How To Plan An Effective Worship Set AND Flow in the Spirit

[This post is part of a series on Leading Your Team & Congregation Through Worship Tensions. Check out the rest here.]

There has always been a tension between crafting an effective songlist and flowing in the Spirit. We want to be organized, but we also want to follow what God is doing in the moment.

It’s important that you learn how to do this. Great worship leaders plan powerful setlists, but also follow the Holy Spirit, wherever He may lead.

I remember when I first heard about the Brownsville revival. Not only did I hear about it, I went there to experience it. Lindell Cooley, the worship leader, didn’t plan much. He showed up, stepped on stage, and tried to discern what God wanted them to do.

I remember thinking,

“That is so awesome. That’s the way worship should be. Why plan your own agenda when God has his own agenda? I’d rather go with God.”

There was some truth to those young thoughts, but I feel I was a little over-zealous. When it comes to planning and being spontaneous, it’s not about either/or. It’s a both/and. God wants to speak to us in our planning. We want the band to be ready with arrangements, transitions, and keys. But we also want to be ready to change course, should the Holy Spirit emphasize something other than what was planned.

I can think of at least 5 ways we can lead our team and congregation in both effective planning and flowing:

1. Prepare people for the spontaneous

This applies to both your band and your congregation. If your congregation is not used to spontaneous worship, don’t just drop a bomb on them and expect them to sing their own songs, dance, and wave banners with joy. It’s a little awkward if you’ve never done it. Instead, teach them how (maybe not the banner thing). Say,

“You may not be used to this, but let’s sing our own praise to God. We can’t just depend on someone else’s song. We need to bring our own offering of worship. Maybe it’s a simple melody or a declaration or a word. For the next 30 seconds, let’s try it. Speak it out.”

See? Easy right? It also applies to your band. Help them develop their “ear-training” as musicians. That way when you want to vamp on a certain progression off the page, they stop, listen, and begin to play along with you.

Also, don’t reserve your band worship for 30 seconds before service starts. Prepare your band to flow in the Spirit by actually flowing in the Spirit off stage. Make time for it. That’s part of creating a team of sensitive musicians who know how to flow. Don’t just do it. Teach them. Prepare them.

2. Plan as if it all depends on you

I used to think planning was unspiritual and lame. It was for those who didn’t have enough talent to just wing it and be awesome.

Let’s face it. Sometimes we don’t “feel” the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we can hear a pin drop in the room because no one is engaged. For those moments, it’s nice to be prepared. And who’s to say the Holy Spirit can’t anoint your planning? Who’s to say God only moves in the spontaneous moments? Craft a worship set that flows, potentially reflecting the theme of the day. Work out (and practice) your transitions, whether musical or vocal. Rehearse your band. Take responsibility for the worship and work hard. It’s no excuse to blame “lack of preparation” on “flow”.

3. Forget your plans during worship

As worship leaders, we can sometimes feel our job is done once we plan and rehearse our set. Then we go on autopilot and crank it out. Song to song to song. I always challenge myself to focus beyond my plans in worship. Many times I don’t notice band mistakes because, in the moment, I’m not focused on the band. I’m thinking, “God, what are you doing right now? What do these people need to do? What do they need to hear? What do they need to declare?” It’s a beautiful thing to become more pastoral in your worship leading.

Don’t just crank through a well-executed songlist. Anybody can do that. But nobody can lead worship like you do – your heart, your sensitivity, your unique way of directing attention to the Savior. Go and do that.

4. Allow space

I know, it can be scary. The song is over. The keyboard pad is continuing, and…what now? Too often we worship leaders try and fill in all the space with another song, another word. Allow space. Allow the moment to breathe. Every time I’ve experienced breakthrough in a worship service is when I’ve allowed space. Wait upon the Lord. Try and discern what He is doing.

Sometimes I’ll be silent. Sometimes I’ll sing a spontaneous song. Sometimes I’ll say something. The point is, when you allow space, it gives people freedom to engage beyond the songs. Don’t rush through your transitions. Honor and enjoy the Presence of God.

5. Connect with your senior pastor

Be on the same page with your pastor. He may have certain preferences that are different than yours. Submit. Serve the vision of the house. Maybe your idea of “flowing” is not something he’s comfortable with. Honest conversations between you can go such a long way. I would imagine your pastor wants God to move. He wants more than just a sing-a-long.

My pastor isn’t a musician or a worship leader (though he has a great voice) but he’s taught me so much about worship because he knows his congregation. He knows what he’s called to do. He’s helped me relate more effectively. Make sure you adopt his vision and values. You will grow.

Dive into the tension. Learn to balance spontaneity and planning each time you lead worship. The more you do it, the better you’ll get.

Question: What are some lessons you’ve learned regarding crafting an effective songlist AND flowing in the Spirit? You can leave a comment by clicking here.