LOOP COMMUNITY
WHAT TO SAY BETWEEN WORSHIP SONGS W / PAUL BALOCHE | Matt McCoy
Do you struggle knowing what to say during your worship services ? Sometimes it ’ s easier for worship leaders to sing then to speak and lead the service .
Artist and Worship Leader Paul Baloche joined Matt McCoy from Loop Community to talk about what to say and how to improve at speaking during a worship set . Matt brings up some important topics for Paul to comment on .
1 . BE YOUR MOST AUTHENTIC SELF
[ Matt McCoy ] When you begin a worship service , it ’ s important to be your authentic self . Whether you are normally an outgoing person or more laid back , forcing yourself to speak in a different way can come across as inauthentic . Paul shared about having a relaxed confidence when leading .
[ Paul Baloche ] At the beginning , you need to get comfortable with being your most authentic self . You have 40 minutes to build a bridge with your congregation where they trust you , and oftentimes that first 30 seconds can determine the rest of the time you have to lead . However you would greet a friend that knocked on your door , is how you should start the service . This is going to take time and you ’ re going to mess up . Find a relaxed confidence , and pray for a relaxed confidence , to be your most authentic self .
2 . HELP OTHERS WORSHIP
[ Matt ] Everything that we are doing as we lead worship should be to help others bring their worship to the Lord . So , when you ’ re putting your setlist together , it ’ s important to make sure everything works towards that goal . When you speak , it isn ’ t about you . It ’ s about helping everyone in the congregation feel welcome and get ready to worship .
One big thing with this is to plan out the transitions of your worship set . Paul shared some great examples in the interview about what you can say in between songs . He also shared that you ’ ll want to communicate with your band and keys player about what you would like them to be doing while you talk , and how you ’ re going to go into the next song .
[ Paul ] I want the worship service to feel like a journey that ’ s connected . Not just a random setlist of my favorite songs . Prayerfully imagine your service beforehand . You can practice the spontaneity .
3 . WHAT TO SAY WHEN THINGS GO WRONG
[ Matt ] We ’ ve all had the moment where something goes wrong during your service . It ’ s important to communicate , when necessary , to your congregation to help it all get back on track . But how do we do that well ?
[ Paul ] In that moment when something goes wrong you ’ re making a split second decision . If someone just hit a wrong chord , just keep going and move on . I remember back before we had a click track we ’ d start the song too
fast and by the time we got to the chorus it would be comical . Then I ’ d say ‘ Stop , stop , stop ! Sorry church , we need another shot at that . Thank you for your grace .’ They are with you . They are for you and everyone can relate to that . A lot of times people remember those
moments because they are human moments . Our goal isn ’ t to be slick and perfect every Sunday . Moments like that keep it real . Sunday morning , think more family and less Broadway show .
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Whether you ’ re just starting as a worship leader or have been leading for years , it ’ s important to remember that we can improve at all areas of our service , and not just the music we play . Watch the full interview above for more tips .
Matt McCoy Matt is a worship leader , songwriter and Ableton Certified Trainer from Chicago , IL . He has been using Ableton and tracks in worship since 2002 . He ’ s passionate about creating new products and teaching worship leaders and artists how to use technology in live performance . www . LoopCommunity . com