Introducing Contemporary Music

Is your congregation ready for contemporary music in worship?

Not all are. Just look around and note the ages of the people seated in the pews. And let’s just get this out on the table – some church leaders are dead set against it. This is sad but it’s not your battle to fight.  Pray for your Pastor and your leaders.

A few more thoughts….

1. Have a plan before you start.  Answer these questions in your own mind first:

• Why is this newer music needed?

For more information:

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/contemporary-christian-music-as-outreach-2/

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/styles/

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/i-do-not-like-this-newer-music/

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/new-to-contemporary-music/

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/what-god-likes-to-hear-in-our-music/

• How will the congregation benefit?

For more information:

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/sing-a-new-song-this-sunday/

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2011/10/04/try-a-little-variety/

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2010/02/02/musical-style-should-not-split-a-church/

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/worship-styles/

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2012/01/17/wels-worship-poll-results/

• How will the worship life of the church be affected?

For more information:

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/fellowship-with-musical-diversity/

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/the-practical-implications-of-differing-musical-styles/

2. Pray for help, blessings and guidance.

3. Share the vision for the new music with the congregation as well as its biblical basis.

For more information:

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/responding-with-scripture/

4. Focus on an ADDITION to the current worship versus elimination.

5. Train members how to sing contemporary music. Consider involving the teen and youth groups if possible. Start off with simple tunes.  Start by having the band offer the songs as pre-service selections and during the offering for several months before asking the congregation to sing.

For more information:

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/a-scoring-system-to-determine-if-a-new-song-is-congregational-friendly/

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/thinking-about-either-starting-or-joining-a-contemporary-praise-band/

6. Ease into the change slowly; perhaps with one service per month, or even one song per month.

For more information:

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/blended-worship-planning-101/

https://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2009/02/21/how-to-start-a-blended-worship-service-program-at-your-church/

7. Learn from the introduction. Ask your worship team these questions:

What worked well?

What could have been done better?

Where there any issues?

8. Ask for congregational feedback.

Related articles

• Sing to The Lord a New Song in 2014 (sjbrown58.wordpress.com)