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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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