Category: Song selection

Say No to Woah

Imagine with me that King David had decided to write Psalm 103 this way:

Verse 1:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love
and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Pre-chorus:
Woah, oh oh. Woah woah woah oh oh.
Woah oh woah. Woah oh oh woah, yeah.

Chorus:
The Lord works righteousness
 and justice
for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Bridge:
Woah, oh oh. Woah woah woah oh oh.
Woah oh woah. Woah oh oh woah, yeah.

Thankfully, and Holy Spirit inspired-ly, David left out the woahs.

What am I supposed to be thinking when I’m singing “woah”? To whom am I singing? Is this like a high school cheer or something? Am I telling a horse to slow down? I’m confused.

And my guess is that most (all?) of the people in the congregation are confused when a worship song breaks into a section of repeated woahs. For this reason, I tend to say no to woah.

In other words, woe be to woah. Or, woahs are a no-go.

In 1 Corinthians 14:15 Paul says,

What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

It’s for this reason that as worship leaders, we should be leery of asking people to stop using their minds for a little while and just sing words that have no meaning. The melody might be creative and the recording might sound cool, but very little is being sung in those moments that will feed anyone or help anyone exalt God’s greatness.

Psalm 103 doesn’t need a section of “woahs” to give it a “lift” or a “hook”. It stands on its own. While worship songs are certainly not holy and inspired Scripture, I don’t think it’s unrealistic to have an expectation that they’ll be able to stand on their own as well, without the woahs.

Gospel-Centered Songs for Funerals

Last week, Catherine and I had the privilege of leading a few songs at the funeral of a wonderful lady we both knew at the church where we met and married. Joan Gepford knew and loved Jesus, so while we mourned her death, we rejoiced in her life and the hope of heaven.

Choosing songs for a funeral is a difficult task. Some funerals are harder than others, particularly when the death is unexpected or the person did not appear to know Jesus. But every funeral is hard, and every person attending is experiencing some level of pain and sadness. Many do not feel like singing at all, some are not Christians, some are seriously questioning God’s goodness and/or existence, and people from a variety of churches (with a variety of repertoires) are in one room.

I don’t know why God didn’t heal Joan Gepford of cancer and allow her to hold her newborn Granddaughter. But I do know God is good, God is faithful, and that Jesus is  “the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in (him), though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25).

That’s the good news of the Gospel – and that’s what the songs we sing at funerals should declare. Here are some suggestions for congregational songs and solo songs:

Congregational
Beautiful Savior (All My Days) by Stuart Townend

  • “I will trust in the cross of my Redeemer. I will sing of the blood that never fails, of sins forgiven, of conscience cleansed, of death defeated and life without end…”
  • “I long to be where the praise is never-ending, yearn to dwell where the glory never fades: where countless worshippers will share one song and cries of ‘worthy’ will honor the Lamb”

In Christ Alone by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty

  • “No guilt in life, no fear in death, this the power of Christ in me. From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny…”

The Power of the Cross by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty

  • “Oh to see my name written in the wounds, for through Your suffering I am free. Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live, won through your selfless love…”

There is a Higher Throne by Keith and Kristyn Getty

  • “Before the Son we’ll stand, made faultless through the Lamb. Believing hearts find promised grace, salvation comes…”

Before the Throne of God Above by Charitie Lees Bancroft, Vikki Cook

  • “One with himself I cannot die. My soul is purchased with his blood. My life is hid with Christ on high, with Christ my Savior and my God.”

It is Well with My Soul by Horatio Spafford

  • “When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me so say ‘it is well, it is well with my soul…” “…Christ has regarded my helpless estate and has shed his own blood for my soul…” “…my sin not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more…”

Amazing Love (My Lord What Love is This) by Graham Kendrick

  • “Amazing love, oh what sacrifice, the Son of God given for me. My debt he pays and my death he dies that I might live…”

Rock of Ages Cleft for Me

  • “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling; naked, come to Thee for dress, helpless, look to Thee for grace; to Thy fountain, Lord, I fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.”

Jesus Paid it All

  • “And when before the throne, I stand in Him complete, ‘Jesus died my soul to save’ my lips shall still repeat…”
  • The new bridge by Kristian Stanfill says: “oh praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead”.

I Will Glory in My Redeemer by Steve and Vikki Cook

  • “I will glory in my Redeemer whose priceless blood has ransomed me… who crushed the power of sin and death, my only Savior before the Holy Judge, the Lamb who is my righteousness…”
  • “I will glory in my Redeemer who waits for me at gates of gold. And when He calls me, it will be paradise, His face forever to behold…”

Crown Him with Many Crowns

  • “Crown Him the Lord of life who triumphed o’er the grave, who rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save. His glories now we sing, who died and rose on high, who died eternal life to bring and lives that death may die.”

Solo
It is Not Death to Die by Henri Malan, George Bethune, and Bob Kauflin

  • “Jesus, conquering the grave, Your precious blood has power to save. Those who trust in You will in Your mercy find that it is not death to die.”

Hide Away in the Love of Jesus by Steve and Vikki Cook

  • “Come hopeless hearts, do not despair, hide away in the love of Jesus, for ten thousand joys await you there, hide away in the love of Jesus. Hear Him calling your name, see the depths of His love in the wounds of His grace. Hide away.”

There is a Hope by Stuart Townend and Mark Edwards

  • “I stand in Christ with sins forgiven, and Christ in me, the hope of heaven…”
  • “Through present sufferings, future’s fear, He whispers ‘courage’ in my ear. For I am safe in everlasting arms, and they will lead me home.”
  • “There is a hope that stands the test of time, that lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave, to see the matchless beauty of a day divine when I behold His face! When sufferings cease and sorrows die, and every longing satisfied, then joy unspeakable will flood my soul for I am truly home.”

I’m sure I’m leaving out a number of other gospel-centered songs that work well at funerals, so please feel free to share any I’ve missed.

Don’t Teach Too Many New Songs During the Summer

It’s summertime. In Washington D.C. that means two things: First, it’s ridiculously hot. Secondly, everyone goes on vacation.

This is the time of year when people take advantage of the kids being out of school and the weather being warm to get away. Especially in the nation’s capital, when congress isn’t in session, people scatter. It’s amazing how much shorter my commute is to and from work!

During the first couple of summers at my church I made the mistake of introducing too many songs. I began to realize that, especially during July and August, a larger percentage of people are missing on Sundays than usual. So when I was introducing new songs, it took them longer to catch on since they were newer to more people for longer.

In the months of the year when most people are in town, it might take a song two or three Sundays to get familiar. In the summer months, it might take four or five. It depends on the song, of course.

It’s good to keep your repertoire from getting stale and to introduce new songs – but during the summer months you might want to slow the rate down. Introduce a new song and then wait three weeks to introduce another one. In the interim, if you’re desperate for something fresh, pull out an older song you haven’t done in a while and change up the arrangement. Or find a hymn your congregation doesn’t know very well and use it. A critical mass of people will have heard the hymn before and they’ll help you carry it.

You never know how many people are going to be away on a Sunday. Some Sundays are more full than usual, and then other Sundays you wonder where everyone went. You’re probably better off leaning towards more familiar songs in either case and introducing new songs more slowly. Make sure you get a vacation too!

What To Do With The Fourth of July

In case you haven’t noticed, the fourth of July falls on a Sunday this year. As a worship leader, what do you do? It can be an awkward Sunday to know what songs to pick, how much attention to pay to the fact that’s Independence Day, how much weight to give to people’s preferences, etc.

Here are some brief thoughts on what to do:

Submit to your pastor. Ask him what he has in mind. If you disagree, communicate that with him in a godly and humble way. But at the end of the day, you won’t be honoring God by dishonoring your pastor.

Choose songs wisely. I would strongly encourage you to stay away from most, if not all, patriotic songs in church. I think these songs are fine to sing at BBQ’s and fireworks shows, but not in the context of corporate worship. You want to avoid songs that sing to America or about America. Songs that pray prayers for the world, our nation, and/or our cities are more appropriate.

If your pastor wants you to lead a patriotic song and you’re uncomfortable with it, I’d suggest you do two things: First, see my first point. Communicate with him beforehand why this makes you uncomfortable, and propose a different song you think would be more effective. Second, if your pastor listens to you and still asks you to lead a patriotic song, then submit to him and do it.

When and if you have to lead a patriotic song that your pastor requests, then you might consider introducing the song on Sunday morning by saying: “Our pastor, (insert his name here), has asked that we sing this song together. So let’s stand and sing.” This way the congregation knows this is something their pastor has asked for, not you. Don’t do this in a subversive way. And ask him if he’s comfortable with you doing so.

Or better yet, ask your pastor to introduce the song himself. Tell him you respect his decision and will plan on using the song, but that since you’re uncomfortable with it, you’d really appreciate him introducing it.

Find ways, other than singing, to recognize and celebrate God’s good gift. Devoting a good portion of the service to praying for this world, this nation, our communities, the military, and our leaders is a good way to recognize that it’s the fourth of July. We don’t want to ignore the fact that it’s Independence Day. We just want to avoid the temptation to do so at the expense of the firm centrality of the gospel in our weekly meetings.

Worship God freely. God, in his sovereignty, has placed those of us who live in America in a country where we can worship him freely. By singing songs that magnify his glory and his grace – we are exercising that God-given freedom. So it’s good and appropriate to thank God for this country, thank all the men and women who have fought and died to protect our freedom, and pray for our leaders. But it’s even better to use that freedom to thank God for the victory he’s won for us through his Son. That victory is what we’ll sing about for all eternity!

Why Be Sly?

I really enjoy watching other churches’ worship services online. It might sound a little weird but it’s true. Sitting at my desk, I can visit churches all over the world, without having to pay for airfare or a hotel. It’s great. It bores my wife to tears, but I think it’s fascinating to see how other churches do things, how their worship leaders lead, what kind of songs they’re singing, how their services are structured, and how the congregations seem to respond.

I have to be careful not to be overly critical of the churches I watch online – since it’s easy to criticize when I’m watching a service on my computer screen – but I have to say that there are far more things I see that concern me than encourage me.

By far, the most common criticism I would have is that worship teams seem to be much more interested in performing songs and putting on a show than they are in leading people to exalt and magnify the greatness of God. I get the feeling I’m watching a Disney production – slick, overly rehearsed, and seamlessly choreographed. And I can’t quite understand why worship leaders and their vocalists stare into the congregation, scanning from left to right, with a smile on their face at all times, with an occasional head-nod or finger-point.

But that’s not my main point. One other common criticism I have is that churches, and specifically their worship leaders, seem either incapable or unwilling to make the truth of the gospel plain in the songs they sing. They’re sly about it. Under the guise of creativity, the clear message of the good news of Jesus Christ gets covered over by confusing lyrics, subtle references, and sparse objective biblical truth. Everything is foggy.

I’m reminded of a quote by Northrop Frye, a literary critic, who said in reference to the writings of Jacob Boehme, a 17th century German theologian: “…his books are like a picnic to which the author brings the words and the reader the meaning.”

The same could be said about the songs so many churches are singing. The time of singing is the picnic, the worship leader brings the words, and the congregation is asked to deduce the meaning on their own.

Why be sly? Why “beat around the gospel bush” as Bob Kauflin puts it. Why would we, as worship leaders, squander any opportunity to present people with the glorious truth of the Gospel? It doesn’t make any sense and it’s tragic.

A large church in Indiana opened their Easter service with the song “When the Morning Comes” by OK Go. Here are the lyrics to the first two verses:

You know you can’t keep lettin’ it get you down
And you can’t keep draggin’ that dead weight around.
If there ain’t all that much to lug around,
Better run like hell when you hit the ground.
When the morning comes.
When the morning comes.

You can’t stop these kids from dancin’.
Why would you want to?
Especially when you’re already gettin’ yours.
‘Cause if your mind don’t move and your knees don’t bend,
well don’t go blamin’ the kids again.
When the morning comes.
When the morning comes.

What does this have to do with Easter? What does this have to do with Jesus conquering death and being raised to life? I don’t get it. And my guess is that a lot of people that morning didn’t get it either. 

While this is one of the more egregious examples of a song that, rather than making Jesus plain, is murky and lightweight and confusing, it isn’t too far off from the kinds of songs other churches are singing.

They might have great melodies, be in the CCLI top 25, be really modern, have a great groove, or be a congregation-favorite. But is the message clear? And what is that message exactly?

Paul said in Romans 1:16: “…I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”

If the power of God is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ, then let us not be ashamed in making that gospel clear every single Sunday, every single service, and every single song. Let’s not be sly or subtle about it. And try to stop scanning the room and nodding your head if you can help it.