In a recent episode of The Walk podcast, Worship Leader Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Joshua Swanson, welcomed Emily Lindquist, a worship pastor at Church of the City in New York. With sincerity and depth, Emily shared insights from her spiritual journey, particularly her reflections on worship, leadership, and the eternal reality of God’s presence as revealed in the Book of Revelation.
The Tension Between Worship and Leadership
Emily’s journey as a worship leader began early. She reminisced about her first experience leading worship in fifth grade. Since then, she has navigated the complexities of leading worship while remaining true to her personal experience of adoration and awe before God.
“I’ve felt this tension personally,” Emily confesses. “How do I worship and lead at the same time? It’s often difficult to hold two things in tension, and they are two different actions with two different focuses.” As she explains, the act of leading worship and the act of worshiping can sometimes seem like they pull in different directions. One can feel torn between managing the room’s spiritual atmosphere and attending to one’s own connection with God.
Revelation as an Anchor for Worship
To guide her through this tension, Emily found solace in the Book of Revelation. What might be seen as a distant, mysterious prophecy about the end times became, for her, a profound guide to the heart of worship. Revelation depicts worship as a collective, unified response to Jesus, with all worshippers together around the throne.
“I love this book because it gives us a glimpse of what we will spend eternity doing,” she said. Through this heavenly vision, Emily discovered that worship is not about the perfection of the music or even about who leads—it’s about joining in a chorus that centers on Jesus. Revelation describes worship as something we do together, with language that reflects a unity of voice. Whether it’s “they cried out in a loud voice” or “they sang a new song,” the focus is not on the individual, but on the Lamb who inspires it all.
This revelation shifted Emily’s perspective. She realized that as a worship leader, her primary role is not to control the room or manufacture a spiritual response but to gaze upon Jesus and lead others to do the same. “The Lamb is the leader,” she emphasizes. Her responsibility is to point people to Jesus, the one who stirs true worship.
Lessons from the Prayer Room
Emily also shared the invaluable lessons she has learned from leading worship in Church of the City’s prayer room, where worship is quieter, more unplanned, and less structured than the typical Sunday service. Whether two people or a hundred fill the room, the prayer room offers space to sit with the Lord without feeling rushed.
One particular experience in the prayer room reshaped her understanding of leadership. “I just remember thinking, I want to do what the room needs,” she said. In her attempt to discern what the room required, she heard a gentle whisper from the Holy Spirit: “Just look at me.” This simple, almost childlike instruction reminded her that the greatest need in worship is not the perfect song or the right transition but simply to focus on Jesus. “Our first role is to minister to Jesus,” she reflects, “and worship Him.”
This shift in focus liberated her from the pressure to “make something happen” during worship. By surrendering control, she discovered that the Spirit leads both her and the congregation more effectively when her eyes are fixed on Jesus.
Worship for Everyone
Emily concluded by challenging listeners with the idea that worship is not just for worship leaders—it’s for everyone. Whether you’re on stage or in the congregation, your voice matters. “There is space for your voice,” she reminds us. Every believer is invited to join the eternal chorus of worship described in Revelation. It’s not about being the best singer or standing in the spotlight—it’s about participating in the worship that is already happening in heaven.
Emily’s reflections offer a timely reminder that worship is not something to be perfected or performed but an ongoing, eternal response to the beauty and majesty of Jesus. Worship leaders, in particular, can find freedom in knowing that the weight of the room does not rest on their shoulders but on the Lamb who leads us all.
As Emily leads her community in New York, she continually points them back to this simple truth: the Lamb is on the throne, and our ultimate reality is centered in Him. Worship leaders, like all believers, are called to gaze upon Jesus, trust the Spirit’s leading, and invite others into that same eternal worship.
A Call to Refocus
Emily Lindquist’s message on The Walk is a powerful call to refocus our worship on the Lamb of God. Whether you are a worship leader or a member of the congregation, her words encourage us all to remember that our worship is a response to Jesus, not a product of our efforts. As she wisely reminds us, “The weight is not on you to create worship. Your role is just to look at the Lamb and point others to Him.”
For those feeling worn out or tired from the demands of worship leading, Emily’s advice is simple: spend more time with Jesus. As we cultivate intimacy with Him outside of Sunday mornings, we will find our hearts alive with fascination for the Lord—and that’s what transforms worship.
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