Stay on the melody (please)

By Guest Blogger | November 4, 2010

One simple thing that many worship leaders could do that would immediately increase their effectiveness by leaps and bounds would be to stay on the melody. By resisting the urge to break off of the melody and sing higher, or sing harmony, or sing a cool little blues run, they would instantaneously be easier to […]

Ask the Expert – How many songs does an average church need?

By Marie@Musicademy | October 25, 2010

Tony Marshall, an Elder at Westbrooke Church emails saying: “I’m somewhat of a novice in this field, and am struggling to find advice as to how many songs our worship team should have in its “song bank” at a time.  Is there a “typical” number of songs we should rotate through?  Do churches vary this much?” Our initial […]

Just because you are tired of a song….

By Guest Blogger | October 5, 2010

For every one time you lead a song during a service, you probably sing it two other times during rehearsal. Them: 1. You: 3. For every one time you lead a song during a service, then lead it a few weeks later a second time, chances are that a quarter (or so) of your congregation […]

Prophetic or Planned Worship? Mutually exclusive?

By Guest Blogger | September 17, 2010

One thing that has challenged me recently is watching iHop and the ‘prayer & worship’ (‘harp and bowl’) type of worship. I’ve found it incredible and inspiring, with highly gifted musicians and passionate worshippers. This kind of worship is becoming more common – worship where we have our planning but are open to what the […]

The best of 2010’s new worship music from the festivals

By Guest Blogger | September 2, 2010

As a worship leader, I’m always on the lookout for new songs that will bring a fresh expression of worship to the church, and the festivals are a great place to find them. I served at two of this year’s Soul Survivor events, and attended the student equivalent, Momentum, as a punter, giving me a […]

Summer festival worship. Are we stuck in a rut?

By Guest Blogger | August 31, 2010

For those of you not familiar with Somerset’s third biggest attraction after Glastonbury and cider: New Wine is the UK’s largest Christian festival and together with Soul Survivor are probably the best place to see the latest worship music offerings. In previous years I have worked in various roles at these summer festivals as well […]

Embracing Worship 2.0 – An architecture of participation

By Jonny Baker | July 23, 2010

We’ve developed a tradition for Advent at Grace, an alternative worship community in Ealing – Nine. It’s a very simple idea for a service (feel free to use it). We take the traditional nine lessons and carols framework and give it our own twist. We find nine volunteers willing to take part who are given […]

Playing by ear (part 2) & Nashville Numbering explained

By Andy@Musicademy | July 21, 2010

Learning how to play by ear Previously we looked at how to work out all the chords available in the key of G.  I suggested you took a song and worked out which chords came where by listening to see which ones sounded major, which ones sounded minor and by the process of elimination work […]

Lyrics and Storytelling – guest post from Hillsong’s Mia Fieldes

By Guest Blogger | July 15, 2010

I found this lovely blog post over at Vicky Beeching’s Women in Worship site. Vicky has kindly given us permission to publish it here. Lyrics and Storytelling Lyrics that are helpful give a voice to emotions. Lyrics that connect with you and help bring understanding. Lyrics that become your confession when you can’t find what […]