It’s not always possible to nail down in rehearsal exactly how you’re going to do a song in a service. We might realize as we’re singing a song that we need to cut it short, extend it, go back to a previous verse, or repeat a section. We might sense that God is prompting us to do something we hadn’t planned at all. The worship leader needs to be able to clearly communicate these changes in direction with the worship team. Without using words.

The last thing I intend for this blog post is to be an open critique of Jamie’s post.  I emailed him about his post and he very humbly assured me that his post was aimed at “worship leaders who never give their worship team any indication of what’s coming up – leaving them guessing, timid, and trying to read the back of the leader’s head.”  I have read several other posts on Jamie’s blog and completely agreed with his writing.  (read Checking for Ticks for a healthy look at bad habits that worship leaders develop, and Jamie’s What Are You Talking About series for a helpful look at ways that worship leaders can prepare to lead well)

First (or second or third…wherever I am on this thing), playing in and with a band (and singers) is an interesting thing. Over time, you develop the whole “eye contact” thing where the other musicians know what you mean. “Raised eyebrows with a big head nod?” The song is ending so you better stop playing.  I know that signals develop. But. “without using words”?

I hope I’m not making this into a big spiritual hill (to die on), but I’m having a hard time understanding the “need” for hand signals (with the emphasis on “without using words”). The need to be seamless. Rock house, with no interruptions. Build to the climax, then fall away to the lone acoustic player.  Don’t misunderstand.  I love when a worship set is well organized. I love when music highlights the work of Christ on the Cross.  I use a Service Evaluation form when I plan worship services where one of the questions is: Is anything particularly distracting?

I wonder, however, if hand signals are simply a product of our desire to seem like we have it all together.

Think about it like this: Let’s say we plan a worship service that is Gospel centered. Christ’s finished work on the cross is clearly proclaimed and praised. The Word of God is read.  Confession is made. Thanks is given. This is our worship “set”.  We rehearse. All is well.  We begin to lead that service on a Sunday morning and are prompted to go in a different direction.  Would it be helpful to share that [direction] with the congregation?  If they are who we are “leading” would we not want them to be in on the direction with us? Why do I always lean towards thinking in terms of “band” and “congregation”? Why not “us”?

Who do we serve when we are flawless?

It’s far to easy (for me) to fall into the trap of feeling like a solid worship service equals a rocking band, great songs, power vocals…oh and the band nailed all of the unplanned changes.  (Which we will talk and joke about in the back hallways…”great job on that extra chorus!”…”yeah…I nailed it”) But, could it be true that our worship services, too often, look like we have too much of it “together”?

Thoughts?

A few weeks ago, Daniel, Nick, and I (I probably had the least amount of influence…) put together a “Service Evaluation” document to help guide our worship planning and leading.  Here are a few of the key questions on the list that helped guide my song choices:

Was (How is) the Gospel clear in every element of Worship?

(How)Did the songs chosen help the Word of God to dwell richly among the congregation? (Col 3:16, Eph. 5:19)

(How) Did we communicate an “already, not yet” philosophy?

Below is my #setlist from Sunday morning along with my (brief) reason for choosing that song.

Hosanna // Hebrews 12:3 says “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” The pre-chorus to this song reads “When we see You, we find strength to face the day”.  I think it is important for the congregation to see and sing that seeing Jesus is essential for our endurance as believers.  When we don’t see Jesus rightly, we quickly become weary.

Glory to God Forever // This has to be one of the best chorus songs that hasn’t been released yet! I believe FEE will release this song on their upcoming album in October.  “Before the world was made, before You spoke it to be, You were the King of kings…”  God has eternally existed and will exist forever.  He alone is worthy of lives lived al for His glory.

There is a Fountain Filled With Blood // William Cowper is easily one of my favorite hymn writers of all time.  I think I can relate to him in many ways, but I think many other Christians could as well…if they knew his story.  (This song may turn into a separate post.)  Cowper struggled with doubt all of his life. He attempted suicide many times, and because he was unsuccessful, he felt as though he had offended God in an unforgivable way.  He goes on to pen this lyric: “The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day; and there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away”

This song needs (I say this, not the Lord…) to be a part of the church catalog.  This song does an amazing job of communicating the “already, not yet” philos0phy.  Though we are “seated with Christ in the heavenlies”, we still toil, strive, labor, fight, endure hardships, and grow in faith.

Before the Throne of God Above // Oh how different the Christian life would be if we understood that we have a great High Priest who “lives to intercede” for us. Daily.  (Is. 53, Heb. 4:14-16, Heb. 7)

I Will Sing of My Redeemer // A great Gospel song of response.  The church needs to sing “I will sing of my Redeemer, how He sought me while a slave; loosed me from the curse of sin and from the power of the grave.”  That truth is solid enough to build life and hope upon.

So, to turn this post into a question: What songs does your church do regularly and do those songs point you to the Gospel?  If you are a worship leader, how do you plan a service?