The Songs I Sing
Jun 30, 2009 Worship Planning
I recently had the opportunity to be a guest worship leader at a church on a trip to Houston. We made the arrangements and I was to send them a list of the songs I would be using that morning. I chose several songs I thought would work and emailed those to them. A few days later I received a phone call. “Russell, these are great songs… we just don’t know most of them.” We then spent about 15 minutes trying to go back and forth and find out what songs they had that I knew, which ones I did that they knew etc.
I realized then that I know pretty well the songs that our home church does and are familiar with. I cannot however take for granted that other churches sing the same songs. And while I definitely love teaching new songs, I don’t want to introduce too many in a guest worship leader situation.
So here is what I decided. I will create a list of the songs I sing. Not necessarily those I do at my home church, but those that I generally use when I am leading either by guitar or piano at camps, retreats, and guest worship leader situations. This way when someone calls and asks me to lead worship, I can send them to the page, and they can at least let me know what songs their congregation is familiar with.
Click for the Songs I Sing
Requested Songs- College UM ARMY
May 25, 2009 Worship Planning
Last week I had the awesome privilege of leading worship for 170 people at College UM ARMY. Before heading to camp I had sent out a request for people to send me the songs they wanted to use during the week. Although I got very few beforehand, I got several requests in the request box during the week. Here are most of the songs that were requested during the week.
Better is One Day
Walk By Faith
Enough
If We Are The Body
Light The Fire
Open The Eyes Of MY Heart Lord
Forever
Alabaster Jar
Shout Unto God
Come Thou Fount
Prince of Peace (You Are Holy)
True Love
Don’t Feed the Bears
If We Are The Body
You Said
Sing to the King
Word of God Speak
Shout to the Lord
Beautiful Scandalous Night
I really enjoyed having the request box there because it gave me place for feedback and to see what songs they connect with.
Do you just choose the songs you are going to do, or do you have some way to get feedback in your services or camps?
I Need Your Suggestions- College UM Army Songs
May 14, 2009 Worship Planning
Next week comes one of my favorite weeks of the year. I have been asked again to lead music for College UM ARMY. During this week teams of college students, from all over, spend a week working on houses in the Houston area. This will be at least the fourth time I have had the privilege to participate in this wonderful work camp.
Last year we did something new that I thought worked really well. We set out a box and just asked for participants to send in their song requests for us to use in worship. Having 150 people participating there was no way we would be able to do all the songs requested but it gave me a good list of ideas to use.
I was surprised last year at the requests. They were for mostly “older” songs.. This year I am not sure what to expect so I am hoping we can start the process early by getting some suggestions from you. If you were going to lead worship for a group of college students for a week what songs or types of songs would you suggest?
