Jateca
From unknown
My church is starting a new service and I am going to be leading worship at it. The service is really hoping to reach out to those who are not in the church. Here is my problem: I only have ten minutes for worship which, for me, boils down to about two songs. What is the best way to introduce new songs? And how many weeks can you repeat a song before it gets old?
...Otherwise, don't be afraid to sing a new song with passion and allow the congregation to pick it up naturally. Perhaps considering the circumstance, it may be wise to stay away from songs which it's hard for non-musical people to pick up quickly.
With regards the latter question, I believe it's a simple matter of staying in touch with the congregation and how they are responding, if they seem to be tiring of a song then give it a break. I think it's mostly intuitive but it is obviously important to seek God's will as well. I hope that was helpful, I'm sure others have some good ideas.
YOU will be sick of it before they are. you're hearing it at practices, they're only hearing it at services.....
Also, don't be afraid of teaching stuff as you play through. Remember that very few of the people will actually be musical enough to pick stuff up instantly. When I'm teaching a new song, I tend to do what Ben Cantelon did at the live recording, as in play a couple of lines, get them to try it, to get through the bones of the song, and then start it from the top again.
But ideally make sure the tunes are really easy (I find Chris Tomlin's earlier stuff like Forever, Awesome Is The Lord, etc are good for this), no more than one of two lines of music that then repeat.
But do remember that if its a service for people who aren't regular church goers, that putting in one or two they might know (like Amazing Grace for example, with chorus if you want), makes them feel at ease in the first couple of weeks before you can start being more adventurous.
I pray it goes well for you.
Alex
Or, if you're really serious about reaching those who don't come to church, use your ten minutes for non personal involvement stuff. Society no longer sings together, it listens to things which move, change, and inspire it to greater and better things. Sometimes we need to forget church and remember fellowship. If singing with other people alienates me, don't make me do it.
Hi
I lead at Broken Chains, an outreach to the homeless and addicted. It did take a while but I now have the room, 30 - 60 people all singing worship. The age range is enormous, teens to retired (babies and children can be there too).
I do have about 30 minutes, six songs and use mostly up tempo, focussed energy songs. The volume level is relatively quiet, we only have a couple of powered Mackie speakers and I stand in front of them as we have no fold back. The band are: Drums which can only be electronic (and sadly are not regular), Bass, Guitars (one of each), percussion, fiddle (sometimes) and a couple of vocals.
Song choice varies from Tim Hughes ‘Happy Day’, Ben Cantelon ‘Love came down’, Newsboys ‘I am free’ through to Hank Williams ‘I saw the light’. Songs that tend not to focus on Church or Christian activity but on the saving grace of God and the change Jesus can make in each and every life.
Do not be scared or put off. Following Jesus and being honest before my 'audience' has drawn us at BC into one ‘congregation’. Despite what others say, people do like to sing and can be encouraged to hear themselves and others sing, when the spirit moves and we all join as one voice – Hallelujah.
Hope this makes sense. God bless, John
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I'm no expert, but having two songs seems rather confining because you have all you're eggs in towo baskets. When you think about it, two songs a week won't allow a massive variety of songs and so you may find you only consider 10 potential songs for every service.
With regards the first question, you might consider (if appropriate for the congregation) asking the PA person to play the new songs in the background before the service so that people become familiar with it beforehand. It may be appropriate sometimes if there's a background behind the song, to just say a few words which convey the meaning and passion of the song, this can make people get into the song easier (For example Blessed be your name is a song which talks about praising God regardless of circumstance). When you sing the song, you could chose just to sing a particular section first for example, just the chorus of He loves us by Jesus Culture. I'll finish this comment soon...