Brehm Center

Have you ever been in a worship service when the lyrics are projected and the next words don't come up in a timely manner to know what is next? Have you ever been in a service when you start to sing the next words that come up & and the worship leader goes to different set of words? Have you EVER been in a service when the words on the screen are close to what's being sung, but not quite correct? Or maybe you've been in a service when the words that come up are not even the same song that is being sung! I suspect that we've all been in at least 3 of those 4 scenarios.

So, what does that confusion force us to examine? Most of all, it points out the extreme importance of both the preparation of the projected words and the abilities of the person running the computer. It has been said that the person running the slides is the REAL worship leader! It also points out that the worship leader and the person running the slides need to have a very good and unique relationship.

A thought or two about lyric preparation...the form of the songs needs to be a real prominent part of your weekly service preparation. There are too many things that go astray if it becomes an afterthought or an assumption that someone will take care of it. The minute it takes a back seat in the thoughts of the worship leader is the exact time that something will go wrong...guaranteed! The worship leader needs to carefully and precisely think through the form of each song. Remember the little things...like remembering that when you repeat a chorus, there are times when the last line of the chorus is not sung before repeating. If that specific chorus is not altered on your slide, the congregation will sing the wrong thing. Remember that if there is an instrumental break in a song to provide a blank slide...or the congregation will feel foolish for starting to sing while you play away. Make the slide preparation a part of your rehearsal during the week as much as is possible. It will cut down on mistakes on Sunday.

As for the person running the slides...it REALLY helps to have someone who is musical in that role, as well as technical. I know that's a hard combination, but search for the ideal. Help them in whatever way you can to have a feel for the service. Go through the service slides with them ahead of time. Let them know what you're thinking. Give them a clue that at a certain point you may want the flexibility to keep a chorus up to repeat. Let them know when you may want to pause to pray during a blank slide...so they don't automatically go to the next slide too quickly. Help them know some of your platform body language...like stepping up to a mic so they know you're ready to move to the next thing. There are lots of things you can do to make that person your best ally as the worship leader. Make them as vital of a part of your service planning as the drummer, or organist, or the choir! You want them on your side!