Message Series: “Love One Another: Part I”

Song / Version / Key / Leader
“Running” – Hillsong – Key of B – Male 1 Lead
“Only Your Love” – Kari Jobe – Key of E – Female 1 Lead
“Holy Spirit” – Jesus Culture – Key of E – Female 2 Lead
“Lord I Need You” – Hillsong – Key of E – Female 1 Lead

Kicking off the month and a new sermon series, we kept it pretty basic. We did three staple songs (which I have broken down in previous set list posts) along with the newly introduced “Only Your Love” from the previous week. When introducing a new song we more often than not do it two weeks in a row and then give it a week off before repeating it for the third time and then resting it. This is simply to get the song from a place of unfamiliarity (melody & message wise) to a place of familiarity and comfort with the church. The first time generally people are learning the song, the second time they are able to actually engage and sing along, and the third time they are getting it in their spirit and really absorbing the message.

We had our primary male leader lead the opener, “Running” because I knew I would be leading two other songs in the set and we could maintain good transitions with them all being in the key of E. In knowing this, I didn’t want to lead three songs by taking the opener as well. Again, not necessary with the other talented leaders we do have. Plus, having three female led songs following the opener needed to be broken up with a male voice if possible. Along with this, it is good for other leaders to get more comfortable and experienced with opening the service with a greeting and directing/engaging the congregation. People won’t learn if they don’t practice. They can’t practice if they aren’t given the opportunity.

With that being said, one thing I would have changed looking back is the arrangement of the leading of the songs. Instead, I think I would have led “Only Your Love” and “Holy Spirit” and then had our second female leader lead “Lord I Need You.” The reasoning for this would be that while exchanging who leads can help people engage better, if done too much, can be counterproductive. I used to feel that leading two songs back to back wasn’t good because I do want to empower other leaders and stress the multi-leader model. However, I realized through studying and watching other churches such as Church of the Highlands and Gateway, main leaders lead two songs back to back almost every Sunday. It helped me understand how this can create stability and consistency, something that is just as important as empowerment.