How to Introduce a New Song

The scenario is… you have a new song that the band and singers have rehearsed, and you are about to premier that song to the church at large.  How can you do this best? What can you do to make the ‘take-up” as smooth as possible? What will help people access the heart of the song, at the same time being able to manage the lyrics and melody? 

There are a few things that I’ve done before that have greatly aided the smooth transition into a new song. Before presenting it for them sing, you can “warm” up their hearts and ears by… 

• Previewing.  In the weeks leading up to it, play the new song in the offering, greeting time, pre-church music etc…  if there is a recording of it. They will hear it subliminally and feel like they know it when it comes around.  
• Presenting it as a ministry solo item. 
• Preparing.  Inform people that we are going to learn a new song, and send them a link so that they can play it, listen to it online, or use in their small groups for worship. 

When it comes time to actually launch it as part of your worship service, here’s what to avoid… 

• Don’t announce it as a “new song”.  This will give people permission to opt out. They won’t sing it (which is not always bad, as sometimes we need to just listen); and they may not engage with the song. These days, a lot of people are not present each week, so they may more readily engage with the song if they think it was a song that was learnt whilst they were absent.

• Avoid telling people what the song is about.  If the lyrics are not clear about that, then perhaps you shouldn’t be singing it.  Let the words speak for themselves, and let the Holy Spirit use the song to minister into a person’s soul far more deeply than any explanation would. You may pray into it, asking that God would give them a revelation of whatever the song may be proclaiming. You may invite people to let the words impact their soul… but don’t explain it. If the song is an anointed one – that is, the work of the Holy Spirit… then 

• Don’t sing all the harmonies first time.  Ensure that you sing the melody very clearly all the way through before adding harmonies.  Most congregational singing is melodic, and if this is swamped by beautiful but complex harmonies, then they won’t know what to sing, Of course harmonies are beautiful and desired, but maybe introduce them a little down the track so that the melody has a chance to get embedded into the mind and heart of the person in the audience. Remember, you want them singing the melody as they leave the service, so that along with the lyrics, it will minister to them through the ensuing days.  

In the set mix, where possible, always follow up a new song with one that the people know really well and that they can sing with all their heart. This is so important for preparing them for what is happening in the service next, and will help to complete a part of their journey into engaging and worshipping with their Heavenly Father in the service.  

So… when it comes to new songs introduced in the service…  Don’t announce it – just do it! 

PS – and don’t forget to do the new song the following week and maybe the one after as well so it is embedded in their mind and their heart.    

 

Let me know what below you have done that has worked well when introducing a new song.  john@worshipcanvas.com.au