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!