Present B4 Presenting

Many worship teams have a hard time teaching a new song to their congregation.  It seems like they need to repeat the song more than once on that given Sunday or add it to the list again the next worship service.  This can become an obstacle that breaks the flow of worship in any service.  

So how can we get to the heart of a new song during its presentation without breaking the flow of worship; I have two suggestions…

1.  Use your offering time to present a new song.  Since giving is the focus and not learning the new song, the congregation is not preoccupied with following along, yet they hear and internalize the new song.   Meanwhile, focus on the chorus and encourage the congregation to sing along. Pull back on the instruments so they can hear themselves singing the new song you are presenting together.

2.  This one is my favorite; Collaborate with your sound team to play the song or songs that you want to present as background music as people are walking into the service. Follow up by playing it after the worship service as people are being dismissed and are fellowshipping. Find creative ways to introduce new songs you are about to present in any venue or activity where the congregation can be exposed to them.

Testimony

As I was coming down the altar after a Sunday service, I overheard three men from our Spanish service in a debate about whether the song 'Mi Pan Mi Luz" by Marcos Witt had been sung before in our worship service.  As I got closer one of the brothers pulled me into the circle to make his point and asked me in front of the other two, "Haven't we sung 'Mi Pan Mi Luz' before in church?" I responded, "No brother, it’s the first time we sing it."  He didn’t realize that we had been playing the song before and after the service.

You may still have to overcome some hurdles when teaching the church a new song, but at least it won’t be as if it were the first time they have heard it.    

Present B4 Presenting

Slow Down

Today many worship leaders take lightly what to present for their Sunday worship service. They chose on impulse what touches and moves them.  If a song is a hit in many churches, it is put on their Sunday song list. 

In this ramped up race to be known as a cutting edge worship team, we tend to forget what the church really needs to hear.  Songs can be great, cool or awesome, but do they meet the needs of the church you are leading?  I have no doubt that new and old songs can be inspiring and meet the needs of the church, however I want to encourage those who lead worship to slow down.

If you're the person that chooses the songs for your Sunday worship follow these three basic steps to help you be more effective in leading people to God and see life-changing results.

Slow Down and..

1. Seek God for Guidance: Since it is His church, I think we all agree, He knows best what the church needs to hear and how it should be lead.

2. Know your Church:  Every church is different and goes through its own issues and spiritual necessities. For example, you may have a church with many new-born Christians who are dealing with letting go of some things in their lives; in your list of songs you may want to include "Trading My Sorrows". This song will help them get through, even though it may be an old song for others.

3. Work with your Pastor: Collaborate with your Pastor to close the message of the day with the right song; this will bring a spiritual unity and agreement for the church to embrace the message.  When ministers come together, God always does his best work among His church.  Peter and John did not go their own way or speak a different message in Acts 3.  They were united and in agreement on how they were going to address the people to whom they ministered. Therefore, you as a minister work with your Pastor to see God work in a supernatural way in your church.

Slow Down