By Bob Burroughs
I prefer to call the “worship wars” by another name: “worship preferences.”
This, to me, better describes the situation in the vast majority of churches in our country today. We are really not at “war” over worship style. It is a matter of personal preference.
If I am used to and comfortable with traditional worship, for instance, no one can convince me that contemporary will meet my worship needs. If I am used to and comfortable with contemporary worship, there is no way under heaven to convince me that traditional services are for me.
Some churches have succeeded with a “blended” worship, but it has to be done very carefully, gently, over a period of time and, most importantly, with good leadership, planning and execution.
The typical “blended” mix is done by using the 3/4 – 1/4 model. In the “traditional” church 3/4 of the service is traditional and 1/4 is contemporary. This means singing the familiar hymns with perhaps rhythm and keyboard upping the tempo and perhaps changing meter. “Contemporary” churches reverse the formula.
The keys to success are knowing up front that a change of worship style will not bring packs of unchurched people or fringe members into the fold, and careful and involved planning to make sure the introduction of blended worship is met with a positive attitude.
This means the planning process must include church members who are involved from the beginning, and not just the ones who “go along” with the staff on all decisions. Include a wide variety of folks — teens, 20s, 30s, etc., and reach the gamut of your people.
The absolute key to success working into a blended service is the right leadership team. Not everyone can lead worship. One may play the guitar and sing well, but leading God’s people requires much more than that – including some experience.
Here is the order of selection for the blended worship leadership team.
1. Knowledgeable leader. This is obvious but often overlooked. It can, but need not, be the minister of music.
Find someone with good guitar or keyboard skills, or both, who is comfortable on the microphone without overpowering the congregation. Don’t just choose someone you think might be good. Audition people.
This person should have a concept of worship leadership — that he/she is not performing but leading God’s people and prepares a well-rounded service that is comfortable first to the committee and then to the people.
This person will cost some extra funding. Never expect people to give their talent free with this much responsibility.
2. Drummer/percussionist. A praise team will never function well without a knowledgeable drummer: one who knows how to play well, is sensitive to the singing, not always out in “front” and willing to be taught.
A drummer makes or breaks a service, especially if the congregation is not used to having drums in the church worship experience. Start gently and go from there.
3. Acoustic, electric guitars and bass. Always get the best available, and pay them well — especially if they are not members of your fellowship. They should know how to read charts, improvise and be sensitive, again, to the congregational singing — and not go off on obnoxious solos at any given time.
4. Singers. If desired, these can be as few as one or two and as many as eight, but no more. They’ll think they are a choir, and rehearsals will be difficult with too many people. The singers should be good musicians, have good facial expressions, dress properly and realize they are leading and not trying to out-sing the congregation.
Choose both men and women, evenly divided. Allow them to sing parts, not just the melody. This will encourage the congregation to also sing parts, since there is usually only a word sheet provided. Provide them choral scores if available.
5. Rehearsals are a must. The team cannot just walk in Sunday mornings, have a quick run through and expect their lack of preparation to pay dividends. Some teams meet 90 minutes before a service and have a thorough, disciplined rehearsal and a time of prayer. Other teams meet on another night and spend 90 minutes to two hours in preparation.
And, why not? They are charged with the sacred responsibility of leading God’s people to the Throne of Grace and Mercy, and this responsibility should never be taken lightly! Without a good rehearsal, there will be little professionalism in the presentation, and God’s people deserve the best.
6. Visits. The committee should visit surrounding churches that have both successful and unsuccessful blended worship services. This way, they can get a good feel for what will work and not work in your situation, and then evaluate each experience to come to a decision about what to expect and plan to work from there.
7. Plan the first “blended experience” when everything is in place. The worship team is ready, the people have been told, primed and are prepared for a new experience. This may take weeks or even months, but it is necessary.
Study your situation and consider if the congregation is really ready for a change in the worship experience and if their worship preferences will match what the church leadership is planning.