Sunday Rundown 4.19.09.
This morning I led worship at Sunset for both the 9am and 11am services. We had zero overlap of songs between the two services, which made for a lot of work for the band. Here are the sets:
9am:
- With All I Am (D)
- Fairest Lord Jesus (Passion arrangement, B to Db)
- You Are the One (E)
- Everlasting God (Bb, Tomlin)
- Joyful, Joyful (Charlie Hall arrangement, E)
- Holy is the Lord (G)
11am:
- Stronger (Bb)
- Reign in Us (A)
- Everlasting God (B, Brewster)
- The Same Power (B)
- Cannons (E)
Some somewhat unfiltered thoughts:
I doubt you would know it, but Thursday night was a rough practice for us. It was one of those practices where one thing led to the next, to the next, and we never got out of that rut until the end of practice. I have almost no clue how or why those nights happen, but I am happy to report that today was much better.
I’m my worst critic, so inevitably I thought everything went just ok. I hadn’t felt this anxious about leading in a long time (evidence of that), and I don’t think that ended up helping at all. After all my anxiety about leading the 9am, I actually thought it went better than the 11am. My prayer in the 11am was confusing to me, so I imagine it didn’t make sense to anyone else either. I actually completely forgot that I needed to pray there. We tried to do announcements at the top of the service to create a larger block of time for music, but the jury is still out on whether that is effective.
I’m sure the morning came off better than it felt to me. I felt lost, a maze of a million thoughts. I get used to leading the band only, so when I lead the morning of worship my amount of responsibility goes up ten fold. What is weird is that I put more time and thought into this weekend than I ever have, and in the end I walked away feeling like we didn’t hit a home run (that is always my goal, though likely unrealistic).
I don’t want to judge “how it went” by the outward worship of people, but I do think it can play a role. During the biggest song in the 11am I didn’t ask people to sit or stand, and 90% sat. I don’t like to ask people to sit and stand, because to me it would make the most sense for people to do so when feeling led. But, seeing everyone sit and stare at us when we’re pouring our hearts into the song is tough.
A humbling morning. I say humbling because I think I’ve expected myself to be able to hit “home runs” on Sunday mornings. And today, for me, it didn’t happen.
After posting thought: Hmm…this sounds overly negative. I guess that is what you get from unfiltered thoughts sometimes.
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Tyler Braun.
You probably are being too hard on yourself! hey lives were touched. God was exalted- you did your job!but I know how that is…we can be our own work critics- I know I am that way to myself all the time!
No overlapping songs- wow! I applaud you for that one right there! That’s alot of vocal cues, music, etc- to remember- I’d be a basket case! Your “confusing prayer” comment made me laugh- not at you- but at the fact that I’ve been there too- you get done praying and you think to yourself…”WHAT DID I JUST SAY?!?!?”
Thanks for leading today- somebody needed you today.
Sort of curious about reasoning behind 11 different songs? We barely can manage 5 songs. We just run out of time at practice and on Sunday morning! I’ve had so many days like you’ve described – Like you, I get busy with directing the band so when I actually am the out front worship leader, I find it’s hard to focus and I’m so distracted by details that I struggle to stay engaged, let along be engaging! I’m sure that God was glorified in your weakness today. Thanks for the unfiltered thoughts. I needed to hear them.
Good to read the closing addendum. We’re all our own worst critics most of the time.
Just a thought on the not asking people to stand/sit/whatever. Remember as worship leaders we’re there to lead, not just sing (or worship personally), but to encourage others to try something that we might think is obvious to help them enter in – such as standing, raising arms, clapping, etc. A lot of people just would never get to that place without encouragement from the leader…and then, in time, it becomes natural. (“transformation of the mind”)
Wow…I agree with Marina – at my church, we do well with 5 or 6 tops between our two services. I like both your set lists…I would like to have been at both services!
I’ve learned the hard way about the optional sit/stand thing and now just guide or lead the congregation. That said, in the right format, it can be a truly freeing and worshipful experience for people. These times have not usually been on Sunday AM though.
Blessings!
Tyler – after I signed off last night, I thought about a line from Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love that really encourages me:
“I don’t have to worry about not meeting His [God’s] expectations. God will ensure my success in accordance with His plan, not mine.”
I still strive to give my best and provide the best environment for worship to folks at our church – but really, the Holy Spirit is the on in control. I’m still hard on myself though…PTL my wife keeps me sane!
Love Cannons! Great song. I’m usually to hard on myself too. I think this just comes from a desire to give God our very best. I’m so glad He doesn’t focus on our mistakes like we do
.
Wow, that is a great setlist! Both services sound like they would have been great to attend. I’m really wanting to add in Joyful, Joyful and Fairest Lord Jesus, but I just haven’t gotten to it yet.
I totally understand the “worst critic” but – I expect nothing less than perfection from myself (but not the rest of the band, thankfully!) and I often sit down after a set and shake my head in disappointment. It’s so hard to remember that it’s not about whether we did everything just so instead of creating an environment where others can worship.
Next weekend will be my big 2-service zero-overlap weekend. They add a bit more stress don’t they? I’m going to try to not make the band learn 3-4 new songs for it this time though (Yes, I have actually done that without realizing it! All were older songs, they just didn’t know them)
I’m sure that God used you through your weakness too. I’m sure that quite a few people were touched and blessed yesterday. That just seems to be how it works out.
Echoing everyone else- we are really our own worst critics. I like what you said about expecting to hit home-runs every time- I think that sometimes the non-great (basehit? strikeout? running with the baseball theme here
) circumstances can be the times where we really are stretched to learn and grow.
Also, love Reign in Us, it’s one of our favorites at Lifehouse.
I will need a capo for my piano next time we have a set like this!
Tyler, you are a pleasure to work with. Thanks for letting me “play” with you. I also loved the sweetness of you leading worship with your beautiful bride. What a cool thing to see you both worshiping together!!!
Love “The Same Power”. we’ve been doing it as a tag at the end of Healer – Planet Shakers version and Overcome – Desperation Band.
Powerful Declaration.
Tyler,
GREAT worship! Brought my non-believing son, Scott and he was really moved. He was amazed and blessed. I think, as a congregation we are blessed to have you and the entire worship team and most weeks we do not appreciate how gifted and talented you all are…Thank you for blessing us with your gifts! I believe because we are so fortunate to have such a talented worship team, we don’t appreciate how good we have it…
May God continue to bless you…
Tyler,
I have had those kind of days, even after having led worship for so many years. Sunday was like that for me a bit. We too changed our order a bit and it just felt – well – awkward – I just couldn’t feel the flow. I got anxious and it made it worse. I SO UNDERSTAND my friend.
Remember that God works through us and in spite of us. Our perfection does not ensure the movement of the Spirit, for which I am profoundly grateful………
Learn from it (I’m sure it wasn’t nearly as bad as it felt) and don’t be afraid to try again. And thanks for being honest. Sometimes I’ve wondered if I’m the only one who feels that way!
good worship man, just like it always is, I didnt notice a difference. I guess whats on stage doesnt really matter, just whats in my heart does, it was good stuff, thanks for playing the guitar!I think worship would be harder without instruments being played, but it would still happen
I have similar feelings regarding crowd manipulation. The rub is that if you ask them to stand, then 100% will, and that is inauthentic. At the same time, I agree with David that we do have a responsibility to teach worship.
My goal is to, as much as possible, lead by example more than by words. There are already plenty of words in the song lyrics that teach standing, raising hands, bowing down, etc. So I try to use those as opportunities to actually “do” what we are saying we are doing. It has always seemed odd to me that people can sing “I lift up my hands” or “We stand before You now” without actually doing it.
In human conversation, up to 93% of communication effectiveness is determined by body language. I think it is the same when we communicate with God in worship. Posture often speaks louder than words. But it is difficult as a leader to shoulder the responsibility of teaching people to worship without manipulating a crowd to create an experience or emotional response. But I wouldn’t give up on it. If you are feeling the tension, then trust that awareness to lead you in authentic teaching time, and you’ll most likely avoid the simple commands that coerce the crowd.
As a service director, my job is to pay painstaking attention to all details of the service so that nothing gets in the way of people worshipping God, while preventing the Tech Team from burning itself out fighting the fires that happen behind the scenes.
Sunday’s services were great. They get perfect marks: 11 (10 for God being there, and 1 for what all the rest of us did). You spoke from your heart, you led the band well, people from the congregation engaged with you when you were out in the aisles before, between and after service. I didn’t see anything that you did that interfered with, or distracted people from, worshipping.
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