Matching the Song to the Service?

proffett · July 16th, 2007, 10:49 PM

I was having a conversation with my wife today on my way to work, discussing the song selections for the next service...
Our worship leader has asked my wife to sing 'You Raise Me Up' as special music for an upcoming service, and she is pretty excited about that as she loves that song.
The conversation came around to the topic of selecting songs to fit the service, (not just 'special music,' but all of it,) and how much of an effect that can have on worship.
We ended up agreeing that sometimes it gets out of hand, with the 'powers that be' who are selecting the music taking too much time trying to match lyrics and titles with their sermon themes, and we sometimes lose sight of the basics... (because sometimes God's intent (read that 'ALWAYS') is not what we think it is, and he may have a song in mind that has nothing (outwardly) to do with the title of the sermon, but when it is all said and done, it hits the nail right on the head, and hits hearts right where they need to be hit...)
This goes back to the age old battle of us thinking we have some sort of control over our lives and trying to plan our own paths... instead of falling on our knees and praying for guidance. It's funny how we can slip into that mode even with these things that we believe we are doing solely for God... but we're still trying to do them according to our own agenda.

There is indeed merit in selecting songs that follow a theme, but when that becomes the goal rather than worship, we are missing alot.
Sometimes what is selected isn't what that person hiding their face in the third row from the back needs or is intended to hear, but with a little prayer and humility on the part of the worship leader(s) that person might be moved by the right song in the direction they need to go.

Anyways, I just thought I'd throw that out there for thought, adding to the many other discussions going on here.

Dan

playanotherchord · July 17th, 2007, 12:56 PM

I like the way you think, proffett. It IS very easy to get carried away trying to match the songs to the sermon.. but I'm starting to think that themed songs don't have an much of an effect on people unless you do them AFTER the sermon to drive home the point(s). Also, sometimes God moves in mysterious ways and you pick a song without trying that matches perfectly.. but I think you're on the right track, and you're reminding me to do the same - not to put picking themed songs as the goal, and to remain prayerful and humble.

GoldieLocks · July 18th, 2007, 12:11 PM

I usually pick songs depending on who's playing in the worship band. When the kids are playing I pick really simple songs with an easy structure. also depends on who's singing and what key they're in. I also try not to repeat a song that we did the week before.
My view is that every song that I have to choose from is a good one, or it wouldn't be in my pile of church songs. Its nice when 1 or 2 songs match the theme of the sermon. But they don't all need to.
I don't believe I have ever walked out of a service better off spiritually because everything was theme oriented.

July 16th, 2007, 10:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
proffett TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Denver Age: 38 Posts: 87	Matching the Song to the Service? I was having a conversation with my wife today on my way to work, discussing the song selections for the next service... Our worship leader has asked my wife to sing 'You Raise Me Up' as special music for an upcoming service, and she is pretty excited about that as she loves that song. The conversation came around to the topic of selecting songs to fit the service, (not just 'special music,' but all of it,) and how much of an effect that can have on worship. We ended up agreeing that sometimes it gets out of hand, with the 'powers that be' who are selecting the music taking too much time trying to match lyrics and titles with their sermon themes, and we sometimes lose sight of the basics... (because sometimes God's intent (read that 'ALWAYS') is not what we think it is, and he may have a song in mind that has nothing (outwardly) to do with the title of the sermon, but when it is all said and done, it hits the nail right on the head, and hits hearts right where they need to be hit...) This goes back to the age old battle of us thinking we have some sort of control over our lives and trying to plan our own paths... instead of falling on our knees and praying for guidance. It's funny how we can slip into that mode even with these things that we believe we are doing solely for God... but we're still trying to do them according to our own agenda. There is indeed merit in selecting songs that follow a theme, but when that becomes the goal rather than worship, we are missing alot. Sometimes what is selected isn't what that person hiding their face in the third row from the back needs or is intended to hear, but with a little prayer and humility on the part of the worship leader(s) that person might be moved by the right song in the direction they need to go. Anyways, I just thought I'd throw that out there for thought, adding to the many other discussions going on here. Dan

July 18th, 2007, 12:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
GoldieLocks Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abbotsford B.C. Posts: 833	Picking songs? I usually pick songs depending on who's playing in the worship band. When the kids are playing I pick really simple songs with an easy structure. also depends on who's singing and what key they're in. I also try not to repeat a song that we did the week before. My view is that every song that I have to choose from is a good one, or it wouldn't be in my pile of church songs. Its nice when 1 or 2 songs match the theme of the sermon. But they don't all need to. I don't believe I have ever walked out of a service better off spiritually because everything was theme oriented. __________________ "How little I know inspires me tremendously! I'm a huge fan of other people's playing." Bonnie Raitt

July 17th, 2007, 12:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
playanotherchord Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Singapore Age: 22 Posts: 246 2 Photos	I like the way you think, proffett. It IS very easy to get carried away trying to match the songs to the sermon.. but I'm starting to think that themed songs don't have an much of an effect on people unless you do them AFTER the sermon to drive home the point(s). Also, sometimes God moves in mysterious ways and you pick a song without trying that matches perfectly.. but I think you're on the right track, and you're reminding me to do the same - not to put picking themed songs as the goal, and to remain prayerful and humble.