Re-Creation
Vs.
Duplication
I will
continue drilling into the Worship Leader’s Mindset Of Lack (MOL) by looking at how the way we
approach worship influences that worship.
When you
look at the set list for an upcoming service, and the pastoral themes the songs
support, what’s your first thought on the first song? Do you recall the last time you worshipped
with that song and how the team put it together, or is your firs thought about
“…how it goes on the track…?” Yes, I
realize that for new songs for the team and re-styling of songs, references are
necessary, and I’ll concede that, I’m drilling to this gear-fueled slavish
orthodoxy to duplicating every pop hook of every CCM hit for the last 40 years.
Yeah, I said
it. My question is, “Where are YOU in all
this?” What is your input into the
interpretation of the song, or are we relegating ourselves to be a loose CCM
Tribute Band where we emphasize the trappings to “enhance the experience?” There are more experienced leaders out there
who scoff at this and I see that. I
understand the dues you paid leading up to all of this, and if that were the
way forward, I would be behind you.
Okay, so
here’s the part where the pastor says, “But, we want people to worship to songs
they’re familiar with.” Great, you took
the bait because you need to know something.
If the people are not used to organic worship, where the worship team is
building a soundscape for worship, then we have them worshiping the wrong
thing. Yes, I said that. I’m saying putting all your effort into
duplicating the sound field of a studio recording on a song you are going to
worship with your church family is anathema to worship.
Pastors, the
worship team is not a jukebox. If you
truly have vested your worship leader with the responsibilities of Leader, you
also have to extend a level of trust that lets the worship leader operate
autonomously. Pastors, get the themes
out there as soon as possible so the teams can start building the set lists.
Pastors, how about a six-month “hands-off” policy concerning proposed set
lists. Yes, there is always room for
improvement, and there is much to be said about blunting initiative. Pastors, why aren’t you compensating these
people? You’re telling me that a church that believes in the equality of all
people is going to be outdone by every bar in the city?
Okay, that
was harsh, but I meant it. I will go on
record right here to say that pastors are the #1 contributor to the Worship
Leader’s Mindset Of Lack. Boom. Just. Like. That.
What do I
mean when I say “re-creation vs. duplication?”
“Re-create,” is about laying the foundation for an atmosphere of worship
that grows out of the sum of the resources at hand. Worship built on a foundation of musicians free
to bring the worship to a church eager to praise has more staying power and
impact. When we focus on duplicating a sound, we’re relying on something
outside of what we have. We cannot
worship with our whole heart if part of us says we don’t have what it takes to
lead worship.
Get back to
the source. Worshipping is sharing the
joy of the Good News. Period. Any
tension associated with sharing and joy negates both. Worship begins when we first put our hands to
preparing for worship, and what happens on Sunday morning is a logical
extension of that preparation and our preparing mindset.
Record,
record, record. I record all of my
worship team rehearsals and Sunday Worship music. I try to use them first when preparing for
worship. Recordings are the acid
test. Recordings are where the rubber
hits the road and you find out you spent all available time on the first seven
seconds of the first song’s intro and now you’re shaky on the rest of the
worship. Listen to recordings and play
along with them. Occasionally, record
yourself practicing so you can hear how you sound.
Learn,
learn, and learn. Continue to acquire
knowledge, sharpen your skills and share
what you’ve learned. Sharing not only
keeps other musicians motivated, but cements your knowledge.
Play, play,
play. There is musical knowledge I
acquired only through playing with other musicians. You can know the charts cold, tone dialed in
and locked in with the drummer, but there are some things you’ll only learn in
a live situation. After you learn them,
you’ll never forget them.
Pray, pray,
pray. Yes, I know you do this already,
so keep praying for guidance, inspiration and insight from the Holy Spirit
about how you are to worship God.
