This week's WorshipIdea original appeared in the 08.12.03 issue. Read the entire archive of past issues at the paid website WorshipMax.com:
As I've said before, it seems everyone and their brother is starting a contemporary worship service. Unfortunately, I've heard that many of these new services are failing. Often the reason is poor planning and execution.
Here are two key points to consider if you're involved with praise and worship:
1. Plan ahead. I can't believe it when I hear of churches that meet thirty minutes before the service and throw together a song set.
A well known worship leader states that he never plans his worship song set. Rather, he has a list of all the songs his congregation knows, and he keeps this list on his music stand during worship to jog his memory. Then he lets the Spirit move.
While there's nothing wrong with this free-flowing method, I'm sure a worship leader of his stature can attract the finest musicians in town. Frankly, you'd need top musicians to pull off a service like this - musicians who know the songs by heart or can sight-read a chart perfectly. Pretty unrealistic for you and me, unless you want to lead worship all by yourself - strumming your guitar or accompanying yourself on the keyboard.
Remember, the more you plan, the more people can be involved. Flying by the seat of your pants (or skirt) can often result in a musical train wreck. Multiple train wrecks tend to make people in the congregation think you don't know what you're doing. If the service isn't worth planning, maybe it isn't worth attending.
Planning ahead gives you time to work out your praise set like a puzzle, fitting songs together in a perfect flow. It also makes your rehearsals more efficient, which leads me to my next point:
2. Rehearse. I'm also surprised at the number of churches that don't have a rehearsal! Rehearsals give you time to prepare both musically and spiritually for the coming Sunday.
If you're doing the praise team thing with 3-6 vocalists, I recommend having a separate vocal and band rehearsal. Each group has their own problems, and I'd rather concentrate on one group at a time. Then, put the whole thing together during your pre-service run-through. If you have just a worship leader and a background vocalist or two, let them rehearse with the band.
Your musicians might balk at rehearsing. Rehearsals are a must if you want to succeed with a quality worship service, so don't back down. However, people need to know your reasoning if you expect them to give you their valuable time.
Try making a deal with your musicians. First tell them your strategy: that you believe rehearsing will only improve the music and bring about a better worship experience for the congregation. Careless goof-ups distract people from connecting with God, whereas smooth transitions help usher them into His presence. Ask them if they'll try rehearsing for a month. When they see the positive results - better blend and a tighter band - they'll be more apt to become committed team members.
Blended worship on a budget. HymnCharts.com is the best sheet music value on the Internet. Download a free contemporary hymn arrangement.
3 comments:
Exactly!!
I recently talked with a visitor who has been trying to start a group at her church, and it's amazing how these things aren't recognized as absolutely vital.
Our group is generally 4 band members and 2-3 vocalists rotating through our 25-ish person volunteer group. Practice is required in order to participate on Sunday morning -- about an hour Thursday night and a 30-minute run-through on Sunday before the service. All of the songs are selected at least a week ahead of time in order for them to be in the bulletin (we have no projection abilities), and the associated music files are sent out to the group the Sunday evening the week before. That way people in the group that need more time to practice can do so on their own before coming to Thursday's practice.
We still have issues every once in a while, but they are infrequent enough that most service attendees don't notice them. That's the point -- to enhance the experience and not to detract.
Sorry for the novel, but this post sort of "struck a chord" with me. :)
These also fail because some church leaders are playing "Simon Says" instead of listening to Christ. Simon says..."move toward contemporary worship." Maybe Christ says "worship me sincerely in a variety of ways."
I;m tired of trying to keep up with another worship leader or pastor's exoectations. I want to lead my people in sincere worship. And I find that can take many forms and remain just as powerful as ever.
Oh my gosh...come on! If you are not keeping up with the marketing aspect of the new movement of the church...then NO ONE will come to Christ. If you don't use the latest technology...how on earth will these people hear of Christ? If the music isn't professional...how will they know of God's love? If it's not cool, they are NOT going to stay. The unchurched need the hip stuff to know they can get saved too. I don't think you need the Lord to lead you when so many others that have gone before you that are showing you that your church can be successful! Why reinvent the wheel again? Let's think out of the box! Who cares what methods you use as long as folks come to church? Hey, if you want to get to heaven, you gotta go to church on earth! And let's make sure it's cool if we have to go, right? I love this new way of thinking! It's so attractive and pleasing not only to the ears, but the eyes! I mean, the awesome technology and graphics make the Lord so relevant for today! Bravo stranger for being so bold and to challenge those who think we should listen to the Lord! As long as we are doing good deeds and dog-gone it, having some FUN in church for a change...WHY are these pharisees knocking it? Let's stop talking about listening to the Lord, and start paying attention to what works! The new trends are what's important. Let's keep our eye on the ball, so our churches don't go out of business. No one has all the answers to what God wants, we need to be open to success. Go Don! Thanks for the encouragement to seek musical perfection.
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