LOOP COMMUNITY
THE IMPORTANCE OF SONG SELECTION W / BRIAN DOERKSEN | Matt McCoy
As worship leaders , it ’ s important to choose the songs we ’ re adding to our setilsts with thoughtfulness and care . It ’ s not always best to choose the newest song or most popular song . Matt McCoy from Loop Community sat down with songwriter Brian Doerksen to talk about why it ’ s important to choose songs with care , and how to do it .
FORMATIVE VS . DEFORMATIVE SONGS
[ Matt ] What are the main reasons that worship leaders should be careful with their song selection ?
[ Brian ] Our song selection , that which we repeatedly sing , is either formative or deformative . We sing these songs on repeat with a community of people . When we sing songs with a community of people , they are more deeply imprinted on us . The words of these songs matter because they guide us and aim us towards what really matters in life . What our priorities , values and character should be .
[ Matt ] How would you say that songs form or deform us ?
[ Brian ] It ’ s actually connected to how the brain works . When you take a set of words and fuse it with a melody , it goes to a completely different part of the brain then when you speak or read something . We can call on these memories when we ’ re in need and when we ’ re in trouble , and it can create a tendency in our heart and mind towards certain actions . Our goal in worship is to put ourselves in God ’ s presence to be more like Christ and take on the mindset of Christ . So singing songs about Jesus and what He did is formative . Whereas repeatedly singing songs that are about power , mindless entertainment , etc , can deform us and harden our hearts .
FOCUS ON THE LYRICS
[ Matt ] What tips for you have for worship leaders to make sure they ’ re choosing the right songs ?
[ Brian ] It ’ s all about the lyrical content . I love music , I love great melodies , and chord progressions . But it ’ s all about the lyrics . Are the lyrics making the connection between what ’ s inside us and what ’ s going on in our lives ? Choose music that helps people yearn to become more Christ-like .
Click below to watch the full interview !