Welcome back to part two of Mandy Thompson’s interview at Consuming Worship.
Mandy Thompson
What’s the greatest “worship risk” you’ve ever taken?
Serving at the church I am a part of now. We are in the midst of a subtle “worship war” – and the church is experiencing growing pains. This puts intense strain on the pastor and worship team, as well as the elders and leadership of our church. I and the Pastor are constantly exposed to criticism and complaint. It is impossible for us to fully please the 80 yr olds and the 18 yr olds at the same time. We have implemented a Blended style of worship, and the congregation is adjusting.
Unfortunately, our “consumer culture” makes the work of pastors and worship leaders particularly difficult today. We are set up for complaints and criticisms from a congregation “consumers”…
Any risks you wish you had taken but did not?
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to serve as a worship leader overseas at a missionary retreat. I didn’t get on the plane. I really wish I had.
Describe the steps you and your church have taken towards becoming “blended,” and tell us about some of the pitfalls and pinnacles you’ve experienced along the way.
About four to six years ago, the church incorporated some praise choruses during the service, buying new hymnals to reflect a blend of songs. A year later, a young music major and her husband joined the church. She took over the music and brought in even more contemporary songs. The pastor at that time moved on to another position, and was succeeded by a thirty-something seminary student who’s wife joined the music team and added more contemporary songs. The pastor also added a unique appreciation for communion, the disciples’ creed, and other traditional elements of liturgy.
My husband and I started attending the church about a year later and loved it. During my time as a regular member of the congregation, the band, which had grown to about a half dozen young adults, went through three different worship leaders, who each introduced more and more praise and worship songs. About six months ago I came on as the fourth. By then, the service was fairly blended, using both hymnals and overhead projection.
I work closely with our current pastor to bring a new twist to old hymns. In the past few months we have learned that the older generations have a hard time engaging in old hymns set to new melodies (ie: Tomlin’s rendition of “Take My Life”). But, they aren’t too concerned with the arrangement/instrumentation of the hymns as long as the melody stays the same.
We have also tried to balance the use of hymnals vs. overhead projection. The hymnals were chosen carefully and our elders would like us to make use of them. Consequently, we may do a set of three songs, but pause for the congregation to grab a hymnal on the last one. Maintaining a sense of “flow” in those times has been quite a challenge for me, to say the least! But, its been a challenge that I think I’ve grown from.
Describe your process for planning a worship service:
The pastor and I work together to plan a service that primarily reflects his sermon topic. We also consider issues in the church body (guest missionaries, communion Sunday, baby dedication, and the like) when ordering the service. We also include the occasional creed, responsive reading, special music, testimony, etc. Typically, we sing 5 songs – two hymns and three contemporary songs (which may include a modernized hymn).
Please include a sample worship set list and/or service order:
1.13.07
Order of Worship:
A Mighty Fortress is Our God (hymnal) - Martin Luther
Welcome and Announcements - pastor
Missionary Moment (our missions director gave a report on the missionaries our church supports)
Sing to the King - Billy Foote & Charles Sylvester Horne
Made Me Glad - Miriam Webster
May the Words of My Mouth - Terry Butler
Offering and Doxology
Scripture Reading – lay reader
Sermon
Open my Eyes that I may See (hymnal) - Clara H. Fiske Scott
Benediction – one of our elders
Do you write music for your congregation?
No. Most of the songs I write are based more on personal experience. My songs are more like little diary entries or prayers.
Describe your song-writing process:
Like I said, my songs are my diary entries. Usually, the songs come from something that is deeply weighing on my heart. Most often, the words and music will come at the same time (a verse or chorus). These words give me a clear picture of the theme of the song… Then the hard work of churning out the rest of the song begins!
You are obviously an advocate for more women becoming leaders of congregational worship. What are some tips for the rest of us to help encourage and draw women into this field of ministry?
[Disclaimer: This is not to address the theological discussion of women as teachers over men. While I do seek to challenge, encourage, and even exhort my congregation to actively join in worship, I don’t see my role as a Worship Leader placing me in a teaching position or spiritual authority over men.]
My answer is simple: Let ‘em lead! My college pastor called me to step up as a Worship Leader, which gave me a wide open space to exercise my gifts. I think today’s churches are turning towards a “culture” that welcomes the gifts and talents of women members, even allowing them to lead in certain circumstances. Women like Darlene Zschech, Carol Cymbala, Rita Springer, Vicky Beeching, Kari Jobe, etc. are prime examples of the abilities of women as Worship Leaders. Their examples have led to an open-mindedness among our churches, as well as allowing the rest of us the freedom to explore our roles as female Worship Leaders among the local Body of Christ.
When you look back decades from now, what do you hope to see you’ve accomplished as a worship leader?
More than anything, I desire to facilitate others in an experience of meeting with God. I hope that I will have been a part of the process of others’ growth in their faith, growth in their prayer life, and growth in their understanding of worship. What are your predictions for the future of worship?
I think, until His Kingdom come, worship songs will be filtered through the lens of our own preferences and styles and opinions. I don’t think we can get away from the subjective nature of worship until we’re before “The Lamb that was Slain before the Foundations of the World” and we’ve totally lost ourselves in the moment.
What is one thing you wished every worship leader knew?
More hymns….
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
