Why Do You Pick the Worship Music You Do?

Typically I pick the music based on theme, and not on the age of the song. For instance, the pastor tells me that his message Sunday is multi-themed. We're talking about the coming of Christ foretold in prophecy, and the worship of Christ by those who came (and are still coming). Now, I don't have his notes, all I have is his reference and the above description. This is what I've decided on after prayer and study of his passages:

Come, Now is the Time to Worship (1998, Doerksen) V-C-V-C-C
O Come, Let Us Adore Him (Chorus) (PD) C twice

Welcome/Missions Moment

Angels We Have Heard on High (PD) V-V
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (PD) V-V
Joy to the World! (PD) V-V-V

Scripture and Prayer

Jesus, Savior, Friend (2006, Cloninger, G. Rhodes)
Awesome in This Place (1992, Billington)
Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down (1980, Doherty)

Message

Take My Life and Let it Be Consecrated (Invitation)

Hope that gives you an idea how I create a Sunday morning worship time. I understand it's not completely comprehensive, but it's how I typically do it. Our church seems to respond well to the mix of songs, both old and new, and I'm often surprised how well it's mixed even though that's not necessarily my intent.

 

Thanks Tom. I remember meeting you that day, and was surprised/excited to meet a fellow BB member in the "real world!" Thank you for your compliment.

When it's possible (it's not always a direct match) I do strive to be on the same wavelength as my pastor... even writing a few songs when the right "match" didn't present itself. Our congregation is a vast mix of people... I think the last stats were 35% seniors (60+), 40% medians (25-59), and 25% "young" (25 and under). The children don't worship with us, 5th grade and lower have "KidzTown" which is their own time of worship and teaching completely separate from the rest of us. I was told by the pastor when I came here in May that the musical tastes were all over the board, and I should try to incorporate everything in the span of a month. So we do alot of everything... traditional/contemporary, country/southern gospel, and so on. I like alot of styles, and I try to use songs from all eras/styles if they are worshipful and speak to the truth that will be focused on in that service. Sometimes I'm unsuccessful, and I know those are times I let my flesh get in the way. Other times it gets nailed, and I know that the Spirit gets the glory for that. Our choirs do a blended mix of styles, too, and that's alot of fun also.

 

Since I am the Music director now as well as the Pastor... (hopefully I can shed the title of Music director before long ) It is easy for me to pick songs that go along with my sermon.

We have always done a praise chorus since I started as pastor, and all age groups love it... Of course we sometimes use a great hymm as a praise Chorus too.. (a praise chorus doesn't have to be new, you know)

Our choir sings everything from bluegrass to Christian Rock (if you consider Casting Crowns and Third Day Christian Rock) And on some Sundays we really mix the two together...

Our praise chorus right now is Amazing Grace (my chains are gone) by Chris Tomlin... and you should see the response from all age groups...

Of course most music now is Christmas songs...
So this Sunday, we sang O little town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, and Go tell it on a Mountain...

 

i like any song that i can actually sing to.. haha.
other songs are good - some i can't sing to because of the key they're in.

so it makes for a lousy time. not for me. i still hum it though. heh. just wish i could sing along to those songs.

God bless =P

 

I tend to choose hymns that blend well with the sermon. For instance, next Sunday, in a series "Great David and His Greater Son", the subject will be David and Jesus Christ as fathers and husbands, and the hymns are:

The church's one foundation (which includes the words: "From heaven He came and sought her, To be His holy bride, With His own blood He bought her, And for her life He died.")

Children of your heavenly King

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds (includes the words: "Jesus, my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,")

Go, labour on, spend and be spent (with the words: "Soon shalt thou hear the Bridegroom' voice, The midnight cry, Behold, I come!")

​

As for the tunes, we try to ensure that they fit the general tone of the words. The rousing tune for "Stand up, stand up for Jesus!" would fit (metrically) the words of the hymn, "O Sacred Head, sore wounded", but would be far from suitable.

 

When planning worship I like to know the Pastor's message for the day with Scripture and theme. I would like more of this and earlier (I tend to prefer to plan about 6-8 weeks out - for rehearsal purposes and hymn enhancements). Advent and Christmas is easy.

Basically we are a "traditional" music church. I tend to sneak in things of a more contemporary nature when it fits.

As to choice, content is always first and foremost before any musical/style issue. I also like to go for variety in meter, key, mood, etc.
One Sunday I planned the service and then realized everything was in the same key. It was a little bland that day.

I introduce "new" materials at least once a month. This can be truly new or new to the congregation. We are instructed in Scripture "sing a new song." As to new things I introduce both new CCM and worship songs as well as new "hymns," even materials from other cultures.

As to the main question of the OP - I don't care about the style, if the content isn't solid, it doesn't get used.

 

(emphasis mine)

I couldn't agree more.