I was told not to put an unfamiliar song as the starting song for the song set. The simple reason being, if the congregation (those at the back of the sanctuary), do not know the first song well enough to sing it, they will switch off for the rest of the songs that would follow. Until now, I still quite disagree with it. My simple and plain observation is this, the people at the back do not usually sing, whether familiar or unfamiliar. I have tried putting two hymns back to back on my song set but sometimes they simply do not sing and/or worship. Yes, we as worship leaders should serve the congregation. I fully agree but I wavered.
I wavered at whether I should serve people's lousy attitude (not wanting to learn the song and switching off simply because they are unfamiliar with the first song i.e. wanting to be served instead) or simply making worship accessible. At last, I decided to change the order on my song set. I began by singing a familar song (although I still did not quite agree with the observation) but because I felt that I should submit to the person who made the suggestion since he is the leader. No harm will be done to my salvation or to my obedience to God anyway.
Well, the worship I felt personally turned out to be quite a surprised not because I did a switch in my song order but I sensed that God was moving in our midst and the team shared the same sentiments. I had a simple song set with exception to "Hosanna" by Paul Baloche which is the 'unfamiliar' song to many eventhough it was already sung once in the service. Well, yeah, it's true is still considered new and that was probably the reason why I followed up on it so that it doesn't become an UNFAMILIAR song the next time.
The song that really hit with the people was "My Saviour's Love". Everyone (90%) in the 'house' - (pardon the expression) were lifting up their hands in worship and even the most unlikely of people. I didn't think it was how I arranged the song either, it was really God's presence moving in our midst and drawing hearts to Himself. I really enjoyed playing the "vessel role" because I know that it wasn't me who was "generating the worship". It just happened. When we went into the free worship, we switched the progression and just sang to the Lord 'songs from our heart'. I felt that we could always continue in free worship but time is the restraining factor.
C interceded and it was really a time where I felt the prayers were "hitting the heavenlies". JS the speaker for the day had a word. I paraphrased, "I saw a vision of a bowl filled with incense, as the prayers were prayed, the bowl got bigger and bigger, the spirit of worship is present and we need to worship Him". So after the time of intercession, we continued with Free Worship and the presence of God was soooo very strong that I felt my whole face burning red hot. It lasted as long as the free worship continued.
Each time I go through this experience I know that it is God and not me. I remembered when I started to lead worship, I ask God to show me a sign that it is His presence whenever I lead in worship so that I know that it His and not me and I have never failed to experience this all the time.
I want to thank God for allowing me to experience Him while serving and to be simply a vessel...
I wavered at whether I should serve people's lousy attitude (not wanting to learn the song and switching off simply because they are unfamiliar with the first song i.e. wanting to be served instead) or simply making worship accessible. At last, I decided to change the order on my song set. I began by singing a familar song (although I still did not quite agree with the observation) but because I felt that I should submit to the person who made the suggestion since he is the leader. No harm will be done to my salvation or to my obedience to God anyway.
Well, the worship I felt personally turned out to be quite a surprised not because I did a switch in my song order but I sensed that God was moving in our midst and the team shared the same sentiments. I had a simple song set with exception to "Hosanna" by Paul Baloche which is the 'unfamiliar' song to many eventhough it was already sung once in the service. Well, yeah, it's true is still considered new and that was probably the reason why I followed up on it so that it doesn't become an UNFAMILIAR song the next time.
The song that really hit with the people was "My Saviour's Love". Everyone (90%) in the 'house' - (pardon the expression) were lifting up their hands in worship and even the most unlikely of people. I didn't think it was how I arranged the song either, it was really God's presence moving in our midst and drawing hearts to Himself. I really enjoyed playing the "vessel role" because I know that it wasn't me who was "generating the worship". It just happened. When we went into the free worship, we switched the progression and just sang to the Lord 'songs from our heart'. I felt that we could always continue in free worship but time is the restraining factor.
C interceded and it was really a time where I felt the prayers were "hitting the heavenlies". JS the speaker for the day had a word. I paraphrased, "I saw a vision of a bowl filled with incense, as the prayers were prayed, the bowl got bigger and bigger, the spirit of worship is present and we need to worship Him". So after the time of intercession, we continued with Free Worship and the presence of God was soooo very strong that I felt my whole face burning red hot. It lasted as long as the free worship continued.
Each time I go through this experience I know that it is God and not me. I remembered when I started to lead worship, I ask God to show me a sign that it is His presence whenever I lead in worship so that I know that it His and not me and I have never failed to experience this all the time.
I want to thank God for allowing me to experience Him while serving and to be simply a vessel...
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