21. Use choreography appropriately. Do choreographed singers accentuate worship, or hinder it? In our group, it would definitely distract, being perceived as artificial, too scripted. Another group may perceive it positively. On the other hand, I saw choreographed tamborine players with streamers that I felt enhanced worship among certain groups. It all depends on the target audience.

22. Consider using music in the background during other parts of the service. Before the original "Star Wars" came out in theaters, a select group of executives, financiers, etc. previewed it in a private showing. The only element not yet added was the sound track. The response? Some fell asleep. The general consensus was that the movie would flop. But the addition of the sound track brought the movie to life.

Background music, if done well, may be hardly noticed. At the conclusion of a movie, I'll often see an advertisement for the soundtrack. Then I'll think, "I don't remember any music in the movie." The music was subtle, adding excitement to the action scene or emotion to the romantic scene. In the same way, music might well accompany a skit or a video clip, or a slide show of last week's youth camp, greatly enhancing the impact.

Be Creative

23. Keep people guessing. In some areas of life, find a winning formula and stick with it. Don't do it with your worship. I remember one church that used the same order of service every week. The rut was so deep, that when a guest leader did something different, a group of people automatically stood up at the tradition point of the service, much to their embarrassment. When people can unthinkingly follow our established routine, they may go through the entire service without thinking, and thus without truly worshiping.

24. Mix up the positioning of the primary service elements. Especially when the message will be related to loving God, worshiping God, etc., position the spoken message toward the first of the meeting. The following praise time provides an opportunity to apply what was taught. One teen said of his former youth minister, "I always loved Mike's youth ministry, because we never knew what was going to happen until we got there." Besides keeping their attention, such variety teaches that music is more than just a warm-up to the message. It's significant in itself.

25. Occasionally add a new instrument or a new style. Always, always ask a representative group of youth whether or not it enhanced the worship and communication.

26. In some alternative Christian concerts, certain band members will face away from the audience. Try facing the worship leaders away from the audience on a song so see if this enhances everyone's feel that these are truly "lead worshipers."

Get the People Actively Worshiping

27. Experiment with celebration. In many Christian settings, we stifle true celebration. Reflect on a Deuteronomy 14:22-27 as an example of an annual, God ordained celebration. In brief, the Israelites were instructed to take their favorite foods and drinks ("whatever your heart desires") and rejoice before the Lord. No sacrifices. No fasts. Sounds like fun…spiritual fun!

Culturally relevant celebration in a Christian context is an alien concept to many youth. When youth celebrate in popular settings, they jump up and down, form trains and move around the room, clap, shout. Physical expressions such as dancing (Psalm 149:3) are well established in Scriptures.

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