I planted a pecan tree in my backyard last month.  It was hard work - I even broke a pick-axe doing it.  Now I water it everyday in hopes than it might produce pecans. So far it has been more work than reward but one day it will be more reward than work.  One of a worship arts director's most important roles is to invest time and energy in younger and less experienced musicians.  It will start out as more work that reward, but in time it will be more reward than work.  Here are a couple great ways to do this.

1.  Make young musicians an integral part of the worship community.  Give them important roles in get-togethers and every other aspect of your team besides up front leading.  Invite them to rehearsals and to learn the songs alongside other team members.  You will find some of the more experienced musicians will be drawn to be mentors, which makes this a blessing for everyone.

2.  Find out, and then chart out their favorite worship song for their instrument (violin, trumpet, tuba, guitar, whatever).  Arrange something that is fun to play and serves the song.  If you don't have the experience to write music find someone who does.  Then give them time to practice that one song at home until they think it is ready.  Take the time to meet with them and practice the song with them.  If they are ready next time that song is scheduled, invite them in for that song with the band and arrange for a new song for them.  There's no need to for them to play the entire set, just the one song they've learned.  This will set them up for success.  If, however, when you meet they aren't ready to play the song, then continue to work with them.  Don't give up.  Share the positive things about their performance, and encourage them in the things they can work on.  Meet with them again when they are ready and repeat the process!  This kind of mentorship will start out as more work that reward, but in time it will be more reward than work.

Q: When is it right to put the cart before the horse?
A: Only in the dictionary.

        It's not a great joke, but it is a good metaphor to help us understand the importance of order in worship.  In a worship service some things are the cart, and other things are the horse.  As you plan the horse should come always before the cart.  For example, confession and self-examination come before communion because they create a context for the meal.  If communion comes before confession, then the congregation is not given the chance to prepare properly for the meal.  This same thinking applies to all parts of the service.  Below are a few examples as you think about how your opening song functions in the order:

1.  Good example of an opening song: "The Doxology."  Most people already know it, and its simple enough to learn very fast.  By making the opening song simple you signal to the congregation that the service is not about performance, but about participation.  The song reminds us that every good thing we have is a gift from God and that He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - the Holy Trinity.  This song really invites the 80 percent into song and provides a context for further singing.

2.  Bad example of an opening song: "Here I am to Worship” is a fine song theologically, but as an opening song it lacks context. As with any part of the service, how it functions will depend on what came before.  Without context, the line "Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that you're my God" can feel like a statement of pride.  Here I am, I have arrived - I am here to bow down!   People have told me they don’t sing because it doesn’t feel right.  On the other hand, if this song follows communion, the same line feels a lot more like a response to what Jesus has done.   Opening songs that engage are songs that create context their own context and provide a setup for what follows.

3.  Good example of an opening song: "You Alone Can Rescue," by Matt Redman.  People learn this song about our sin and God’s grace quickly and easily.  "Who, O Lord, could save themselves, their own soul could heal?  Our shame is deeper than the sea, Your grace is deeper still.  You alone can rescue, You alone can save, You alone can lift us from the grave.  You came down to find us, led us out of death.  To You alone belongs the highest praise."  This song builds a foundation for what you sing next, even songs about personal sanctification and acts of faith.

   If you find yourself wondering why the 80 percent aren't readily engaging in worship, examine your service order.  A good order of service builds meaning and connection at each step, while a bad order of service leaves the congregation distracted and confused.  Of course, there are many right ways to order a service, just as there are many wrong ways.  Keep in mind, however, that people are most engaged in a service where each step is connected and chosen with purpose.