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Here are the rest of the over 70 creative elements that you can add to your services from Steve Miller.

44. Control the environment. Although they're sometimes unavoidable, such distractions as mosquitoes, excessive heat or cold, or a competing band in the next room can make worship almost impossible. For retreats and conferences, know your setting before you arrive.

45. Weed out distracting mannerisms. The difference between how we perceive that we come across and how we actually come across is often dramatic. Our adult worship leader put mics on stands to stop a lot of distracting things the singers did with the mics. Since we're blind to most of these mannerisms, we must listen carefully to focus groups of youth and adults who'll be honest with us. Occasionally video yourself leading worship to see how you really come across. It's humbling, but good for us.

46. Distinguish between "performance" and "worship-leading." The functions of teaching or celebrating or worshiping may require different techniques. For example, a drum solo may be great for an evangelistic band that's communicating the gospel, but may be inappropriate in a worship service. On the other hand, if the other band members direct their attention to God in praise for this person using his talent for the glory of God, it may be entirely appropriate.

How do you decide? By asking representative members of your target group. (I know, this is beginning to sound like a mantra. But no apology. It's critically important and generally neglected.) I personally don't like the rest of the singers turning around to look at a musician who's doing a solo during a worship set. If the solo is directed to God, why not have the vocalists either close their eyes to concentrate on God or lift their eyes toward heaven, or look at the picture on the Power Point? This keeps the focus on God rather than the soloist.

Lead with Excellence (Col. 3:17)

47. Keep improving your musical skills. Sincerity isn't enough. If God's given you a gift or talent, you should employ it with excellence. Playing the wrong notes at the wrong time at the wrong speed out of tune at the wrong volume distract from worship. Concerning excellence in worship, Eric Ball (USA) states:

"This is increasingly important in a youth culture expecting a high level of excellence, since they see it in the media around them. This is another reason there should be some adult influence in the praise team, particularly in the early stages. Eventually as students gain competence and maturity they can lead the team alone or with little adult intervention."

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