The charismatic worship formula is pretty well defined and though we don’t follow it in many ways, we do follow it in at least one way…fast songs first. And truthfully this is always the hardest portion of the set list for me for a few reasons, but one major reason being, there just aren’t very many good up tempo worship songs. Most are either super churchy and cheesy or sound like a Kids Incorporated tune. So I have a very limited rotation on the up tempo songs and often it feels like I’m force fitting them into the set.
This week I just had enough of it and said I’m not force fitting anything. Instead I opened with a couple mid tempo songs, though both are high intensity (Burning Ones especially). I thought the transition from our opening instrumental/prayer into Where We Belong was the smoothest opening we’ve ever done. I thought the response was fantastic and God was praised and magnified from the get go. I’m not saying we will never play an up tempo song to open again, but I am saying I won’t force fit them again, so you’ll probably be hearing less of them.
LCC I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you felt it went. Comment publicly with your encouragement and file all complaints with my secretary and she’ll forward them to me.
- Puritan prayer
- Where We Belong – Hillsong (loop available)
- Burning Ones – Jesus Culture (loop available)
- My Soul Sings – Delirious (loop available)
- The Solid Rock – Edward Mote (loop available)
- Jesus Paid It All – Elvina Hall (loop available)
p.s. I don’t have a secretary
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Yeah, a couple years ago I got tired of the cheer leading and started opening most times with a slower song…to avoid what I heard someone call worship whiplash (the sudden acceleration at the start of a worship service). It has worked really well for us, too. Sometimes, we still open with a fast one, but that has become the exception rather than the rule.
I heart the term "call to worship whiplash"
Great thoughts guys!
yeah that's a perfectly descriptive phrase
*Sigh of relief* As a worship leader I have been struggling with this 'charismatic worship formula' for awhile now (as well as stalking your blog:) It's good to know I'm not alone in this frustration. Unfortunately, I don't currently have the freedom to venture outside this very small box, but it's good to know others have and have had success with it. Thanks for sharing.
You are not alone for sure. Praying for your emergence out of the small box, it's a dark and scary place.