Hitting the "Reset" button on Song Selection

As worship leaders, it can be easy to get a head of your congregation. You're exposed to volumes of brand-new, quality worship material and can get caught up in the idea that they should know and experience the great truth and power of these songs as well. The problem with this is that we lose sight of our first calling... giving people an opportunity to worship and be changed by their God.

When I became the volunteer music director at my church in January of 2012 a few months after arriving, I noticed a big problem in song selection. In 2011, my church did over 200 unique worship songs. Think about that... In a 52 week period in which we did 6 songs per week, the repeat rate was just over 1.5. That means, the average song was only done once over the course of the year. How can we expect to build up the meaning and experience of these songs within the community when we don't even repeat them? The new songs weren't gaining enough traction to become meaningful and the older songs were the only thing that united the church; ultimately, making the new songs the scapegoat for disharmony and disjointedness. We decided that we needed to hit the reset button on our song selection and create a more intentional and effective song selection process.

With a new leadership team in place, we rallied around a brand new vision for song selection. We built a list of 45 songs that we felt were worth investing in in 2012 - songs that we wanted done at least 6 times in 2012. We drew from songs that had gained recent traction, mixed in a few classics that we saw value in and added brand new songs that we believed would be meaningful for years to come. We also made a provision that leaders could chose up to one well-known, older song not on the list (hymn, classic praise song) per set. No more one-and-done songs.

Here are the guidelines (straight from the email sent to the worship leaders) we built our list with...

• Relevant - 80% of our songs should be less than 10 years old. I'd like to see the other 20% be a mix of hymns and slightly older praise songs.

• Consistent - all of the songs should fit into a similar music style; Praise and Worship CCM. We're not doing grunge, gospel or Gaither. ;)

• Personal -  the songs should be in first person and provide an opportunity for the congregation to sing praises or surrender directly to God.

• Authenticity - the songs should include a variation of emotion that are inherent in the Christian experience and should speak to the human condition.

Each of the leaders created a list of about 30 songs that they felt met the criteria. I then compiled all of those lists into one document and found that we had about 70 that had been mentioned by two or more leaders on their list. That made narrowing them down easier. Since there was already some unity on those 70 songs, we got together in person and went through that list, eventually narrowing it down to about 45. It took humility, understanding and a lot of prayer, but we walked away with a list of songs and a purpose that united us as a team of leaders.

Since the list consisted of mostly new songs, we also took time to discuss how to effectively introduce new material and how to build up the congregations grasp of it. In the first couple of months, there were a handful of complaints that we were doing too many new songs, but it only took a couple months for those new songs to not only catch on, but become beloved. Since we made that change in our process, we have seen continued growth. 

Now that we are almost 9 months into this experiment, its exciting to look at the journey God had us on. Our congregation has grasped onto these songs and we have continued to move forward as a collective, congregation and worship team - singing these song in unity and for His Kingdom's glory.

When Worship Leading Isn't Work

The last few times that I've led worship at my home church, where I volunteer as the Worship Music Director, something has really struck me; worship leading no longer feels like work. In my time spent as a worship pastor (and still, when I travel with [engage] ministries leading worship with students from the University I work at) worship leading was draining, because it was work. I always felt responsible for "carrying" the volunteers on stage. I spent hours putting together resources to make learning the songs easy for the band and vocalists each week, then at our organized band rehearsal I would spend most of the time instructing the team, reviewing parts and correcting mistakes.


Things aren't the same with the musicians at my home church now. The band members I work with once or twice a month at my new home church all listen to, learn and know the songs before we meet for rehearsal. They have a desire to not only play a part and be in the band, but to give their best as an offering of worship.


I'm inspired by it. I'm privileged to work with such awesome people and I'm not going to forget this experience. It's also taught me some valuable lessons.


First of all, those type of volunteers do exist! There is no reason to settle for a decent musician that half-heartedly prepares. The worship leader does not have to carry the band. Your commitment does not have to fill in the gaps for everyone else's lack-thereof. Set the bar for your band by being upfront about your expectations and let them make the decision on whether or not their willing to commit to it.


Secondly, the impact for the church body and congregation is more powerful. When everyone on the team takes the role of "worship leader" seriously, the congregation notices it and is moved by it. When the band is engaged in the act of worship using their instrument, rather than just playing their instrument, the congregation can tell that their is genuine worship happening in the hearts of musicians and that they are not on stage for their own glory or recognition, but rather to give something back to God.


Finally, worship becomes more meaningful for you as the leader. When you know that the band and vocalists have your back and you don't have to be concious of the other parts while you attempt to effectively fill your own role, you are able to let go, be in the presence of God and experience the Holy Spirit in a much more powerful way. When your mind is occupied by the nuts and bolts of music, timing, chemistry, song structure, etc..., you are distracted from the very act of worship that you are trying to model for your congregation. Eliminate that distraction and experience the freedom it brings.


I realize that these lessons aren't something that is plug and play. But, I want to encourage you to not settle for a band that you have to drag along behind you. Set your bar high - excellence attracts excellence and the right pieces will come along as God sees fit.

Leading Worship... from the Third Row

This weekend, I'm not on the schedule to play guitar or sing at my home church, but I'm already looking forward to leading worship. I haven't practiced at all, but I'm feeling very prepared. I'm ready to give God my praises and influence the people around me to do the same.

I'll be sitting in the third row of the congregation this weekend - hands raised and heart engaged. My hope is that I can leverage my visibility as a regular worship leader on stage to be able to influence and lead the congregation even while being off stage.

When I'm on stage, I see other worship leaders off stage. They're the ones clapping, singing and giving God His due glory. I see their influence echo throughout their small section of influence in the congregation and sometimes even reach to the far edges of the auditorium. It's much easier to join in and be a little "undignified" in your worship, when there is someone next to you or in front of you leading the way.

Join me this weekend in leading worship, because God deserves it. Engage Him with your voices and hearts and be an influence for those around you to be like King David, worshiping God at the risk of being undignified.