Creative Elements to Worship - Part 2

The point of Scripture, as I understand it, is not that we MUST dance, any more than we MUST use a lyre (Ps. 149:3). Just use whatever is morally neutral among your people that is natural for them to express celebration. (Okay, so I'm pretty self-conscious about my own dancing.) If students get really happy in a celebratory atmosphere, you may have to warn against moshing and body surfing, if they would risk injury or otherwise take the focus off of God.

28. Allow different youth to participate from the front. Some may not be musically inclined, but could introduce a song or read a Scripture or do a drama.

Find the Optimum Style(s)

29. In general, start by using the style that the majority of your youth choose to listen to in their most relaxed moments. This is what ethnomusicologists call the "heart music" of your group. Get youth to talk to you frequently and openly about tweaking the style. They are the experts on which styles enhance or detract from worship or communication. Listen especially to the reaction of first-timers, in order to avoid the church's historical tendency to get stuck in a stylistic rut and declare it "God's style."

30. Consider starting target ministries using highly targeted styles. Youth have such divergent tastes. By trying to appeal to all of their heart styles in one service, you'll probably alienate everyone in the process. When pastor Don Roscoe inquired about visiting a successful ministry in Singapore, the person responded, "Which service? Loud, louder or loudest?" Apparently, this church had successfully targeted three audiences. In the same way, it may always be difficult for alternative kids to worship in your mainstream service. Perhaps several churches could come together to have a regional service that employs the heart music of alternatives.

31. Work hard to achieve instrumental balance. If the drums overshadow the guitars, the melody suffers.

32. Use a variety of Christian bands on CD for songs that reinforce points. These songs that teach serve a double purpose: reinforcing your message and acquainting them with great bands that can help renew their minds during the week.

Vary the Intensity

33. Vary your volume. In Western culture, increasing the volume increases the intensity. We see biblical authors raising the volume when they speak of shouting. Singers do it by singing more loudly. Instrumentalists can do it by turning up the sound or starting with one instrument and adding instruments as intensity builds.

Some old time song leaders wanted people to sing out at full volume all the time. Yet, sometimes worship can be more meaningful when sung softly. Often going immediately from loud to soft can be dramatic.

34. Vary your speed. If the first couple of verses of the song were done full throttle, consider slowing down considerably on the final verse, letting the words sink in.

35. Vary the number of instruments. Often songs start with one instrument and build till the entire band plays. Just as dramatic can be going suddenly from a full band to one acoustic guitar.

36. Transition to a higher key to build intensity. You can do this from verse to verse, or from song to song.

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