the “when we’s” of worship
- Filed under: Bible, leadership, leading, media, music, planning, prayer, sacred space, technology, worship
- Date: Apr 18,2008
Photo by luzI think this is the most helpful description of the practicality of leading worship that I have come across. Great thoughts on the “when we’s” of worship…
Adapted from “Principles and Practicals: Cue cards for a crash course in leading worship” from Reformed Worship, Issue #63.
When We Pray . . .
* As a community: using “we” instead of “I.”
* For a variety of reasons: to adore God, to confess sin, to give thanks, to ask God for something.
* At a thoughtful pace (more slowly than we normally speak), and with space for attentive, reverent silence.
* Without using verbal filler (“just,” “um”).
* To God, who is Three-in-One. Though we sometimes address the Spirit or the Son directly, we pray most often to God the Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus the Son.When We Work with Technology in Worship . . .
We strive to be unnoticed, sacrificing a small bit of our full participation so that others may worship fully.
Overheads
* Make sure the projected light fits properly on the screen.
* Make sure all the words that are being sung are visible.
* Anticipate the next line or verse, moving the transparency with enough time for people to see ahead.
* Move the transparency as few times as possible.
* Move the transparency smoothly and discreetly.Sound/Lights
* Anticipate the speaker and have the microphone turned on; turn speakers’ mikes off during singing.
* Keep listening and adjusting the sound levels as needed.
* Set lights appropriate to the mood of the service.When We Sing or Play Music . . .
Our primary work is to support the congregation.
Players
* use a consistent tempo, a clear bass line, and room to breathe.
* give obvious cues for when God’s people are to begin singing.
* make the melody stand out, especially when introducing new songs.
* allow the text of the song to guide the accompaniment.
* drop out occasionally so that the people can sing unaccompanied.Singers
* sing with expression of face and voice.
* be aware of body language; make eye contact.
* avoid idiosyncratic embellishment that a congregation can’t sing.When We Speak in Worship . . .
We don’t instruct people what to do next, we invite them to participate in the act of worship. We:
* give a foretaste of the next text, or refer to the one preceding, when introducing a song or a reading.
* let people know how each act fits into the dialogue of worship and the theme of the service.
* attend to the emotional contours of the service—what’s happening in our heart and in the congregation’s hearts.We read Scripture with intelligence, passion, and hospitality, keeping the following principles in mind:
* Prepare: practice the reading ahead of time.
* Pace: read slowly, but use some variety.
* Space: allow time for the text to be heard and absorbed.
* Grace: read with expression that makes Scripture come alive, yet not with so much drama that it calls more attention to the reader than the message.
* Embrace: whenever possible include both genders when referring to people (the NRSV translation does this automatically).
