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Home > Resources > Worshiping Communities > Campus "I'll Bring You More Than a Song"
Part I / Part II
Dorm Worship Leading Training
Calvin College
November 5, 2005
led by Paul Ryan
1. Introduction
Around the table: What song would you want to sing in worship tomorrow, why?
Around the table: If you could only sing one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? Why?
2. Choosing songs for worship
In Matt Redman's song, "The Heart of Worship" we sing, "I'll bring you more than a song." Why are we now talking about songs?
Usually the first things we think about when we plan worship.
There are thousands of songs to choose from. How do we choose?
Handout: illustration of the variety of songs being written
A few simple criteria:
a. Functional
Does the song help us to express our relationship to God?
Listen to a three of four worship songs.
Ask, "What relational habit does this song capture?"
Often songs can express multiple habits:
b. Fitting
Does the music help the listener participate in the function of the song?
Largely subjective - but common sense
Tempo of music for celebration? Fast
Tempo for saying "I'm sorry"? Slow
Listen to three or four worship songs
Discern together whether or not the music is fitting:
Putting new tunes and new arrangements to old hymns
• brings out different aspects of the text
• can create a very different function!
c. For everyone
• Can everyone participate in the song?
Singable melody - range and jumps
Many keys on CDs suit the performer not the congregation
Bring it down a key or two
Singable rhythm
Many new songs include a lot of syncopation
Notice how simple the rhythms are in hymnbooks
Can the average person sing this song? Who's your example?
3. Where do I find good songs?
Resources: What do you use, where do you go?
Chapel songbook
Some notes about the Psalter Hymnal & Sing! A New Creation
4. Leading Songs
Singers:
What are things you notice about singers that help lead you in worship?
Sing with expression of face and voice
Be aware of body language; make eye contact
Avoid embellishments that a congregation can't sing
Players
What are things you notice about players that help lead you in worship?
Use consistent tempos, a clear bass line, room to breath
Give obvious cues for when people are to begin singing
Make the melody stand out with new songs
Allow the text of the song to guide your accompaniment
Drop out occasionally so that the people can sing unaccompanied
Part I