Think of the worship set as a conversation – which, in fact, it is. I usually suggest that a worship set not open with a “heart song” [ie power ballad with huge building bridge]. That’s the equivalent to meeting someone, shaking their hand and saying “Hi! Tell me your deepest, darkest secrets!” You just don’t usually go that deep straight off the bat with someone – even with friends most people interact lightheartedly and/or joke around before sitting down to talk more seriously.
I was a worship leader for a number of years, and loved the big power ballads. Just to be blunt, that’s where you could see people being impacted – or at least more expressive in worship. The mistake that I sometimes made was thinking: “Hey, those songs work the best – let’s only use heart songs in the worship set.” The problem was that there was no journey. It was like a story that went straight to the ending, and then repeated the ending, and then repeated the ending again. Here’s my opinion – vary the set in dynamics and tempo – starting with uptempo songs is a good palate cleanser, and helps people who have just come straight from the parking lot [or checking in their kids] to engage. Then those heart songs will be even more impactful.
Hmmm - well, let's see...
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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