Song Flow

[Brooke Pfeifer]

Hey fellow worshipers! This is my first thread so here it goes.

I have read and heard from different worship leaders about there set choices. I'm getting so tired of
Set List:
1) Fast Song
2) Med Tempo
3) Slow
4 Slow

So I'm trying to change things up, but what are some ways you have found that make the worship set have a nice flow if you go from a slow song to a fast song without hindering the spirit?

Maybe post some set list tht worked for you that were a little different.

Thank You!

[chrisburke]

We do 7 or 8 songs a service.. But we use the fast to slow scale, as it puts the ppl in the right frame of mind before the sermon.. Can't say I know of many ppl who do it much differently.. Sometimes we finish the service with an up tempo, but sometimes it's medium.. Depends on the tone of the sermon


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[NickAlexander]

If the first song is penitential, it can be slow and in a minor key. Then it can be followed up w a joyous (med-to-fast) follow up.

Or, if you sing a slow song that implores one to do something (ie Give Thanks--a song w no actual Thanking God therein), follow it up w a song that does that thing you previously implored.

This type of flow is thematic, not necessarily based on tempo. If the themes designate a progression (darkness to light, repentance to forgiveness, Cross to Resurrection), then the flow will be natural, irregardless of orig tempos.

[Mike on Bass]

I agree that you can use themes or even 'mood'- tempo isn't everything.

The only thing I wold avoid is a fast-slow-fast-slow kind of arrangement that would feel more like a roller coaster.

It's also a good thing that you want to change it up a bit. It's easy for leaders to settle into a 'safe' zone or almost auto-pilot that works good for expediency but gets stale. So trying to keep it fresh and dynamic is a good thing. Just don't overdo it... act out of a sense of vision and Holy Spirit, not frustration.

Hope it works out for you.

[cgambill]

I've found that flow of songs comes out of the overall theme of the service. What is the message being communicated, and what will best help people hear from and respond to God? Sometimes it is the simple upbeat praise to slower worship flow prior to the message. Sometimes it is better to put the bulk of the worship music following the message as a response. In those cases you can flip and start slower and build up. You can also use other types of elements (time of prayer, video, reading, etc) to facilitate moving to a song that is vastly tempo or stylistic different without it being a "worship whiplash".

I would also agree that flow has more to do with progression of thought than necessarily tempo and key, although that does factor in. Consider biblical flows like what we find in Isaiah 6, the Lord's Prayer, and Psalm 100. How could you use songs, prayer, scriptures, and other element to lead people in worship in your setting?

[fccworship]

Here is our opening set from Sunday
Call To Worship: He Is
Opening Worship1: Rise And Sing
Opening Worship2: Made To Worship
Opening Worship3: Our God
Rarely do we ever do any slow songs in the first set. It is for an outpouring of Worship to God. We use the first set as a THANK YOU to God.

Offering: Rescue
Our offering song is usually a little more low key, but not always. This is usually a song we want the church to learn. They will hear it, and sing it again soon.

Invitation Song: What Faith Can Do
Invitation
Closing Worship 1: Jesus Messiah
Closing Worship 2: Mighty To Save
Usually the invitation song is a more low key song in this set. The pastor has finished his message, and we go right into communion, then right into Invitation. After the invitation song we bring the tempo up again to head out on a upbeat note. Is this set in stone? No, but it works 80% of the time this way.
BTW. all of our songs for a particular Sunday go with the message for that day, and are ment to point towards the message. I never do a song just to fill a spot. if it does not go with the message it isn't played. God Bless.

[Mike on Bass]

I am glad to see people are still closing with music.

When I first got saved, the church I was in did that. It seems that churches aren't doing that as much anymore, at least around my area...

[RStrait]

Our first song is generally an upbeat song that is proclaims victory, rewards, peace, God's Sufficiency, etc.. Our next song is one that helps to direct our heart to God. The next is more personal that is selected to help us begin examining our inner being and where we are spiritually. If we do a fourth song then it is one that helps to set the tone of the sermon. This is at the pastor's request. After the sermon we do a closing song. The song can be an invitational style, one related to the sermon's theme, or one of encouragement. It is not necessarily a slow beat song either.

Faith in Christ
Rich

[reni7]

How much of the set do you think should be songs we've done before vs. introduction of new songs? How frequently do you introduce new songs?

[chrisburke]

How much of the set do you think should be songs we've done before vs. introduction of new songs? How frequently do you introduce new songs?

well that depends on the church.. we only introduce about 6 new songs a year.. our church has a hard time learning new songs.. of course, this doesn't include if we do a 'special' .. that may be a new song.. but when we are introducing songs that we are hoping to become a part of our regular repertoire, we only do about 5 or 6 a year.. yes, it does mean it takes a long time to get a new repertoire, but that all depends on your church.. when we introduce a new song.. we do it week 1, then week 2 give it a break on week 3 then do it again on week 4.. if it flies on week 4, it stays as a part of our regular repertoire, if its kinda blah, it gets the kick..