Message on Songleading

SONGLEADING:

A. Biblical Basis for Singing
Ephesians 5:19
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

B. Singing in the Bible
* After crossing the red sea (Ex 15:1-21)
* After defeating oppressive enemies – Song of Deborah (Judges 5:1-31)
* Songs of David (Psalms)
* Dedication of the Temple (2 Chr. 5:12-13)
* Last Supper (Mark 14:26)
* Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:25)
* The New Song in Heaven (Rev. 14:3)

C. Qualities of a Songleader
* Faithful Christian
* Knowledge of the Bible
* Desire to serve
* Ability to sing
* Great Voice not necessary
* Not off key
* Sense of tempo
* Musically inclined
* Some knowledge of music

D. Preparation
* Prayer & Meditation
* Selecting Songs
* Don’t select songs at last minute

Line up:
- Call to Worship – do not select a strange song. I think the first song should
not be an “experiment” or new song. It should be a song that unites the hearts
of the people and lifts them up. Sing something the people know.
- Welcome Song
- Praise Song
- Worship Song
- Love Offering
- Breaking of Bread
- Victory Song
- others

Practice, Practice, Practice!!!

Before the Service Starts
- Get a drink of water/ use restroom
- Pray!

E. Technical Aspect
* Technical ability is secondary
* God wants men that love Him, obey Him, and who understand and mean what
they’re singing
* Pitch
* Tempo
* Style
* Originality – develop your own style. Allows God to fashion your own style out
of unique personality, gifts & experiences.
* Style issues sometimes confuse people. (Darlene Szech, Ron Kenolly, Don Moen)

Music fundamentals
- Know a chord or two.
- Notes and beats
- Spaces = FACE
- Lines = EGBDF (Every Good Boy Does Fine)

F. Key Notes on Songleading
1. Know your mechanics, but more so know the texts of the songs and how they fit
the rest of the service, especially the message. Understand not only the
meaning of the words but the context in which they appear in sources…
2. Branch out! Know what songs will work in all settings. A great songleader
can perform for any age audience of any denomination.
3. Give the mood of the session an ARC…the energy should be like an sine
wave…starting one place, peaking at another, coming back down, then peaking
at a higher place, etc. By the end of a serious song session (more than 15
minutes) the congregation should be totally transported.
4. Work out your plan. The songleader is in charge how you want the songs to
run, repeats, tags, free worship, etc. – and directs the band.
5. Sing Out! Your voice is your tool! If possible, take lessons to strengthen
and protect voice, avoid conversation in noisy rooms, etc.
6. Do not worship the worship!
7. Memorize the lyrics. Encourage yourself to get “out” of the songbooks as soon
as it is feasible.
8. Move! Don’t be a wooden songleader! Especially if it’s an action song. Your
action persuades the congregation into participation. If some of them aren’t
getting into it, it’s your problem.
9. Not being the star doesn’t mean becoming like wallpaper. Give out 100% more
energy than you might think is necessary; be aware how profoundly you are
influencing the next generation of songleaders.
10. Maintain some eye contact. Don’t stare at blank walls or to any object around
your church. Make eye contact with the instrumentalist.
11. Limit “ad-libs”. Different tunes, changing tempo. Some variety is refreshing;
too much is distracting.
12. Limit Comments! Say very little. You are the songleader, not the preacher. An
occasional brief comment is fine, but let the preacher do the preaching. Just
sing, lead the band (with discrete hand signals) and worship. The people will
respond to what they see_ your obviously sincere worship. Talk only to
provide context or reveal more about God.
13. Leading Not Performing. There’s a big difference between the two.
14. Proper Dress Code and Gestures. Dressing in style but modestly, using
gestures as natural expressions of personal worship
15. Draw attention to God, not to your singing, leading or speaking.



G. Conclusions
Believe in the power of God! God chose you to share His gift of music. Take that sacred gift seriously. Use it wisely and with discretion. Pray with all your might that you may have inspiration and ability to take the congregation to new heights in their worship. When you pray, you speak to God; when you learn to meditate on God’s words, you hear His voice. Keep the conversation alive and you become a channel for God’s music.