I’ve heard some church musicians say that we shouldn’t over-prepare, because then we aren’t following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Anyone who says stuff like that may sound really spiritual and discerning, but they actually have no idea what God expects of them. The Spirit moves where there is reverence. And not giving your best, not serving with excellence and not honoring the platform with our full effort is a slap in the face to God. If we could fully understand what’s at stake when we begin that music set, we would never dare be ill-prepared. Chains are broken during praise and worship, burdens are being lifted, people are being set free from the strongholds that have been holding them down. How can we get up on that stage being anything less than completely prepared to go into battle?
*
Last October I went to a football game, and here in Canada, fall weather can often feel more like winter. I brought two jackets and a big sweater expecting to freeze out there on those bleachers. But the day turned out to be more like summer, and by the time the second quarter started, I was in a t-shirt. I didn’t need my outerwear, but I was glad I had it, just in case the weather turned cold. I was ready for any situation. The calendar dictated my level of preparation, but it wasn’t till I got to the game that I was able to feel what the temperature was, and adjust accordingly. We have to prepare for every service to the best of our abilities, and then once we’re in worship, then we can gauge the temperature of the atmosphere. The key to allowing the Spirit to move is not to prepare less, but rather to be opened to change and flow in different ways.
A lot of bands and worship leaders tend to be married to their set-list, and any alterations are usually met with annoyance. I can understand that sentiment, because you put in the time to get ready for those particular songs. But you have to keep in mind that preparing for a service is so much more than just practicing songs. It’s getting your head and your heart in the right place. It’s dedicating the set to prayer. It’s being ready for anything. Being sensitive to the Spirits’ moving means that maybe you remove a song from the list, or add another one. Maybe you sing one of the songs acapella and let the congregation carry it.
Knowing the songs back to front allows for much more freedom. If one, or most of the musicians/singers don’t know the song properly, it leads to confusion. And that ends up restricting the move of the Spirit. There is nothing worse than a wrong note or a clashing chord right at the moment when people are really immersed in the presence of God. The more rehearsed and prepared we are, the less risk there is of us being a distraction. I believe that the spirit of laziness in this area is straight from the devil, because he would want nothing more than chaos during a worship service so the people can’t concentrate. He knows what happens in the spirit realm when we praise Jesus as a corporate body.
Playing with excellence isn’t my concept, it’s Biblical. Psalm 33: 3 says: “Sing to the Lord a new song. Play skillfully on the instruments, and sing with joy.”
Coming up in part three: practice tips and training methods. Stay tuned..
