Monday, May 18, 2020

The Blessing

Have you seen it? At least heard it?

"The Blessing" by Kari Jobe and Chris Carnes has gone viral. The setting is mega-influencer Elevation Church, which helps. But honestly, if that song had been recorded in the middle of nowhere I still believe it would have taken the world by storm.

The original video has 12 million views in 2 months. There are other amazing versions, including The UK Blessing (2.6 million views) and The Symphonic Version from Passion City Church. I've seen a half dozen of these variations. Every one of them, well, blesses me.

I think there are some reasons for this, and as worshipers and worship leaders we can learn a few things from the craving this song seems to be satisfying.

1) People yearn to be blessed. I know, that's not rocket science. But still, we are often so busy producing that we forget to be a blessing. I wonder... could it be that those of us in leadership are leading so we can receive the blessing of people rather than be a blessing to people?

2) Good songs are good songs. The "amen" section of this song is as simple as can be. And as powerful. Listening to the writers on The Worship and Technology Podcast they described the song as if heaven just let a little bit of its song leak out for the earth. They talked about it with all humility, and I have to say... the song seems to me to have that kind of anointing. Still, they spent hours crafting the song. Several people. Many hours. Song writing is important.

3) Scripture speaks. The words of this song are saturated with words from the Bible and the two primary themes are blessing (from the Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6) and passing that blessing from generation to generation. These twin themes make for a mighty combination. What parent doesn't want God to bless their kid? I dare say agnostics and maybe even a few atheists would even affirm that!

4) Scripture speaks in context. For most of my life I've heard "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." I've conducted three different settings of it for all kinds of choirs. It has always been beautiful, but not this powerful. (Although Peter Lutkin's amen section and John Rutter's anthem are stunning!) But those were different settings for different days. This fresh setting is here just in time.

5) God is generous. The song dropped at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The creation needed somewhere to go to reconnect with its Creator, and it was then that God gave this song to the writing team from Elevation... and to us all.

So my takeaways?
a) Be a blessing. Always and in all ways.
b) Use great songs.
c) Keep using the scriptures, and enculturate them.
d) Be thankful. We worship/serve an incredibly generous God!

So... what are your takeaways?

Monday, May 11, 2020

Serve the Distracted Worshiper

SQUIRREL!

My mind does that about 100 times an hour, and usually at about the same speed--in miles per hour.

I was never diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, but those weren't in vogue when I was in school. I can pay attention, it's just really hard for me. My mind spins.

While in East Africa a few years ago, I learned the Tanzanians refer to this as "the monkey in the mind."

I think I have a few monkeys, a dozen squirrels, and some other mammals running through my mind.

That must be why.

It's the only reason I can think of that I have worked for most of my ministry to serve the distracted worshiper. Reduce down time, change up the dynamics, adjust the pace, read with inflection, pray with clarity,

Minimize distractions.

A dear friend, Marshall Sanders, wrote an editorial for Creator Magazine when he was its owner/publisher. This was more than 25 years ago. He titled it "The Fragility of the Connectivity." Marshall is so creative! He talked about how important it is to remember that some people walk in to our worship gatherings hanging on by a thread. Worship planners and leaders serve them well when we make it easier for them to stay connected.

Get the room temperature right, he said. Declutter the platform. Eliminate typos.

Never have these encouragements meant so much as in this COVID-19 pandemic. People are worshiping from home. How can we remove distractions and maximize connection?

I've already mentioned a few. Here are 3 rather specific ones:

1) Vary what happens during the song/songs. This re-engages the listener/worshiper. You might do this by starting with just guitar or piano, adding other instruments, and then dropping them at the end. You could also share vocal leadership. Have different people lead different parts of the song. Certainly different songs can be led by different folks. Vary songs from quiet to epic. Use dynamics inside of songs. While streaming services, look into the camera as much as is appropriate. (Except when singing to our Triune God; he's not the eyes you're looking into on the other side of the camera.)

2) Consider the way things look. How tidy is the platform? Is it interesting but not cluttered? Make sure those leading are wearing clothes that don't call attention to themselves--modest, simple, muted colors. Pay attention to what the professionals wear--like TV newscasters. For the most part, they aren't trying to make a fashion statement. (Except for Derby Day, perhaps?) They want you to listen to their voice and watch their face. How much more important in our worship leading! This also has to do with the camera angle, or angles if you have more than one camera. Understand what lead room and head room mean.

3) If you are able to provide lyrics, ensure they make sense. If you don't have a compelling reason not to, include punctuation. It really reduces confusion. We use no more than 2 lines of text at a time. (Used to be 4.) The font should be sans serif. We really like the font created by the folks at CMG (Church Motion Graphics). It should be big enough to see but not big enough to intrude on the screen. If at all possible, the line breaks should coordinate with the music. (Remember, we're eliminating distractions.) And for the "page breaks" this is even more important.

Those are excruciatingly practical. I'd imagine some of you are wondering if it really matters.

It does. People you've never discipled as worshipers are now watching your services. Men, women, boys and girls that never paid much attention are now dialed in. Even more, those who have become estranged from the church or never gave Her a second thought are now clicking to see more. To see you.

How will you serve the distracted worshiper? I implore you to help them pay attention. It could be the way God uses you to reach them. Let's serve them well!

Monday, May 4, 2020

3 Learnings from Leading Worship in an Empty Room

In March and April of 2020, most of us have been leading worship for an online (only) congregation. It appears this will, for many, stretch into May. I've been standing in front of congregations for nearly 30 years, trying to help them sing, to worship. Counting morning, evening, mid-week, and special/multiple services, that probably means I've led worship well over 5,000 times.

That didn't prepare me for the empty room.

This has been so much harder on many than on me--like my cousin, who is a medical professional in New York City. But still, it's hard.

And I've learned a lot.

These three stand out as top of the list.
1) Private worship matters.
2) Preparation matters.
3) People matter.

So none of those are new for you either?

But my goodness... I know them so much more deeply now!

First, private worship matters. If I cannot worship Jesus alone, and be completely comfortable with it, there is no way I can authentically worship Jesus on the platform with others and do it well. That may speak to my own limitations, but I don't think so. The better I am at loving Jesus alone, the better I will be at helping others love Jesus.

Second, preparation matters. A room full of people and a platform crammed with leaders is very forgiving. If I miss a note, a word, even an entrance, the people around me can pick me up. Have my back. But in an empty room and very few people serving with me, my failures are exposed. The best way to limit failures is to prepare deeply. Thoroughly.

Third, people matter. I have written about it before: we don't lead music; we lead people. As worship leaders, part of what makes us effective is to "read the room." We pick up on the cues of those we serve, and we sing faster, slower, louder, softer, repeat a chorus or cut a song short. (When the people are finished singing, we might as well stop the song!) But we can't read an empty room. This has been the hardest part for me. I miss the people terribly.

So as we walk back into (less) crowded rooms in a few weeks, let me encourage you as I'm challenging myself:
1) Worship alone every day, even if only for 5-10 minutes.
2) Know the songs you're singing/playing/tech-ing better than ever.
3) Serve the people by leading with sensitivity to their needs and dreams.

Now... what are YOU learning in this unprecedented season? Whether you are a worship pastor, worship leader, or worshiper, I'd love to hear from you!