Worship-Leading Ideas & Notes - an Article by Randy Rocket (Randall Alan Fultz)
Worship-Leading Ideas & Notes
Observations, Practicalities, Components & Planning for Effective Worship-Leading (Copyright 2016 by Randall Alan Fultz)
Quotes on Worship:
"Worship is no longer worship when it reflects the culture around us more than the Christ within us". - A.W. Tozer
"God made music that we might pray without words". - Anonymous
"Music is a fair and glorious gift of God. I am strongly persuaded that after Theology, music is the only art capable of affording peace and joy of the heart." - Martin Luther
"Worship means 'to feel in the heart'; that's to first feel it in the heart. Worship also means 'to express in some appropriate manner' what you feel. And what will be expressed? 'A humbling but delightful sense of admiring awe and astonished wonder'. It is delightful to worship God!" - A.W. Tozer
I. Observations:
- Without the preparation of prayer and personal purity on the part of the Worship leader, Worship will lack the fresh Life of God's Spirit.
- The spiritual influence of the Worship Leader is only second to the Pastor in the local Church. (So, Pastors: Choose your Worship Leaders wisely, and only after much prayer!)
- If the Worship Leader's heart is not right with the Lord, and in true unity with the Church leadership, then they will actually cause division in the Church...
- Music sets the mood, one's frame of mind, & the spiritual atmosphere or environment. - Effective worship is accomplished through proper song choices for flow and direction. - Worship planning's goal should be to lead people to freely express their love to God. - Worship in song helps you to pray, as you speak words and as you sing the melody. - Music breaks down barriers; first in a group sense among people, and secondarily between individuals and the Lord. - The responsibility of a worship leader is to direct each individual and a group's attention to God - to marvel at HIS greatness, HIS love, grace and forgiveness.
- The Worship leader should strive to achieve a level of invisibility. They should work to never become the focus of attention, or try to show-off their skills!
- Worship opens a window for two-way communication and intimacy with the Lord. - Nothing is as contagious as a Jesus-loving song leader truly worshipping God.
II. Practicalities:
- Teach NEW songs early in the song service, then come back and repeat the new song to reinforce it so people can remember it. - Introduce NEW songs one-at-a-time; one per service works best. - GIVE DIRECTION (or focus) every few songs during worship, or at transitions; but keep it simple. - Say, "Do this, say this after me, picture this, let's stand together, lift your hands if you can", as the Holy Spirit leads. - Note:(Give MORE direction for children and youth.) - Room or chair layouts matter: Rows or "blocks" work best. Avoid circles or semi-circles (they're intimidating, especially for kids, and "people are looking at you"). - Avoid meaningless chatter between songs. Ask yourself; "Does this really lead others closer to Jesus?" - Songs are best learned by memorization, since overheads or slides can be distracting. - When changing keys, tempo, or worship service direction, try giving just the first chord or note, with a short "wake-up" pause. - Use the V chord of the new key as a transition, whenever you are modulating to a new key. (i.e. When in key of C, moving up to key of D, use the Fifth of the Key of D (A, or A7) chord to transition up.) Note: Always modulate UP to a higher key. Moving down to lower keys is "a downer", and usually ineffective. - Keep the focus OFF the act of singing (or voices). Youth or kids - focus on movement, standing, sitting, hand movements, clapping, doing a fun or silly song, etc. - Always try to FLOW smoothly from one song to another. Practice the song transitions, so that you can nail the starting note of each song. Stopping, taking long pauses, or musical choppiness breaks the flow. You lose focus, and worshippers (especially the kids) get wiggly and their minds wander. We are all so EASILY distracted... so don't CAUSE distractions by being half-prepared! - DON'T IGNORE DISTRACTIONS - deal with them honestly, openly and gently. Perhaps set expectations by saying, "It's okay for people not to worship, but it's NOT okay to interfere with OTHER'S who are worshipping."
III. PLANNING:
- Plan the song selections and song order well in advance. Try for a logical flow from fun, fast or celebrative songs, to contemplative songs, to personal relationship ("I" and "YOU", Jesus-focused) songs, to full-blown worship songs, etc. - Pray beforehand for leading or direction for the worship service. Trust God. Be Bold. Be yourself. Don't be afraid to be innovative. - Sing a song during a "new-song-learning-time", to transition to another part of the service or teaching, or to use as a group prayer. - Mix variety with familiarity, don't get stuck on the same song selections, same song order or format. - PRACTICE ALL song transitions, key changes, and starting pitches for each song until you nail them all, and the service runs smooth. This REALLY HELPS both kids & adults! - If you're concerned about loss of spontaneity, prepare a song list of possible choices; but ALWAYS be open to change or drop your plans. - Delete or add songs, or even stop during the song service, (for a quiet prayer or listening time), if appropriate. - Learn to be comfortable letting the Holy Spirit LEAD or INTERRUPT you; He may have a different or better plan... - KNOW every NEW song WELL before introducing it to the group, or it will NOT be comfortable or well-received. (Intoducing a new song without the confidence of knowing it "inside-out" may leave a negative "feel" or "taste" for that song among the Church). - Watch & listen for new songs to add to your worship repertoire.
IV. The Components of Worship (Note: This is ONLY an example; try different combinations, to find what works best for YOU!!)
1. The Call to Worship: an invitational song, a call to join in, to focus on worshiping God. 2. The Fellowship: Believers joining together in music with each other in His presence. 3. The Connection: Connecting upwards to God, and outwardly with each other. 4. The Expression: Praise for Who God is & our personal love-relationship with Him. 5. The Visitation: Our waiting for God to minister & respond to our open hearts. Includes the flow of gifts, prayers, healings, and the moving of the Holy Spirit. 6. The Transition: Flowing from the Music and Song portion into the rest of the service. This should preserve the atmosphere of worship, provide continuity and an opportunity to increase.
May God richly bless you as you faithfully serve Him with Leading Spirit-led Worship! ...And may He gift you abundantly with grace and skills to nourish an ever-increasing Love for JESUS in the hearts of His people - to worship Him in Spirit and Truth!
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