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Tim Hughes

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Thoughts, musings and random stuff
THINK!

THINK!

02Aug07

How to be a worship leader without being a donkey.

My good old friend Mike Pilavachi wrote this a while back and I thought you might find it helpful as well. Some great practical advice on leading worship.

1. Before choosing a worship set, THINK! What has God being saying to the group recently? What are the group thinking, worrying, rejoicing about? How can I reflect this in the choice of songs? What is God wanting to say in the group? What do the other leaders think we should be focusing on?

2. Before choosing a worship set or band, THINK! Who is likely to be there? How many? (a six piece band for a cell group of seven may be considered over the top). If there is going to be either a few guys or girls and they cannot sing very well, then lots of songs with male/female repeats may not enhance a worshipful atmosphere.

3. THINK! What do the words of the songs I am choosing say? Do they flow one into another or have they been chosen because “we need a fast one here” or because “we didn’t do that one last week.”

4. THINK! Some songs may not work so well in a group of ten as they do with 3000 so….don’t use them in that setting. ‘Did you feel the mountains tremble’ is a fantastic anthemic song. It probably works a little better at a festival than at a cell group. The loud raucous cheers aren’t the same when there is only ten of you. Choose some songs that non-musicians can actually sing.

THINK! If you are repeating a chorus or phrase of a song, do you know why? Is there any reason other than “You’ve got to a song more than once, haven’t you?” or “I felt led”? There are certain verses which can be repeated and don’t ruin the worship or bore the worshippers to death.

If you want to repeat a song, have a reason in mind for doing so. Is
there something new that needs emphasizing second time around?
By varying the speed or the musical accompaniment to the song am
I wanting to move from praise to adoration or vice versa?

5. THINK! Probably as a general rule, don’t start songs to which you know neither the words or the tune. It just makes you look silly and distracts everyone else.

6. THINK! If you have felt led to go into a free and spontaneous time of prophetic singing / dancing / clapping / undressing, do open your eyes at some stage to check everyone else has not left / fallen asleep/ died / joined the moonies

Remember KISS – Keep It Simple, Stupid!

Tim,


Great advice! Some of this is seems obvious but I for one am guilty of not always doing it - doh!


It was Thomas Watson, The founder of IBM, who said:


All the problems of the world could be settled easily if men were only willing to think. The trouble is that men very often resort to all sorts of devices in order not to think, because thinking is such hard work”


Cheers - Andy

Andy Rogers

03Aug07

So....I'm sensing that the main theme is that worship leaders are NOT supposed to separate their brains from their voices. Good call. :) I stumbled upon your blog by accident tonight - your sub-title caught my attention (figured it could help me), and I tend to like the stuff that Mike Pilavachi comes out with. Smart man. Or rather, smart God / obedient man.


Thanks for the post - I'll be chewing on it and sharing it with my young worship leaders.


Blessings and grace to you,

Karyn

Bakes

05Aug07

When I do a worship set, a lot of the time if it's a short song (two verses / chorus), I'll probably repeat the song twice. If it has many verses then I may repeat just one or two verses of the song.


When you guys play do you normally sing the song in it's entirety and then move to the next song? How many songs would you get through in a normal set?


Thanks,

Alastair.

Alastair

06Aug07

Hi Tim!


I know you're a busy man! but could you please let my son, Steven, know when you will be doing some concerts in the UK. He asked you a question in your July blog!.


He adores you and your music, but most of all your Christian beliefs and values!


Many thanks

Jenny ( his mum) xxxxGod bless you!


ps.. your blog was a nice read!


Jenny May

08Aug07

Hi Tim,


I wanted to say thank you for taking your time to sign my book at Soulfest and I realize you were exhausted.


I pray I normally do not act as overexcited as I was in meeting you. For it isn't celebrity status that I awes me but the faithfulness, (that God delighted to promote,to gift and use you), character and humility. That is why I had my "Coldplay" moment (ie..in your book).


I was asking Father, why weren't more popular and He said "some people are on the frontline in war and some people are in the ammo room, restocking their weapons" Father, has placed you behind the scenes to equip those He is sending out. It could be a Word, a Chorus, or a testimony (to bring back to remembrance)for the edification of others.


When you are content with where He has you-you can be content where He moves you. (His will-His presence)


Thus I felt led to share my lyrics with you. Complete bad timing, though glad you were given a good laugh. There is a lack (save the Holy Spirit) of any schooling for godly song writers. There was noone else as proven to show it too.


Thank you once again, for your openness to share.


In Him,


-diane


true2christ

12Aug07

You are such an inspiration. As a 16 year old lead worshiper, I encounter many road blocks but you help to answer many of my questions. Thank you so much for sharing your truly God-inspired words of wisdom to all.

For His Name's Sake,

LTP


Anonymous

26Aug07

Hi Tim


This is such great advice. Hope it's OK to put it on my worship resource website here in South Africa (giving credit where it's due). Thanks and blessings for your ministry.


Carli

Carli

17Sep07