AUTHOR’S NOTE: This series on worship leader strategies gives systems and suggestions on how to better organize worship ministries as it pertains to planning, training, and practically leading congregations in musical worship. Like most strategy-oriented discussion in ministry, there are no fix-all solutions, but these strategies are suggestions that should help others organize their ministries to better serve their leaders, volunteers, and general congregations.
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There are so many ways to categorize our songs for musical worship. The most common that I’ve seen is by tempo and energy, which in its own way is valuable. In fact, I even have a system for categorizing songs in such a way. However, how much better can we shepherd our congregations by categorizing our songs by theme? And to keep us from building up dozens of different themes (e.g.: praise, Holy Spirit, thanksgiving, etc.) I’ve categorized my songs in four distinct categories that tie in to the greater Gospel narrative, and notate them by roman numerals:
I // Creation – God’s identity, declarations of faith, songs directed toward the characteristics of God the Father, songs inviting God’s presence into the room/place/house/our hearts – ex: Lion & The Lamb by Bethel Music
II // Fall – Humanity’s need for a savior, desperation songs, songs requesting help and/or transformation, songs of crying out – ex: Lord, I Need You by Passion
III // Redemption – Songs about salvation, specific songs about Jesus victory, resurrection songs, songs about being new creations, celebration and redemption songs – ex: Resurrecting by Elevation Worship
IV // Mission – Declarations of action, following Christ, going and telling, making disciples and following, sendoff songs – ex: I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin
Many songs cover multiple categories. For example, I consider Glorious Day by Passion to cover each of the first three categories. Death Was Arrested by NorthPoint InsideOut I have categorized as a II and III, and depending on the topic of the message will use it as a IV as well. You’ll find as you categorize these songs that most of them cover at least two labels, but maybe lean harder into one than the other(s). I try to let the primary label be the song’s primary use, but I don’t tie myself down to just that most obvious grouping.
Now the question persists: how should this be used? Though different churches have different liturgies, I’ve found that the Gospel narrative model is not only incredibly life-giving, but also does a fantastic job of walking our congregations through the Gospel story week in and week out. This is simply executed by placing songs in the order of the numeral. Roman numeral I songs are first, numeral II songs are second, and so on. Sometimes you do more than four songs in a service, and you’re free to maybe open up with two numeral I songs or have more of the redemption (III) songs. Occasionally you may want extended response after the message, so you do several missional songs (IV). However you want to fit it in, it’s a great opportunity to extend the portions of the Gospel narrative that your congregation may need. The challenge we find is when we are seeking to match the appropriate style and energy in certain moments of our gatherings. This is where things begin to get complicated, and opinions tend to differ.
I’ll save the integration between the Song Number Categories and this system for another post, but allow me to allude to it this way: how many songs do you have that could cover the first category? How do you typically start out your gatherings musically? Do you like upbeat, uptempo, high energy songs? Maybe you can be true to the norms in your congregation and better shepherd them through the Gospel by only keeping all Numeral I songs that are also type 1 (upbeat) in your song bank, or vice versa. Utilizing this numeral categories system is a great way to cut back on bloated song banks and making sure that your congregation is singing a well-rounded variety of songs that point them clearly to the Gospel. That’s our greatest call as worship leaders anyway, isn’t it? That the songs we sing would point people to Jesus and give them clarity about the Good News that we talk about, so why not make it as clear as possible by singing about it in a format that walks them through the whole of the greater meta-narrative.
Did this help you as a worship leader? I’d love your feedback! Feel free to comment below with your thoughts or how you and your church organizes your songs! Have a question you’d like me to tackle for “Worship Leader Strategies”? Comment with those below as well, or shoot me an email!
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Kevin McClure has been leading worship in the local church for over 10 years in different capacities of student and adult ministries. As a songwriter, musical artist, and worship leader he has had the honor of touring the United States both as a performer and worship leader over the better part of the last decade. With a heart to see believers learn how to take the act of worship beyond the setting of a group gathering, Kevin is incredibly intentional with his time on and offstage to help teach the practice of worship as a lifestyle. Kevin lives in Omaha, Nebraska with his bride Hailey and his two daughters, Everleigh (8) and Eliska (2). His favorite food is coffee (lifesource), loves bonfires, and is convinced that Jesus is a Chicago Cubs fan.
Kevin McClure 