Saturday, February 28, 2009

On removing distractions...

This is part 2 to the previous post, about things "worship leaders" do that distract/annoy people. 

I want to focus tightly on admonition for the music guy himself, the one leading the singing. This isn't about one's own heart-preparation, pastoral perspective, etc.
I'm just looking here how we can remove distractions we don't need to have. Besides some stuff in that blog that I can't ever imagine happening in a reformed church (prob'ly because I don't get out much), these pitfalls should be noted and avoided. (Again, at HBC our 'band' faces forward -- so some of the distracting things mentioned don't happen here.)

Speaking
-- too often and too much, breaking the flow of the set
-- speaking the next line of the song as we're about to sing it (even though they can see it on the screen)
-- inauthentic speech (using title of next song as comment/intro, talking that doesn't seem truly driven by the moment, scripted-sounding prayer)

Preparation
-- doesn't know the songs well
-- typos on the screen
-- starting the service late!
-- opening the service with low energy
-- poorly rehearsed key changes

Deportment
-- talks to cong as if we're at a high school pep rally or rock concert
-- telling people what to do ("everyone raise your hands") This one is really a matter of understanding the church's culture. In our fellowship they want almost no such direction ever.

Musicianship
-- repetition without purpose
-- poor transitions, no flow between songs
-- mumbled singing/poor diction
-- poor use of mics during singing

Character
-- lives one way, but turns on the "godly" on Sunday morning

3 comments:

  1. I hate it when the worship leader does those things too. Oh, wait a minute. That's me.

    ReplyDelete
  2. don't be too hard on yourself. you are doing a great job!

    ReplyDelete