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Song Selection and Worship Leading Hints
Song Selection
Use PRAISE songs. Praise is the most frequently used worship term in the Bible. The songs Paul quoted from are mostly praise. All the songs in the Book of Revelation are praise. So too, the majority of your songs should be PRAISE.
Remember that true praise is extolling the attributes or works of God. So search for songs that speak specifically about those attributes (goodness, holiness, justice, mercy, love, etc) AND his works, which are redemption and creation.
REDEMPTION is of UTMOST importance. You should include several songs about the cross, the blood, salvation, forgiveness of sin, etc in every worship session. Redemption is the reason Jesus came to earth. These are the songs we will sing in heaven. We must sing them here.
Use songs with lots of I/me/my sparingly. Your focus should be God and Jesus.
If you use I/me/my songs use more of the “I believe”’ I praise because”, “I’m forgiven”’ “I’m free”, and less of the “I want’, “I need’, “give me” etc. Choose songs that speak of what God has done for us.
In a nutshell, use more God focused songs than I/me/my focused songs.
To do this you MUST be selective. There are far more I/me/my songs written than songs of straight praise or redemption. (Probably because songs about God and what he has done are more difficult to write.) If you choose songs at random, or songs with a nice melody or songs that are easy to play, your selection will inevitably be “I” focused. So BE SELECTIVE.
Use the “RESOURCE TOPICAL INDEX” to help you make a good selection. (Download free from the RCM website). Look for the category “Praise (actual) – as distinct from “Praise (encouragement to)”. See also songs about Jesus – the cross, the blood, etc.
Worship Leading
Have a weekly rehearsal with your music team, with a significant time spent worshipping together. The congregation follows what you do, not what you say. Be well aware of your visual influence and make sure the team is also aware.
The worship leader is in charge. Work out your plan – how you want the songs to run, repeats, tags, free worship, etc – and direct the band.
Say very little. You are the worship leader, not the preacher. Just sing and lead the band (with discrete hand signals) and worship. Again, the people will respond to what they see – your obviously sincere worship.
The band should undergird the people, not drive them or swamp them. If the sound level goes over about 95 db the people can’t hear themselves and tend to stop singing. If drums are too loud get lighter sticks, a perspex wall, an electronic drum kit or drum lessons.
Have at least one solid block of singing without interruptions from notices, offering etc, to encourage the people to worship.
© 2005 Resource Christian Music Pty Ltd
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