How to lead Spontaneous Worship or 'Free Praise'by Rob Packer
This gives some helpful hints for those leading times of sung spontaneous worship
1. Starting Spontaneous Worship
- If leading a group of people who are not familiar with spontaneous worship, it pays to provide teaching first before exposing them to it. If in a mixed group of those who are familiar and those who are unfamiliar, give a spoken warning that you will be entering into spontaneous worship at the start of the song or bracket before it.
- Encourage the singers and musicians with their spontaneous worship in it's various expressions.
- Don't get caught in a rut, try a variety of expressions. Listen to tapes with good examples of spontaneous worship.
- You can earmark a place in the service for spontaneous worship to start. Practice going into spontaneous worship during practices for the service, or you can simply be prompted and lead the people from there.
- Don't be tentative, if you decide to go, go!
- Make sure all musicians and singers know that you are entering a time of spontaneous worship so they can go with you.
- Learn to read where your congregation is at
2. How to get there.
Enter chord progression by repeating the last line of the song.
Songs for example:-
I Worship You
He is Exalted
I Exalt Thee
I will Celebrate
From an a-rhythmic tonic chord.
Songs for example:-
I Love You Lord
Father We Love Thee
Straight into chord sequence.
Song for example:-
Victors Crown
3. Chord Progressions
Rate of chord change - NOT TOO FAST - slow or halve rate change.
In creating a mood:- 30% chord structure
70% what is played within it
EXAMPLES:- C - Am - Dm - G
C - Dm - Em - F
C - F - C - F
C - Bb - C - Bb
C - Dm - C - Dm
C - Bb - F - F/G
C - C7/Bb - F/A - Ab - Bb
C - G/B - Am - C/G - F - C/E - Dm - G
Ab - Bb - C - Am or Ab - Fm - Bb - C - Am
C - Bb - Ab - G or Cm - Bb - Ab - G
4. Expressions
Prophetic Song - speaking forth the heart and mind of the Lord. Eph 5:18, 19; Col 3:16.
Song of Exhortation - gathering, exhorting, building up the body. 1 Cor 14:3, Psa 32:7 - Songs of deliverance.
Song of Love - to the Lord.
- Don't make it too long - or with too many thoughts.
- Some prefer to sing a chord pattern - others prefer more variation.
- For congregational involvement - a couple of lines or short phrases that they ca pick up on.
© Creative Fire Ministries 2008