Song Selection on Sunday Morning!

Song selection...man this can keep you up at night? OR...you simply throw it together last minute. Let me give you a few simple tips for Sunday morning. There is a formula that will help you to create a good environment for Sunday morning. Please remember that this is a guideline...NOT a rule, but a plan that will help you when you are stuck.

1. Always remember that the congregation is entering the building cold. The majority of church attendees have not been in prayer for the last half hour, they just wolfed down breakfast, couldn't find a thing to wear, were stressed about getting to church on time and than finding a parking spot...UGH!!! They need some time to acclimate themselves to the service. Try to start with a song or 2 that is fun, inspiring and light. The theme of the song does not have to be "fluffy" but the feel of the music needs to be inviting, simple to sing and allow the congregation to feel as though "church" has begun.

2. I would strongly recommend that you insert a scripture or a reading that will set the theme for the service. We often forget that The Word Of God is incredibly powerful in the praise and worship part of the service! Allow HIS word to capture the congregation. Once your transition from the faster, upbeat style of music has happened with the spoken word, or welcome prayer - you can than move into something a little more contemplative. Try to have the prayer or the scripture tie in thematically so as to have a smooth transition.

3. Come out of the contemplative and you can go one of 2 ways...IF the flow seems to be moving towards soft intimate worship or if the theme calls for that - go to a chorus or simple well-known song that the people can worship to without the need of the words...OR you can take them to a mid tempo style...It is a good idea to always have a couple songs chosen and than allow spontaneity to direct this. The Holy Spirit is so kind and gentle, but we often do not allow Him to direct once we have a path...true spontaneity only comes from FORM!! If we plan the service and leave space for God to move HE WILL!!

4. With the theme in mind, have a closing song that will tie into it, or at least will set the mood for the style of message that is about to be spoken. It is vital to know the direction of the service. It is awkward if the soft, intimate worship is met by a funny comment. We need to be sensitive to the Spirit and allow Him to influence our planning, and than also leave room for the prompting during the service.

5. Just because you plan and leave space, and pick songs according to the theme - don't be surprised if every once in a while HE changes the plan on you. BUT - our job is not to anticipate that HE will change the plan every week, therefore we don't make one...Plan as though God will not move, and than leave space for when HE DOES!! (by the way - God is always present and is always seeking to bless us!! - it's just a saying...you know what I mean!!)

Prayer is a huge part of service preparation. God will direct and lead. Our job is to communicate what God has laid on our heart. Do not be caught last minute trying to put it together...Plan, create and allow Him to lead.

Creativity? Really, we should use it...in church??

Leading a congregation in worship is not as simple as singing songs and having them join you...is it?

Having the responsibility of leading a congregation into worship is a HUGE responsibility. Preparation and planning is key!! The songs selection, the tempo's, the band? All of these decisions are crucial. You don't need to have the same instruments every week. You don't need to pick the same songs every week. You also do not need to have the same number of songs...

My challenge for you is to rethink your planning and preparation time. Really look at the plan from the perspective of the ultimate goal. What is the message about? What do we want people to feel at the end of the musical part of the service? Is this a contemplative service? Celebratory?? The service style and the outline of the service should dictate some of your choices.

We often have the same instruments for every style. I have witnessed an 8 pc band try to play everything! Take time to plan the style, as much as the songs!! If you are having a service that is more reflective in nature...maybe all you need is an acoustic guitar or piano. If you are celebrating - bring out the horn section!!! 12 backup singers for the old time gospel stuff!! Maybe just a duet in times of quiet...

We talk a lot about what we do on stage during the service, but I challenge you this week to look at the planning stage. Really plot out the type of praise and worship that will represent the goal of the message and the overall theme of the day. Don't get caught in a rut, doing the same stuff with the same people every week. Change it up!

Your band will not get burnt out as fast and the congregation will be more engaged, and you will find the process more interesting!! After all you are worshiping the God of creativity...let's try using some!!

Take this stand...

I wrote a blog a week or so ago talking about a band performing behind a wall of monitors and music stands...I mentioned how this seems to build walls between the band and the audience...

In worship leading we want to tear down walls! Know our congregation and lead the community of faith into the presence of the Holy of Holy's!! Now your response is...so you do this by taking away a stand?? YES!!

Have you ever read a story, while your head is buried in the pages only to look up and find that the very person you are reading the story for has fallen asleep?? It is this concept that leads me to discuss the STAND!!

If we have our attention focused on the music and the chord charts, how can we lead. You see the leading is not simply done by the one with the vocals. The congregation sees everyone...The guitar guy, the bass player, the keys...etc...You are all part of the leading team! Everyone must look engaged...Everyone must care that they are connecting with the audience...Everyone must engage the audience...Everyone must look like they are interested!!!!

If you can step away from the stand, and the chord chart, you can turn your attention to the congregation...you can LOVE THE CONGREGATION and therefore you can LEAD them!!

This takes extra work. This takes preparation time! This takes a lot of extra energy!! IF you are asked to lead a community of faith, into the arena of musical worship...Take the time to do it right. This is a huge responsibility. Learn the music and step out from behind the wall and engage people...LOVE THE CONGREGATION!!!

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