Questions to ask before you introduce a new song to your church
Our Campaign worship cycle team met last Sunday and as a result of us testing our perceptions with one another, we realised that one of the greatest barriers to music helping people to worship God, was the 'singability' of the song. I chose a worship song that Sunday which had great lyrics and a fantastic melody, it was just too high - the key needed to be changed. As a result of our team meeting and discussing this, a group of helpful questions formed. You may find them useful too. Take time to think about your own perceptions, then take it to your team, so after testing, you stand united in your understanding and future plans.
SONG TITLE: ________________________________
SONG SELECTION PERCEIVE QUESTIONS:
a. What do you perceive about the 'singability' of this song? (eg How hard/easy the melody is to sing?) How extensive is the vocal range? Do we need to change the key?
b. What do you see regarding the applicability to the theme of the service or the season in time for your church?
c. Would the band members connect with it in terms of style? Feel? Lyrics?
d. How meaningful/relevant/biblical are the lyrics?
e. What is the minimum required instrumentation to make it work?
f. How much time would it take the band to get it to a presentation stage?
g. How long do you think it should go for? (Number of choruses etc)
h. Where would it be best used in the service?
i. Which vocalists would be best to sing this? Whose voice does it suit best?
j. Do we have sheet music/words for each member?
k. Do we have permission to record it?
l. Do we have a legal recording of this song for band members to listen to, to get more of an understanding of how it could be played?
PERFORMANCE QUESTIONS:
m. When have we planned to rehearse this song?
n. Are the musicians/vocalists ready to sing/play this publicly?
o. Could they sing/play this song without music/words?
p. How do you see it should it be introduced to the congregation? (eg First time as a 'performance' by the band rather than participatory? As a Prelude for a couple weeks before the worship service actually begins?)