Those Challenging Sundays

[drummerboy]

Dear all

Our recent sunday service was one of those where it seemed like there was a greater portion of the congregation that didn't want to enter in to praise and worship than those that did.

For the worship leader (my good friend Tim), it felt 'hard'. My challenge, and the question, is what can you do as a worship leader, to get the attention of the congregation and help them (we can't force them!), lead them to take their mental and emotional focus off the difficulties and challenges of life, and put them onto Jesus, and lead them to a higher place.

I want to be able to inspire faith and enthusiasm for worship in the people.

What do you think?

David Sampson
worship leader
Sydney, Australia.

[NLoomis]

We often take it way down. Turn out the lights. Real soft background music. Encourage people to breathe deep and focus. To be still and quiet. Sit and pray. Maybe even sing a little It Is Well or something else they know well. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus comes to mind.

Many times people need a transition from their lives to worship. Its hard to throw off whatever you've got going on.

Maybe just stop. Play a couple of up songs and then quit. Consider more reflective worship later as a response to the message.

Nathan

[LoriBiddle]

I do find when we have those kinds of services, where you're not sure the audience ever totally engaged, it is usually because we didn't help them detach from their everyday life first. We moved to fast.

We have invested tons of prep, discussion and prayer - they have just walked in cold. It's tough, takes a lot of thought and a good read from the worship leader to sense what needs to happen to connect them to the Lord/worship
Don't be discouraged, you're not alone!!

[centerpointeworshipper]

I have learned that the Holy Spirit moves in many ways in a service.

#1 He's always there. We never have to "call him down" to join us.
#2 Even if people aren't jumping and freaking out doesnt mean they aren't worshiping.
#3 The Holy Spirit moves on people through conviction and healing that we may not see manifest on the outside.

I have learned to depend on the Holy Spirit to move in whatever way He wants, and how ever that looks is fine with me, as long as i have spent time in prep and prayer and provide the oppurtunity, there is nothing more that "I" can do, only the Holy Spirit.
One thing that I have recently added is using more scripture during worship. The word of the Lord never returns void and is sharper than a double edged sword and its working, verses, using "my" words to pump people up. Hope this helps

[fmckinnon]

worshipthruitall - great response to this question. At the same time, I think as leaders, God can give us (by his Holy Spirit) discernment to know when maybe we're missing something ... and of course, sometimes "we" miss it.

In these cases - It's sometimes helpful to just put on the brakes. Say something personal. If you can do this in a way that doesn't cast guilt or judgment, you can even ACKNOWLEDGE what you are feeling or sensing, and shine the light on it ... something like "you know, as I'm up here leading worship, I'm just feeling like there are many of you who are struggling this morning. Maybe you had a week none of us can imagine. Maybe you just feel guilty, condemned, or maybe you're just really fatigued from a long, rough week at work and in life. The good news is, God knows right where you are - just how you feel, and He knows if you are excited about Him, or if you're feeling a bit apathetic this morning ... and He's reaching out. He promised if you'd submit to Him and draw near to Him, that He'd respond by drawing near to you ... so as we continue, let's just lay down our restraints, and anything that could hold us back, let's lift our heads high, and determine together that we will magnify the Lord" ..... amen?" ...

Well, that may be a monologue, but if it's sincere, and led by the Spirit, I believe it would help.

At that point, you've done all you can do - you lead, simplify, and be VERY SENSITIVE to what the Holy Spirit is showing you.

Hope that helps.

[worshiptheKing]

I have actually been working on this a lot lately. There is somewhat of an age/culture gap in our church right now. The older, more traditional crowd is slowly comin along into the more expressive side of worship, but sometimes it take thema while to realize where they are and that its okay to open up. Someone said previously we tend to rush into worship. That is so true. We have ahd time to practice and have our prayer time to get us focused. I have begun doing that with the congregation, not quite as slowly as we do, but slower than normal. They are responding. I'm also looking for more variety in what we do, aren't we all? To get their attention and get them focused.

[Smitty]

Fred has it SO right on this topic. Every time this phenomenon occurs, and I am able to personalize it and identify with it...whether it is in rehearsal or during the service...worship occurs. We all believe in the promises, but still we all want to KNOW that we are not alone.

There were several other good points in this thread as well. Slowing it down is a good way to get people involved. Singing a simple song that is known and loved is another.

Keep after it...the reward is worth the sacrifice.

Smitty