RE: [Worship] Always start with fast song?

[David Stone <dstone@chem.utoronto.ca>]

I think the important thing is not so much the tempo as the lyrics.
Songs which work well as the opening song for me invoke a sense of
the presence of God in our midst.  Therefore I don't always pick a
fast song, but I do try and choose one with "big" lyrics.

Alan wrote:
>One of the most profound worship sets I remember was with Don Moen leading.
>He walked onto stage without any fanfare, picked up the mike and sang "I
>want to be where you are" - we were caught up in worship immediately!

I can see this working, especially if the congregation came with the
anticipation and expectation of encountering God in worship. Actually,
I think that's another key right there.  If the congregation comes with
the mindset "I've had a lousy week. I DARE you to make me feel good and
worship", the leader is going to have their hands full no matter what
song is picked!  So before picking a quieter song as the opener, I'd
probably want to sit back and decide what the mindset of the congregation
is likely to be when they arrive.

When I'm leading, my team does a sung preservice "prelude", and I usually
start this off with quieter songs to try and draw those folks who arrive
early in. Then, as the rest arrive, they enter in to a worshipping body.
This also seems to be an important part of the worship dynamic.

Dave Stone



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