Worship

Let it Breathe.

When planning service orders, most of us pay closest attention to the songs we put in the set list. Typically, the average service order will stay the same give or take a video here or a special piece there. However, one of the arguably most important parts of the service many times gets overlooked in pursuit of having a shiny service order.

While at the Passion City Church LIFT conference this year, Kristian Stanfill spoke about “Pastoring the Moment.” His main point was to be aware and flexible, to teach and lead in those transitional moments instead of simply changing to another song or speaker. What he suggested was nothing tremendously difficult to do- simply watch how people are connecting during the songs, and connect yourself to what God wants for the congregation. That may be singing a prayer or a line that God gives you, it may be speaking truth to the people- whatever it is, staying open to what God wants.

Just as a lead pastor receives vision from God on where to take the church and what to preach, the worship pastor and those planning the services also need to realize they are receiving vision from God on how He wants to move through the people on any given Sunday.

Don’t Be Afraid of Silence

Silence and “dead time” is something we try to avoid many times, but it isn’t something we should fear. We should avoid awkward silence, where there is obviously no plan, but God can speak the loudest in those still quiet moments. After a song, don’t be afraid to simply be quiet, and let the moment breathe.

Don’t Simply Jump From Big Moment to Big Moment

Ben Rector says in his song I Like You, “Life is not the mountain tops, it’s the walking in between.” How many of us jump from mountaintop to mountaintop without ever setting foot in the in between?

Are you planning a service that builds and builds and builds, or are you planning a time when it drops down, to maybe just an acoustic chorus, or a time of quiet prayer and reflection, or a Scripture reading?

Do Be Open to God

I use Planning Center all the time- planning not only the order but the time each item will take. And while having all that is great, there are times when God will say during the service, “Go a different direction.” You might have planned to build into a huge chorus, but God says, “Sit here for a while in the quiet.”

Do Be Open to Your Surroundings

Just as sometimes God can change where you are headed, we need to be aware of what is happening in the room. You may have a quiet intimate moment planned after a chorus, but the congregation needs to be further led into that moment.

Using the moments between the items on Planning Center can be one of our biggest tools. Don’t be afraid to let the moment breathe and see what God has in store. Be flexible and prepare for those moments where God takes over and something bigger than we could have imagined takes place.