The Order....One Mind and One Accord...

Every worship leader has this one dilemma...What should the order of the music be?

There are numerous thoughts on this out there.  What I've learned is this,  do what works.
What does that mean?  If possible, plan all the songs with one theme that's in common.  If it's not possible, then try to let the last two or three songs be on the same theme.  If we, as worship leaders, do our part to focus the thoughts and praises of the congregants in one directions, then we are more likely to enter the Holy of Holy's.

Acts 2:1-2
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Acts 2:1-2 tells us that they, the ones that had stayed in the upper room praying after the Savior ascended, were in one place, and with one accord.  This tells us something significant.  All those in that room were focused on one thing.  Everyone was on the "same page" as the person beside them.  Some ministers say it like this, "they were in one mind."  Others say it this way, "they were in unison in their prayers and worship."  Either way, it's the same thing.  They were desiring the same thing.

As worship leaders, we need to focus those we are leading to a singular point.  We have to get everyone on the same page and desiring the same thing.  Yes, it's difficult, especially when we have to compete with social media, political points of view, and we have to inspire those that refuse to grow in Christ to examine themselves and realize that they are not where they need to be.  We have to hear complaints of , "The music sounds too much like Rock-N-Roll," or, "Everything was just too loud," and even, "The music had too much of a country-western feel too it."  These examples are almost always followed by the sentence, "I just couldn't worship because of it."  These are also things we have to overcome.

I feel that if you can use a hymn or part of one or two in the services, then you need to try to do so.
For example....I would start out with the Call to Worship being Friend of God, written by Israel Houghton.  It's an upbeat song that starts off with the theme that we want.  Once the service gets to the worship set, I would lead off with something like Open up the Heavens, by Meredith Andrews, then go into either Cornerstone, from Hillsong or Your Presence is Heaven, by Israel Houghton.  Next I would slow things down a bit more with just the chorus to the hymn, What a Friend We Have In Jesus.  I would end with either the chorus to the hymn, I Surrender All, or the chorus to He's All I Need.  I might would include both.  All these songs point to being His friend, being in His presence, or His supremacy.  At the end of the worship set, the last two songs declare that we need Him, and He is all we need.  The other songs just support these two....

You must consider those that you are leading though.  Their individual tastes in music also help indicate what my be effective for them to worship with.  However, if someone says that they cannot worship to a particular style of music, then do not concern yourself with that person...they are focused on satisfying their taste in music, not the Most High God with praises.

Consider your sets.  First of all, pray for guidance.  Secondly, consider the keys and abilities of the musicians you're using that day.  Thirdly, start off faster, and end slower...this promotes a more intimate worship.  Fourthly, keep to a theme where possible.  And fifthly, make sure the songs resonate with your congregants.

All these things play vital roles in how each service is conducted.  They also help to focus or distract from true worship.  Learn how to be flexible in the style's of music.

After all, we want everyone in, "One Mind and One Accord!"

What's Hot....and What's Not!

A lot of churches worship leaders will hear the number one song in the land and declare, "We have to do this song!"  In reality, not every song that is number one is number one.
What does that mean....
Just because everyone knows it and its on the radio for a thousand consecutive weeks at number one, doesn't mean that it will be a great worship song.  In fact, sometimes the pressure to take a number one and make it the best in your worship set can distract you from what God is wanting to do.

This is where knowing your congregation helps.  Knowing them provides insight to what will be effective and what may be a flop.  Use that to your advantage.  Plan out new music based not on the charts of popularity, but on the wings or worship.  You learn it and worship with it in private.  Then, if you can get to His presence with it, present it to the team and see what they think.  There are a lot of songs that are for "Positive Entertainment" and nothing really more.

What?

Yes...I wouldn't sing a song by Francesca Batistelli called "Free to be Me" in church!  How does singing about a rip in your jeans, or being late for work, or the speeding ticket help you focus on worship and entering His presence?  It distracts more than help.  That's because it's not appropriate for worship.

Use wisdom and good judgement when picking out music.  Mostly, pray that God direct you into a fountain of great music for leading the church in worship.  After all...He gives sermons to pastors,why would He not give you the music if you seek Him?

Worship Engagement

You're on stage and between songs.  Everything up to that point has brought you here.  You have one (or two) songs left on the set list, and you feel an urge to do something not planned.

Sometimes it takes a quiet moment to hear God's voice and directions.  We prepare and pray for His guidance in the upcoming services, and sometimes He gives us just enough to get to 'that' moment.  It can be anywhere in the worship service, and you know it when you get there.  What do you do?

Some worship leaders know exactly what to do.  Others don't.  I knew what to do from the experiences I received by watching my parents and other ministers and worship leaders.  Not everyone grows up in the environment I did, and therefore doesn't have the same experiences to draw from that I do.  None the less, it was still terrifying to actually do it.

God will sometimes drop something in your spirit or in your heart, and you can't help but share it.  It's usually something that uplifts or edifies the church.  Pentecostal brothers and sisters will know what I'm talking about...Sometimes God uses speaking in tongues for this something, and other times He impresses us like He does ministers when they are preparing their sermons.  The method is not important.  What is important is that when this happens, you trust God and do or say what He wants you to.

Their are other times that speaking to the congregation will encourage worship or help set the attitude and help focus the people in their worship.  Sometimes a simple prayer or an exhortation can be enough.  Then there are times where you may quote scripture and briefly interpret it for them. There are many  things that can be done in those moments.  You just have to do it.

Don't be afraid.  You're already singing in front of the congregation, why not go ahead talk to them.  You talk to them before and after services anyway.  Sometimes we get nervous about the little things we do, when we need to just focus on God.

These moments of spoken word will have positive results in the long run.  It may take you a couple times to get the feel for it, or to recognize what God is asking you to do; but...It keeps the focus of the people where it belongs.....On worshiping God.  You never know what condition someone may be in, or what they are going through.  Your words may remind them that He is sufficient for all needs in their lives; that He is mighty enough, loving enough, and gentle enough to help them through anything they are facing or dealing with.  This opens their hearts to a more sincere form of worship, and those that respond usually leave encouraged by God, having a more positive outlook on their situation, and since they've had an encounter with the Almighty, they leaved changed.

After all, isn't this our mission as worship leaders?  Aren't we supposed to help people into sincere worship?  Aren't we supposed to help them into the Holy of Holies? Aren't we supposed to help the Pastor make sure that people leave changed?

This is one way to do this!

Nothing But The Blood (3 of 7)

"What can wash away my sin? What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!

For my pardon this I see, For my cleansing this I plea.
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!

Nothing can for sin atone.  Naught of good that I have done.
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!

This is all my hope and peace, This is all my righteousness!
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!

O precious is that flow, that makes me white as snow.
No other fount I know!  Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!"

Wow!  What a song!  The Rev. Robert Lowry felt such passion about the value and importance of the blood that he penned this song with strong and powerful wording!

Only the blood of Jesus Christ can wash our sins away, can make us complete, is able to pardon, and is our hope and righteousness.  Only the blood can atone for our sins, and nothing we do can make us righteous.  How incredible is it that the weight of these words and the importance of understanding them is the cornerstone of our faith!

A shower with Herbal Essence shampoo and Dove body wash cant cleanse you like being totally submerged in the precious blood of the lamb!  Too many times, church goers tend to live like they want to Monday through Saturday. Then, Sunday morning, they come in with their spiritual shoes on and jump, shout, run the aisles (ask your Grand Parents about it), and "work" under the anointing.  I'm sorry...God doesn't want that.  He wants to submerge you beneath the flow....

Did you catch that?  The blood is flowing!  That means it's not a standing pool like what we are baptized in.  It's a flow.  Once you're in it, you move to a new place.  You can't get out of the flow where you entered the flow!

When you are sincere in your repentance, God totally submerges you in the flow and you are changed.  You don't go back to the things that you used to do, or to where you used to go.

Strive to stay in the flow!

Are You Washed In The Blood

"Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow'r?
Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?

Are you walking daily by the Savior's side?
Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?

When the Bride-Groom cometh will your robes be white?
Pure and white in the blood of the lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansion bright?
And be washed in the blood of the lamb!

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin.
And be washed in the blood of the lamb!
There's a fountain flowing for the soul un-clean
O be washed in the blood of the lamb!"

The writer is calling you out!  If you're washed in the blood, then you should doing the following:
1)  Fully trusting in His grace
2)  Walking daily by the Savior's side
3)  Resting in the security of Him who was crucified

And if you are washed in the blood, you need to do these things:
1)  Make sure your robe is white
2)  make sure your soul is ready
3)  Lay aside all sin stained garments
4)  Be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

What does this mean?  This is a daily guide on what we need to do to make sure we are ready when He comes back.  The writer is compelling, reminding, and challenging us to live as if He was coming back in the next few minutes.  As Christians, we should be doing this because we love Him, not because this song tells us to.

As worship leaders, sometimes we have to compel, remind, and challenge our congregants to help them focus on what is required of us.  Too many churches and church members live for themselves and don't really focus on how they should be living.  They focus on "being fed" by the minister, enjoying the music, and keeping the status quo.  The fact is that too many church goers are not going because of their conviction to serve Christ.  No, they are going because they expect Christ to serve them.  This way of thinking is killing our churches and causing an epidemic.  Now, people say that they don't have to go to church to feel God.  While this is true, they stay out of church to hunt, fish, have family time, go to ball games, or whatever else they want to do.  They don't pray or read scripture while they are doing these activities...No, they are enjoying life.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying life, or taking a Sunday off from church every once in a while.  The fact remains though, We need other believers to encourage us, to uplift us, to edify us, and to walk with us through life's trials.

This is where we compel, remind and challenge.  This is where we help others see the importance of these things.  This is where our music needs to deliver a clear, concise, message to the members.
It's not just the Pastors job....Welcome to ministry!