Think Before You Speak

We need to bring all of our creativity to bear on ways to incorporate more and more of Scripture into our services. And we need to choose our words well, taking advantage of the opportunity to communicate God's revelation—which can only enrich our worship.

2. We may also speak to God on behalf of the people. We can lead in prayers of praise and contrition and trust and petition, though much of people's response to God in the service will come in the form of corporate expressions, both sung and spoken.

3. Avoid stating the obvious! Too much verbal instruction as to the logistics of the service can distract the worshiper's attention away from God.

In fact, most verbal instructions given in worship are superfluous and unnecessary. For instance, when an overhead projector is turned on and a song text is flashed up on the screen, will not people assume that they are about to sing that song without being told, "And now we'll sing . . . "? Let's give our people a little credit! Let the instrumental introduction begin without a verbal cue, and the flow of worship will be enhanced considerably.

If your congregation uses a bulletin, first make sure that the ushers are careful to make sure that everyone gets one, and then go through the service as it is laid out in the bulletin with a minimum of extraneous verbal guidance. As long as the hymn numbers are there in print, let the instruments set the stage without the leader's litany of, "Now let's turn to page number . . ." They really can figure that one out, if they are following along!

Often I have directed the congregation even in a round (such "You Are My All in All") without a set of verbal instructions (about who sings what when), merely by using large gestures which clearly communicated to the congregation which half of them was tocome in at which point.

It is amazing how much the flow and focus of worship can be improved by just letting one thing happen after another-- not without preparation or guidance, but with carefully planned alternatives to verbal cues which disturb the continuity.

The greatest compliment I have ever gotten as a worship leader (alas, only twice, I believe) was that I seemed to disappear, and the people only saw Jesus. That's what we want to happen! And some of the above hints are just one practical way to get out of the way and let the Spirit carry our worship.