Archive for Selection Help

More on Choosing Music

March 20, 2009 at 11:59 am · Filed under Choosing Songs, Music, Selection Help

If you are a fan of American Idol, then you know that “song selection” is critical.  It is for us Pastors and Worship Leaders as well.

 

The Contemporary Christian Music EXCEL database file that has been available for download in my “FILE DOWNLOAD AREA” (located in the lower right hand column) has been updated (filename: ccm songs 2.xls).  Many of you have downloaded the original version of this file.  It contains a listing of hundreds of contemporary songs that John Kehl’s band has either used at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Appleton, WI or has evaluated for use in worship.  In addition to song titles, the database includes other useful information such as lyrics, song categorical information and other helpful resources.

 

One of the things mentioned in the database are some of the criteria that John uses to evaluate contemporary songs for worship.  I have excerpted his comments here:

 

1.      Look for lyrics that are scripturally sound with a Christ centered, gospel centered, and grace centered message.

2.      Look for music that focuses on God and Christ and what God did and does for us.

3.      Lyrics should be clear, not vague or shallow and should have substance.

4.      The music should emphasize the message, not the music, or the musician, or the beat.

5.      Look for music and style that is worshipful and reverent that fit the lyrics.

6.      Look for music that is singable for the congregation.

 

Here are some other helpful comments:

 

  1. Look for biblical language in song lyrics.  Words, phrases, and attributes that identify God as the God of the bible and not some generic God.
  2. Watch out for “decision theology”.  These are lyrics that imply that we have “chosen” to accept Jesus as Savior.  We are a chosen people.  It’s the other way around – God has chosen us!
  3. Watch out for legalism.   These are lyrics that imply that we have to do certain things, above and beyond what the bible says to be saved.
  4. Look for songs, that when you read through the lyrics, you can immediately point to a section of scripture that it is based upon.

 

Here is a list of songs that have done just that for me:

 

Chris Tomlin – “Forever” is based on Ps 136

Chris Tomlin – “Holy is the Lord” uses Neh 8:10

Chris Falson – “I See the Lord” is based on Isaiah 6

Matt Redman – “Better is One Day” is based on Psalm 84

Matt Redman – “Lord Let Your Glory Fall” is based on 2 Chro 5-7

Matt Redman – “You Never Let Go” is based on Ps 23

Amy Grant – “Thy Word” uses a verse from Ps 119 as it’s opening line

Brenton Brown – “Everlasting God” is Isaiah 40:28-31

Paul Baloche – “Open the Eyes of My Heart” is based on Eph 1:18-19

Charlie Hall – “Give Us Clean Hands” is based on Psalm 24:3-6

Matt Maher – “For Your Glory” is from Ecc 3:1-8

Matt Maher – “As It is in Heaven” is from Luke 11:2-4

Matt Maher – “Unwavering” is from Mt 5:3-11

Michael Schroeder (WELS) – “the Greatest Gift” is also from Mt 5:3-11

Telecast – “Psalm 27” is based on Psalm 27

Vicky Beeching – “Yesterday, Today and Forever” is based on Heb 13:8 and Ps 102:26-27

Bob Fitts – “Victory Chant” is based on Rev 5:5

Gary Sadler – “Ancient of Days” is based on Dan 7

Robin Mark – “Days of Elijah” contains Isa 40:3

The Desperation Band – “I Am Free” is based on John 8:36

Big Daddy Weave – “Let it Rise” is based on Isa 60:1

Lincoln Brewster – “Majestic” is based on Ps 8:9

Jennie Riddle – “Revelation Song” is based on Rev 4:8

Delirious? – “Miracle Maker” is based on John 5

“On Eagle’s Wings” is Ps 91

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How to Choose Music Wisely

October 26, 2008 at 6:11 pm · Filed under BLENDED WORSHIP, Choosing Songs, How To, Selection Help, Worship Tools ·Tagged ,

  How to Choose Music Wisely

 

These are the things that I think about when choosing contemporary music for use in worship.

Very Important Steps:

1.  The first step is to pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.  You will be surprised how many ideas pop into your head if you do this rigorously.

2.  Seek your Pastor’s input.  At the very least, you need to review song lyrics for theological and doctrinal accuracy with him.  Over time, he may trust your judgment but unlike God’s forgiveness, this has to be earned.  Being in worship every Sunday as well as Bible class is a must.

3.  Our worship follows a theme each week.  We also follow a Lectionary series and each service includes four scripture readings (Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle & New Testament).  I choose our music to match some combination of the theme, readings, or the church season that we happen to be in.  If you do this for a while, you will even get the knack of finding a common thread to pursue through all the readings.

a.   We do not group our songs together as is a common practice in many contemporary services.  If this is your practice, then other guidelines might influence your song choices such as keys and tempos.  We are not hindered by such things.  We choose our songs based solely on God’s word being considered for that day.

4.  I usually start with both the scriptural index and the thematic indices in our songbooks.  This is the easiest way to select music that matches the worship theme.

5.  Another favorite trick of mine is to use my computer to quickly search through song lyrics.  I have one file, a WORD document, where I paste all my lyrics into.  Oftentimes I will search through this file for key words that match the worship theme.

6.  Just because it’s in your songbooks, or your personal library, does not mean that it’s sound doctrine.  All lyrics need to be reviewed.  Here’s what I look for:

a.   Look for agreement with scriptural principles.  Look for biblical language and words.

b.  Look for unique characteristics, attributes and deeds of God, and avoid generic songs.  For example, look for specific mentioning of Jesus by name, the Trinity, things that God has done, etc.  Avoid generic wishy-washy lyrics.

c.   Avoid “man-centered” songs.  Concentrate on Christ-centered songs but remember that we worship a Triune God as well.

d.  Look for a mix of song types:

i.  Songs that we sing to each other (Horizontal, edifying)

ii.  Songs that we sing to God (Vertical, upward, prayer)

iii.  Some songs are even God speaking to us (Vertical, downward)

iv.  Songs about God’s transcendent nature (God our friend)

v.  Songs about God’s imminence (Holy God)

vi.  Songs in the first person (I and me)

vii.  Corporate songs (we and us)

viii.  “Head Worship” (doctrine) vs “Heart Worship” (devotion, love, thankfulness)

ix.  “Prostration” (awe) vs “Celebration” (joy)

1.  All of these song types are acceptable, but you might not want to have all of your music on one Sunday from one category.  My advice is to read through your lyrics and know what song types you have chosen.

1.    Here’s some other things to look for:

a.   Look for lyrics that are edifying and instructive.

b.  Look for lyrics that are profound and substantial.

c.   Look for lyrics that are clear and understandable.

d.  Look for lyrics that enhance your understanding of God.

2.  Once I’ve selected the song choices, the next step is to arrange them in the service.

a.   I typically place the songs as close to the reading that they are derived from as possible.

b.  I usually try to use the simplest song first.  Oftentimes its theme will be more of a “Call to Worship” than to specifically match the theme.

c.   Sometimes, before the Pastor’s sermon, I will use an upbeat song and then after his sermon I will use a more reflective song to enhance his message.

More Subjective Steps:

1.  Repetition in your music is OK.  Read Psalm 136 or Rev 4:8 for biblical examples.

2.  I usually also look for a mix of tempos (fast, slow, and medium).  This is just for variety and isn’t necessary.  Ditto for ¾, 4/4 and 6/8 timings.

3.  Look for songs to set the mood that you are shooting for.  Upbeat songs are energetic while songs in a minor key are oftentimes more mournful or introspective.  Are you after joy, praise, thanksgiving, reflective, solemn, heart pounding, majestic, responsive, contrition, etc.?  All of these have a place in worship but they need to match the theme of the day.

4.  Look for songs that your congregation can handle.

a.   Almost everyone can sing notes in the range of low C to high C (We call this “Sea to Shining Sea”)!  You can hit high D’s and E’s on occasion but don’t overdue it.  Especially for an opening song.

b.  Avoid syncopated rhythms.

c.   Avoid songs with large interval jumps (in pitch) on adjacent notes.

d.  Look for memorable melodies.

i.  Remember that good music that is difficult to sing can be left to your soloists.

 

 A few of the above items were taken from : “How to Evaluate Songs for Congregational Worship” by Scott Christensen

 

 

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