many people don’t agree on. Mostly in Rwandan churches. And yet it is actually very important. Going to the stage to lead worship, and you sing absolutely off-key, off-beat is a turn off.

People can’t concentrate in worship if you are forgetting the lyrics all the time, you have poor vocal ability and musical knowledge. I am sorry but it won’t work. Well, I don’t mean you sing like Tasha Cobbs or SEE haha! But as a worship leader you must work on your vocals, practice the songs well alone and with the band.

God loves things that are perfect and organized too. Why do you think it’s more important to spend nights revising for your exam or job interview and not spend at least 4hours a week working on your voice or guitar skills? So that you may play and sing for the lord skillfully. Psalms 33:3

Humility: Lastly and equally important; Stay humble, humble and again stay humble. Humility is a very important trait as a worship leader because wherever Pride appears, the devil starts working. So, stay humble even after the stage, interviews and so on. Just keep this in mind; “It’s not about you, it’s all about God.”

There is nothing more beautiful than being in a state of true worship. Let’s not make it about the music because it’s about our hearts and God. Worship starts even before the song. It must be a life style not for Sunday and the services. Worship is about Working, worshiping and serving. Therefore, as you serve in the community, as you serve in Umuganda, that is worship.

Let’s worship in truth and in spirit and let’s make it a lifestyle.

About SEE [Cyuzuzo Patrick]

Born and raised in Rwanda, Patrick Cyuzuzo a.k.a SEE, lost his father at an early age. As if that wasn’t enough, when he was only five, his mother abandoned him for reasons he hasn’t been able to understand up to now.

His maternal aunt picked him up and was raised in Huye District. He narrated that life wasn’t as easy as it would have been having he had his own biological parents, but he is, nonetheless, thankful for finding a place he could call home as written by The New Times.

At the age of seven, he joined a kids’ choir in Sunday school and started singing in the year 2009. This is where his singing talent was nurtured, having been taught more about singing, dancing, and music in general. In 2016, the 21-year-old embarked on a solo music career, singing gospel and inspirational/humanitarian music. Unfortunately, his music flopped, and he lost hope of ever singing again.

In 2019, when he met some friends who happened to be his music fans, they expressed their concern about him being out of music since, for them, they used to enjoy his music. "It was like a wake-up call knowing that there were a few people who were moved by my music, and to continue inspiring them, I decided to make a comeback in the music industry," he added.

He later decided to re-brand to ’SEE’ as well as record new music and has since yielded fruit. He believes his future is still bright and hopes to fulfill his life dreams.

Last year, he released an EP (extended play) titled “UnBlur”, which means something clear and bright, as a sign of hope. The EP has songs such as “Good for U, Worry not, On My Side, and Hear it Roar”.

"The main theme of this EP is “Hope and Victory”. I tried to make the songs relatable to all Christians and even those who are not because my objective is to reach out to all people," he said.

The EP is available on YouTube Music, Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Pandora, Tidal, Deezer, 7digital, Amazon music, and many more. It’s accessible worldwide.