This is something so simple and foundational that I would have thought it would have been covered in one of my church music classes in college. Oh well, lucky me I was mentored by the incredible edible Daniel Creswell (okay, not so edible, but definitely an awesome worship pastor). It’s actually very simple. Each song is classified in one of two categories both orientation-wise and focus-wise.

A song’s orientation can be either horizontal (towards other men) or vertical (towards God). And it can be either God-focused or man-focused.

Here’s an example: How Great is Our God, by Chris Tomlin. It’s horizontal in orientation because it is sung to other men (it is a declaration of God’s glory), but it is God-focused because the song is about God.

Another example, a goldie-oldie (at least in my mind): Draw Me Close to You, not really sure who wrote it… But this one is vertical in orientation because it is sung to God, but man-focused because it is focused on man. Note the lyrics in the chorus: “You’re all I want, You’re all I ever needed…”

Why is understanding how songs stand in these two categories essential to developing your worship list for a service? Balance and development. If all of your songs are vertical man-focused songs, though you are getting your congregation to communicate and look to God, you’re encouraging a priority of self in that communication…as well as neglecting to encourage the declaration of God before men.

As you choose songs, it’s great to keep mindful of these as look for songs relevant to your service theme/passage. If possible, you want to have at least one song which falls into each category somewhere throughout the service (preferrably not counting the offertory/special). That way, after picking out a few songs, you can think, “Okay, I’ve got a horizontal God-focused song and a vertical God-focused song, so is there maybe a man-focused song I can use to balance out this service?”

Also, understanding these categories can help in choosing songs for specific portions of the service or special events. An excellent call to worship might be a horizontal man-focused song calling men to worship the Lord. A more appropriate song for communion might be a God-focused vertical song.

Just start looking at the songs you’ve picked out for this week or next and see how the worship songs fall into these categories.

Okay, I really couldn’t think of a good way to title this blog entry, but that’s the general idea. This is more an argument for why a pastor should plan (at least generally, thematically) what is going on in church services. So, worship leaders, if you agree with what I write here you might want to forward this along to your pastor…lovingly, of course

I have developed worship services for churches where I knew what the pastor was preaching about as well as other churches where I really had no idea. My last church was one where the pastor hardly ever clued me into what he was going to preach on. He would always encourage me afterwards and, many times, exhort me in front of the whole congregation when I managed to choose a song which he either had on his mind or which went perfectly with his message. As much as I enjoyed the compliments and the coincidences, it was actually very, very tough picking out music.

Why? You ask. Why indeed? They’re just songs, aren’t they? All they do is get people in a good mood and make ‘em receptive to the preachin’, right? Well, sad to say, if that’s how you feel about the music portion of your worship service, you  have much more pastoring and shepherding to do for your flock than I can cover in a single day’s entry here…

Every worship song carries with it a theological message and perspective. It also focuses the minds of those in the congregation in a specific direction or upon a specific idea. What you do not want is for the music in a service to be pointing towards or moving the congregation’s hearts and minds in a direction which is different (or even contradictory!) to where the pastor is going in the message.

It’s that simple – that’s why. Unity. A singleness in focus and message and purpose.

And let me put this as nicely as I can. If a pastor’s responsibilities at church do not allow him the time to spend many hours in the word developing his message before Saturday afternoon/evening, then he has too much on his plate and the church needs to step and begin to do their God-ordained ministry (to each other and those around them), so that the man God has given them to shepherd their hearts can spend ample time studying the Word so that he can teach and admonish in such a way as to meet the Biblical standard for the ministry that God has called him to.

(Hope that wasn’t too harsh….)

Simply put, planning is essential to the unity within the leadership at a church.

But how? The church I am in now has a pretty good system. Here’s how it works: The elders (including the senior pastor as an elder) get together once a year, usually in the fall, and spend time in prayer seeking God as to the direction of the church in the upcoming year. When they come away from that gathering, they will have a theme of sorts which guides the planning of all the services for the next year. Sometimes the theme itself dictates what is going to happen in most of the services.

Then the senior pastor sits down, usually with other pastors or elders, and begins to look at the year and assign either more general themes/focuses to months/weeks, or he might actually be able to assign specific passages and/or themes to specific Sundays. This is the overarching planning for the year.

Now, what happens in the nitty gritty is senior pastor and the worship pastor sit down every two months and hash out specifically what is going to happen in those 8-9 Sundays. Now, the worship pastor may walk away with little more than a passage or specific theme, but he’ll also be aware of other things such as communion, baby dedications, special guests/visitors who will take time during the service – basically all that impacts the planning of those services.

From there, with a general idea of what is going to be preached (whether a passage or a specific theme) as well the knowledge of other things which will impact the timing element of the service, the worship leader can then begin to plan several weeks in advance for each service.

Now, obviously, the teaching pastor/elder for a specific week/service will meet the week of to iron out any bugs and confusion, as well as to give the worship leader feedback and input on what is planned.

I hope that didn’t sound so involved and coordinated as to discourage those of you who want to start planning services in advance. All you really need is a few weeks notice of what the passage or theme being preached about is. As you and your pastor develop a system for planning ahead, it will become easier and easier to stretch those plans out further and further into the future. At my church the pastor has been there almost 20 years, and I think the worship pastor has been there something like eight (maybe…but at least five…), so he and the senior pastor have been able to really get a fell for how the other works, thinks, and moves.

In the end, if you and your pastor need to work on planning ahead, I would greatly encourage you to at least sit down and start communicating on how that might work in your church and your leadership. Start moving in the right direction, pray a lot about it, and see how God develops a planning system in your church!

What can be so hard about it? You just want to get the lyrics up on the screen, right? Just like an excellent mix off the sound board, the displaying of the lyrics on a screen during a worship service is almost unnoticeable when done correctly, but horrifyingly distracting when done poorly.

There are several different programs available, ranging from $400-500 programs like MediaShout and SongShow Plus, to freebies like Lyricue. I am going to go over the pros and cons of different systems in various posts to follow (at random points in the future), but for right now, I just want to give a few thoughts or general guidelines in understanding good lyric display technique and how to maybe achieve it regularly.

Leading Worship

The way you display lyrics directly affects how the congregation visually understands the lyrics in a song and can even affect how they sing them. If your slides are divided up so that singing breaks occur when the slides change the congregation will feel much more comfortable about singing out – they won’t have to “remember” lyrics which are on the next slide before it is displayed.

Also, notating on a slide when you have a bridge or repeated phrase exactly how often that slide will be repeated is another way for you to lead your congregation clearly. The less questions they have about what is going on, the more confidently they can worship.

That said, the person who is managing your slides should be as familiar with the songs being sung as any person on the praise team (that’s why I many times draft musicians and singers on their “week off” to help with managing the slides). If possible, it would be excellent practice for the person doing the slides to be at the practice the week of the Sunday they are doing the slides, as well as being there with the praise team the morning of to walk through the songs with the band to make any final adjustments needed.

Is that too much to ask of a volunteer? I don’t think so. Someone who is unfamiliar with the songs is much more likely to mess up or get lost and prove that much more a distraction to the congregation.

Spelling

Spelling mistakes are distracting, and sometimes can severely confuse the understanding of a song, if not render it theologically incorrect.

This can’t be stressed enough. A program such as MediaShout or SongShow Plus, which can store a songs lyrics for later use, is helpful in this area because any spelling mistakes caught one week are kept for all later uses of the song. One church I have visited a few times used PowerPoint (please…please…just…don’t) and the secretary was writing up the slides brand new each week. Not only were there several horrendous (and sometimes embarrasing) mis-spellings every week, but it was almost a game to see what was going to happen the next week.

Mis-spellings are inevitable. I think it’s a great practice to at least double check any slide program the day of. That way, whether it was myself or another who set it up, I am approaching it freshly and also have specifically what is happening in that service in mind as I go through the slideshow (also another strong argument for having the lyric display volunteer there for the band practice, that run through gives at least 8-10 people a chance to catch any and all mistakes).

Backgrounds

Moving backgrounds, static picture backgrounds, solid color backgrounds – bright or dark colors? So many options, so many chances for things to get out of hand.

Moving backgrounds – these can be distracting, if there is too much movement going on.  And you have to be careful, because the backgrounds which simulate flying or moving through tunnels can make some people sick (or at least throw off their equilibrium). I would suggest that no more than maybe a ‘rain’ type background, or snow – if you feel the need  for movement. The key is that a primary portion of the background, the part you are seeing the most, shouldn’t be moving. You don’t want people to think about how cool the background is – you want them thinking about the words they are singing.

Picture backgrounds – Here too, you do not want people to focus on the picture. And you must make sure that the words are legible apart from the background. Always check how visible the words are on the screen you will be displaying them on – this is absolutely crucial, no matter what your background is. Many times what is clear on a computer screen is washed out by the lighting situation on stage or just an older bulb in the projector. Many times, too, I have taken an awesome picture and just used a simple photo editing program to slightly ‘blur’ it so that while an image is there, the words are the primary graphic on the screen.

Solid Color Backgrounds – These are the most surefire way to make sure that it is the lyrics that people are seeing. You always want to contrast a bright color with a dark color in your text and background color choices. Thusly, Black background with white text is excellent. A yellow background with white text is a big “no, no”. Why? Some people have problems with different colors or are just colorblind. By making sure you use very contrasting colors you ensure that the lyrics will always stand out from the background.

In the end, the best choice is to just try it out where it is going to be displayed. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• Is the background drawing my eyes away from the lyrics?
• Are the lyrics clearly visible against the background?

I personally lean towards either static pictures or a color for a background. It is much simpler and doesn’t require a more advanced program or put a drain on the computers resources as much as a moving one would.

Punctuation

This is always a tricky question. Mainly because lyrics to songs are a form of poetry, and punctuation can change the meaning of a poem. I generally look at the the song as a whole and, if I can get away with it, use no punctuation.

But, many times this is not the case. If a line is a question, it must have a question mark at the end. And commas cannot be dropped unless they are at the end of a line. So sometimes I will only punctuate using commas where necessary in the middle of lines, but avoid ending punctuation (like periods and exclamation points).

In the end, managing the punctuation in the slides is an artform, and practice doesn’t quite make perfect, but it definitely makes you get better at it. The general idea is that you want punctuation which helps the congregation read, understand, and sing the songs.

Instead of reviewing an album tonight, I thought I’d point out an artist who is quickly becoming a favorite of mine: Phil Wickham. He’s got two studio albums out: Phil Wickham (self-titled debut) and Cannons. They’re both incredible albums. If you’re not sure if you will like him or not, check out his website, where you can download a live concert (just him and his guitar and a very enthusiastic audience) for free!

So why should you keep an eye on this artist? Well, he toes the line of worship music. Many of his songs have a worshipful focus, but sometimes they are either too intimate or ‘artistic’ for congregational worship. That said, they make excellent openers and offertories.

One of my all-time favorites is from his first album, “I will wait for you there”. It’s a very soft, intimate song which builds throughout to a very passionate climax, whereupon it drops back to a more intimate feel.

All of his songs have melodies which stick with you, and the theology and doctrine in them is very sound. I hope and pray that “the industry” doesn’t burn him out or discard him because I feel like he has the capacity to make quite a contribution.

So if you haven’t heard of him, or heard any of his stuff, definitely check him out and see what he’s got going on there – I doubt you will be disappointed!

Chris Tomlin has built quite a reputation in the worship arena. Songs of his such as “How Great is Our God”, “Enough”, “Not to us” and many others are sung in numerous churches every week. I do no envy the pressure he is under when he goes back into the studio.

That said, “Hello Love” is a very solid album. Most every song  is worship oriented. “Jesus Messiah” is one which is played on the radio rather frequently, and it is quite a worshipful anthem. Overall, though, none really “stuck out” at first. But as I continue to listen to it, I find myself singing different songs over and over throughout the day. That, in my mind, is the greatest tell of good songwriting – it sticks with you. And these songs are ones which you won’t mind keeping on your mind.

As a worship leader I would be neglecting a major resource for myself and my church if I didn’t get my hands on a copy of this album – and I would challenge all you to get one if you haven’t already. It’s good stuff!

As far as artistic concerns, this album is along the same lines as his previous ones – more like another step in the progression of his development as an artist. You can definitely tell this one was really worked on in a studio, but even in that Tomlin keeps the songs playable for most church bands. Tomlin is an excellent artist, and his continued maturation brings subtle nuances to each new ablum.

I’ve actually had this album for several months, but I have been listening to it some lately and thought I would post my thoughts on it. Matthew West’s album Something to Say is a very well-rounded album. Although very well-written, it really is not a “worship album”, though there are a few with more worshipful themes.

But, on the other hand, I think any worship leader who overlooked this album would be remiss in doing so. The album is full of songs addressing specific themes. The title track is a challenge to every believer to share what God has revealed and/or taught them. “Stop the World” has become a favorite of mine, addressing the need to get away from everything and spend time alone with God.

Why do I think this an essential album for every worship leader’s collection? West has recorded a variety of songs, many of which touch on many different styles of music. And in this album is a treasure trove of songs which can highlight or emphasize specific points or concepts which will complement specific types of messages. It is a great resource to have on hand – you never know when it might come in handy!

West has a clever way with words, and his songs, while humorous and light in places, also convey a passions and conviction which is missing in much of the modern Christian music.

This past Sunday was frustrating for me as a worshipper. I wasn’t leading or playing with the praise team – I was worshipping with my wife with the, rest of the congregation. The root of my frustration had nothing to do with either my wife or the congregation or the songs we were singing. No, in fact, it had everything to do with me. Or with my tongue, to be more specific. There was a nice little canker sore on my tongue and on Sunday it was hurting so badly that I couldn’t even speak correctly.

Yep, that was my frustration – I couldn’t sing in worship. Now, I don’t exactly take pride in my voice (it’s good – but not mindblowing by any stretch), but I really came to appreciate how involved in my worship it is when this past weekend I couldn’t really use it.

Do you have to sing to worship? No, worship isn’t about singing at all. It’s about exalting God and taking pleasure in that exaltation. So what does that have to do with singing? As I thought about it, when I sing, I engage in worship with my entire being: my heart, my mind, my body. When I stopped singing (because of the pain), I found that my worship had turned more into a meditation-like exercise of the mind – still worship, but not in the same dimension of engagement as when I was singing.

So, if one doesn’t sing, can one still worship during the music portion of a service. The answer would be a tentative ‘yes’. In my mind, when you choose not to sing, not to participate, you are distancing yourself from the community as it worships as well as denying your self a Biblically honoured method of worship.

What about those who cannot sing as they worship? Well, obviously there are medical and physical conditions which might limit or outright prevent someone from singing in worship. That is a cross I am grateful the Lord has not asked me to bear (at least yet). But I imagine that “entering in” during the musical worship portion is quite challenging for those who cannot vocalize.

So what’s the point of this post? Singing is important in worship. Whether or not you can carry a tune is irrelevant. Whether you are good or bad at it, when you sing, you engage more of yourself in worshipping the Lord. That glorifies him all the more.

So what is the difference between a worship leader and a Worship and Arts Pastor (or whatever title is used for yours…)? I think the essential thing to understand is that a ‘worship leader’ is something which every mature Christian is called to be. In one sense, a Worship Leader is the person leading the music and/or directing the service up on stage (whether a full-time, part-time employee, or a volunteer). In another sense, every person on stage is leading the congregation in worship – practically speaking a team of worship leaders.

I’ve heard of churches who plant ‘worship leaders’ in various locations throughout their worship center so that they can encourage/inspire those around them to worship.

I almost tend to think that a worship leader is merely a person who knows how to biblically respond to God and does so. That’s it.

So the difference between a worship leader and a Worship and Arts Pastor? Simply put, a Pastor (any type of pastor), must be a worship leader long before he takes an official staff or ministerial position. In fact, I would propose that every person on the praise team (or up on stage in the sight of the congregation) should be a worship leader in their personal practice.

Every Christian should grow and mature in their walk in such a manner that they can, in effect, lead others – teach others, show others how to – in worship.

In my last post I wrote a little on what I thought about the different titles for the “music guy” at a church. I concluded with a statement referencing the fact that I thought “Pastor” was an appropriate title for the primary worship leader – the Worship and Arts Pastor.

Why, you ask? Simply put, if the individual you have leading the worship in your church is not of sufficient spiritual, moral, and emotional maturity to participate in pastoral level leadership in the church, then he really shouldn’t be leading worship.

That’s a bit extreme, you say. Not really. In fact, I would argue that the Worship Leader has almost the same level of impact upon the doctrine and theology of the congregation as the Senior Pastor (or preaching pastor, as is the case in some churches). The songs he leads them in shapes their theology, the statements he makes about scripture and even the scriptures he chooses also shape and inform their understanding of the Bible and God.

Therefore, the Worship Leader needs to be one who is sound in his doctrine and theology, as well as having a pastoral perspective and practice in his leading of the congregation. Many times, also, he will pastorally minister to those serving directly under him.

This is why it is imperative, in my mind, to never hire or ask someone to lead just because they are talented musically. The need for spiritual maturity grossly outweighs the need for musical talent. It is much better to have a musician of questionable skill but whose doctrine and theology you trust implicitly, than to have a musician of unparalleled skill but who has such slippery theology you’re not quite sure where he comes up with some of his more esoteric declarations. No, the former is much better for the spiritual health of the congregation.

And I think this is where many churches fail their congregation. They only want to hire a musician to lead songs (or a choir, or play the piano), but they do not realize how much they need an individual who will not only choose good songs, but pastorally shepherd the congregation into understanding the theology behind them. They need someone not so much who can sound good on stage, but who can develop the music portion of the service in such a way that it gets people thinking about God and opening their hearts for what the Pastor is going to preach.

Is that asking too much? I think not. In fact, I fear that many times a church decides to hire a Worship Pastor (or just a part-time Worship Leader) to “fix the music” because that must be what is wrong with the church. While there may be a musical issue, my personal opinion is that there is a deeper heart issue going on that needs to be addressed first. But, alas, that issue itself could fill up many pages. I will come back to that later.

next time: Understanding the difference between a worship leader and a Worship and Arts Pastor.

I’m always interested in what churches call their worship leader. It’s a question of title. Worship Leader. Worship Pastor. Pastor of Worship. Worship and Arts Pastor. Pastor of Worship Arts. Music Minister. Minister of Music. Is one better than the other?

This is all my personal perspective and opinion. I have yet to find in the Bible where it says specifically what to call the music guy. You will also notice I indulge in a little bit of stereo-typing as I go along – these are generalisations, not absolutes.

First. Minister of Music or its inverse, Music Minister, is the more ‘classic’ title, in my mind. It seems that most churches using this title have traditional style choirs. Sometimes they have a full band, but many times it is a more orchestra-styled type of setup. Why is this title used by traditional-type churches more often than not? I think its more a mindset: “minister” is quickly passing into the annals of church history. “Pastor” has become the prefered reference or title for those in places of spiritual authority, at least in the protestant church.

So, what about “Worship Pastor” (or “Pastor of Worship”)? Here’s my problem with this title – which is very commonly used, by the way – it tends to support the common misconception that “worship” is what we do with music. Biblically speaking, worship involves much more than just what we sing. Therefore, in my mind at least, the title “Worship Pastor” actually belongs to the senior pastor.

So, while “Worship Pastor” is okay, it is less specific than I prefer.

My personal preference is “Worship Arts Pastor” (“Pastor of Worship Arts”). Why? Well, it is really specific in what it lays out as the responsibility of the specific pastor it is referring to. “Worship Arts” would be those ‘arts’ utilized in worship. So this pastor is not only in charge of music, but also dramatic arts, visual arts, probably even technical arts.

And why the title “Pastor”? Well, I think I’ve said enough today…