Criterion for Good Worship Music

[Mike Darley]

Okay, so we'll all agree that there are some bad worship songs out there both old and new. My question to the forum is what criterion do you use to select good worship music for your churches? Is it the words? theology? music? the existential experience produced? I've spoken with worship leaders talking about songs saying that they are "anointed" or a "blessing" or "I really like that". Well what does that mean? Are there any specific things we can look at in worship music that makes it either good or bad?

[garyhodges]

Hey Steve - good topic and one of my personal soapboxes. We run into this issue a lot in our ministry, so I find that I have to be ready to respond to this type of question. Here are my thoughts:

- First and foremost - if the words are not straight scripture, I think it is vital that they can at least be substantiated by scriture. In that, it drives me crazy when I hear 10 songs that use basically the same hook that isn't even a true scriptural lyric. I may step on some toes here, but if I hear one more song that uses the phrase "reign down on us", I can't be held responsible for what I may do to the person standing next to me. While loosely and maybe cleverly associated with scriptural truths, it's a stretch, IMHO. When Jesus says that true worshipers must worship in spirit and truth, we need to be sure that the truth is just that - truth. And what is our number one source of truth? The Word.

- Second - for corporate worship, the musical style needs to be in a style that the majority can relate to. Maybe that's too obvious. Also you don't want the congregation distracted by the difficulty of a song. I remember several songs that I had introduced thinking that they were the latest, greatest worship songs and they were an utter flop. It wasn't because they weren't great songs, only that the particular group of people we were leading didn't connect with them. One of the songs I had witnessed being used in another fellowship with much success.

Now, that's not to say that we shouldn't ever push the envelope and strive to progress musically -- only that we need to know our congregation as well as we can and move ahead slowly toward our goals. Does that make sense?

- Third - I look for songs that express timeless truths in new, innovative ways. Even if we stick to scriptural concepts, is there anyone (songwriters) looking at it from a new perspective. Consider, for example, Matt Redman's "Nothing But the Blood":

Your blood speaks a better word
Than all the empty claims I’ve heard upon this earth
Speaks righteousness for me
And stands in my defense
Jesus, it’s Your blood

Your cross testifies in grace
Tells of the Father’s heart to make a way for us
Now boldly we approach
Not by earthly confidence
Jesus, it’s Your blood

We see here Biblical truths expressed in a new way, keeping it fresh and thereby challenging those who are worshiping to look anew at the tenants of their faith and not just say the same thing with new music without thinking about the words.

Finally, "annointed", a "blessing" and "I really like that" are pretty much interchangeable aren't they? There are many songs that people have told me are "annointed" that I find a bore. It really is a subjective thing. It also depends upon the musicians or worship leader, doesn't it? A poorly written song in the hands of a musical genius has the potential to bring people to tears in a good way), while a finely crafted song might drive people out of the building of it is poorly executed.

Recap: find well-crafted, Biblically-sound songs in a style to which your people can relate and strive for excellence in the execution thereof.

Sorry for the novella. Hope it helps.

[russhutto]

Good post Gary. Personally, I choose to call "worship songs" songs for worship. Might be semantics, but it helps me keep my priorities in line. I think it's important to remember (most of us here do) that worship is more than songs.

My top 3 would be similar:

1) Reflective of Biblical truths.
2) Musically tasteful.
3) Easily transferrable.

1) Reflective of Biblical truths: Gary wrapped it up pretty well here. I would add, from my perspective, that songs that "lead" the participant to Biblical truths can sometimes be just as powerful as songs that literally convey Biblical truths. In some cases, worship is more about moving from point A-B, then A or B themselves. Instead of seeing an individual song as a "worship" song, sometimes its helpful to see that individual song as an element in a worshipful process (a progression towards a corporate God-centered experience). So, with this in mind (in an appropriate context) songs that might not literally quote scripture (or paraphrase concepts found in scripture) can lead the worshiper on a journey towards Biblical truths.

That being said, the leader needs to be skilled in crafting progressions/environments for worship that DO lead to Biblical truths and opportunities for DIRECT scriptural reflection. From my perspective, sometimes it's good to bring songs to the table that ASK the questions that the SPIRITUAL TRUTHS found in scripture answer by using these songs in an intentional progression.

This might not be for everyone, and I'm willing to agree that unless it's well thought out and inspired by the leading of the Holy Spirit, this method can just be another attempt to be trendy and "relevant."

2) Musically tasteful: God gifts musicians and singers with precious cargo: skills (talent). These need to be developed and treasured as from God. When it comes to songwriting, I personally believe that being able to throw some lyrics together on top of 3 chords wrecklessly is NOT a recipe for "good worship music." On the other hand, a song with 15 different chord progressions and 22.5 verses, a 3 minute pre-chorus, and a 12 stanza chorus is also not what we're looking for.

Good songwriting comes from practicing the CRAFT God has blessed the songwriter with. Don't get me wrong, there is a HUGE element of being an open "vessel" to channel songs from GOD as well, but I think God smiles on our efforts* when we remove any hinderances that would stand in the way of those precious gifts.

* (With that being said, there are times when we overcomplicate things and that is a hinderance as well)

So how does an individual song end up being "tasteful"? I would say, that when the songwriter has a heart turned towards God, a skillset that has been honed, and a "finger on the pulse" of the faith family they are a part of - then the result, the song, comes out how God intends it to.

3) Easily transferrable: Some songs are just too complex to transfer from community to community. These obviously don't get used on a large scale. But I think the mark of a good song for worship is that it is easily transferrable. Not necessarily because it is an easy 3 chord chorus, but because it is catchy, simple, and playable song.

This pertains to the structure of the song, the lyrics of the song, and the singability of the song. Every generation has it's own good songs for worship. And sometimes they cross generations, other times they don't.

I think the BIGGEST factor of transferablity is the "GOD-factor" - is the song inspired by God or by us? Not that we can't write songs for worship, but when they are burned into our hearts, when they are poured into our lives, and when they jump off the pages of Scripture at the leading of the Spirit of God, then THOSE are incredible songs for worship.

Hope that's not too wordy, but that's my 2 cents!

[fmckinnon]

Great question. We're in the process of establishing a board ... a "plurality of leaders" (I keep typing that here on this forum) to help evaluate music material. I think another great guideline is the very guidelines that are used by SongDiscovery (http://www.songdiscovery.com/index.cfm?tdc=dsp&page=about_song):

5 Criteria for Song DISCovery Listening Board
Production Quality – We want to be fair to the songwriter and present their song in the best light. We also have promised our subscribers that we pick the best of the best, and we do not modify the production in any way – how you hear it is how it goes on the CD.
Style Diversity- We serve 20,000 worship communities each with a diverse worship culture and style cannot be THE evaluative deciding factor. Rather, listen to the song, can it be adapted – does it have the strength lyrically to be modified to fit a multitude of congregational settings? We will manage the style diversity, but we also must listen past our own style preferences.
Worship Function - The song needs to serve a function in the worship service, i.e.: offertory, communion, main congregational worship portion of the service, benediction, choral, special number, etc.
Lyrical Poetry & Accessibility - We are here to discover songs that allow worshipers to offer their praise and worship in a new and unique (but not too unique) way. This is what C.S. Lewis called, Lyrical Poetry. They also need to be accessible, each church’s definition of what is accessible will differ but generally if you can sing the song after only hearing one verse and one chorus it is accessible.
Theological Content - Above all else this criterion is most important. We need to make sure the lyrical content is doctrinally sound. What truth is it speaking to the congregation? And is this what we want to present to congregations to be sung over people in worship services?

[sicstrings]

I was asked a similar question just this last week, "How do you select music each week and what criteria do you use when considering new music". It came from one of our keyboardist, maybe I need to do a better job of communicating with the team (but that's a topic for another thread).

Anyway, I agree with what's been said already: biblical truths, ease of play, and sing-ability by the majority of participants, are good criteria to use. Another criterion I have is specifically applied to weekly selection. Each week the preaching pastor and I collaborate in putting the service flow together. He sets the direction with the scripture text and then we'll discuss theme appropriate music that:
A. conditions the heart to accept truth from scripture
B. allows outward expression of truths just heard
What we struggle with is being too manipulative of people’s emotions and that's where "Good" Worship music is essential. In my opinion, if the music is directing the people's attention, emotion, exuberance..., to the Triune God, then it's good worship music. In the weekly context, this week’s good music might not be next week’s good music.

God is great!!

[Mike Darley]

sicstrings,

Good reply. Glad to see you here on the forum. In general, I agree with you. The only question I have is, what do you do when none of the songs you know have anything to do with the message that week? You can probably learn, or even write one song, but a whole service of new music is probably a stretch. Does it mean the the music is bad for that week? I'm not trying to be facitious. I run into this issue quite a bit myself. I want to use songs that are relevant to the sermon, but sometimes there just aren't any.

[russhutto]

I would suggest trying to get a "glimpse" of what the sermon is going to be further out then the week before. I know that some pastor's "hear" from God the week before they teach, but I believe that God also works in orderly preparation.

Example, we plan ALL of our songs one month at a time. It's the same concept, just 4-5 weeks at a time, instead of just one at a time. Obviously, if the key communicator isn't sure what they are going to be speaking on then that is tough. But, I think that it's time our communicators spend more time and effort into hearing from God and crafting messages that require MORE than a few days of prep time.

[Mike Darley]

My pastor is preaching exegetically through Acts, so I know generally where he's going. I just seems sometimes that there are difficult texts for song. For example, we just covered Ananias and Sophira. I'm not sure there are any worship songs that really nail it. I did some songs that dealt with submission to God's plans and such, but nothing that was really spot on. I think there are just some texts that won't have songs that fit perfectly. Maybe that's a call to worship leaders to write on a wider variety of topics.

[sicstrings]

Stevie,

I hope to chime in more often, I've been hovering for awhile now and just need to dive in, y'all seem nice enough. :)

I probably came across to specific when mentioning the preaching pastor and I collaborate each week. Our preaching pastor preaches through, in an exegetical (I love that word :D) manner most of the time, a book or character study every 3 months. The first week of September we started a study of Paul's instruction to leaders in his letters to Timothy and Titus. For each study series he, our pastor, has a theme that captures the main idea. Our current theme is "Being God's dynamic affirmative in a world of negatives". Then each week has a sub-theme, last week was "...as we model Jesus". (wow that's a lot of typing, hope I'm making sense). I say all this to clarify, our song selection for each week takes into account the general theme (dynamic affirmative) as well as the weekly sub-theme (modeling Jesus). So last Sunday all the songs were about Christ's character with an emphasis on the transforming power of the cross.

Blindeye,
I agree future planning is great. I am fortunate to serve with a pastor who knows about 3-4 months in advance what our next study series will be. He'll let me know the main theme and I go "scout" new songs or work on writing one or two for the series.


Steve

[telecaster55]

Well, I may rock a few boats here, but my pastor and I don't really collaborate much, if at all. To be honest, trying to find songs that "fit" the sermon each week can sometimes become such an artificial exercise that it becomes stilted. My pastor's preaching through Revelation right now. Can you imagine if I'd tried to come up with different songs each week that speak to themes of Tribulation, Judgement, and the Mark of the Beast? And here's the irony...many times over the years, COUNTLESS times, a song I've chosen dovetails perfectly with the sermon he's delivered. And then we all know, it was a "God Thing." (Not that I believe that it's not a God Thing when you plan for it; to be sure, God speaks and works with our plans.)

I won't go on about how my song list needs to align with the Word of God; that's been well said here already. And I'm very interested in moving us along in doctrinal maturity. But here's a couple of other criteria that haven't been mentioned...

1) Has the song been used too recently or overused? C'mon, admit it. We all think such "mundane" thoughts when we plan. If I didn't think about this, we'd be doing Paul Baloche's "My Reward" every Sunday! I was really happy when we'd developed enough songs so that I didn't HAVE to repeat anything within 2 months. Now, if I CHOOSE to repeat a song more frequently, it's intentional.

2) I personally steer away from lyrics that are too esoteric. There are lots of good songs out there that would just leave my congregation behind. "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?" is one such song. Not knocking the song, but singing a lyric like, "Did you feel the oceans roar? Did you hear the singers roar?" is more likely to elicit a thought of, "Nope!" than stir any great expressions of worship in my congregation.

3) I try to pick songs that are accessible enough that people will walk out the door singing them to themselves...singing them in the car during the week...singing them at home while they vacuum the carpet. And, if the song is further supported by radio airplay, even better! I like songs that I call "ear candy" musically...lots of hooks, very melodic, very singable.

4) One thing I don't do a lot of is look at the music keys of the songs, so as to sing every song in the same key or in progressive keys. We tend to do each song with a start and a finish, so to to be honest, I'm not uncomfortable with a song ending and then me starting the next song after a slight break. To keep transitions smooth, I may talk over the seque while moving the key with my guitar. Sometimes churches spend too much effort making sure that once they start the set, they don't stop or leave any space until its done. In a setting like that, there are moments when I just want to breathe (figuratively speaking).

5) I have learned over the years that with a good knowledge of the Bible, I can thematically tie songs together that may not at first look like they belong together. Of course, it can be forced and come off as unauthentic. But it can be effectively be accomplished with most of the songs in our repetoire.

Anyway, those are some of my thoughts. Hopefully no one thinks me too irreverent. But if I'm irreverent, it's not toward God; it's toward this thing we call "The Praise and Worship Ministry of the Church."

[fmckinnon]

Hey,
Great post - not at all. Even with all the planning we do, we make sure we don't "force" songs or themes. I have the liberty to choose those songs without "forcing" them to match a given theme. It's nice when you can allow the expressions of worship through music and lyrics connect with the Biblical truth that is being presented - but certainly doesn't have to be forced. The important thing is that we, as a Body ... worship.

[Mike Darley]

many times over the years, COUNTLESS times, a song I've chosen dovetails perfectly with the sermon he's delivered. And then we all know, it was a "God Thing."

I know what you mean. I've seen this happen many times. I'll read through the passage for the week, but maybe I'll miss a point that the pastor will hit on. I'll realize during the sermon, that some of songs fit perfectly with the message. It's almost like we serve a sovereign God or something. :rolleyes: But this hits on a point I was trying to get at. Sometimes there just aren't songs that fit every text or every message. Sometimes God chooses to have songs dovetail with the message. Sometimes He doesn't. I've seen God honored and the saints encouraged when the music doesn't have an obvious relationship to the passage.


1) Has the song been used too recently or overused? C'mon, admit it. We all think such "mundane" thoughts when we plan. If I didn't think about this, we'd be doing Paul Baloche's "My Reward" every Sunday! I was really happy when we'd developed enough songs so that I didn't HAVE to repeat anything within 2 months. Now, if I CHOOSE to repeat a song more frequently, it's intentional.

In general, I agree with you. My only word of caution is that those of us on stage probably get bored with a song a lot sooner than those in the congregation. For example, if we're introducing a new song to the congregation, we probably listen to it on a CD or mp3 multiple times, then give it to our team to listen to, then you run through it multiple times with the team. When all is said and done, you've heard the song maybe fifty times before it even reaches the congregation. Then everytime you use the song for worship you have to practice it multiple times again. I find that I'm getting bored with a songs before the church has even learned them. I make it a point to put my preferences on hold for the sake of the body. It sounds like your heart is in the same place.




2) I personally steer away from lyrics that are too esoteric. There are lots of good songs out there that would just leave my congregation behind. "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?" is one such song. Not knocking the song, but singing a lyric like, "Did you feel the oceans roar? Did you hear the singers roar?" is more likely to elicit a thought of, "Nope!" than stir any great expressions of worship in my congregation.

Amen, brother....amen. If I read through a song like five times, and I still don't get it. I'm pretty sure someone singing it in the congregation once won't either. My concern is that people have be come more concerned with their own existential experience, rather than objective Biblical truth. Not that experience is a bad thing, rather experience is should be informed by objection truth. Maybe that's a topic for another thread.


3) I try to pick songs that are accessible enough that people will walk out the door singing them to themselves...singing them in the car during the week...singing them at home while they vacuum the carpet. And, if the song is further supported by radio airplay, even better! I like songs that I call "ear candy" musically...lots of hooks, very melodic, very singable.

4) One thing I don't do a lot of is look at the music keys of the songs, so as to sing every song in the same key or in progressive keys. We tend to do each song with a start and a finish, so to to be honest, I'm not uncomfortable with a song ending and then me starting the next song after a slight break. To keep transitions smooth, I may talk over the seque while moving the key with my guitar. Sometimes churches spend too much effort making sure that once they start the set, they don't stop or leave any space until its done. In a setting like that, there are moments when I just want to breathe (figuratively speaking).

Well, a lot of that is just preference. Can't really argue with preference. :)


5) I have learned over the years that with a good knowledge of the Bible, I can thematically tie songs together that may not at first look like they belong together. Of course, it can be forced and come off as unauthentic. But it can be effectively be accomplished with most of the songs in our repetoire.

Amen!!!!!!


Anyway, those are some of my thoughts. Hopefully no one thinks me too irreverent. But if I'm irreverent, it's not toward God; it's toward this thing we call "The Praise and Worship Ministry of the Church."

I didn't take anything as being irreverent. We need people asking the tough questions. We need to challenge one another. This is a God ordained means of growth in our lives. Look forward to the discussion.