As a worship leader and musician I realize that it is so easy for me to get too much into the music. The technical details of "that really cool guitar effect", or that awesome vocalization, or that sweet bass line can start to become king again, and we're more worshipping our skills than focusing on what's important for the people in the chairs.
Remember that audiences are mostly ignorant when it comes to "music technical things" and we have to remember the basic needs of the people in the chairs on Sunday morning: 1) To be captured and engaged; 2) To experience "moments" with God; and 3) To be transformed by God. I believe that people come to church seeking to have these needs met and they recognize that they cannot meet them on their own.
It's not the music, or the speeches, or anything else but about helping the people to be engaged and have transforming moments with God. Even in the Bible, whenever someone came face to face with God their lives were changed. Jacob, Moses, Paul, the Apostles, etc. had encounters with God and were forever transformed, and in our worship services we also are trying to bring the people to God to be transformed through the Holy Spirit and His Word. However you can accomplish that, that's the end goal. That will separate the true "seekers" from those who aren't really open, bring them back to church, help them study the Bible and prayerfully make a decision to be sold out for Jesus Christ. It also helps the saved to stay "attached to the vine" for the long run. It's about creating moments, and not about the music in and of itself.
Now, that being said, music only one, very wonderful, genuine expression and tool to communicate God’s message, help the people connect with God, and have those moments. Music, speeches, videos, skits, fellowship times, and testimonies are all great tools that can be used to create those "moments", but the goal is creating moments during the worship service and using these things simply as tools. Instead of "just singing songs", create "transforming moments".
This is quite a different way of thinking...sometimes in church we think a great speech is the goal, or great music is the goal...but I believe it's when the people collectively and individually have those times when they feel the connection with God, they sense His Presence and meet with Him face to face, and that Presence transforms them and helps them to keep turning to God. We also have to realize that different people will have different moments at different times. Some it will be an illustration during a sermon, some it will be a song, some it will be a time of quiet, others a video, fellowship, a time of teaching, still others a testimony...it'll be different for everyone, so we have to think of different ways to create these moments.
So how do we create "moments"? More specifically, as worship and tech ministry teams, how to we help create those moments throughout the service? I'm been thinking about this a lot lately from different "blogs" by Tom Jackson (www.tomjacksonproductions.com) where he talks about this. Tom Jackson is a live music producer artists (secular and Christian) hire to help them put together their live concerts. I've found so much of his teaching from his website and DVD series helpful in putting together worship services that create moments. We certainly steer way clear of being a "concert" or "performance" in any way...but many of his concepts can be applied to a Sunday morning service. I very much recommend his instructional materials. Here's a couple of concepts that I think are worth considering and think about how you can implement them in your service:
1) Remember the needs of the audience.
The need of the people in the chairs is generally: 1) to be captured and engaged; 2) To experience "moments" with God; and 3) to be transformed by God.
This should be considered above all else, and especially should be considered before "What would encourage" the people on the stage. It's more important what meets the needs of the people in the chairs. And it's not like people can express that these are their needs...they won't say it like I have above, most of the time people don't know what they need, or how to express it. But they know it when they get it. Trust me, when we've focused on meeting the above needs, it's paid off.
2) It's not the music, it's the moments.
Instead of investing in music skills, gear, or techniques; invest in growing in your skills of setting the example for the people on how to worship God passionately, in creating "moments", connecting with the people, helping them to connect with God and with each other. Think about how you can best connect with the people and create moments with God for them, THEN invest in the music skills or gear necessary to do that. Don't just become a better musician for the sake of it, have a clear sense of what kind of musician you need to become to connect with the people and create moments, then go learn the skills you need to do that effectively.
There are many professional artists out there that are not that good of musicians, but they are great at communicating and connecting with their audience and end up developing diehard fans! They can create moments, and the people keep coming back...even if they're not that good from a skilled musician perspective! Now we are trying to create the same relationship between the people and God. Instead of them loving the people on stage, we want them to be moved by God and love Him just as passionately. It's about the moments. Think about the moments you want for the people, pray about it, and then develop the skills that help you achieve that.
3) Keep it Simple
Remember, not everyone in the audience has the gifts or experience of the musicians. They don't know or even care if you sing or play perfectly, what the BPM of the tempo is what the guitar effect is or what amplifier you are using, etc. They only care about how they feel while the music is happening. Are they engaged? Are they developing an emotional connection with God? With each other? Are they having a good time? Sometimes, musicians will make the music arrangement so complicated that it's hard for the people in the chairs to connect with. Keep it simple! Simplify your music so it's easy for them to grab on to.
I remember hearing a musician who felt he was quite skilled say something like, "Christian music is just so simple, I have such a hard time playing it." But the simplicity is what makes it great! When you keep things simple musically, then you can take your focus off of yourself and your instrument, and spend more energy setting the example of worship, connecting with the people, creating moments, and leading the people into the presence of God, which is far more important than anything else we can do on stage! Not to mention do a better job of communicating God's message through your example and skills at creating transforming moments with God!
We've been able to create some powerful moments with just a keyboard "padding" chords while singing a melody line in unison. The people can grab right onto the words and connect with them...because the words aren't getting lost in an over-arranged, over-done instrumental version. Especially when you can go from a couple of songs with a lot of instrumentation...and then to a song with powerful words to strip it all down to something very simple...that creates moments of worship.
Take a guitar riff, simple bass line, vocal part, rhythm part, or whatever...again something simple, isolate it so the audience will know to pay attention to it, and then build on it leading to a big "payoff". Again, take some part of the song that can really hook people in, then build on it, and then provide some payoff for the audience.
4) Some examples, just to get the ideas flowing...
Music moments = Where a music part is highlighted and used to get the people engaged and experience moments.
Vocal moments = A vocal part is highlighted
Rhythm moments = A song's rhythm part is highlighted and build upon, leading to some payoff.
Lyric moments = Where the lyrics are really highlighted above the music or the vocals...something very simple musically so that all the attention is on the lyrics. Great for singing something a cappella in between some instrumentation.
A few weeks ago we showed a video of clips from "The Passion of the Christ" with a song by Hillsong called "The Stand", then we got up and sang together the pre-chorus and chorus of "The Stand" immediately afterwards with very minimal instrumentation for communion. It was a powerful moment at the cross of Christ for many. Here’s the YouTube of that video so you can see what I mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmOR0VI6uP4
Another Sunday we integrated the sermon and worship music together...the preacher shared a point, and then the band will play a song that highlights the message of that point...it created some interesting moments and really emphasized the message.
A couple of Sundays ago, we started a song that the church knows really well ('Everyday' by Hillsong) by having a very drawn out intro, starting with a bass line by itself, then adding instruments, building on the rhythm of the bass line. By the time we started singing, the congregation (especially many of those visiting) were very into it and everyone was singing out and having a great time with God. We had different "moments" even throughout the one song. It was awesome...we didn't do anything complicated, either. I think I was playing a grand total of 4 notes on my guitar in varying patterns...it was so simple, but still had a great response.
I feel like we are still learning how to do this, but we keep trying...some things work great, some we have to tweak and learn from, and some don't work at all. But when we keep it simple so we can invest more time and energy in learning how to create moments, the people connect with God; are more excited to bring their friends, co-workers, family, and neighbors to church; and the church grows, by the power and mercy of God. I passionately believe that.
Have fun experimenting with this, learn and grow in your skills for creating "moments", and see what amazing things God can do through it in people's hearts if we don't give up. Remember that this is one piece of the puzzle, it's never one worship service, song, message, bible study, or conversation that changes a life, but the Holy Spirit uses a series of "moments" all working together to help us make it to heaven. As worship teams, if we can be as effective as possible at creating transforming moments with God in our role, that can be a large stepping stone in a long line of others that will have a profound overall effect on a person's relationship with God.
To comment on this article, or for more articles on worship for worship teams or anyone else, go to: http://www.freetoworship.net.
