still wet behind the ears from my baptism , I ached for those moments in worship that would break chains and bring freedom . I remember thinking about how I could add my own moments to the songs we sang . The only problem was that we were singing to a set arrangement with a click ! I didn ’ t know anything about healthy communication and decided to dive headfirst into my own “ personal arrangement ” of the song . Needless to say , it was an incredibly awkward moment when the band continued on past the bridge and I was stuck in my head singing through my “ spontaneous moment .”
What does this rather embarrassing anecdote prove ? We don ’ t worship on an isolated island , we worship as a community ; therefore , we should approach the spontaneous Spirit-led moments in worship as a community ! You should speak with your Music Director and Worship Team about how you feel the Lord is moving . Give space within the arrangements you choose so you can see what the Lord will do . What does this mean for tracks then ? I would say that if you ’ re communicating with your team , using tracks won ’ t affect your freedom or spontaneity — in fact , I believe they will help provide a structure to rely on !
PART 4 : TRACKS ARE THE BRIDGE BETWEEN STRUCTURE AND SPONTANEITY Like any instrument we play , we need to remember that we ’ re in control of the sound we create . You don ’ t sit down at the keys and allow the keys to play you … no , you play the keys . Tracks should be treated like any other instrument in your lineup .
Tracks are intended to be a resource that edifies the church and compliments the music you have already created . Surrendering control to pre-programmed sets risks neglecting the full spectrum of potentiality . This is where implementing the MultiTracks . com ecosystem can revolutionize the way you lead worship .
With a user-friendly tracks solution like Playback , it ’ s easy to train volunteers on how to utilize the interface , making your job easier during the week ! The app ’ s intuitive design allows for spontaneous adjustments — whether you ’ re jumping between arrangements or looping sections — every function has been thoughtfully and delicately curated within the app itself , providing a seamless experience during worship . That means if you feel the need to repeat a refrain or loop an instrumental section , you can do all of this in the moment ! We believe this provides your Worship Team with the freedom to listen to the Spirit while still maintaining the structure of your chosen arrangement . Side note ; with ChartBuilder , your charts will also follow along automatically to every move you make — to say it in biblical terms , ChartBuilder is yoked to Playback .
What does all of this new technology mean for your freedom in worship ? With less time prepping your set , you have more time in God ’ s Word and with his people . Reading the words of Jesus should be where we listen to his Spirit most , and those words should serve as the anchor for any moments of spontaneity . You can now worry less about the burdensome technical requirements it would take to pause mid-song while using tracks , and you can just flow through the moment . I still highly suggest that you create ample communication with your team and choose these moments thoughtfully ; but now , thanks to Playback , spontaneity can be curated with ease !
PART 5 : CONCLUSION As we reflect on the Bible ’ s teachings regarding worship , it becomes evident that a delicate balance between structure and spontaneity enhances the freedom to connect with the Divine . Worship leaders must walk this tightrope every week . I know we tend to discuss the obstacles we face in communicating our best to the congregation , and the use of tracks in spontaneous worship can often be brought up ; but in conclusion , we can see that tracks do not hinder freedom in worship . Ultimately , it ’ s a lack of preparation , communication , and community that hinders those moments of spontaneity . The Bible teaches us that communication is paramount in fostering unity and ensuring that our Worship Team serves as a vessel for authentic , heartfelt worship .
If you lead well with love , building a community around trust , then you will be able to catalyze the gifts your team members have and you will engage the congregation whether the moment is spontaneous or scripted , with tracks or a cappella .
Joshua Taliaferro Joshua Taliaferro is a member of the Marketing team at MultiTracks . com . He manages the social media channels and enjoys creating content to help worship leaders innovate and lead with excellence .
MultiTracks . com
42 December 2023 Subscribe for Free ...