How can you plan a worship service that meets the needs of all those in attendance?

First, look at the big picture and lay some ground rules.

  1. Worship is more than just singing the songs. I know that is a major part but realizing there are other factors will help when deciding what songs to use.
  2. Worship should focus our attention on God, so we should eliminate as many distractions as possible.
  3. Worship can be celebratory or contemplative.
  4. Songs must be theologically sound.

These points must be taught and then reiterated to your congregation until they understand and act on them.

Teach the congregation not only to focus on the songs but the entire experience. The message, the offering, and the prayer time all meet our need to worship. That can take some of the pressure off the music selection.

ELIMINATING DISTRACTIONS

Eliminating distractions is the biggest obstacle I face each week; starting with the set list. I don’t like using the terms “blended, traditional or contemporary” because those are labels that encourage prejudging or deciding beforehand what someone will like or dislike.

I heard someone say “people don’t really know what they like, but they like what they know.” So, choosing songs that are familiar (and not throwing in all of the latest cool songs) is important. When adding a new song, make sure you evaluate its effectiveness. If it passes that test, sing it often enough to make it familiar.

I divide my whole library of music into four categories: new P&W, old P&W, new hymns, and old hymns. Try to keep an eye on choosing a variety from those four groups. An example in order: 10,000 Reasons, Shout to the Lord, In Christ Alone, and Victory in Jesus. Now, I can choose songs on their merit and not for a contemporary or traditional service.

KEEPING IT SIMPLE

Another distraction is the ability or lack thereof of the band and singers. Add to that bad sound equipment or improper use of good equipment, and you have a recipe for disaster. The fix? Buy decent stuff and get training for your sound tech.

If your band is not very good, then don’t bite off more than you can chew. Keep it simple and stay in the background. Keep practicing, and it will get better. If the band and singers are “too” good that can distract from our focus on God. A performance should be at a concert, not a worship service. Play to the best of your ability but also stay in the background.

One of my pet peeves is when worship bands and leaders are too concerned about sounding just like the recording, especially when it comes to the key. No congregation can sing a Chris Tomlin song in the same key as he sings it. Find a key suitable for your band and your congregation.

HONOR AND BLESSING

The last two are quick and easy.

As Solomon says, there is a time to dance and a time to be still, keep a balance in your music selections. And lastly (but no less important, maybe most importantly) let the songs we sing reflect the truth about who we are, who God is and what he has done for us.

I’m sure there are many other frustrations we could talk about, but the bottom line… It is a tremendous honor and blessing to lead God’s people in worship.