Teaching A New Song To Your Congregation continued from page 29
By Tommy Walker
I was loo king back at my because it’s part of our gifting form. Then I’ll repeat the verse over and
16 years as worship leader at to want to create an atmosphere over until I feel like they have it. Teaching
my church, Christian Assem- where God can work. But we songs is a great way to build rapport with
bly, and realized that on at least must learn that teaching is re- your people and remind them that you’re
200 different occasions I have ally a different dynamic than not there to sing to them, but only to in-had the privilege of teach- leading. When teaching some- spire them to be the worship choir and
ing my congregation a new thing new, you must step out ultimately glorify and connect with God.
worship song. Through these in boldness and create an atmo- Keep singing the song for the next
many years I have found that sphere of anticipation and joy. few weeks. This will help them really own
the way you go about teaching a song When I’m going to teach a song, it. As creative people we must remember
can have a lot to do with how the song especially if it’s a more difficult one, I’ll that we get bored easy. Don’t teach an-will be received. just stop and tell the congregation, “Al- other song too soon. Don’t give up on the
The first thing I have learned along right everybody, we’re going to take a few last one too soon. Slow down and let the
the way is that if you’re going to teach a minutes and go to worship school. We’re response that your congregation is giving
song with even a little bit of detail you’ll going to learn a new song.” I try to break be your creative guide.
have to let go of your need to be overly the ice and have some fun with it. I give Creativity is a must, and teaching
spiritual. As worship leaders we are often a brief explanation of what the song is new songs will give you something fresh
so afraid of grieving the Spirit or ruining about and then begin teaching it section to look forward to and will help keep the
a God moment that we can be overly spir- by section without the band. This way the river of creative life, given to us by our
itual or religious. This is understandable congregation can clearly hear it in its raw Creator, alive in our churches.
How to Connect the Next Generation to “Big Church”
By Ross Parsley
The challenge of getting the next INCLUDE YOUTH LEADERS people to provide leadership in the creativ-generation to engage in “Big Church” is ON YOUR SUNDAY MORNING TEAM ity, planning and implementation of the
well known across the landscape of wor- When a high school student arrives service of worship. You don’t need to give
ship in our churches. Here are three ideas with their parents on Sunday morning away the whole service or just have some
for multi-generational worship. and sees the same guy who was leading kind of special occasion where “the youth”
the Wednesday night youth worship fully lead the worship, simply, include them in
MAKE SURE YOUR SONG SELECTIONS OVERLAP engaged in leading adults, they are more the process. Don’t just use them because
It’s well documented that many “twen- likely to value the service. Students see they’re good musicians. Invest in them and
ty-somethings” go through a period of dis- “their guy” helping to facilitate worship, allow them to help shape the culture of your
illusionment and tend to disappear from and it gives them a model to follow as church. If you continue to provide leader-our churches. One reason is that the weekly well as confidence that their generation ship, offering guidance and security for the
college meeting bears no resemblance is valued and embraced in “Big Church.” congregation, and you’re willing to take the
whatsoever to the Sunday morning service. Sometimes this is a logistical struggle risk to ensure the vibrancy and longevity of
They move up to “Big Church” only to find because of scheduling or focus, but the your church by encouraging young leaders
a completely different landscape. They get dividends are worth the extra investment. now, you’ll have no problem connecting
lost and conclude there is nothing for them Have the youth worship leader lead a the next generation to “Big Church.”
there, and furthermore, no one will notice hymn. Undo a stereotype and be sure that
if they disappear. However, when they rec- you’re encouraging an atmosphere of co- Ross Parsley is the
ognize something familiar, you give them a operation and coaching. Build a relation- worship pastor and
chance to connect. Make sure youth services ship and begin to share your leadership. senior associate of the
experiment with hip arrangements of older
11,000-member New
songs (even hymns) and that “Big Church” INVITE THEIR CREATIVE INPUT Life Church in Colorado
includes their songs, as well. You don’t have It’s not uncommon to find young peo- Springs, Colorado, where
to sing all the same songs but you do need ple involved in the Sunday morning wor- he partners with Pastor
to overlap. ship ministry in churches across the coun- Ted Haggard.
try. What is unique is allowing those young continued on page 32
