New Songs Part 1

Psalm 33 tells us to sing a new song and I take that very literally. We worship an infinite God, therefore we have an infinite number of things to worship Him for. Without forsaking the past, we must always be on the lookout for new songs that speak to the greatness of our God. What should we be looking for in a new worship song? Is it right for our team/congregation?

What’s important

I’ve heard worship leaders defend songs that are uninspiring musically saying that the lyrics are emotive and theologically sound. Even worse, I’ve heard worship leaders defend songs that are theologically weak (or false) by saying that the music is creative and moving. But why must we have one or the other? I think it’s important that every song we choose excites and motivates our congregations through its music but also speaks truth and worship through its words.

4 questions

Let’s face it. Not every song on CCLI’s Top 25 tickles our ear just right, so don’t feel it necessary to do a song just because it’s popular.

Does it fit you? Something I’ve learned throughout my years leading is that if I can’t get inspired by a song, there’s no point in trying to lead it. There is no way that I’m going to be able to lead with the kind of passion that it needs. Does this song stir me and cause me to praise God? Always remember that the corporate worship of a church begins with the personal worship of its leader.

Does it fit your congregation? At the same time, just because I love a song doesn’t mean that it fits our congregation. I’ve had team members suggest songs by Red and Skillet but that is just not where our congregation is at. If we did that on a Sunday morning, I would have a whole bunch of blank faces looking back at me, certainly not in worship of God. Perhaps your congregation is fairly traditional. We need to be willing to start them on Chris Tomlin not Citizens.

Does it fit your team? We also have to take into consideration the talents of our teams. I would love to do a couple of Young & Free songs but our team is more guitar driven. Unless I spend the time working up some guitar arrangements or creating some multitracks for Ableton, those songs just will not work well. Maybe your drummer struggles with anything but a steady 4/4 beat. You would certainly want to work with him to expand his abilities but in the meantime don’t drive him to disappointment with a song he is bound to fail at.

Is God honored by it?

I saved the most important question for last. I firmly believe that if you can’t print out the lyrics of every one of your worship songs and have a worshipful time by READING them, there’s no point in trying to worship by SINGING them.

All of that being said, don’t be afraid to push the envelope with your congregation, your team and yourself. There’s a difference between a song that “stretches” people’s ideas of worship and one that “breaks” it. There are literally thousands upon thousands of worship songs out there and we should never settle for a song that doesn’t meet the above criteria. Always be looking and listening for a new song to praise God with. Next time, we’ll be taking a look at how to introduce new songs to our team and our congregation.