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Worship Leading Lessons from Snoop Dogg

Writer's picture: Rod EllisRod Ellis

Updated: Feb 5

I really like the TV show, The Voice. I'm not a reality TV guy, but there's something about the combined elements of dreams coming true, live performance, and coaching singers that keeps me coming back. I've watched nearly every season, and it's a thrill to know the the winner of season 9, Jordan Smith, is a worship leader in my town of Bowling Green, Kentucky. (And a super nice guy!)


But the big takeaway for me in the most recent season (26) was coach/artist Snoop Dogg. I'm not terribly dialed into pop culture musicians, but Snoop has a profile that extends far beyond his CDs or Spotify account. He was a major presence in the 2024 summer olympics, he appears in tons of TV ads, and he has been an advocate for some things that most of us Jesus followers would object to.


Still, all truth is God's truth, and he said something as a coach on The Voice, that I think every person in worship ministry should pay closer attention to:

"The Five P's are Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance."


Proper preparation prevents poor performance.


There it is... wisdom for your tech team, worship band, or choir.


And you know it is true, don't you? it just rings with the clarity of experience.


When I am properly prepared, I almost never perform poorly.


But wait, you say, worship isn't a performance!


I'll take a risk here and say, sure it is! But it is unlike any other performance in that we are doing it because:

a) we are loved, not so we can be loved;

b) we are chosen, not because we hope to be chosen;

c) we are performing our tasks for the glory of God, not our own glory;

d) we are trusting a Power beyond ourselves to transform lives by the way we mix, craft, sing, and play;

e) we are performers for the tri-audience of God (first!), the church, and the guests;

f) fill in your additional great reason here ________________________________.


How much more, then, should we be properly prepared than a contestant on a reality TV show!


So when I'm walking into a rehearsal, I want to know the music forwards, backwards, and inside out. And that's true if I'm running slides, or mixing sound, or playing keys, or singing harmony, just as much as if I'm singing lead. I don't always miss the mark, but when I do--I perform poorly.


So thank you, Snoop, for helping us remember that our high-calling, to perform for the King of kings and Lord of lords, to strengthen the people of God, and to testify about the glorious news to the community, all of these are better when we prepare properly for a powerful performance!

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