4. Avoid using songs that aren’t the best of the best
There are great songs and there are average songs. Learn to pick the best of the best. SongSelect has a ‘most popular’ list that really is the songs that congregations love to sing. Some worship leaders avoid ‘popular lists’ because they think that is unspiritual, but I believe the Holy Spirit is speaking to worship leaders all over the world and one of the results is a consistent list of top songs that most churches are using. Here is my list of top songs.
5. Avoid putting songs in too high or too low keys
Your average person does not have a huge singing range. The ‘Rule of D’ (top note is around a ‘D,’ i.e., C-Eb) is a great guideline for choosing the best key to sing in. If you pitch songs in comfortable keys the congregation is more apt to sing-along.
6. Avoid using singers and band members who aren’t worshippers
When your congregation sees singers and band members who are fully engaged and worshiping the Lord with all their heart, it encourages them to do the same. Encourage your whole team to memorize their music. Teach them the attitudes of worship and the actions of worship: standing, singing, clapping, raising their hands, dancing, bowing down, playing instruments, shouting and giving. Teach them to be passionate worshipers on and off the stage. Teach them the importance of good stage presence and the power of smiling.
7. Avoid making the arrangement and rhythms too complicated
It’s easy to lose a congregation if the form and flow of the song isn’t musically obvious. Certain musical forms (i.e., intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, double chorus, tag and end) really help congregations feel comfortable about where the song is going. Don’t create unnecessary complications to solid musical form.
Also be careful about using melodic rhythms that are too complicated. Congregations are learning to sing more complicated rhythms, but be sensitive to where that musical and rhythmic line is.
8. Avoid ad libs that confuse congregations
I love ad libs that help congregations know what is happening next. But sometimes overuse or mis-timed ad libs can throw off your congregation. Really practice the use and timing of ad-libs so they help and don’t hinder congregational singing.
