Some practical how to stuff...

How to plan new sets each week, and Working around short rehearsals and hectic schedules.

I want to address a couple questions that have been asked with 2 very simple, practical ways that can help. I am dealing with Song Choice, and Rehearsal times.

A) Planning new sets each week can be a very tedious job. I want to give you one practical way to re-think this task:
1. Think about the theme and the song choice FIRST. Often we try to fit the song into the band. By that I mean - "I have 7 players on this week and 5 singers, I can't do this song because it won't work with the players" Don't be afraid to change up the style's and the number of players each week. I know this sounds basic, BUT - we are often limited by the smallest things. If you are bound by the band, and the singers you might tend to choose songs that you might leave out if you had more freedom. So, plan your songs and the theme a few weeks in advance...THAN pick your band and singers that will fit into your plan...not the other way around!

This will create more interest from the congregation as well. You will find that the change up of "ear candy" will be a welcomed!

B) Rehearsal times and the lack thereof can be very frustrating. Here is a very practical way to reduce stress...Yours and the bands!!
2. SIMPLIFY THE ARRANGEMENT!! Often we try to duplicate the arrangement we have heard on a recording, or we try to duplicate how we saw a band play it live. Both of those, without a lot of practice can end in disaster, leaving us frustrated and wanting to quit. My thought is to take the song, simplify the arrangement, and sometimes even simplify the chord structure. There are a lot of songs that have very complicated chords inserted into a very simple melody. On the recording it sounded cool, but without a ton of rehearsal time, and pro players you are often left frustrated! When you are dealing with crazy schedules, not a lot of rehearsal time, and musicians that have a "real job" (lol) you might need to change some things up. Remember the changes you will need to make, will not effect the audience...They are things musicians will see and know, but the audience you are leading in worship will just know it is WORKING!!

Kevin

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!!

The art of worship leading...

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

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