How to Choose Songs for Worship

As a worship leader, you often are responsible for choosing worship songs that appeal to your fellow celebrants and turn their focus toward God. Here are some suggestions for picking music that will fulfill those goals.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Pick music that fits the style of worship your church practices, whether it be contemporary, traditional or blended.
2. Study the minister's sermon outlines 6 months in advance and plan worship songs that complement the text and topic for the day.
3. Work toward a combination of music that appeals to a wider variety of tastes even within certain types of services.
4. Research online sources for worship programs that fit the sermon topic for the service.
5. Give the sermon schedule to musicians, soloists and small groups who are responsible for offertories. The offertory is an important part of the worship service.
6. Plan opening worship songs that are lively and call people to worship. Opening songs should turn worshippers focus immediately toward God.
7. Consider slower more contemplative songs just before the sermon and reflective songs for the benediction. Each part of a worship service should have a distinct flavor, and the songs chosen should reflect that.

Tips & Warnings

• Worship leaders should listen carefully to comments from the congregation. If they are consistently asking for something different, new songs or new styles, consider adding some these fresh elements to your repertoire.
• Pay close attention to volume during worship services. Louder doesn't always mean better.