Does a church need a worship leader? Is it really a biblical position?
The New Testament does not specify any leadership positions in the church beyond elders and deacons, and yet we know that the Bible anticipates delegation of authority and a leadership structure to assist in the managing of the body of Christ. We find evidence in Scripture that such assignment of authority was expected, and Christ Himself demonstrated the principle of assigning roles and responsibilities within the Body, as He elevated some men (i.e., the 12) and assigned individual responsibilities like Judas (who later betrayed Christ) keeping charge over the money box for the disciples (see John 12:6).
Regarding worship leadership specifically, in the Psalms we commonly find instructions before psalms to those charged with leading congregational worship (i.e., “to the choir director…”). In the days of Israel’s priesthood, the Levites were commissioned to lead worship for the people of Israel, and in the Kingdom to come, Ezekiel teaches us that the Levites will again be charged with leading worship in the Millennial Temple (see Ezekiel 40).
In other words, authority roles – including authority to lead the congregation in worship – have always existed, and the Church certainly has liberty to continue that practice if desired. On the other hand, the Church body equally has liberty to forgo a worship leader if desired. There is no Biblical injunction either way.
