Sing a new song...a phrase that is repeated in scripture. In the Holman Christian Standard Bible translation we find the phrase five times in the Psalms: 33:3, 96:1, 98:1, 144:9, and 149:1.
How long does it take for a new song to catch on in our services?
The worship planning team is constantly on the lookout for quality new worship songs. Between the time the team finds a new song and then introduces and rehearses it with the musicians and singers and introduces it to the congregation the team has listened to it and/or even sung it many, many times, maybe even close to 50. The team has dissected the words, put the melody and rhythm to memory. They have internalized the song so they are ready for verbalizing it as a part of the act of worship. But can the congregation?
It is my belief that worship leaders and worship teams tire of songs way before the congregation. Remember we have been singing it longer. Remember when we are getting tired of a song the congregation may just now be comfortable with the melody and rhythm and feel confident enough to use it as a part of their worship vocabulary.
I was reminded of these thoughts this weekend as a member of our congregation asked about a song we used in our services. The song was referenced as 'new'. This new song is one we have been using for months.
As worship leaders we need to be sensitive to how much new we force on our congregations and be careful to not discard songs when we are tired of them.
All the songs we used in worship this past weekend are posted below:
To the King by Angela and Travis Cottrell
Open Up the Heavens by Andi Rozier, Jason Ingram, Stuart Garrard, Meredith Andrews and James McDonald
Awesome Is the Lord Most High by Christ Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Cary Pierce and Jon Abel
Be Unto Your Name by Lynn DeShazo and Gary Sadler
He Knows My Name by Tommy Walker (take a listen to this arrangement from the 1211 band.)
