Worship Leader - May, 2006

Why We Refine

Though this is not a new idea, let’s af- but simple. But we don’t stop when we think sicians, but more often the team is full of firm first: the Internet is an amazing we’ve found one. When the final songs are volunteers. When you listen to each Song place to gather information. No one chosen, we gather a group of worship lead- DISCovery volume, you will notice two will contest that the volumes upon volumes ers together to listen to the songs. When things: we aim for diversity in styles and we of “stuff” available through the World Wide the music is played, each one—maybe with aim for songs that volunteer musicians can Web is, well, voluminous. But the problem their eyes closed, nodding their heads in pull off. Every team needs to feel a sense of with lots of information is that you are nev- time—test whether or not they can hear accomplishment, and including a song that er sure what to trust. Web sites can put just their own congregations unifying under is only attainable by the best of musicians about anything up as fact and not have to the melody of the song. would be a mistake. show any kind of proof for their claims. For instance, I just discovered that the English A Trustworthy Source Simplicity and Time Saving Royal Family is actually a group of reptilian Another aspect that becomes the top- The last utility that is part of a Song shape shifters. As useful as a large amount ic of many heated conversations is, “Just DISCovery CD (a part that does not hap-of information is, it is not always the most what does that mean?” The words “poetic pen during a listening panel, but is al-useful thing for someone who needs accu- license” are tossed about with easy confi- most as important) is the inclusion of rate information. In a similar fashion, there dence and Bibles are always on hand to en- chord charts, lead sheets, PowerPoint is a lot of Christian music available for use sure fidelity to the Word. However, in addi- slides, MediaShout files, articles and so in a worship service. But worship leaders tion to the worship leaders that are present on—all the extras that are absolutely esneed accuracy, and their time is limited. It at each listening board, there is always a sential in helping you focus your energy is simply a part of the professional life. And pastor or theologian invited. Their input on in the right places. These are available and unless you want to spend all of your time how each song clarifies or muddies good will continue to grow in breadth because searching through the thousands of songs theology, and their ability to say that some we believe that your part in using Song every month, you are going to need to find poetic license does not give permission for DISCovery should be easy and enjoyable. a way to refine your search for new music inaccurate theology is an invaluable aspect If you are a Song DISCovery subscrib-for your worship service. of the board. You can feel confident that er already, or if you have yet to make that

Song DISCovery is a resource you each song on Song DISCovery can be used upgrade, please look at our work as the re-can trust. The process that we have estab- in a worship service, and you can trust its finery. Each issue, we look at the haystack lished to refine the large amount of wor- theological content. and discover the few blades that are “just ship ore into worship gold was created right.” Our processes are there to make sure with you in mind. We have made every Across the Board you feel confident that the work has been effort to make sure the things you care There is not a single blanket worship done, the songs that you hear are not pulled about are part of the refining process, en- song that every church will feel is a perfect from a hat, they are refined until you have suring that this resource is optimized so fit. There are some that are close, but every the best there is to offer. that all the time you give to it has im- church and congregation is on their own mediate and sought after results. Here are journey. Some are start-ups; others have some of the things that are our priorities, traditions that last over a hundred years. Look to this column in future issues for updates so that you are best served as you lead and Some churches have worship teams that are on Song DISCovery boards, upcoming conferences serve your worshiping community. completely made up of professional mu- and other happenings.

Accessibility

The first thing that we look for when gathering songs for a Song DISCovery volume is, simply, a tune that can be sung congregationally. We know that you would agree, finding those songs can be anything