Run-Throughs

Those of us forging ahead into the 21st century of worship face challenges never before imagined! Gone are the days of throwing together a few hymns mere minutes before the service, then waving our arms as we lead the congregation behind the pulpit.

Those of us involved in contemporary worship (especially worship leaders in smaller churches who end up doing... everything) must coordinate a complex sequence of events – lyrics projection, praise band dynamics, song selection, vocal mix, video, sound and lighting – and we must blend these events into a smooth worship flow. With so much going on each Sunday morning, run-throughs are critical.

This simple rule saved me much pain and sorrow: we must run through our entire praise set at least one time prior to the service. Read More

Even if your church sings only hymns, it is never a good idea to throw together a few hymns just before the service. The hymns should be carefully selected well ahead of time to ensure that they are fit with the lessons, the sermon, the season or the occasion, and the part of the service in which they are used. While it is not necessary to tie every hymn to the lessons and the sermon, the important liturgical principle of suitability should be applied in their selection. For example, hymns that are obviously suitable only for use at Christmas should not be used during Lent, and hymns that summon the congregation to worship and which are suitable only for the opening of service should not be used at its conclusion. Unless the service is to begin with a solemn procession, long, slow hymns should be avoided at the beginning of a service. Nor should very short, fast-paced hymns be used so that the hymn ends before the procession is halfway up the center aisle. And so on. Even in small churches that have no choir or music group, those who will be leading the congregational singing and performing any special music should practice the hymns and other songs ahead of time, and should warm up before the service itself. Careful attention should also be given to the accessibility of the hymns used in the service. They should be within the range of the average singer in the congregation. New and unfamiliar hymns should be practiced with the congregation in advance of the service. Or sung to familiar tunes.