Lift it Up – Be not afraid

I love working with vocalists. People who want to sing well and glorify God in the process are wonderful to work with generally. The singers in the worship band are the greatest physical representation of the worship experience. They are generally the first to be heard and seen as people walk into your church, and often the last to be heard as people leave the sanctuary.

Here are a few thoughts to consider when working with singers in worship:

1. Move them forward This might seem elementary, but I find a lot of singers stand way back on the platform unnecessarily. I especially like the singers forward in the configuration on the stage so they can see the ‘whites of their eyes’. If you have a choir, line them up behind you.
2. The more the merrier Some prefer one or two singers, but I think in larger scenarios, a larger group of singers is more engaging for the congregation. It gives you a lot of vocal presence as well as a visually active stage.
3. Keep eyes open whenever possible I know this is controversial on both sides of this thought, but there is much to be said for the singers that are aware of their surroundings – see and communicate with one another for transitions and changes in the set, know what is happening in the congregation, anticipate the response of the congregation, etc.
4. Make eye contact ‘The light of the body is the eye’ – there is something about looking into someone’s eyes with faith and assurance that encourages and stirs people. I encourage my singers to have a pleasant expression at all times and use their countenance to persuade the hardest of hearts to look to Jesus. Much of our worship expression can become either distant and impersonal, or professional and unauthentic. Stay in touch with the people as we worship together!
5. Reference the whole church Keep positive in everything, but make sure everyone is being addressed, not just the front row or ‘preaching to the choir’. I tell my singers to sing to the back row and anticipate some amazing moments of interaction.
6. Fill the house Keep the vocal mix strong and above the rest of the instruments in the house mix. The words are everything! No matter how cool the guitar lick is, if you can’t hear or understand the words, you’ve lost the whole purpose of corporate worship.

Okay, that’s just a few thoughts for singers. Later I will give you some more vocal ideas.

Be creative, and rejoice in the freedom of Christ!

Dr. Tim Smith

©2010 SongSmith Ministries

Worship should always be one of the most exhilarating and uplifting things we ever do on this planet together! We gather to worship Jesus, not out of compulsion or guilt but in answer to His call ‘Come be with Me’. His ongoing passion to dwell in and inhabit our praises, to abide with us, is that which draws us to His presence.

So He doesn’t gather us together to begin His punishment of us or to start listing our faults or enumerating our failures. That was the whole purpose of the cross: to give us immediate and complete access to the Father ‘that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need’ (Heb.4:16). And neither does He want His leaders and worshipers being the fault-finders and exposers of those around them. His presence and worship is sacred and holy and everything we do and say should reflect His nature or Who He is!

We all know there are some things that need to be corrected and people adjusted at times, but that should be the exception rather than the rule. And specifically concerning the worship ministry, it should be the best place to display the heart of the Father not only on Sunday mornings but in every situation – especially the rehearsal! I have seen Christian leaders get red-faced and angry and even throw things at people who messed up a line of music or who weren’t listening when they were supposed to, or came to the rehearsal with a bad attitude, etc. It made it hard to come back for the next episode of ‘who get’s in trouble tonight?’ Every gathering should be eagerly looked forward to by all our people not dreaded.

So let’s talk some about establishing a positive environment in our worship, starting with the worship team and specifically during a rehearsal. Can we be positive, edifying and uplifting and still get anything done during a practice? Don’t you have to yell and scream at some people to get them to do want you want them to do? I taught Junior High music in the public schools for 8 years, and believe me, the temptation to let go and let them have it was overwhelming at times! So how do we accomplish anything and remain positive in our sessions together? How do we get there?

1. A positive spirit always starts with you – Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Focus on the good things of your team, the worship, the music, the church. Refuse to entertain negative trains of thought.
2. Be prepared for every rehearsal – Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. 2Timothy 4:2 Let your group walk into a ready and restful atmosphere, not hurried and rushed. Music, stands, mics, sound, lights, chairs, cds, etc. everything ready to go! Know exactly what you are going to do from the very beginning.
3. Pace the rehearsal – This works especially working with younger members. Keep your tempo up especially between songs. Know what you are going to say and do before a song ends! Interject an immediate positive response and excitement for what was just done or what you are about to do.
4. Change your vocabulary – Prov.18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat the fruit of it. Start by learning to turn something negative (‘that was terrible’) into something positive (‘okay, let’s try it again and watch your pitch on the high G – I know you can do it!’)
5. Ignore negative talk – Oftentimes, well-meaning members will try to give their opinion on a song or ‘help’ by correcting me or someone else, etc. First, I never take it personally, ever! Second, I try not to acknowledge the comment (if it’s negative or mean) and definitely I dont engage them or correct them back. If it’s somebody with an attitude and an on-going confrontational spirit, I take them aside privately after the rehearsal and address it there. If they can’t control themselves, they are gone.
6. Find a way to compliment as many people as possible – I love the challenge of finding good things to say about people and still help them grow in their gift. I don’t believe in flattery and it doesn’t help anybody to tell them something that is untrue or silly. But to find that special thing that they did well in a single moment and bring it to everyone’s attention can sometimes change everything around. Try it!
7. Stay focused on the goal – Remember your purpose in rehearsing – it’s not to get a great sound! It’s to glorify Jesus. To express His love and His beauty – you just can’t do that in a negative way. Imagine saying this to a worship band: ‘That was awful. Tell me how even one phrase of that song glorified Jesus?’ Tragic, and yet that is said many times in the context of excellence in music. Worship is first, music second. Maybe put your instruments down with no singing and then just have a moment of silence and reflect on His wonder. He is the goal!

You can make every rehearsal delightful, positive and something to look forward to. This will change your Sunday worship automatically!

Dr. Tim Smith

©2010 SongSmith Ministries

Sometimes, the way we ‘do’ worship becomes an end in and of itself. We make our plans, we rehearse them, then perform them and we are done. Proverbs 16:9 says ‘We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go.’ CEV Our plans are the ‘cart’ and the Holy Spirit is the ‘horse’ in our worship. We have a ‘formula’ that works Sunday after Sunday and we can end up trusting our plan (cart) for the success of the service rather than the Holy Spirit (horse). Sometimes it’s just easier to put our faith in our technology than God for our worship services; to put our confidence in the visible rather than the invisible. We trust the ‘cart’ but look questioningly at the ‘horse’.

I remember being in New Zealand in the middle of a worship service in Christchurch. During a great song of praise, the power went out – all the lights and sound went down. My team was trained to keep going no matter what – so we kept going a capella, and the people kept worshiping in the dark for a few minutes – it was powerful. And right when we got to the chorus of ‘Shine Jesus Shine’, the lights and power came back on. One glorious moment brought to you by God! You couldn’t have planned that better! Here are some ways to consider as we strive to remain dependent on Him in our worship:

1. Trust God to show up – For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. Mat 18:20 And if He is among you, trust Him with the worship: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Pro 3:5 He does show up – so trust Him.
2. Keep it Simple – But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ (your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ) 2 Corinthians 11:3 Put your creative energy into how to simplify and keep sincere every act of devotion in your worship.
3. Train your team and congregation to remain sensitive and flexible – In rehearsals, practice this – develop sensitivity and flexibility in your teams so when the service experiences changes and ‘God shows up’ they can lead the way towards a proper response. This breeds confidence in the congregation when you expect the unexpected.
4. Respond quickly – Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. 2Timothy 4:2 Learn to respond quickly to the leadings of the Holy Spirit in your worship times. Be ready to react promptly to unique moments, promptings and nudging of the Spirit. Be bold!
5. Enjoy the moment – Remember this is not a moment to dread, sweat through or endure! He is here! Enjoy Him! Thus the Psalmist wrote: You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

He will show up. He will lead you if you let Him.
Dr. Tim Smith

©2010 SongSmith Ministries

Sometimes, in our zeal and haste for a great worship service, we can neglect or miss the very people who could most benefit from an authentic encounter with Jesus. I call it the ‘back row syndrome’ or as we used to call it: ‘sinners’ row’. Though there are many reasons people sit in the back (children, late, handicaps, sound, etc.) but often they prefer it because it buffers them from total involvement and commitment. I encourage my worship teams to engage this group of people as much as possible. Here are some ways to consider:

1.       Keep eyes open whenever possible I know this is controversial on both sides of this thought, but there is much to be said for a whole team that is aware of their surroundings, sees and communicates with one another for transitions and changes in the set, knows what is happening in the congregation, and is anticipating the response of the congregation.

2.      Make eye contact ‘The light of the body is the eye’ – there is something about looking into someone’s eyes with faith and assurance that encourages and stirs people. I encourage my worship teams to have a pleasant expression at all times and use their countenance to persuade the hardest of hearts to look to Jesus. Much of our worship expression can become either distant and impersonal, or professional and unauthentic. Stay in touch with the people as we worship together!

3.       Reference the whole church Keep positive in everything, but make sure everyone is being addressed, not just the front row or ‘preaching to the choir’. I actually speak to the back row and have had some amazing moments of interaction.

4.       Move forward Again, this might seem elementary, but I find a lot of worship teams stand way back on the platform unnecessarily. I especially like the singers forward in the configuration on the stage so they can see the ‘whites of their eyes’.

5.      Consider your lighting Personally, I prefer a well-lit sanctuary during worship so everyone can see each other and be encouraged as believers gathering to worship Jesus. But whatever you do with your lighting, please consider what it does to the encouragement of the expression of worship in your church.

Engage the back row. Let no one be left behind in our worship.

- Dr. Tim Smith

©2010 SongSmith Ministries

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges we face as worship leaders is trying to keep the worship of Jesus fresh week after week. And this challenge produces everything from the sublime to the ridiculous as we try ‘new things’ every week. The Hebrew word for ‘new’ is the wonderful word: chadash, which means ‘new or a fresh, new thing’. But it comes from a root word which means ‘to be new or to rebuild, renew, or repair’.

Sometimes it is tempting to throw out the old for the new, but I believe God is calling us to not only keep it fresh in our corporate times of worship but also to rebuild, renew and even repair our songs and our  expressions of worship.

I love trying new things while still honoring the old, tried and proven. Over the years, I have compiled a list of new and fresh ideas that I have either tried or I have seen others do successfully to ‘keep it fresh’ in our worship.

I should mention that I don’t believe in doing new stuff just because I’m bored or the people are bored. I do believe in provoking all of us to hear great songs with new ears. Sometimes due to repetition, our ears become dull to the words of the powerful songs we are singing. So I like to put a fresh coat of paint on each song so we can ‘see’ it with new eyes.  To awaken the worshiper in each one of us, is one of the highest goals of a worship leader.

So consider these ideas (because of space I will just give you a few):

• Change the words or word of a song
• Fast songs slow/slow songs fast
• Hum while someone speaks the words- whispering
• Men only/women only/children only/over 40 only/blondes only etc.
• Children’s choirs/senior choir/bell choir/brass choir/string choir/bluegrass/Dixieland band
• Have a child start the song
• Antiphonal choirs (put one in the balcony)
• A capella (no instruments or just one solo instument)
• Different language
• Soloist in congregation
• Singers surround congregation
• Solo instruments (look for unique instruments in the congregation ie bagpipes)
• Drum cadence
• Have a couple lead worship

Okay, that’s just a few. Later I will give you some more radical ideas. But in the meantime, keep it fresh and sing a ‘new’ ‘chadash‘ song to the Lord. He loves it.

Be creative, and have a Great New Year!

Dr. Tim Smith

©2010 SongSmith Ministries

Here it comes – ready or not, the Christmas season is upon us. For many worship pastors it’s the same-old routine: while the words ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ are still warming our hearts, we have to drag out the well-worn Christmas carols, add a few new favorites, decorate the platform with trees, etc., change the lighting in the sanctuary, find a few great visual backdrops to the PowerPoint and presto – it’s Christmas/Advent time again.

Personally, I love Christmas and my pastor always said I had an ‘anointing’ for it, but I know that’s not the case for your average worship or music pastor and a lot of musicians dread it.

I also know that your average congregation gets glutted with Christmas songs and ‘cheer’ even before Thanksgiving so it makes it difficult to get them to sing it ‘one more time’ at church. And then add in traditions, myths, legends, nostalgia, over-kill, consumerism, bad experiences (and the list goes on and on). These can all get in the way of a truly wonderful and spiritual experience (even though we’re Christians and this should be one of our most exciting moments – God incarnate now comes to earth!). So what does a weary worship pastor do?

Well, whether you ‘believe’ in Christmas or not, whether you prefer to celebrate it or not, whether you enjoy it or not, why not use this time to point to the only thing that really makes sense of it all? Jesus. He did come to earth. He was born sometime. He was a humble King in swaddling clothes, somewhere. He was foretold by prophets and announced by angels. Our job is to make sure every song reveals Him and every word comes alive in their hearts. Help them see and hear (and sing) the great Christmas music with new eyes and ears (and mouths). Here are some ideas:

1. Study the carols and their composers – Find out one significant thing about each carol you sing. Share it you’re your team. Then share it with the congregation before you sing it. For instance, Isaac Watts didn’t write ‘Joy to the World’ as a Christmas carol and probably didn’t sing it at Christmas. He wrote it as a new setting for Psalm 98. Look up and read Psalm 98 out loud before you sing ‘Joy to the World’ next time. In fact, play the music behind it while you read it to the congregation.
2. Rehearse the words with the congregation – because we are so inundated at the malls and everywhere we go with Christmas songs, we have a tendency to become dull to the words and the meanings of the songs.  The Psalms say we are to ‘Sing with understanding’. We need to make the words come alive and provoke the contemplation and curiosity of the congregation.
   1. Have the congregation speak the words first. I encourage the people to speak the words with emotion and physically (use your hands).
   2. Highlight a key word or phrase that is significant and often overlooked. “’till He appeared and the soul felt it’s worth’! Wow!
   3. Mix and match – try lyrics to a carol with another well-known tune in the same meter (i.e. Joy to the World to the tune of Amazing Grace)
   4. Feature a prominent word in the PowerPoint display – i.e. ‘Joy’ in red, different and bigger font.
   5. Sing the forgotten verses – so many carols have multiple verses that are rarely sung and surprise people when they start singing them. Shock them!
3. Treat each carol uniquely – Avoid doing it the same old way each year. Try some variety [caution: don’t get too far away from the original or you might lose people that way too] Help the people hear these songs in a new way. Consider some of these possibilities:
   1. Use a same-note drone throughout the song – ie bagpipes
   2. Change tempo: speed up or slow down the song (I love Joy to the World in half-time)
   3. A capella is always a great thing to throw in if you can pull the four parts (practice with your singers first)
   4. With a capella add a single instrument – recorder; snare drum; trumpet; cello (my favorite) – have them play a counter melody against you.
   5. Engage the kids! Bring them up and sing a fun song with them. Or have a kids’ choir sing one. One little six year old voice can change everything.
   6. Engage the seniors! Definitely the forgotten force in your congregation. They can still sing and they will probably put more emotion in these songs than your college-age singers. Give them a shot. You know you make them sound and look great.
   7. Place your choir around the sanctuary and leave them there till the last song. Then have them walk up slowly singing the final incredible song (your choice).

Whatever you do, make sure you worship Jesus this Christmas season. Not the songs, not the mood, not the myth, not the nostalgia, just Jesus – King of kings!

Be creative, and have a Merry Christmas!

Dr. Tim Smith

©2009 SongSmith Ministries

]]> http://wwob.org/2009/12/03/579/feed 0 http://wwob.org/2009/11/02/556 http://wwob.org/2009/11/02/556#comments Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:50:08 +0000 Tim Smith http://www.worshipwithoutborders.org/?p=556 What Were You Expecting? Great Expectations for a Great Service

Every Sunday morning you have expectations. You expect everyone to show up. You expect the sound board to work, the lights to come on. You expect the guitars to be in tune. You expect the worship team to do their best. You expect people to be prayed up and ready to go. And that’s okay, but our expectations tend to be man-centered. What do you expect God to do on a Sunday morning?

Proverbs 29:18 says ‘without a vision the people dwell carelessly’ or as the Message says ‘If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.‘ What is your expectation (or vision) for God to do during your worship? Greater than a great song service, powerful songs, skilled musicians, flawless technology and a huge offering – our greatest expectation should be for Him! Our worship teams should be filled with this expectation every Sunday.

Consider what you can expect from God when you gather to worship Him:

1. Expect His presence to be among you

• ‘For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Mat 18:20  KJV
• ‘And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.’ 1Cor 14:25 NKJV

2. Expect His voice to sing along with you

• ‘The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.’ Zep 3:17  NKJV

3. Expect His Spirit to change you

• ‘But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.’ 2 Cor 3:18 KJV

4. Expect His mercy and grace to help you

• · ‘Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’ Heb 4:16 NKJV

5. Expect freedom from all that binds you

• ‘Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Cor. 3:18 (NIV)
• ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1 NIV

6. Expect His joy to fill you

• ‘In His presence there is fullness of joy’ Ps.16:11 NKJV

Expect God to show up and don’t be surprised when He does great things on Sunday morning!

Dr. Tim Smith

©2009 SongSmith Ministries

Sometimes, as musicians, we technically progress through the worship service forgetting to play with a heart that musically interprets the message of the song we are ministering. One important part of our delivery of these songs should be the use of contrast, which is amazingly easy to accomplish. Without contrast our sound can become monotonous, predictable and tiring to the congregation as well as to ourselves. Far too often, worship bands play non-stop, loudly and unending – mercifully it does eventually end. Without the nuances of music, the dynamic control, the shape of a phrase or the thoughtfulness of pared-back instrumentation, our worship can easily turn into a barrage of sound and noise that can deaden the ear of the most earnest worshiper.

The fix is not just about loud and soft – let’s remind ourselves of the many ways we can introduce contrast into our worship.

1. Individualize sections of songs. Today we have intros, verses, prechorus, chorus(es), bridge(s) codas and ‘outros’. What a great opportunity to consider how to treat each section uniquely to enhance the song.
2. Change Dynamics. Many bands have two dynamic levels: loud and louder. Work the nuance of the softer parts of songs. Look for them and use them to make everyone listen more intently to these wonderfully tender moments.
3. Feature individual instruments
   • ‘Drums only’ is common (try toms, or cymbals, hi-hat or just the kick)
   • Try flute only (or any solo instrument – recorder is nice)
   • Acoustic guitar and voices.
   • With most keyboards today you can find all sorts of contrasting voices to accent a change; ie strings, pad, vox, organ, etc. don’t just play a piano sound the whole time.
4. Feature the Human Voice. A capella is a delightful sound especially in contrast to a full band sound. Try cutting out directly into an a capella section. Most importantly with a capella: sing full parts, in tune and well-blended.
5. Change Tempo, Meter and style. Try fast to slow; high to low; old to new; historic hymn to contemporary; meter change (4/4 to 6/8); style change (gospel to rock ballad).

Be creative and enjoy the multi-faceted nature of each song you minister.

Dr. Tim Smith

©2009 SongSmith Ministries