January 12 2009
Sunday Set List – “Colds and Emotions”
Tagged Under : Chris Lizotte, church, Delirious, Hillsong United, John Mark McMillan, Sunday Set List, Taylor Sorensen, worship
I came into Sunday with a pretty intense cold. I couldn’t stop sneezing, my head felt like it would explode at any moment. So I tried to arrange a set that wouldn’t stretch me too much vocally, only problem is it seems almost every good song does stretch me vocally. The last 2 songs of the set, I Will Trust You and Gloria 34, got pretty intense and emotional for me.
As a worship leader there’s a certain balance here when you are worshiping but also tasked with guiding the rest of the congregation. I want to be authentic and I focus on worshiping God with all I have and being a good example of that. But when emotions start to get the best of me sometimes it feels like a distraction for others and I don’t want it to be. The following line got me in I Will Trust You:
I will sing in times of trouble and I will trust you God
For reasons some of you may know that really hit home for me and I couldn’t get the words out. Then when singing Gloria 34 the same thing happened on a larger scale on this section:
Now see this poor man cried
And the King heard him
And he rescued Him
From his worst troubles
I worry that it left the congregation a little confused. They certainly didn’t know what to sing really and I’m sure most looked to see what was happening and why I wasn’t singing. If it helped them focus on praising Jesus then great, but I’m not so sure it did.
- Solid Rock – Delirious (loop available)
- Dress Us Up – John Mark McMillan
- Lead Me to the Cross – Hillsong United (loop available)
- I Will Trust You – Chris Lizotte
- Gloria 34 – Taylor Sorensen (loop available)
This post is part of Fred McKinnon’s Set List Sundays.
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I’d rather see you moved IN worship than pounding out lyrics in some obligation to LEAD worship. I know there’s a fine balance, but you authenticate the heart of worship when you allow yourself to be overcome in conversation with Jesus.
I agree. keep it up man… you are an amazing leader.
Kyle,
Great post .. I’m not familiar w/ either of those songs, they sound powerful. Another angle on what you’re talking about – when that happens … if you have the liberty, take 2 minutes (after you gain your composure) to speak to the congregation – be real, authentic with them … I can imagine being out there and hearing you say “wow, you guys, I’m sorry – I kinda lost it there … I’m supposed to be leading you in the singing but ya know, I was just so overwhelmed by this line – it impacted me, I’ve been going through some real trials, and it was like God just spoke to me and comforted me in a powerful way” ….
I think when Worship Leaders get real – transparent like that (and when their Pastoral leadership trusts them enough (which is earned, of course) to give them the liberty to move in that … wow, it’s a powerful moment. You’ll have a relational connection and bond w/ the people that goes to an entirely new level.
Just my $.02.
BTW – I posted another newbie help question on TheWorshipCommunity.Com about constructing songs in Ableton I’m such a newbie!
For the Kingdom,
Fred McKinnon
http://www.fredmckinnon.com
http://www.theworshipcommunity.com
The emotion of worship overcomes me and other leaders in my team quite often, and sometimes like you it gets to the point of not being able to sing. We often do something like Fred suggested, usually while the band keeps playing the song. But usually the other singers in my team will know what’s happening and step in to lead. We generally have 4 singers on backup.
As everyone says, you need to be real in your worship. I’d much rather real emotion driven by deep love for Christ than any alternative.
All that said, I know exactly how you feel re letting the people down – it’s just something we put on ourselves that Satan wants to use to get us out of being a vital part of God’s Kingdom.
Be blessed
Strictly speaking from a worshipper’s p.o.v., I really connect on a new level when our worship leader is overcome with worship (and occasionally other team members). Those rare occasions when she barely can sing or kneels in worship simply blows me away. It doesn’t distract me-it enhances worship.
I have always believed that one of the main purposes of the worship team is to usher people into the presence of God-in moments like these I feel like the worship team has joined me in the presence of God.
There are times when you are a leader and times when you simply can not help being with God in the moment.
Kyle,
That same line in I Will Trust You got me too. I just wanted to tell you that I am so in love with the honesty of this church, and that includes you and the others on stage with you.
I know how overwhelming it can be for me, when I’m singing with you all and I’m hit so strongly by the Holy Spirit… I couldn’t imagine being on stage and trying to play an instrument and sing into a mic at the same time.
You do an AWESOME job, you all do, and I have to tell you… I didn’t even notice
)
Kyle,
It sounds like you had an amazingly powerful time of worship. I wish I could have been there! I don’t think it would have been a distraction at all. I think when this happens it inspires passion for God in the hearts of the people.
Thanks everyone for the encouragement and wise words. I appreciate the feedback and it was very encouraging to me.
I agree there is kind of a line and I think sometimes I keep myself from giving in because I am afraid I’ll get so caught up that I forget parts of the song, or other things. Thanks for reminding me that I am there to worship also.. . thanks.