Flow in Worship

[Mike Darley]

One of the major problems I have in a service is creating "flow." We normally do five songs four before the sermon and one after. Intermingled with that we normally have a Scripture reading, perhaps a corporate reading or a creed or confession, the offering, and the pastoral prayer. Things often feel very disjunctive...kind of like sing (stop) pray (stop) offering (stop) sing some more, etc. I'd like to hear what some of you guys do to help this, transitions, etc. Thanks so much for any suggestions.

[AD(J)]

In my current setting, I just keep playing guitar for some of those breaks. Like so:

Song 1
quick instrumental segue
Song 2
quick instrumental segue
Song 3
keep playing last song or start on Song 4
Announcements and/or prayer, then offering time
Song 4
keep playing Song 4 during prayer
Prayer moving into sermon
etc....

If you have keyboard, sometimes it's good to have that instrument fill in some of those, too.

Then, at the end Scott sort of nods at me when he is ready to wrap up. When he closes in prayer, I begin to play either a recap of an earlier song, or a song that fits the topic and how he wrapped it up.

That's a pretty simple way to do it, but it keeps things moving.

Dead air, unless it has a purpose, (ie, silent and/or reflective worship time); can be a really bad thing. A lot of dead air or breaks in a service are uncomfortable for most people just because it seems like those who are running things are not organized, and it feels disjointed. There is a term 'awkward pause' for a reason, pauses can and often are awkward.

Getting rid of them is a great idea, so I hope this helps.

[russhutto]

I second that notion.

Sometimes it's good to just keep an instrumental "bed" going while things come to a pause. Whether it's guitar or keys is up to you.

Think of a movie. In most intensely moving movies, the music is what keeps it going. It may even be the difference in it being an extremely moving scene or just something you yawn at. There are definitely times when you need to be silent, but for the most part I think music, if not distracting, can really enhance those transitional moments.

For example, we have a time right after our music time where we encourage our attendees to fill out our informational cards. It takes all of 4 minutes, but the first few times we did it with nothing on the screen and no music and it was so weird, like the sky was falling or something. Add music and, voila!, awkward silence eliminated.

[MarkSooy]

I agree that silence must have purpose -- as should each and every element of a service, including transitions.

I have found that it helps to actually think-through the service (visualize it) prior to rehearsal so that I can explain thoroughly to the musicians what is expected. I will often spend equal time on transitions as the music itself.

There are a number of resources available that have key changes already written and notated, such as found in the first edition of "Songs for Praise and Worship." If you have a full band with brass, etc., then each instrumental part has these transitions written out in the arrangement.

"Winging it" is the best plan for problems...

[Mike Darley]

I have found that it helps to actually think-through the service (visualize it) prior to rehearsal so that I can explain thoroughly to the musicians what is expected. I will often spend equal time on transitions as the music itself.

I'd love to spend more time working on transitions, but we're in a temporary facility which means we can only practice Sunday mornings. :( I'm sure that's a big part of the problem. We're moving into a more permanent location in about a month so we should have more time to practice.

[chipshot0701]

I'd love to spend more time working on transitions, but we're in a temporary facility which means we can only practice Sunday mornings. :( I'm sure that's a big part of the problem. We're moving into a more permanent location in about a month so we should have more time to practice.

Stevie, our band is and was inyour shoes. its a chore for us because we have two new musicians joining as our drummer is leaving for college and we have a new one that is a moderate beginner. Also the new drummers wife is doing keyboard for the first ever time in her life. So we are starting over and you know what??
It takes work to get the transitions. It takes work to get the songs re-learned with new musicians.
One thing that helps the transitions is keeping the song selection in the same key. And learning how to end each song before you start the next one.
Talk things out and try different song endings and song beginings.

[fmckinnon]

Stevie,
In a case like yours, I'd just communicate to the band that "I'll play a short transition in between these songs" and they need to know ahead of time that they do not need to try and "play along" ... just to lay out and wait on the cue to start the next song.

If it's you, or if you have another musician who is like the "band leader" (a guitarist or keyboardist) ... just designate who is in charge of it. Since it's only one person, there really isn't a huge need for rehearsal - just communication that they shouldn't play along ...

Most musicians have a HARD TIME showing restraint ... they'll want to jump in and try to play along with you during the transition - just make it clear (in a respectful, humble way) that it will ONLY be the designated person.

That's the approach I'd take until you have time/facility to actually rehearse/arrange the transitions.

For the Kingdom,
fred

[WorshipCity]

Yeah honestly, the space thing shouldn't be too much of an issue if you're the one doing the transitions. I typically work all that out on my own beforehand. For me it's part of the process. I take a LOOOONG time picking songs (don't know if that's good or bad or what) but in the mindset of picking songs that are topical with either the sermon or one another I pick way more than Sunday would allow for. Then I go back and look for similar keys or could easily transition from one to the other.
Then when we get to practice I can tell whoever to keep the keys rolling while I capo or explain the reason we're ending a certain way is so you can change your sheet music or what not, I'll begin and you come in on the chorus.


Stevie,
Most musicians have a HARD TIME showing restraint ... they'll want to jump in and try to play along with you during the transition - just make it clear (in a respectful, humble way) that it will ONLY be the designated person.


This is actually my biggest problem and I sound like a broken record many times: Find when you do NOT need to play and then do NOT play!

Oh and did anyone mention prayer or explanation as a transition? That's always tremendously effective and works well!

[El Ben]

Mark, I dunno about your last point. I find that more often than not, those "prayers and explanations" are just awkward. Unless, of course, the person has, I don't know, like..."a word from the Lord" or something, I usually just stand there during those times and twiddle my thumbs. It's probably personal preference, but if I'm going to say anything at all between songs, I'll toss in a sentence of encouragement or something, but rarely more than that.

Honestly, though, how many times have you guys been in a worship service and the worship leader would just talk and talk and talk and talk about NOTHING. Maybe it's only in Charismatic circles, but it WEARS ME OUT!

Now, don't get me wrong. When it comes to leading worship, Holy Spirit is in the driver's seat, I'm just the kid in his lap steering. Sometimes I get it right, sometimes I get it wrong, but I NEVER talk for any length without knowing SPECIFICALLY that the Holy Spirit is directing me to. In those times, it's not awkward, it's ministry, but without that specificity, it's just plain awkward.

I just don't like a lot of talking during worship. I figure that if talking needs to be done, the pastor will do it.

Once again, personal preference is speaking here.

[russhutto]

Good points.

I would suggest that some of it might have to do with the "worship maturity" of your overall crowd. You might not need to have any explanations or encouragements in between songs if the majority of your crew is experienced in the expressions of worship you participate in.

On the other hand, an occasional explanation/encouragement might be necessary because you have a crew of inexperienced "worshipers" so to speak.

That's what "leading" is all about - being aware of where you've been, where you are, and where you're going.

And like you said, Ben, it doesn't really matter what you do if you're just doing it to do it. It should be Spirit led and orderly.

[Mike Darley]

Actually, the transitions have gotten better. A big part of what helped was what WorshipCity (sorry I don't know names yet) said. I think through them. Novel idea. ;) I'll try to get songs in the same key if I can. If not I'll think through how to transition. I try to get other people from the congregation up there for certain things like a prayer for offering, Scripture reading, etc. What I've found helps is telling them, not only when they should come up, but making sure I tell them to make their way to the front during the last chorus or something like that. I'd forget to mention it because it seems obvious to me, but more than once I've ended a song before the offering and cringed as I saw the guy whose supposed to pray all the way in the back. It's only about 10-15 seconds to get to the front, but you guys know that, that is an eternity on stage.

Actually, I don't see a problem in speaking between songs to help the congregation focus. I find it helps the people not lose sight of what we're doing. I do know what El Ben is taking about, though. I, too, come from a Charismatic background, and have been in a congregation thinking, "What in the world is he talking about?" Of course, that was when EL Ben was speaking. :eek: Just kidding. :D Currently, I'm serving in a Southern Baptist Church so more of the struggle in bringing the people into a deeper level of worship. We also have a lot of new believers, who need instruction in worship. I think talking between some of the songs helps. Actually, much to my surprise, some of our most fervent worshipers are our older people. It's very moving to see a 65 year old, eyes shut tight, tears flowing while singing something like "Amazing Grace". I've even seen a few 65 year old hands raised. :eek: No small thing in a SBC church.

I appreciate all the help and input on this forum. It has been extremely helpful.