Creative Elements to Worship - Part 3

68. When introducing a new song, have a soloist sing through it once. Then, bring the congregation in on the chorus. Sing it through a couple of times.

69. Use it for several weeks before deciding if it works. Some songs take time to catch on. Watch the worshipers to see if they get into it. Ask the worship team. Ask an honest, select group what they think. If they don't like it, drop it, no matter how much you like it. Use the same system to try out your original songs.

70. Constantly look for great songs. Have some of your youth get ideas by listening to Christian radio on nights that feature youth music. Go to the local Christian bookstore and listen to samples. Network with area youth worship leaders to find what their youth love. Find other praise music information on sites such as http://www.worshiptogether.com/ . You can find guitar tabs from sites like Rockin' With The Cross at http://www.1christian.net/guitar/ .

Carefully Select Your Songs

71. Again, choose songs in a style of music and poetic style that match the musical language (heart music) of the people. What moves you is less important than what moves them.

72. Understand the subtle differences between the heart music among different sexes and different ages. In my area, the children tend to like pop, like Brittany Spears, or their parents' "oldies" music. The boy's tend to grow out of this in middle school, gravitating toward either mainstream rock, rap, country or alternative. If you choose songs that sound like the Back Street Boys, you may alienate your high schoolers. Choosing worship songs that consistently use gushy words like "lovely," "beautiful," and "precious," may embarrass your guys.

73. Make sure that the words are Scriptural. Songs are powerful. We repeat them over and over in our minds. The burden falls on us as leaders to ensure that they communicate truth.

74. Do the songs have to match the theme of the spoken message? The singing is not simply a warm-up to the message. Worship through song has value in its own right, and can be considered separately from the message. Yet, if a song can either prepare the people for the message or reinforce it afterward, why not use it?

Never Stop Learning

77. Never get satisfied. About the time that you get comfortable, the culture will change, leaving your worship irrelevant. Keep rethinking your music in the light of cultural shifts. Keep striving forward to the next level of excellence.

76. Regularly observe other ministries. You're not the sole recipient of God's blessing. Find out what He's up to in other ministries. Learn from them, both from what they're doing right and what they're doing wrong. If you're tied up on the days when most youth ministries meet, challenge others to visit around occasionally and bring back ideas.

77. Read extensively on worship. Study those who have gone before you. Study your peers. They can set you way ahead. Better to learn from others' mistakes than your own.

78. Attend worship seminars or listen to the cassettes of the seminars.

79. Study the Word. Would you rather your youth drink from a stagnant pool, or from a fresh stream? As a bible study leader said to the Christian band "Truth," "God won't use you publicly until He tutors you privately." There's so much to learn about worship, and about the awesome Object of our worship. The more we stand in awe of Him, the more those near us will become fascinated with Him.

Conclusion

Keep coming back to this list, adding your observations as to what enhances and hinders worship in your setting. Make it your own, review it regularly, and allow it to pull you out of your comfortable ruts.

Go to Part One

Steve Miller wrote "The Contemporary Christian Music Debate," and collects youth ministry resources at www.reach-out.org . Copyright Steve Miller, August, 2002, Acworth, Georgia.