aCTING AND DIRECTING, tips

If your purpose is to facilitate the congregation’s involvement in singing, praise and worship, one needs to assess if you are achieving this as best possible. I’ve been in many churches around the world, and there have been a few who have brilliantly created an atmosphere of worship and praise, enabling the congregation to just raise their voices in song while staying focused on God. It actually did not matter which cultural background/s were involved, or what styles of music they preferred, there were some very clear and distinct factors that fostered a truly worshipful experience. After a few church services like this, I had to jot down the reasons as to what "works" (and what does not work):.- the focus is to allow the congregation to sing praises without interruption- worship leader/s do very little or no talking at all- if and when there is talking, there is a very specific and clear purpose, like, reciting a short scripture verse with music playing in the background (if the pastor requests that)- let a song speak for itself........(leaders don’t have to stop to explain the songs, and if the words are up on the screen, you don’t have to let them know which lyrics are next)
.- if you want the congregation to sing louder, the worship team sings louder........(just don't shout while singing)- if the song is to be sung quietly, the worship team sings quietly........(just don't sing so quietly that the congregation is unsure whether they are meant to sing or not. When the congregation is unsure of anything, this is when people start focusing on you, instead of God).- know the song and sing it confidently, singing ahead of the beat........(if you are tentative and come in late on the beat, the congregation will be a beat behind you, or they will just stop singing, and then the song is really going to drag in more ways than one)
........(if the song is too difficult for you sing, then there is no way the congregation will be able to sing it).- use energy, appropriate gestures, or body language that guides people along and says "sing this with me". People will try to match your energy. What is inspiring is when leaders lead by example........(to just blurt out directions or words for the sake of doing so will actually distract.)........(as well, often the mics are specifically chosen and set up only for singing, and not for talking, therefore the congregation will only hear garbled words and wonder, "was I supposed to know what they said?")........(also consider how the usual phrases might actually come across, like “Come on, you can do better than that” [well, maybe I can't] or “Let’s sing it like we mean it” [so you're saying I don't mean it? So you're judging my heart?]... If I'm feeling a lot of pain that day and I hear that sort of thing, I actually typically don't want to sing at all, then... even though I really do just want to sing).- sing the words as they have meaning........(but don't make it about yourself, as if the words are having an over-the-top dramatic impact on your heart, just like a pastor typically doesn't sob and melt to the floor when delivering God's word. But do make sure you deal with any unconfessed sins or issues before servicing)........(don’t say or do something that snaps someone out of their deep “worship-zone”. Remember that while God might be giving you a personal message, God is also giving those in the congregation personal messages.)........(even if God is really impacting your heart or giving you a personal message, remember that your role as a worship music leader is to lead people in singing, not to share or preach a message)........(even during the very last song of the entire worship service, don’t say or do anything that will distract from the message the people have just received. Although well-intended and sincere, resist the urge to insert another sermonette here. It can come across like your agenda is more important than others, or maybe even like you felt the pastor did not do a good enough job. Everyone who has heard the message will be inspired in a different way. And what is exciting is that all of these things can be discussed after the service during a time of fellowship with each other).- when there are 3 to 4 singers, have them all sing, in harmony, as much as possible (with 2-4 parts always being sung. This way, a person can always sing along with at least one of the parts........(not everyone can hit every note, and people really do want to sing!!!)........(when teams start each song with one person singing softly, people are sometimes not sure if they are welcomed to singing along... yet)........(when the song is too quiet, most people become self-conscious about being heard and they will just stop singing, even though they do really want to sing).- the strongest voice/s should always be singing the main melody line, so even if another singer stylizes or does a descant, the congregation will know when and what to sing........(if the lead singer starts to stylize, the congregation will become confused and often they will simply stop singing).- there should always be someone singing........(most often, when a leader stops singing altogether in order to hear the congregation, people just stop singing, and their focus is then on the leader, and not on God)........(this only works when the entire sanctuary is confident in the song and everyone is already singing loudly)........(but also consider that if you are streaming your services, when a song leader doesn't sing, this will usually not sound good for those watching on a device).- make sure the mics and instruments are at a good level........(not so loud that the congregation cannot hear themselves at all)- the singers should be heard over the accompaniment music, as the words of the songs take priority, and so that the congregation can hear when and what they should be singing
- it's best when the song sets flow from one song right into the next, without pauses in between the songs. Keep the music going, and figure out smooth transitions that don’t take too long- although if there is one longer musical interlude worked into a set, this gives people time to pray and meditate, but what I've seen as most effective is if this is only done once in an entire service- choose songs which fit the theme of the pastor’s message- the last song of the opening song set should fit the tone of the sermon (if you know how the pastor is going to begin. For example: if he wants to jump in with some excitement, end the first set with an upbeat song. If he wants to begin with a more somber tone, then end with a quieter song)- choose songs that are simple enough so that new comers can just jump right in, even when one has never heard the song before........(save the stylized "solo" or group songs for special numbers which maybe happen as an intro, or when someone is being baptized, etc.)- as the Bible says, “sing a new song”, and continue to introduce new songs........(so you don’t get stuck in an era-style-rut, and so people don’t become used to “the old songs” only. Keep introducing new songs
........(if the congregation struggles to sing it, then probably never sing that song again, but keep trying new and different songs)- the song lyrics should always be there up on a screen........(never assume that everyone knows the words or the songs, no matter how simple, keeping in mind there might be visitors, or people with short-term-memory).- clap your hands!!! unto the Lord!!! The Holy Spirit will move us in doing so!!!........(don't expect people to clap for the good job that the worship team has done, because if you have done your service well, the people will be clapping for the Lord!!!).