HOW GREAT THOU ART
Call to Worship
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NAME
NO BODY
Book of Common Prayer Corporate Confession
Sermon: Mark 11:12-25
The Apostles’ Creed
The Lord’s Supper
DEATH WAS ARRESTED
Benediction
Sound Standards
I went to school for Recording Arts and Music Business. I’ve led worship for a long time, but I am not a great sound person. But one of the things I have realized as a worship leader is that sound falls under my umbrella of responsibility, whether I am serving with a highly-trained, paid sound person, or an untrained volunteer, I cannot be hands-off with sound. Sound is critical to a service.
Like many things, sound has best practices: how to set up a system, the levels of volume needed in a space, and the kinds of equipment needed for a specific context. There are a myriad of resources available online for technical aspects of running sound that I have found helpful. Besides general training and knowledge of a particular soundboard, I have found the most helpful aspect of equipping sound people is setting sound standards.
Setting up sound standards feels like trying to help people live by the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law. Because sound is as artistic as it is technical, I want to make space for our sound guys to bring a level of artistry to their craft, knowing that our musicians rotate and therefore the sound is produced with in itself never be ‘standard.’ Sound standards also allow space for a specific congregation and the direction of the church as a whole. A few of my sound standards:
I want the volume loud enough that people need to sing out to be able to hear themselves sing, but not so loud they cannot hear one another.
I want the vocalist leading a song to be the loudest in the mix.
I want the instruments to be defined, but well-balanced without one being louder than any other through the entirety of a set.
The instrument driving a song needs to be what is heard most clearly.
I want the sound to serve the song and the people, that might mean it needs to be louder or quieter depending on the tone of the service, the size, and make-up of the band, or the size of the congregation.
We are aiming for consistency over individuality when it comes to the mix.
Whether on a platform or behind a soundboard, we are on the same team. One of the ways I have learned to push toward unity, and toward collaboration has been spending time with a sound person before rehearsal to walk through the order of service, the dynamics I am hoping to create, who is on the team, and any pieces I would like them to be aware of moving into the service.
What would you add?
Tuesday Refocus: October 17
“The end of your praying is not to inform God, as through he knew of your wants already; but rather to inform ourselves; to fix the sense of those wants more deeply in your hearts, and the sense of your continued dependence on Him who only is able to supply all your wants. It is not so much to move God who is always more ready to give than you to ask, as to move yourselves, that you may be willing and ready to receive the good things he has prepared for you.” - John Wesley
If we are willing, prayer is one of the purest places to hear our hearts.
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks…” Matthew 12:34
When we drop the pretense and approach the throne of grace with confidence as Christ invites us (Hebrews 4:16), all our longings are laid bear before God (Psalm 38:9). Our desires are realigned, and our delight is in the Lord (Psalm 37:4).
Father, you know all things. You know our every word before it is on the tongue. You see through to the motive of every heart. Would You, in Your kindness reveal our hearts to us? Would You, in Your kindness give us new hearts, new desires, and lives that are more open and obedient to You? For the glory of Jesus, amen.
Praying,
AB
Postures in Worship
Shout
Sing
Silence
Fall down
Lift hands
Kneel
Dance
These are just some of the physical postures of worship we see throughout Scripture. But often it is not Scripture, but denominational affiliation or culture (family, church, city, country) that carries a greater influence on our physical posture during the gathering.
Let me be clear: our outward posture does not (always) equal inward posture of heart. And very clearly in Scripture, we see wild, exuberant postures of worship, as well as stillness, and awe. Too often as worship leaders, we use external signs as validation that we have done our jobs. Some people are naturally expressive, and others are naturally reserved. Certainly, there are days, songs, seasons, and times when our congregations respond in ways that we would not expect - in expression, volume, general engagement, and enthusiasm. Do we encourage silence without feeling the need to fill with pads, or piano, as much as we encourage people to sing out and raise their hands? Physical posture is not the sole indicator of true worship, but it may be a window into the hearts, lives, and cultures of our community.
How can you encourage a fuller understanding and expression of postures of worship in your gathering? How might you invite people to move out of their comfort zone (whether toward silence, or expression) not in response to the worship leader, but in response to God?
Tuesday Refocus: October 10
“Prayer is primarily and fundamentally surrender.” - E. Stanley Jones
Often we turn to prayer when we have run out of options. The force of will, the problem-solving self has found its edges, borders, and limits - and so we come to the One without limits. And it is in prayer that we recognize all the things we grasp with clenched fists have been held by the One who upholds the universe by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3).
Father, help us find the end to self in coming to you. May we experience joy in surrendering our lives to the one who loves and cares for our every need. In Christ’s name, amen.
Praying,
AB
8 October: Liturgy + Set List
GRACE ALONE
Call to Worship: Psalm 8
Worship does not begin and end. Everyone, everywhere is a worshiper. One of the things we do as we gather with the people of God is re-aim our worship toward the One who has set His glory in the heavens and moved toward us in and through the person and work of Christ. Let’s sing to him together.
LAMB OF GOD
ONLY A HOLY GOD
Sermon: Mark 10:32-52
The Apostles’ Creed
Baptism Affirmations
Baptisms
NO BODY
Benediction
Teaching Concepts
So many things seem normal and common when they are familiar. If you have grown up in church, or at least been in a church long enough to sense the rhythms and liturgy, to use context clues with language and word choice, you likely know this to be true. There are so many aspects to the gathering of the local church that might seem confusing if you have no context.
Why do we sing?
Why do we lift our hands?
Who leads us into God’s presence?
Why should we gather with the people of God?
Why do we sing and celebrate so much about the cross and blood of Christ?
Worship leaders are more than musicians or vocalists, we are theologians, and teachers. Sometimes I wonder if worship leaders do not lean into the responsibility to teach our people why these things matter, because we do not understand why these things matter. But everything becomes more meaningful when you know the story, the history, the intention, and the direction behind what is happening and why.
We cannot force people to worship rightly. We cannot lead well enough, or competently enough to will someone to worship. But we can shepherd people’s attention and affection toward Christ by teaching the truth in our songs, in our transitions, in our prayers, and in our liturgical choices. We can work to provide the context to make sense of raised hands, the purpose of singing, the power of the gathered people, and the only hope that is ours through Christ.
For a worship leader, teaching does not (and perhaps, nor should it) look like spending 20-45 minutes walking through a text of Scripture. But maybe it does look like spending 20-45 seconds thoughtfully articulating the concept behind a song, the definition of words, or a deeper theological truth that through the power of the Holy Spirit could open up the hearts and minds of our people to respond in wholehearted worship, wonder and praise.
Tuesday Refocus: October 3
“I am not in control. I am not in a hurry. I walk in faith and hope. I greet everyone with peace. I bring back only what God gives me.” - Murray Bodo
I am not in control…
“And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” - Colossians 1:17
I am not in a hurry…
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30
I walk in faith and hope…
“So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.” - 2 Corinthians 5:6-9
I greet everyone with peace…
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:7
I bring back only what God gives me…
“But he gives more grace…” - James 4:6
Amen and amen.
Amen,
AB
1 October: Liturgy + Set List
REJOICE
Call to Worship: Psalm 16:7-11
If you are here this morning as a follower of Christ, the fullness of joy and eternal pleasures are not just a future promise but a present reality in and through Christ. And so we are here to once again set the Lord ever before our eyes. We’re going to introduce a new song this morning that gives us a clearer picture of who Jesus is and what He has done…
NO BODY
HYMN OF HEAVEN
Sermon: Mark 10:17-31
We started our morning with a call from the last verse of Psalm 16, I want you to hear the first verse of Psalm 16 as well:
Psalm 16:1-6
If you are here as a follower of Christ, whether your life feels abundant or constricted - the boundary lines have fallen for your in pleasant places, and you have a beautiful inheritance - not an inheritance of earthly riches, but the inheritance of Jesus. Jesus is your inheritance. Let’s sing to him and about him…
GOODNESS OF GOD
BE THOU MY VISION
Benediction
Connecting the Gathering
I live and serve in the South. Cultural Christianity is alive and well in the Bible Belt. Having the external appearance of faith without a heart that grasps and truly responds to the Gospel is my short-hand description of cultural Christianity. It has the external appearance of goodness, or morality with a compartmentalized heart and understanding of the way our faith should influence and impact everything about the life of a believer:
Our desires and affections.
The way we view and spend our money.
Our thoughts and actions.
The words we speak, and the way we use social media.
Our interactions with our family, our neighbors, and our enemies.
Our engagement within our communities and around the world.
What we treasure, and what we reject.
To some extent, this is not a unique reality for Americans living in the South. Every human lives a compartmentalized life. We divide ourselves across work, family, friends, free time, money, and faith. But if we are called to be and make disciples, that is a call that must pervade every area and aspect of our lives.
When I started to see worship leading as a place of discipleship, I began to see the gaps between what we do on a Sunday, and how we live the rest of the week.
Sunday worship is the overflow of Monday through Saturday worship.
Sunday worship fuels and propels the people of God to live as worshipers throughout the week.
In gathering with the people of God are reminded that God is much bigger than we are, that we are never alone, and we encourage one another to live as followers of Christ.
In gathering with the people of God we are reminded of our dependence upon God and the gift of His Body.
In gathering with the people of God our attention and affection are refocused around the person and work of Christ rather than the desires of the flesh or the culture.
May our lives, and the lives of those we lead look increasingly less compartmentalized.
Other posts that might be of interest:
Tuesday Refocus: September 26
“We must not become people who denounce but do not weep. Nor those who weep but never denounce. Too much is at stake both ways.” - D. A. Carson
Ours is a culture quick to denounce. In some ways, this is a good thing. Christians should be at the forefront of seeking to see “…justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24).” Because we know what is good, and what is required by the Lord: to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). Christians should be quick to denounce racism, sexism, exploitation, injustice, and sin in all its forms and locations. And in this way be about the business of seeing “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matt 6:10).”
But simply denouncing without weeping fails to enter into the brokenness of our world. Without weeping, we keep brokenness at a distance. Without weeping, anger feels like action.
Jesus, you wept at the tomb of your friend, and you wept over Jerusalem. You grieve and groan over the brokenness of our world, and have yourself been broken for our sake. You did not keep our brokenness at a distance, but stepped into it, and took it upon yourself. May we be people who model this kind of self-giving sacrifice to the world around us. For Your glory, and for the good of the whole world. Amen.
Both/and,
AB
Questions To Consider
One of the things that our team has spoken about is the need for a deeper dive into our songs and services apart from a weekly service evaluation. And that would open up questions, and facilitate discussion for our whole team around the purpose and movement of our gatherings, apart from song choice, and how each of us can play a part in moving our services in the same direction.
One of the things that sparked these categories in my mind is Mike Cosper’s 10 Questions to Consider at the end of every year. I appreciated how he was able to open a view of the gathering wider than song choice and simply judge a service. The categories below are certainly not exhaustive, but will hopefully fuel deeper thought:
SONGS
What new songs are we singing, and how are people responding?
Which songs consistently have high responses (loud singing/participation, comments, humming in the bathroom)?
What holes are in our master song list (content)?
What are we singing too much (themes, songs, style)?
Is the liturgy balancing an awareness of the people, while continuing to lead toward a direction that more closely embodies our values and mission?
COMMUNICATION
Is it clear?
Are we equipping our verbal communicators to understand and navigate the movement, tone of the morning, and the moment while still being themselves?
Are the announcements leading people in worship, and moving them toward mission, not just giving them information?
What has been confusing?
Where have we dropped the ball (for the congregation, for the team, with visuals, with helping equip those on the platform knowing how to effectively communicate)?
FORMATION
What is missing?
What is stale?
Are the ordinances being thoughtfully navigated (within the service and by the communicator)
What has been surprising?
What would you add?
Here are some other similar resources you may find helpful: