Their complexity makes them hard for the average person to learn and internalize quickly .
The bottom line is simple : when you want your congregation to actively participate , simpler is better . If you do want to introduce a more complex song , take the time to teach it and rotate it regularly so people can catch on .
We , as musicians , tend to forget how much easier it is for us to learn new songs . Whether it ’ s because we have a natural musical ear or simply hear the songs more often , the learning process is different for us . Most people in the congregation don ’ t have that advantage , so it ’ s crucial to keep things simple for their sake .
MISTAKE # 4 : SINGING FROM THE SCREEN , NOT THE HEART
On any given Sunday , you might see a lot of people singing along with the worship songs . But ask yourself this : are they really engaged ? Are they singing from the heart , or just mouthing words from the screen ?
Too often , the congregation ends up singing from the screen because we ’ ve introduced too many new or unfamiliar songs . I remember feeling frustrated when my church would sing loudly and confidently to old hymns or familiar choruses , but mumble through a beautiful new worship song I had introduced . Why ? Because those old hymns were woven into the fabric of their church experience — they were sung from memory and from the heart .
When people don ’ t know a song well , they sing from the screen , often hesitantly and without confidence . If your set is packed with too many new songs , you ’ re essentially discouraging participation .
This doesn ’ t mean we should avoid new songs altogether , but it does mean we need to be intentional about how we introduce them . The key to making new songs stick is repetition . Introduce fewer new songs but rotate them frequently until your congregation truly knows them . Here ’ s a useful mantra for your worship team :
“ When we ’ re getting tired of the song , the congregation is just beginning to catch on .”
By the time the worship team feels ready to move on , the congregation is likely just becoming familiar enough with the song to sing it with confidence . So , repeat those new songs often , and be strategic about how many you introduce at once .
If you want a more detailed approach , our book , The Song Cycle : How to Simplify Worship Planning and Reengage Your Church , offers a step-by-step guide on determining the right number of songs for your church and how to rotate them effectively . Plus , you ’ ll find tips on introducing new songs and retiring ones that no longer resonate .
STAY TUNED : Those are the second two mistakes that might be keeping your church from singing . Stay tuned for next month ’ s article , where we ’ ll dive into Part 3 .
Matt Miller Matt lives in Cincinnati , OH with his wife Kara and their daughter Melody . He ’ s the Head Coach of WorshipTeamCoach . com and WorshipWorkshop . com , two sites that help worship leaders make every Sunday exceptional . If you want to explore coaching or mentoring with the WorshipTeamCoach team visit this page . WorshipTeamCoach . com WorshipWorkshop . com
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