Creative Elements to Worship - Part 2

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11. Know your acoustics! The difference between singing in our middle school room and our high school room at my last church was incredible. It had nothing to do with the heart of the worshipers. It had everything to do with acoustics. The high school room had thick carpet and building materials that made it musically "dead." It was great for a concert, because the sound didn't bounce around. You could hear the singers' words and each instrument clearly.

But for group singing, it sucked eggs. No matter how loud students sang, their voices died right in front of them. It never sounded like people were into the singing. But put that same group into the middle school room, which had no carpet, a higher ceiling, and walls that reverberated sound and voila!, my "dead" worshipers were transformed into energetic singers!

12. Use a room of optimum size. Perhaps my most meaningful worship experience was in a small living room with about 8 people, lead by a piano and acoustic guitar. No small part of the effect was that the room fit us comfortably. A large auditorium would have detracted. Our large high school group requires the use of the sanctuary, but we'd only fill 1/4 of it. To make things more cozy, we use dividers.

13. For smaller groups, try to use homes over educational rooms. Kids love homes. The difference in atmosphere is dramatic.

14. Make the room visually appealing. "Revolution" bible study for alternative kids in downtown Atlanta uses a room that's shared with other ministries. They take a good bit of time to put up posters, set up an entry table with pictures and news clippings of past events, lamps, etc. They know that appearance matters.

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