WORSHIP TIPS

If you're a pastor, worship leader, church leader or congregation member and want to hugely increase your ability to worship God freely and easily, RCM will give you the tools to do exactly that.

• Above all, be a worshipper. You will lead best by your genuine example. In your own prayer spend much time in praise. Then simply transfer the reality of this experience to the people.
• The most frequently recorded Biblical worship activities, in order, are PRAISE, REJOICING, and THANKSGIVING. While other aspects of worship may emerge from time to time, the above should feature most strongly - especially PRAISE.
• Apart from perhaps a brief initial word of encouragement or exhortation to set the direction of your worship your talk should be kept to a minimum - if any. You can simply flow from one song to another and lead by example.
• Pray for and be aware of the influence of the Holy Spirit as you progress. Adapt to his direction.
• Start with faster choruses generally and progress to the slower, more worshipful. For protracted times of worship it may help to revert occasionally to the fast choruses.
• Never rebuke the people - always encourage. Be in charge, know what you are aiming for, don’t just sing along. Make sure congregation and musicians know what you are doing. Communicate your intentions to musicians by predetermined hand signals.
• Bring variation; sing choruses once, twice, three times or more, have ladies / men sing,musicians only, have a key chorus and keep returning to it, use key changes. Use repeats - from half way or last line (if song is suitable). Be spontaneous.
• Allow uninterrupted worship by flowing smoothly between songs. Choose keys / speed / content to help this. Practise the transitions with musicians beforehand.
• Have a burning servant desire to bring great glory to Jesus, the great King.

SONG SELECTION

• Use the Song Selection Tool to help you. Become familiar with the various topics.
• See categories “Opening Songs” and “Closing Songs” for your introduction and ending.
• PRAISE is paramount, the peak of your worship time. MAKE GOOD USE OF THE “PRAISE (actual)” CATEGORY.
• Use “PRAISE (encouragement to)” in your early songs, followed by “PRAISE (actual)”.
• Use “I”, “me” and “my” focused songs sparingly. They are valid and appropriate (you find them in the Psalms) but when used they should always lead to PRAISE - the extolling of God’s/Jesus’ attributes of: CHARACTER - such as holiness, goodness, love etc. WORKS - such as creation and especially REDEMPTION. Look for REDEMPTION under “Jesus - blood, cross,” “Gospel” and “Communion”.
• The “Worship” category refers to songs that express and reaffirm our commitment to God. The slow, so-called “worship songs” can be found under the praise (slow) category. See also “Love for God / Jesus”. You are welcome to print these worship leading and song selection hints for use within your local church, provided acknowledgement is made of the source.