What are the keys to making music worship work?
When it comes down to it, what are the keys to making music worship work (obviously, God has to make it work, but what are we aiming at)?
I've thought about this question a lot and have really tried to make it simple. Not that I've tried to make up a system, but I've tried to most simply understand why music worship works well sometimes and not others.
There are all sorts of factors (the people worshipping with you, setting, musical talent, songs being sung, etc), but I really think there is a simple way to look at this.
The number one key to leading worship music is to truly be worshiping God yourself. They are following me - and I must lead them in spirit and truth.
So then the question becomes, how do I do that? Or - what keeps me from worshipping? I suppose many things could - and devotional life, amount of sleep, etc affect that. But as far as the band is concerned, the thing that keeps me from worshipping God as I sing the songs is when I have to focus on playing the music. If we practice so well that I know perfectly where we are going and can fully trust those with me to know where we're going, then I can spend my energy on God and focus on making Him look good.
In short, when we've practiced incredibly well, that frees us to focus on Jesus and lead people in giving Him glory.
What do you think? What do you have to add? Do you agree? Shoot me down.
I've thought about this question a lot and have really tried to make it simple. Not that I've tried to make up a system, but I've tried to most simply understand why music worship works well sometimes and not others.
There are all sorts of factors (the people worshipping with you, setting, musical talent, songs being sung, etc), but I really think there is a simple way to look at this.
The number one key to leading worship music is to truly be worshiping God yourself. They are following me - and I must lead them in spirit and truth.
So then the question becomes, how do I do that? Or - what keeps me from worshipping? I suppose many things could - and devotional life, amount of sleep, etc affect that. But as far as the band is concerned, the thing that keeps me from worshipping God as I sing the songs is when I have to focus on playing the music. If we practice so well that I know perfectly where we are going and can fully trust those with me to know where we're going, then I can spend my energy on God and focus on making Him look good.
In short, when we've practiced incredibly well, that frees us to focus on Jesus and lead people in giving Him glory.
What do you think? What do you have to add? Do you agree? Shoot me down.
posted by Tim | Monday, February 20, 2006
2 Comments:
I think there is a great measure of truth in what you are saying - but I will pose this question: What about being aware of our surroundings? When I'm worshipping, I can easily loose myself "in the light of his glory" but when I'm leading worship, I feel it's important to be aware of what the congregation is experiencing as well. If I could, I might want to lead "You are My King" 12 times through. But that's not worship to everyone and I've noticed that when they've "had enough" it will often show on their faces (even if it's only the first time through the song.) So I struggle with letting my heart completly go when I'm leading - mainly because I don't want to loose sight over what I'm leading in the first place.
That being said, it's much easier to lead and engage them when I don't have to focus on which chords I'm playing or what the next words are.
Good thoughts & good content. I think the title caption maybe should have the order of the words "music" and "worship" switched.
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