Crafting a worship set list

Posted by Nick Herbert on 17 February 2011 | 1 Comments

Crafting a worship set list ‘Something old, something new something borrowed, something blue’ I’ve read many helpful blogs about how to craft a worship set list that flows. So here is another to add to the burgeoning list of set list thoughts. I’ve been thinking recently about a good luck tradition at weddings which dates back to the Victorian era “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” and many brides will try and ensure that they have something of each in their wedding outfit. And I think if you are truly feeling uninspired when putting your set list together this little saying might have something in it when applied to worship not just weddings. Something Old ‘is meant to represent the link with the bride's own family and the past particularly mother or grandmother or even most distant relations. Something old is symbolic of continuity.’ Lets face it continuity is key in leading worship for the local church – to gain a sense of journey from week to week and year to year so there is definitely a place for the ‘old song’ that is familiar to kick off a worship set and set people at ease. Old songs help us stay connected to the past and recognize the incredible history and journey of the worshipping church from age to age. I think someone once said something along the lines of ‘if you want to write worship songs for the future a good source of inspiration is to go as far back as possible into the past’ - the old can be good when used in the right way. Something New ‘represents good luck and success and the brides hopes for a bright future in her new married life.’ Time and again we are commanded in the Bible to sing a new song to the Lord and to not overly dwell on the past, so to bring a new song is good too. A new relevant anointed song has the power to unlock a response like nothing else on its day so we need to keep writing and keep on singing the new song. This is not only a well-crafted song that has been polished, produced and packaged but also the spontaneous spur of the moment offering that comes from the overflow of the heart - maybe it’s a good thing to plan for moments of space in set lists to see what happens? Something Borrowed ‘is to represent to the bride that friends and family will be there for her on the special day and in the future when help is needed. "Borrowing" is especially important; since it has to come from a happily married woman, thereby lending the bride some of her own marital happiness to carry into the new marriage. Anything can be borrowed but it must be returned afterwards.’ Maybe its not such a bad thing in worship to learn from each other and when it is appropriate ‘borrow’ what we have learnt – after all that is probably a big part of why we might go to conferences to see what others are doing and take that back to our own church. I remember going to an event once and seeing a worship leader start to use ‘Jesus name above all names’- an old song in an unexpected spirit inspired way focusing on the lyrics ‘Immanuel our God is with us’ I’ll be honest it wasn’t long before I started to use that in a few worship times. I don’t think its wrong to do that so long as our mentality isn’t – well it worked for him/her then so it’ll work for me now – The spirit moves like the wind where he will – but I also think it’s a good practice to honor those who saw it first if it does end up working in a big way. Something Blue Okay I know you are thinking how is he going to pull this one together – surely this could take a downward turn now, well – ‘In Roman times the color blue was a symbol of faithfulness and purity, and the Roman bride would wear a blue band round the bottom of her dress to represent her purity and virginity. Blue was also the Christian color of purity, not white as it is now’ I as I’ve reflected on worship set lists of recent weeks and months I realized that it is so important every time we come to worship to mention God’s faithfulness and thank him for that. His commitment to us ultimately shown at the cross of Christ, so a song or songs along this line – and there are plenty to choose from - is an undeniable opportunity to show others and remind our hearts how God is faithful even in suffering and speaks hope where promises have been broken. The fact is our act of worship is the fruit of His faithfulness. So, when putting a set list together if all else fails then maybe try the above, although If you start to think ‘I’ll play ‘Here comes the bride’ next week you’re in trouble!