Practical Steps

Here are some practical steps that will help you with your song list.

1. Key
a. Is it in a key that people can sing?
b. Can we do multiple songs in the same key so that we can keep a good flow of music?

2. Theme
a. Prepare your list like a sermon. Have a consistent thought.
b. Is your theme connected to the sermon or sermon series?

3. Tempo
a. It’s easy to become schizophrenic in our song selection when dealing with tempo.
b. My high recommendation is to group songs together within the set that help you establish a mood and a flow.

4. Theology
a. Are all of your songs in agreement?
b. I’ve heard worship leaders sing one song that says, “hold on” but the next song says, “let go”. Which is it?

5. Modern vs. Classic
a. As much as I love leading the latest worship song, we must always value songs that last the test of time.
b. There will always be someone in your church who will be overwhelmingly grateful that you pulled out an “oldie but a goodie”.
c. Put your twist on the classics. Don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit. It’s like a foreign language, people are just happy that you’ve tried.