Church and Leadership:
Highland Park Church Perspective on Song Leading
by Steve Inman (worship leader) and Pastor Ed Vasicek

1. Basic Concepts

At Highland Park Church we have a number of volunteers who lead singing during the Sunday morning service. Some are trained musicians while others simply enjoy music and have a desire to serve in this area. We want to develop new song leaders as well as help our current song leaders continue to improve.

There is a big difference between leading songs for camp, AWANA, a sing-a-long for the scouts or in school and leading songs for a church service. In secular or sing-a-long settings, it is frequently appropriate for the song leader to be highly energetic, highly animated, and to orchestrate the group singing by being the focus of attention. In a church setting, the typical focus of our singing, and therefore our attention, is either God (praise, thanksgiving, worship) or one another (edification, exhortation, encouragement). In such a setting, the song leader, known in some circles as a "worship leader," needs to become almost invisible. Rather than being the focus of attention, the song leader coordinates the congregation so they can sing as one.

The goal of song leading in a church context is not getting the congregation to sing with volume, enthusiasm, or musical perfection. It is, rather, helping nurture sincerity and clarity (orderliness) on the part of the congregation so they can better sing to God and to one another (Colossians 3:16-17). To accomplish this, the song leader needs to be well prepared in order to lead the congregation effectively and to minimize unnecessary distractions that can shift the congregation’s focus away from spiritual things.

Preparation is the key to effective song leading and to avoiding most problems. Following are some general thoughts on preparation, leading effectively, and avoiding distractions. After that, we have included several specific tips for more effective song leading.

First and foremost, be prepared musically. Learn the songs. Practice the songs with the musicians in advance. (They usually do a run through Sunday mornings at 9:30.) Then, during the church service, LEAD the song. Sing confidently and expect the musicians and the projector tech to follow you. Don’t be tentative—trust and expect the next slide to be there when it should. Don’t wait for it to appear—you are the leader. If you slow down, or glance backwards at the screen, you will likely generate concern among the congregation that you don’t know what’s coming next. Focus your smiling, confident face toward the congregation and sing away. Also, expect the musicians to follow you.

Sometimes, when we introduce a new song, the song will be new to virtually everyone in the congregation (except for the keyboard player or music team). So make sure you know it. During the church service, ask the musicians to play the new song first (if you have a good voice, offer to sing through the first time with the musicians) and then start from the beginning with the congregation.

2. Advanced Concepts

Here are some directions to help you develop even more expertise.

1. One aspect of the church service that can cause people to feel uncomfortable is a long, awkward pause. Some churches intentionally insert pauses for contemplation and reflection. But a pause where it is not expected can feel very awkward. The key to avoiding this is to have a smooth flow from song to song, or from element to element (music, Scripture, prayer, drama, etc.). One way to help have a smooth flow or transition from song to song is to insert a brief comment either reflecting on the previous song or introducing the next one.
2. Prepare these transitional comments in advance. Think through the order of the service and the various elements. Decide where you want to interject some comments to transition from one song or topic to the next. Then determine the essence of your remarks. A brief comment is often appropriate as a transition aid. But don’t preach a mini-sermon. The goal is to avoid both long pauses and extended comments between worship elements.
3. Preparation will help to minimize unnecessary distractions due to mistakes. If you, the musicians and the projection technicians know the songs well, distractions during the songs should be few. If you have planned the transitions in advance, these will typically go fairly smoothly as well.
4. But what if you haven’t been able to prepare as well as you would like? Do not apologize in advance for lack of preparation or other issues unless they will be painfully obvious. If you didn’t have time to prepare well enough and you feel uncomfortable, ask God for His provision, but don’t apologize to the congregation. This just adds an unnecessary negative element and a distraction to the service. (And if things work out, they may never know!) But if the sound system is not functional Sunday morning due to a lightning strike, THIS is something you will want to apologize for upfront. Then make the best of it without continuing a running apology throughout the service.
5. What should you do when a mistake occurs? Minimize them! Stay calm—don’t panic. Plod onward as if they didn’t happen; don’t make faces, shrug your shoulders, cringe, etc. Some folks probably noticed, others didn’t. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill by calling attention to a mistake—you’re adding an extra unnecessary distraction, which is in itself a greater mistake. A skilled person sometimes makes a mistake but minimizes the impact of a mistake—and keeps the song moving forward. Keep your attention focused on the future, not on the mistake.
6. Review the slides in advance and compare them with the music. Make sure the projection technician, the musicians and the song leader (you) all agree on which verses will be used, when the chorus/refrain will be sung, what will be repeated, etc. Make sure the lyrics on the slides agree with the way you plan to lead/sing/play the song.
7. The congregation needs to be able to hear you to follow you. Step up to the mic and lead by singing audibly: give the sound tech some volume to amplify! Do not worry: he will not "over-amplify" you.
8. The song leader should not try to recreate the feel of another church or use the opportunity to advance an agenda (such as condemning a certain musical style). On the positive side, feel free to show your pleasure for a certain song.
9. Song leaders should not scold the congregation for lack of enthusiasm or volume, nor should they pressure or manipulate the congregation. Assume the goodwill and spirituality of our folks.
10. Since song leading is not a vocal solo performance, don’t get carried away and start performing. Remember your goal is to help the congregation focus on God, not on you. Save this type of ministry for a real vocal solo when it is scheduled.
11. A song leader should dress in a non-distracting manner. Either semi-formal or casual clothing (nice jeans, etc.) are fine, but avoid short shorts, short skirts, worn clothing, or tank tops when it is your time to lead. The last thing a song leader should be is distracting.
    
    Song leading, like any other ministry or art, is an area to develop. We should never think we have it down. The room for improvement is still the biggest room in the world, and we all live in this same room!

Checklist

□  1. Am I familiar with all the songs?

□  2. Have I arranged to run through the songs with the musicians?

□  3. Have I previewed (or made arrangement to preview) the slides? (You may either obtain them from the video-team by requesting them by e-mail videoteam@highlandpc.com or arrange for the video person to be there Sunday morning when you have a run through; You want to make sure you are on the same page.)

□  4. Have I thought about brief transitional comments?

□  5. Have I asked God for the filling of His Holy Spirit and for His provision for my song leading ministry time?