Creative Elements to Worship - Part 2
Worship Leaders
by EXW Staff
August 17, 2006
Part 2 of 3 by Steve MIller
North Point Church in metro Atlanta has more of a large coffee house feel, with round tables and dining chairs set up around the perimeter, comfortable couches in a semi-circle around the back, and space with no chairs at the front for active worship. It looks nothing like "educational space." I've used a decorations ministry team made up of youth and adults to keep the youth room updated. Remember, adults' ideas of a youth-friendly atmosphere may differ dramatically from what youth consider relevant. Youth culture changes so rapidly that we simply must have youth in on these decisions.
15. Make the room comfortable. Many churches have old couches and comfortable chairs set around to make kids comfortable. Remember, our spirits can no longer rejoice when our butts can no longer endure. Avoid metal, folding chairs when possible.
16. Arrange chairs for optimum impact. Straight rows of chairs facing a lectern suggest formality. Arrange the rows in semi-circles to reduce formality and promote group singing. Place them in a circle for small group sharing or for facilitating discussion. It's often dramatic how a simple shift in arrangement can change the entire atmosphere.
Strive for Clear Communication
17. Teach your singers to enunciate clearly. Multiple singers must blend well.
18. Make sure the band doesn't overpower the singers. At a recent concert the singer's mic was turned down too low, ruining an otherwise powerful performance.
19. Make the lyrics visible. It totally amazes me how a visiting worship band can prepare diligently, perform flawlessly, yet have 90% of its impact ruined by not having the words available. Depending on the setting, use Power Point, overheads, or songbooks. "I don't use words because I want my students to memorize the words," some will complain. But what about those new people who don't know any of your songs? Won't they feel left out of your exclusively insider worship?
The words must be large enough to be seen, well positioned in the room. And if you use Power Point, PLEASE make sure that the technical person is thoroughly familiar with the order and flow of each song. Clicking around for the right verse is a major distraction.
I'm also for putting up the words of any special that a band performs. Even if the singers enunciate very clearly, the written word is simply another way to ensure good communication.
20. Use creative, appropriate scenes behind the words. When ascribing greatness to God, a majestic mountain scene gives us a visual reminder of His greatness in creation. Power Point makes this easy. I used to create a similar effect with slides, turning off all the lights except for small clip lights on the stands so that the musicians could see their music. This drew the worshipers away from the band to totally focus on the slides.
If the song is a teaching song, visuals could focus on the message taught. For example, a song exhorting toward ministry involvement might feature pictures of recent ministry events. The Old Testament often records God telling Israel to institute visual reminders of His dramatic works among them. Why not feature pictures of the recent mission trip or vacation bible school, or the regular tear down crew, set up crew and clean up crew doing their work for Jesus?
These pictures could appear behind the words to a congregational song, a special, or a recorded song (celebratory or exhorting to good works). Many churches tend to be so forward thinking that they neglect celebrating what God has done and is doing. Like the lepers that Jesus healed, most of us neglect returning to thank Him for His marvelous deeds.
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This is the debut album by EXW friend Paul Langford. Paul is a Chicago based singer, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor. Paul has a career that spans 14 years. Paul's work includes arranging for groups like GLAD, Voices of Liberty, VoiceTrek, The Chicago based "Caroling Party" and Day of Discovery Singers. His arranging has appeared on recordings side by side with greats like Gene Puerling and David Maddux, and he has sung with Don Shelton, Bonnie Herman and Bob Bowker, among others.