Neil_M
From York Elim
Hi guys, hope you're all well!
Just wondering how many of you make a conscious effort to align the theme of your set to the theme of the preach? I mean, I always try to have some kind of theme to the songs I choose (however tenuous) in order to make the worship experience more coherent - last week it was God's faithfulness, for example - but I seldom contact the senior pastor, or whoever's preaching that week, to find out what he's speaking on with the aim of tying it all together. Often, it just seems to end up happening, which is awesome and a really encouraging testimony to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but not always.
So anyway, I was wondering what people's thought are on this... Fire away!
I agree that it's not something to be bound by, but equally, I would always know what the set passage for that week was, and I think if I didn't I'd ask. It just seems like good preparation to me to know as much information about the service structure and preach as possible. I can then choose to emphasise the passage or a part of it in the worship. Or perhaps the service will have a 'missions' theme, or an encouragement on giving - whatever it is, I can work that into the worship journey if appropriate. Of course it's not always right, but I find it a very helpful starting point to know the preaching passage.
I don't think it's necessary to flog the main theme to death, but I try to have at least one worship song be somewhat on-topic with the sermon -- and a lot of times that ends up being the song that is sung right before the sermon.
In general, coherence is a good thing...
Alex
Thanks for the info, food for thought certainly.
hi neil,
this is an age old question really. for me i think its good to have some songs that relate to the topic, but it doesnt have to all completely relate. one guy at church said to me once, 'sometimes people just like a good sing'. thats v true, ie singing songs they know whether they are relating directly to the topic or not.
sometimes chosing songs just because they relate to the topic can be worse in my view, this tends to happen more when we get a visting speaker, and they chose a song no one knows that we learn, do once and never do again. for me its more helpful to pick general themes, ie God faithfulness, His power to save us, his mission that we witness to a broken and hurting world and sing the majority of songs about that regardless of what the main service theme is.
plus lastly, i often chose songs not knowing what the theme is and they end up fitting really well, as God links them together.
GOd bless,
gav.
I think you last point is crucial. It's happened to me and other leaders here a lot too!
Yeah, like others, I try and fit in one or two of the songs around the themes, but doesn't have to be explicitly quoting the words of the theme.
For example, a recent example would be a service we had about the supremacy of Christ in relation to Colossians 1.
Songs we used:
Lord I lift your name on high (particularly the chorus - You came from heaven to earth, etc)
Give thanks to the Lord (His love endures forever - about God being there forever)
Who can know the mind of our creator (about how large God is, creating mountains etc)
There must be more than this (about God's powerful influence in our lives - passion for your name, etc)
Holy holy holy Lord God almighty (all thy works shall praise thy name, etc)
Everyone needs compassion (Saviour, he can move the mountains)
so all used along a similar theme about God / Christ being powerful in our lives, hearts and the world, but no songs that says "Jesus is supreme".
But I do think that more can be done when planning worship (and prayer beforehand) to enable people to feel a part of the service. The more we can do for people to be led, if it fits in with the sermon, even better!
New Song
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I sometimes ask, but I don't feel bound by it.
Joe
"One, two, three, here we go..."
www.myspace.com/josephhargreaves