Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast

Songwriter Stagnation

Ever go through long periods of not writing anything? And even when you try it is so terrible that you feel you have lost your songwriting gift? Out of desperation you listen a top 40 song and and copy its form. Still, it sucks.

Been there?

I want to encourage you songwriters here for a few moments. That is absolutely normal. Consider these songwriting helps. They may just save you from prolonged songwriter stagnation:

  • Lots of bad songs need to be written before you ever write a truly good one.
  • Don’t try and write a hit song. Just pour out your heart. Make sure what you are saying is worth saying anyway.
  • Go for a walk (away from people) and sing melodies apart from your musical instrument. Believe me, it works.
  • Listen to a musical style that you aren’t naturally inclined to. Try and mimic the chord progressions. It will stretch you out of your current ‘box’.
  • Go buy Future of Forestry music. Get inspired.
  • Co-write with someone who is better than you. Learn how they work.
  • Read this great book. Not just for worship leaders, by the way.
  • Take time to pray. Ask God to clarify what He is doing in your heart.
  • Journal. Write for the purpose of getting your heart on page, not for a song.
  • Learn a new instrument (I want a banjo and a ukelele and anything else I don’t currently own). Sometimes new tones can inspire new songs.
  • Do a spontaneity session. Play your instrument. Sing random melodies out of the Psalms or whatever. Persevere with this and don’t give up when it’s terrible.
  • Ask trusted professionals to critique your work. Honestly. Take to heart what they say.
  • Be fully present in the ‘moment’. Don’t be stuck in the past and overly concerned with the future. Learn from the circumstances, people, and places you are currently in. The best songs come from people who are fully present in the ‘now’.

What Type of Congregation Are You?

There are many factors that contribute to great ‘times’ of congregational worship. A worship leader who loves Jesus, can sing well, and can engage people. A sensitive, skilled band, Excellent sound quality, singable songs, songs that are Biblical, Scripture readings, spontaneous praise, and…anything else? Something you may not consider is the congregation.

The type of congregation that is present also determines how powerful a worship service is.

Let me give you an example. Last night Emily and I stepped into the middle of a worship conference at CCOP to hear Israel Houghton lead worship. To begin with, Israel is a high energy worship leader. He has a voice like no other, loves God, and is a skilled musician. But in that room, it really wouldn’t matter WHO was up there. The congregation was bouncing around, shouting and praising before he even sang a lick. A bird could have led worship that night.

Maybe you experience this on Sunday mornings at your church. Maybe you’re like most of us and there is a mixed congregation of seniors, baby boomers, young adults, youth, non-christians and everything in between.

These types of settings can be very challenging to lead worship. A third of the congregation wants to shout in tongues for 2 hours, a third wants to sit down and stop singing these stupid songs, and a third are scared to death of the banners, dancing, raised hands, and off-key singing in the congregation (or from the stage!).

I’m not slamming certain congregations. I actually love the diversity of it all. I love having non-Christians in the room when I lead worship. And I love a large group of spirit-filled, Jesus lovers. Both are fun in a different way.

What do you do? How can one effectively ‘lead’ different congregations? What is most important in your worship leading preparation? Do different congregations require different preparation?

I’ll save that for my next post.

Until then, what type of congregation do you lead for?

Let the discussion flow…

DS

The Evolution of Worship Music

Has anyone heard the album pictured above? If you haven’t, I think you should. And if you have, I’d be interested to know what your thoughts are.

Worship music has evolved into so many different streams. A few have blazed a trail, and thousands have copied. I haven’t been alive forever, but allow me to take you on a worship journey through my lifetime.

When I was a young chap, I cut my teeth on Vineyard worship. They were trail blazers. They wrote simple love songs to Jesus in a style that had never been done before. Integrity was around then, but were not quite as progressive as the Vineyard folks. Based on the teaching of John Wimber, they pursued the presence of God and wanted to experience the fullness of Spirit in worship. Great stuff, to this day I love listening to (especially the 10 minute 80’s guitar solos).

Even deeper in the charismatic arena are people like Kevin Prosch, Morningstar, and the more current IHOP folks from KC.

Then there’s this crazy popular, mainstream worship sound, pioneered by Hillsong. Planetshakers, and more than a few large churches across the world have adopted this high energy, community model of worship (and producing new worship albums every year).

There’s also the rock band turned worship, pioneered by one of the best, Delirious. Also, there’s singer/songwriter worship like Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, and numerous others.

I’m also impressed by the Reformed theological bent of worship music like Sovereign Grace Ministries.

And then there’s David Crowder Band, who sort of create their own category that no one can enter. And maybe not many can relate to. Is it possible to be too creative with worship music?

What stands out to you above the rest? What are the qualities that constitute good worship music? What can’t you stand about worship music? As worship songwriters/musicians, what should we be pursuing?

Let the discussion flow…

DS