The Theology of Worship Leading

CREATING A FLOW IN WORSHIP

1. Think of your set in terms of a journey. A typical journey begins with songs of celebration and ends with songs of intimate adoration. You can also begin with songs of intimate adoration and end with songs anthemic exaltation. It just depends on the mood of the service.

2. Have at least two songs in a row that have the same key and feel. This creates a sense of movement without distraction.

3. When you move into a time of intimate adoration, use simple songs that are well known or easy to remember. You want people to focus on their personal experience with God and focus on trying to remember the words.

4. Create space to linger. Don’t feel the need to move quickly through your set from song to song. This might mean repeating a chorus or hanging on a particular chord. It might also mean allowing for silence.

5. Use prayer as a means to transition from one segment of the service to another. This keeps the congregation focused on the Lord and allows you to make dramatic changes with minimal distractions.

6. Once you begin your set of worship songs, focus all your conversation to the Lord. When you engage the congregation, you take the focus off Jesus and you put it on yourself.

7. Think of your set in terms of a theme. Maybe you will want to choose songs that focus on God’s holiness or salvation. Maybe your pastor has a message that you can reinforce through song selection.

SONG SELECTION

1. Choose songs that are not too high or low. The standard congregational limits are the “D” one octave above middle “C” and the “B” below middle “C”

2. Choose songs that minister to you.

ALSO SEE: SONG CHOICE

 3. Choose songs that fit the season your church is in. There are songs that express the heart cry of the congregation. These are reflections of the work that God is doing in the community. Discover what those songs are and make them a key part of your song selection process.

4. Choose songs that fit the worship team. Do songs that you can do well. Your job as a leader is to make your team sound great. If you don’t have the talent pool you wish you had, then pray and use who you have wisely.

5. Introduce new songs in seasons. I like to introduce four or five new songs within a short period of time. Those songs may represent a current message or season in our church life. The congregation accepts them because they relate to them and it gives them opportunity to say something new to the Lord. It keeps the worship team fresh and excited about worship. These seasons may happen once a quarter or with each new sermon series.

PAGE 1 2 3