Mastering the art of leading with one day's notice is essential for
leaders of various small groups.
- Find out the pastor's or speaker's message theme and try to
incorporate this theme into your worship.
- Confirm the date, time, venue, musicians, physical arrangements
(e.g. overhead transparencies, equipment), and duration.
- Choosing the songs:
- Stick to familiar songs if you can't have song sheets or transparencies.
- Don't choose too many songs. It may be difficult if rehearsal is
required and not much time is available.
- Unless you are confident of teaching new songs or have a supportive
audience, don't choose too many new songs - 1 would be okay. In a small
group setting, without a full-strength support band and praise choir, it's a
difficult task to have a seamlessly woven worship with too many new
songs.
- Write down these songs in sequence, putting the key
of the songs beside them.
- Inform the musicians and the people in charge of
the transparencies or song sheets. One or two musicians is/are
sufficient. Give a copy of the song list to each of the musicians during
the rehearsal (if you have one) on the day itself.
- Remember to schedule your rehearsal. As a rule, rehearsals
tend to take longer than planned and musicians tend to arrive
late, so give yourself some "breathing space" (room
for delays).
- Prepare yourself for leading the worship, spending time in
prayer to receive God's guidance. Rehearse yourself by worshipping
during your Quiet Time, using the sequence of songs you've selected.
As you do so, ask God to search your heart and prepare you to
be an instrument for His service.
- Ask God for peace and calmness. This can be obtained
by following step 7 and trusting in God to work His will. Until the
worship itself, remain calm. Arrive early
and settle any outstanding problems quickly. God can use your
peace and calmness to comfort and reassure your musicians
and worshippers. Worry, moodiness, snapping at others, frustration
and frenzy will not get you anywhere.
© Copyright Wesley Cheong 1998