First of all, use Lent as an opportunity to explore different musical worship styles than you are accustomed to. Chant the Psalms, particularly Psalm 51. Explore Taize, which is Scriptural and beautiful. Unearth some classic Lenten hymns, and pick those hymns which speak best of the season (“Lord Who Throughout These Forty Days”, “The Glory of These Forty Days” and “Forty Days and Forty Nights”).

Some ideas for song selection follow.

[TheWorshipCommunity]

Excerpt:

But David was also a musician. His “fingers tuned a psaltery.” Like a man tuning his violin, David prepared his instrument for playing. The writing of poetry, the making of a beautiful instrument, the tuning of it so that its music can be filled with beauty–David did all these things as a spiritual exercise to the praise of God.

There is something exciting here. How can art be sufficiently meaningful? If it offered up merely before men, then it does not have a sufficient integration point. But it can be offered up before God. David says, “And who shall tell my Lord?” That is, “Who shall tell my Lord that I made a beautiful instrument, who will tell Him that I tuned the psaltery, who will tell Him that I have written this poetry? Who will tell Him about my song?” Then David responds, “The Lord Himself, He Himself hears.” Nobody had to go and tell God. God knew. So the man who really loves God, who is working under the lordship of Christ, could write his poetry, compose his music, construct his musical instruments, fashion his statues, paint his pictures, even if no man ever saw them. He knows God looks upon them.

So you might say to David, “David, why do you sing? Just to amuse yourself? Only the little white-faced sheep will hear.” And David will reply, “Not at all. I’m singing and the God of heaven and earth–He hears my song and that’s what makes it so worthwhile.”

Art can of course be put into the temple. But it doesn’t have to be put into the temple in order to be to the praise of God.

–Francis A. Schaeffer, Art and the Bible: Two Essays
[Amazon]

I am not saying that the Bible is like a jigsaw puzzle of five thousand pieces and that all the five thousand pieces are provided, so that with time and thought the entire picture may be completed. Rather, I am suggesting that the Bible is like a jigsaw puzzle that provides five thousand pieces along with the assurance that these pieces all belong to the same puzzle, even though ninety-five thousand pieces (the relative figures are unimportant for my analogy) are missing. Most of the pieces that are provided, the instructions insist, fit together rather nicely; but there are a lot of gaping holes, a lot of edges that cry out to be completed, and some clusters of pieces that seem to be on their own. Nevertheless, the assurance that all of the pieces do belong to one puzzle is helpful, for that makes it possible to develop the systematic theology, even though the systematic theology is not going to be completed until we receive more pieces from the One who made it.

Not all of us are good at speaking off the cuff about the songs we sing, or even have the resources or knowledge to do it well even if we tried to prepare ahead of time. I was talking to James LeFeu about this and he has generously offered to help us in this. All he asks is that you give him enough time, and that you give him the specific song or theme to focus on.

[End important part. Read on for more information and background.]

If you don’t know who James is, he’s the Worship Ministry’s theological resource, and helps us a lot in making sure what we do is scripturally sound, and also provides some insight in creative ways to present theological truths.

The inspiration for this was seeing a lot of mini-sermons before songs that different churches do–in particular, the sermonette on the meaning of “Yahweh” before the Yahweh song on the latest Hillsong album. Without it, the song might still be good, maybe average at best in terms of content. But in context of what “Yahweh” actually means (“our hope is Yahweh, Yahweh.”–why Yahweh? Do you know what that means? What if you didn’t know what Yahweh actually means?), I think it amplified the ability to connect and impact of the song immensely. We can use these opportunities to then connect it back to how worship is part of everyday living, not just part of the song they’re singing.

As a side note in this same discussion at the WAM dinner, I think it’s worth mentioning that we should be careful in introducing new/unfamiliar songs not as “new and unfamiliar.” The general consensus was that by introducing new songs and telling the congregation that it’s a new song and to join in when they feel comfortable is setting them up to have the expectation of not being able to worship here and now, but only after they’ve learned the song.

Instead, try introducing the scriptural basis or themes for the song, and connect the congregation with the lyrics and worship of God. Even if they can’t sing along right away, they can surely read and agree with you in what you’re saying up front, and be worshiping in that way.

I want encourage everyone to think about this and discuss openly. After all, we are in the business of changing lives for Christ, and there are infinite ways to do that.

…Here’s what I’m beginning to wonder… Does anyone in the United States write worship music anymore?

Every place I go, it seems that I’m hearing the same music that was written by the folks at Hillsong. Don’t get me wrong. It’s good music. I have it on my iPod. I’m just wondering why it’s the only music I seem to be hearing everyplace I go.

Are there other barriers that are preventing U.S. churches from generating new worship music? Is this even an issue that should be a part of our conversation?

Always be thinking of new ways to lead people in worship, even creating your own way. Something to think about.

Full article: Aussie Worship All the Time? | TonyMorganLive.com.

We’re the coaches, the cue card holders, the kind gentleman in Pretty Woman who discreetly aids a befuddled Julia Roberts’ character in choosing the right fork for the dinner course at a fancy restaurant.

As worship leaders (or lead worshippers, if you prefer), our purpose is not to model a personal worship experience on stage. It’s not even most importantly to perform well. It is to facilitate corporate worship—to enable all present to participate and engage in what is going on and to point them to the truth of the Gospel.

For the people up front, it’s some solid advice for what you should be doing in front to lead people in worship, whether you’re the songleader or not. Read the full text here. [http://www.theworshipcommunity.com]

Sing the songs their flesh doesn’t want to hear, sing the songs that wreak havoc in their hearts. Our worship should be a dance of repentance, praise and honor. Worship leaders, seek to have Jesus preeminent in all things, all things.

What songs are you playing now that challenge the congregation and confront their idols? Do you even think about that when choosing songs?

Something to think and talk about. Full article can be found here. [http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/]

Are there differences between any of the following?  If so, what are they?  Is the implied ordering in my list below out of sequence?  Are there any items that don’t belong? Are there items that are missing?

1. A Sunday Service

2. A Praise Night

3. A Chris Tomin concert

4. An Audio Adrenaline concert

5. A LifeHouse concert

6. A U2 concert

7. A Smashing Pumpkins concert