This is a Q&A session with a panel formed by Pastor Chris Kam, Stephanie Ong, Greg g Hampton and Glenn Packiam.
Each member of the panel gave an interesting self introduction.
Greg had a calling to lead worship. Glenn pointed out that sometimes a calling is different from a job. Sometimes they merge, sometimes they don’t. The point is to say yes to God and tell him he can do anything with us. The Lord just want to know if we would say yes to what he put in front of us.
Pastor Chris is by training an engineer. When we are young we have the ideals of what we want to do for God. But really, it is more about what God is doing in our lives. He encouraged us to live in a way that we can answer when God calls. The call of God can be gradual. It is not something difficult. It is also not about whether to go full time or not, it is about obeying him. He took a 70% pay cut with zero savings every month but it was easy because he has been living a life without incurring unnecessary debts.
Stephanie always wanted to be a mother. She believes with 4 kids, she learns to to ‘mother’ the now 90+ strong music and worship ministry team. She appreciates her core team. To be a good leader, she observed one needs to also be a good manager and a shepherd. She feels like she needs to raise up the next generation to pass on the baton. She thinks that what happens on stage is only 10%, the other 90% is God molding us. It is impossible to remain the same when we are confronted by the Holy One.
Q. How to you craft a song list?
Glenn: First thing to know is how much time we have. If it’s 20 minutes, then it will be 4 or 5 songs. Pick 1 or 2 songs based on the key theme and build around that. First song is typically a moderately fast song so as not to shock everyone in the beginning, it then gets slightly more intense and song 4 will be slower to give space. Doing 3 slow songs at a row may be too boring. If it’s intense all the way it is exhausting.
Greg: He picked a few songs from Friday night for familiarity sake. He didn’t open with a slow song to ensure everyone is awake. He prepared only 3 songs instead of rushing through them to make way for more songs.
Stephanie: There are 7 worship leaders. There are 4 worship leaders on Sunday celebrations. Stephanie advised the worshp leaders to try to be balance in the song selection. Some songs can work and some won’t. She used to only picked Hillsongs (Greg: You and the rest of the world.) She now has a more balanced selection, including hymns, which are well received by the elder people. It requires sensitivity. We can put up a list very quickly and there is nothing it brings. Everyone in the team need to stay fresh.
Greg: Young people between 25 to 35 don’t know hymns but his church still use hymns for historical continuity. The writers of the hymns thought about where the notes will be with the singers in mind. A lot of the hymns are easy to sing. The hymns writers really crafted the hymns carefully.
Glenn: Worship team is a serving ministry. It needs to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. Often we choose songs we like. We want to emulate what they see.
Pastor Chris: The pastoral team is the complaint department. They receive a lot of feedback. Sidney mentioned it is not about us but God. Glenn said we need to consider the congregation. Some will say it’s too loud / soft, too cold / hot. Some may even of their own favourite worship leaders! Pastor Chris will advise them to find the spot that suits them. Worship is a lifestyle. He prepares his song list 2 to 3 weeks beforehand. There are 2 places where he hears God very clearly – shower (water flowing down) and driving. He thinks sometimes we try to hard. Pastor Chris tries to incorporate a hymn when he preaches. He would try to explain the history of the hymns. This is where the church can teach the people of the rich heritage we have.
Q. What do you do with a diverse group of congregation?
Glenn: Try not to do any songs more than 25 years old.
Q. How do you feel about repititions? The sister who asked the question was in a service where the same song was sung for 15 minutes!
Glenn: There is no magic number. Open our eyes and look at the people. If we are having a quiet time, we should not be on stage!
Pastor Chris: Open our eyes and engage with the congregation. It’s not just about us ourselves. It has to do with priesthood. Theology determines the way we behave. Go to the Word of God. If we want to be a good worship leader we must first be a student of the Word.
Greg: There is such thing as spiritual fatigue. Some people wonder after 2 songs when will it end. Some people ask a the conclusion of a worship session when session 2 will start. We need to examine ourselves whether it’s just ourselves. If it’s the worship leader, then we need to have relationship to give feedback to the worship leader.
Q: How can one challenge their vision to the leadership?
Pastor Chris: When it comes to leadership, submission is important. A conference is a very dangerous place for the pastor. We don’t know what to expect from members who has gone for a conference. The Bible is clear about submission to the leaders. It is not about whether the leadership is right or wrong. We must come in submission and pray for them. When we find the leaders not in tune with what we learn from the conference, pray for the leader if we believe it is something the Lord wants for the church. The undergirding principle is submission.
Glenn: Daniel refused to eat the food. The guards did not make up the rules. They are middle management. Sometimes the leaders are just talking instructions from the pastors. Daniel has the conviction and requested to try for a period of time. Do not take the decision making power away from the leadership. We should still make suggestion. Wait a month or two and see if the ideas are still with us. Don’t present 10 ideas at the same time. Bring 1 or 2 key ideas to the pastors / leaders and leave the decision to the pastors / leaders.
Q. What if the sound people are
Glenn: The worship team must have a good relationship with the sound team. They we not the star and the sound team the servants. They are also created in the image of God. Don’t just think of them as part of the team when they make mistakes. Have fellowship. Never make request like a person giving orders. The way we approach the subject is important.
Greg: The sound guy plays 2 roles. We may have pure and clean water from the tap. If the tap is not turned, the water won’t come out. The sound team have a lot power in determining what they people hear. Be specific when we talk to the sound team. Educate them how music sound work.
Glenn: It is not fair to fault someone with expectation we did not communicate. Why isn’t the electronic guitar turned on? Why did you tell me?
Greg: One church practice on Tuesday and record everything. The sound guy listens to it and does the mixes accordingly. This is the pinnacle of preparation. This will cut down the sound check on the day itself.
Stephanie: The sound crew is technical. She appreciates them worshipping. She is encouraged to see them worship while doing their job. And this is the way they worship, by making the sound sound right. They need to have a renewed mindset so they can enjoy what they are doing.
Pastor Chris: Sound people are a strange breed. It takes a different skill to communicate with them. People pick certain ministry based on the way they are. We need to accept that we all have different personalities. It’s normal for us to come together and fight. We need to learn to communicate with one another. Appreciation and acknowledgement is important. When everything goes well, no one remembers them. When something goes wrong, everyone looks at them.
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