Virtually every church has it’s “liturgy” – a structure of some sort that helps to provide a framework to what happens on a weekend. Ours usually starts with some uptempo worship songs, moves into midtempoland, ends on a power ballad, has a video here or there, and some sort of special music and/or spiritual moment leading into a message. That’s not meant to be flippant at all – it’s just a statement of fact that those are the elements that usually make up our services. Hopefully, we use them in a way (and with enough variety) that there is sincerity, freshness and intentionality about what’s happening…
In the midst of all of this, I confess that I sometimes find myself “over programming.” I try to fill every minute with things that will help people to grasp the message of the day – but maybe most of the people there that day are too full already. They need to empty out a bit… So, every once in awhile (not all the time, or that becomes it’s own rut), stop. Finish one of the songs and call out the fact that our pace of life is exhausting. As you get ready for the next (hopefully slower) song, lead everyone in taking a breath. Literally. Just stop and take a breath (stop – pause – breathe – let go). Then do a song that the congregation is familiar with, so that they don’t have to worry about learning the melody.
Give them a break – a pause, a moment – and then head into what God has in store for that day…
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I'm a Christian, a husband, a dad, a son, a pastor, a consultant, a musician, a writer, and bits and pieces of a bunch of other things. My work life has followed three main phases - business to teaching to church. I was the Weekend Services Pastor for nine years at Northview Church, an awesome church in the Indianapolis suburbs. I used to work for Willow Creek, another awesome church in the Chicago area. Plus I've written for various magazines and websites, and other freelancy sorts of things... My life mission is to help the church be as excellent as it can be.
Oh yeah - the name's Greg. Greg Wallace. But not the race car driver or the major league pitcher or the British celebrity chef. Just the creative worship guy. Hi.
It's my hope that these ideas, musings, rants, raves, etc... will inspire you. They're just my opinions - but again, I hope that they'll help to inspire you. Because the church really, really needs inspired creative types. If you're a creative type (and most people are, deep-down), ask God for help. Then take any ideas that are useful to you - borrow them, nab them, use them, adapt them - and make them into something greater...
You can head over to my Instagram site for an abundance of shorter posts: creativeworshipideas. If you're looking for consulting - especially on weekend services, team leadership or multi-site strategies - I'd love to help. Just message me here, and I'll be in touch - Greg
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