The debate continues...is leading worship an art form? Is there a technique to this or is this simply a feel thing? Have you witnessed both? When have you been to a church service where you were lost in worship? Has that happened...if it did, than what was different? IF this has not happened, why not?
Leading in worship tends to be hit and miss...in my experience. Sometimes the emotion, the passion, the creativity all seem to be on the same page and it is magical...other times the passion seems to be non-existent. What is the difference?
I don't want to be the one to answer this! I want to stir up conversation...
What is the role of the Worship Leader?
What makes a good leader?
What creates the emotion and the passion?
Is this a technique that can be learned?
I really want to hear from you! All of us complain about music in our church...we are either the one they are complaining about or we find something we don't like...BE HONEST!!!!!
Talk to me...what can we do to make it better...I have some ideas...BUT FIRST - let me hear what you think...
is it the music, the delivery, emotion...too much emotion?
What? Talk to me...
Kevin
Sunday, February 27, 2011
songs or singing...which came first!?
Which came first, the song, or the art of singing? The question is usually about the chicken or the egg...not a musical reference!
It is a question that doesn't even need an answer...does it?? Do we care? Does it matter which came first? The answer...I HAVE NO IDEA!! Here is what I do care about...without the singing, the song has no voice. BUT without a song, the singer is silent! These are very profound and DEEP thoughts...deeper than Jack Handey (a SNL reference if you didn't know!)
Songwriters always believe the song is the only thing that matters. The singers always feel that without them the song will be left unheard!
The fact is, as much as the music business is always song driven, the LIVE show...the place where MOST artists make their living, is all about the delivery of that great song. How many shows have you been to where a band with a great song, delivered the song with no passion, with very little creativity and sounded just like the CD...only worse...and you were left thinking the song was not as good as you remembered!!
On the other hand...have you ever gone to a show where a band with average songs...delivered them with punch, creativity enthusiasm and passion...you leave thinking their songs were better than they actually are...does this sound familiar?
We sometimes think so highly of our GREAT SONGS, we think they will perform themselves! The crowd that "got it" on the radio or at home listening to the CD version, will instantly connect when we perform it LIVE.
The pain, sweat and tears that go into the craft of writing a great song, need to be used when putting together a great show. You hear the language on American Idol. This is a singing competition, but they constantly refer to connection...emotion, passion, owning the song...and they are all performing GREAT SONGS!!!
Don't have the crowd at your show say..."the song was bigger than you dawg.."
Which came first...the song...the singer...who cares! SING the SONG well enough that the crowd will believe they arrived at the same time!!!!
Kevin
It is a question that doesn't even need an answer...does it?? Do we care? Does it matter which came first? The answer...I HAVE NO IDEA!! Here is what I do care about...without the singing, the song has no voice. BUT without a song, the singer is silent! These are very profound and DEEP thoughts...deeper than Jack Handey (a SNL reference if you didn't know!)
Songwriters always believe the song is the only thing that matters. The singers always feel that without them the song will be left unheard!
The fact is, as much as the music business is always song driven, the LIVE show...the place where MOST artists make their living, is all about the delivery of that great song. How many shows have you been to where a band with a great song, delivered the song with no passion, with very little creativity and sounded just like the CD...only worse...and you were left thinking the song was not as good as you remembered!!
On the other hand...have you ever gone to a show where a band with average songs...delivered them with punch, creativity enthusiasm and passion...you leave thinking their songs were better than they actually are...does this sound familiar?
We sometimes think so highly of our GREAT SONGS, we think they will perform themselves! The crowd that "got it" on the radio or at home listening to the CD version, will instantly connect when we perform it LIVE.
The pain, sweat and tears that go into the craft of writing a great song, need to be used when putting together a great show. You hear the language on American Idol. This is a singing competition, but they constantly refer to connection...emotion, passion, owning the song...and they are all performing GREAT SONGS!!!
Don't have the crowd at your show say..."the song was bigger than you dawg.."
Which came first...the song...the singer...who cares! SING the SONG well enough that the crowd will believe they arrived at the same time!!!!
Kevin
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Why do we even play music in church?
I have to admit that I am not the biggest fan of our current "Worship Music" within the church. Now - I am a huge fan of great Praise and Worship, just haven't found it a lot lately....
Here is what I mean...I was watching a youtube video of one of Canada's largest churches. They put up a video of their worship service. Here is what I saw...a huge stage - 2 singers standing in the front (not moving and they both had their eyes closed) - The band was at least 20 feet behind them, behind a wall of monitors - all of them had their heads buried in the music stand...and the words were on the screen...Musically it was pretty good, good singers, decent players - good sound - ZERO "leading"!
Being a leader in the area of Praise and Worship is not a "gig". This is not a place to play great music, this is not a place to entertain, it is not a place to try out our newest song that we wrote...It is the place to selflessly lead the congregation before you into the sacred place of worship. Preparing the congregation to receive from God's Word. Leading them to a place where they are ready to be ministered to by God!
In the example I mentioned earlier there was no interaction with the audience. The leaders had their eyes closed most of the time - this does not allow the leader to notice the crowd...make eye contact - find out where the audience is emotionally and spiritually. You cannot lead, if you do not notice, if the crowd is following you...
Does that make sense to you, or this a foreign concept? We need to get back to an understanding of why we take time to play music in church. We are to "lead" a congregation and prepare them to hear the Word. You cannot lead what you cannot see.
The Worship Leader needs to understand that their job is not to sing well and play cool music (although both are nice to have) Our job is to lead the congregation. We need to interact with them visually. We need to create an atmosphere that is welcoming...we need to perform, NOT entertain. Performance in this context is to simply communicate WELL!
If your Pastor looked at his notes, very rarely ever looked up, closed his eyes and really seemed internalized...would you listen or tune it out? When the speaker walks around, looks at you, looks around the congregation...he is looking to see your response - is this getting through to you? Are there people nodding their heads in agreement - etc...
We need to have the same approach to worship...this is your time to watch, gaze and interact - your personal time of worship is before you step on that stage!!
Be prepared, know your music and remember that you are not there to sing songs...you are there to lead and prepare your congregation!!
Take your job seriously...LOVE YOUR AUDIENCE!!!
for more on this and other topics...www.expressiveworship.com
Kevin Pauls
Here is what I mean...I was watching a youtube video of one of Canada's largest churches. They put up a video of their worship service. Here is what I saw...a huge stage - 2 singers standing in the front (not moving and they both had their eyes closed) - The band was at least 20 feet behind them, behind a wall of monitors - all of them had their heads buried in the music stand...and the words were on the screen...Musically it was pretty good, good singers, decent players - good sound - ZERO "leading"!
Being a leader in the area of Praise and Worship is not a "gig". This is not a place to play great music, this is not a place to entertain, it is not a place to try out our newest song that we wrote...It is the place to selflessly lead the congregation before you into the sacred place of worship. Preparing the congregation to receive from God's Word. Leading them to a place where they are ready to be ministered to by God!
In the example I mentioned earlier there was no interaction with the audience. The leaders had their eyes closed most of the time - this does not allow the leader to notice the crowd...make eye contact - find out where the audience is emotionally and spiritually. You cannot lead, if you do not notice, if the crowd is following you...
Does that make sense to you, or this a foreign concept? We need to get back to an understanding of why we take time to play music in church. We are to "lead" a congregation and prepare them to hear the Word. You cannot lead what you cannot see.
The Worship Leader needs to understand that their job is not to sing well and play cool music (although both are nice to have) Our job is to lead the congregation. We need to interact with them visually. We need to create an atmosphere that is welcoming...we need to perform, NOT entertain. Performance in this context is to simply communicate WELL!
If your Pastor looked at his notes, very rarely ever looked up, closed his eyes and really seemed internalized...would you listen or tune it out? When the speaker walks around, looks at you, looks around the congregation...he is looking to see your response - is this getting through to you? Are there people nodding their heads in agreement - etc...
We need to have the same approach to worship...this is your time to watch, gaze and interact - your personal time of worship is before you step on that stage!!
Be prepared, know your music and remember that you are not there to sing songs...you are there to lead and prepare your congregation!!
Take your job seriously...LOVE YOUR AUDIENCE!!!
for more on this and other topics...www.expressiveworship.com
Kevin Pauls
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