Chatter Box

2009 January 22

by Tyler

Every time I lead worship I usually play through the set while thinking about the theme and I see if there is any natural spot where I might want to share something.

There is so much to balance when trying to figure this out and it is definitely not near as easy as some worship leaders make it look. It takes balancing the theme of the day, words of the various songs, and flow of the songs together.

Sometimes I have something on my heart that I feel is poignant enough to share, other times I just like to read Scripture, and sometimes I prefer to pray.

My personal style prefers less talking. Sometimes this is me reverting to my more introverted personality and can be a negative thing, but sometimes I don’t want to get in the way of the music which is often far more powerful than anything I could add through sharing, praying, or reading a Bible verse.

One thing I don’t like is hearing the opinions of many who just say that a worship leader shouldn’t talk at all. I totally disagree with that mindset. That person is put there by God to lead the congregation and so much of the flow of a musical set is what happens between the songs.

So what do you prefer? Some talking? No talking? Just prayer and Scripture?

Filed under: the rest...

http://janetfraser.blogspot.com/ Janet Fraser

i do believe in talking if you have something to say.

When it is done within the context of taking us by the hand and moving us closer to Jesus it works because it doesn’t have to be long and it doesn’t feel like it’s really about you.

I told you that Sunday your open regarding things you’d learned about 2008 and how casually we go to church was one of my favorites… because you reminded me, all of us, why we were there together, it kept the routine from being so.

When you are you, introverted, interested, thoughtful Tyler it works.
When Jill is herself, warm, charming, welcoming worshipper it works.
When Jay is authentic, noticing God in his daily life and sharing it with us it works.

At least for me, because it’s not about you so much, but about pointing me to God.
Yonas

I agree with Janet….feel free to pray, briefly share anything that’s relevant, scripture….just don’t ask us to stand up and shake hands with our neighbors LOL.

OK was that bad?
http://godsidekurt.com Kurt

This is a GREAT question.

I prefer less talking. It goes to my mantra about how each element in a service can be thought of as a color…and goal in programming a service is to make each element “shades” of the same color. Services dont work when they have many different colors, or elements that dont fit into some connected whole. The music portion of the service can be the biggest violator of this…having their own agenda that often takes people away from not towards the theme of the day. If we all know our roles and play them will then the church service goes better. In a perfect world the main speaker is working closely with the worship and programming teams to ensure that every color is the same that morning.
http://gr8-g8.blogspot.com eric lopez

when a leader talks about their personal experience, I get very encouraged. and prayer …….there is more to prayer than I thought, its a good thing. I often forget that its not about me and need to be reminded of that
http://gr8-g8.blogspot.com eric lopez

I grew up in church, and became pretty desensitized to God and worship songs. The talking before a song has always reeled me back in and been a good reminder, as long as it is authentic.
http://ryanguard.net ryanguard

the best “chatter” I know is my buddy Brian Wurzell. He’s had things to say in-between songs that stuck with me way more than the sermon.

it’s always so awkward when the worship pastor is too insecure to lead the crowd into the songs.

what i don’t like is being told HOW to worship: “lets all stand up”, or “maybe you need to kneel during this song”, especially if I don’t know the guy.

it’s a fine line… i’m pretty forgiving though. he’s not a performer after all.
http://ronpai2.wordpress.com ronpai

less talk more rock.

I usually use the “lets stand up” on a last chorus of the last song, but usually I don’t go beyond that. If I do talk, I use scripture that the song is derived from, or is being used with the sermon that day.