MOVING BEYOND TRANSITION
In this session we will discuss ways of keeping the styles of music and art eclectic
without compromising the faithfulness of the church's worship. We will also discuss
nuts and bolts of planning worship within your church's cultural context. We will
explore the resurgence of hymnody in modern worship music and how to use
hymns without frustrating the traditional worshipers. We will also discuss selecting
contemporary music for congregational singing appropriate for your church.
STYLE AND ART
 DEVELOP A WORSHIP PLANNING TEAM
 DISPLAY VISUAL ART IN THE WORSHIP SPACE
Try and use created by church members.
 USE VIDEOS MADE BY CHURCH MEMEBRS TO INSPIRE WORSHIP
 ENCOURAGE SONGWRITING WITHIN YOUR WORSHIP TEAM AND CHOIR
 ALWAYS BE OPEN TO NEW IDEAS
Always test new ideas with Scripture.
WORSHIP PLANNING
 CHOOSE SONGS WITH MEANING
 KEEP A ROTATION OF SONGS
Your congregation will determine how large the rotation should
be.
 DON’T BE AFRAID TO TRY NEW THINGS
Just don’t try too many new things all at once. Use multi-ethnic
music led by people within the congregation.
 USE planningcenteronline.com OR SOMETHING LIKE IT
Helps keep track of what you have been singing, helps plan in a
visual way, helps keep your times, keys, and tempos in mind.
 USE SCRITPURE, PRAYERS, AND CORPORATE READINGS
 PLAN YOUR TRANSITIONS
Give rehearsing your transitions top priority.
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 WRITE OUT YOUR SPOKEN WORDS
This helps you avoid rambling between songs. Worship leaders
have an important role and a vital message to speak to their
churches. Prepare this part of worship with care.
 PLAN TIME FOR SPONTANEITY
If you have 15 minutes, it may be better to sing 2 songs with the
freedom to repeat, than to sing three songs and feeling rushed.
 PRACTICE SPONTANEOUS WORSHIP WITH YOUR BAND
Have the band follow with off chart during rehearsal and try to
repeat as closely as possible when you decide to do it live.
 BATHE WORSHIP PLANNING IN PRAYER
HYMNS IN MODERN WORSHIP
 HAVE YOU NOTICED THIS TREND?
 WHAT ARE SOME NEW HYMNS YOU HAVE HEARD?
 WHAT ARE SOME NEW VERSIONS OF OLD HYMNS YOU HAVE HEARD?
USING HYMNS WITHOUT CAUSING FRUSTRATION
 USE ARRANGEMENTS THAT DON’T CHANGE THE MELODY
 USE ADDED CHORUSES SPARINGLY
 CREATE YOUR OWN HYMN ARRANGEMENTS
 SIMPLIFY THE CHORD PROGRESSIONS
Arrangements for guitar players shouldn’t change chords faster
than each half note. (There are definitely exceptions to this rule)
 NOT ALL HYMN ARRANGEMENTS ARE CREATED EQUAL
Adding drums doesn’t automatically make a hymn sound modern.
It takes thought and creativity.
 PAIR WORSHIP SONGS WITH HYMNS THAT HAVE SIMILAR THEMES IN A
WORSHIP SET
Examples: Lord I Need You/I Need Thee Every Hour;
Overcome/Blessed Assurance; How Great Is Our God/How Great
Thou Art; Christ Is Risen/Christ The Lord Is Risen Today.
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SELECTING SONGS FOR WORSHIP
1. FAMILIARITY
2. MEANING
3. EASE
4. FLOW
5. BEAUTY
6. INSPIRATION
7. GLORIFYING GOD
8. EDIFYING
9. BUILDING FAITH
10. TRINITARIAN
Joel Winters
Music & Worship Associate
Tallowood Baptist Church
Houston, Texas
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