There are so many great sources for new songs, but sometimes the big production that I hear on an album turns me off to the song. I get ear fatigue...it all starts sounding the same. Sometimes, that causes me to miss fantastic songs.

One thing that helps me is finding acoustic versions where I can experience the heart of the song, and hopefully the heart of the author, and even the story behind the song. Well every week, WorshipTogether.com puts out just such a video - the New Song Café. They're free and you can sign up for their weekly email that will give you the link to the video. The newest ones are here or here and you can also watch about 75 older ones here.  It's a great place to find some new songs you may have missed.

I'm also putting together a "Top 50 modern worship songs that every leader should have in their catalog." Would you help me with that? Go to the blog and list your top 20 or so songs that would fit in this category. (thanks!)

Finally, I realized that one of the critical steps for integrating a new song into my personal catalog is to use it in my own personal times of worship. If I'm really drawn to a song in my own devotions, that's a good starting place for considering using it for corporate worship. Conversely, I find that the experience in leading corporate worship with a song that I have integrated into my own times with the Lord has a whole deeper level to it that a song that I've just learned and rehearsed. What's your process been?

Introducing New Songs 

I think a system of repeating a song the week after it's taught is great.  It helps people learn it, and it weeds out songs just because you have to have a broader buy-in from other leaders and it has to be powerful enough to be used 2 weeks in a row.

And when introducing a new song, one thing that's often overlooked is actually letting people know that you know that it's a new song for them [with more than just a "this next song is a new song.  Strum..."]. I like to teach the chorus with simpler instrumentation a couple times so that once we're "doing the song" and they get there, they can really let loose.  Personal sharing is so good too - getting them to get it the way you get it, to think and feel what you think and feel when you sing the abstract lyrics. Reading the scripture it's based on is great too.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. How do you find, integrate, and teach new songs? Share with us on the blog!

Worship Design Workshops

When: Sunday, February 19, 2:00 - 4:30 PM

Where: Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church, Quarryville, PA

What: Okay. We've Got the Projector. We've Got the Screen. We Hate PowerPoint. Now What? Erin Cox-Holmes from the Donegal Presbytery will teach on issues related to "going digital" from how to share attention between the pulpit and the screen to what you put up on the screen.  And when you don't put anything up at all.

COLLIDE

When: Friday, February 24

Where: Hope Of The Nations Christian Center, Reading, PA

What: COLLIDE is a community worship night designed to focus on worship and action, and will gather each month in a different venue and will be led by multiple worship leaders throughout Lancaster County. COLLIDE will also identify and focus on different local and global needs at each gathering. The basic concept comes out of Hebrews 13:15-16 that says, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." The hope is that Lancaster County would gather in worship and be moved into action.  For example, we gather to sing, to pray, and to meet a local and global need. 

ALL THINGS NEW worship conference

When: Saturday, February 25, 9 AM - 4 PM

Where: In The Light Ministries, Lancaster, PA

What: In The Light Ministries (ITLM) invites you to our very first "ALL THINGS NEW" worship seminar. We want to challenge the body of Christ to take their worship to another level, to dive into a deeper understanding of adoration. Our heart is to take a journey through the history of worship as scripture lays it out with our brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of what church or local body we attend. Jamie Fitt and worship team Philadelphia Tabernacle Of David is coming to lead different styles of worship and teach in-depth classes. Register by calling the church office at (717) 293-9287

Designing God-Centered Worship

When: Saturday, March 3, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Where: James Street Mennonite Church, Lancaster, PA

What: Can the worship planners and leaders in your congregation name anyone who has a similar role in neighboring congregations? Do they regularly relate to any of those persons?   Don't miss an opportunity for persons who give leadership to worship in your congregations to connect and share ideas with other such leaders at a one-day worship event. Worship Trainer Michael Zehr will teach around the question 'What does it mean to have God at the center of our worship?' Attenders will choose two interactive seminars designed to increase their worship skills. Three worship sessions are being planned using a variety of leaders and styles.

Stewardship University

When: Saturday, March 3, 8 AM - 3 PM

Where: Lancaster Mennonite School, Lancaster, PA

What: Attend courses designed to help you discover the solutions you need to live a God-honoring life of holistic stewardship. Dave Helmuth will teach "Generous Worship: Moving Beyond the Worship Challenge" from 1:30 - 2:45 PM

Growing The Heart of Worship

When: The week of March 11-18

Where: Carpenter Community Church, Talmage, PA

What: Dave Helmuth will be teaching on worship, aimed at taking the whole church community, deeper in our relationship with the Lord. Come nurture the heart of worship at the root. This is primarily for Carpenter's, but you are welcome to come as well.

Inspire Worship Conference

When: Friday, April 27 - Saturday, April 28

Where: Mechanicsburg Brethren In Christ Church

What: Leading times of gathered worship on a weekly basis requires intentional and focused effort.  We are here to help you with that process, regardless of the size of your church, your style of expression or your available resources. Be encouraged and challenged by the main sessions with Dan Wilt.  Join with others in times of gathered worship.  Wait upon the Lord during a pre-event Personal Retreat on Friday afternoon.

Clear Conference

When: Friday, September 28 - Saturday, September 29

Where: Manheim Brethren in Christ Church

What: Come together with other worship leaders, pastors, designers and techs for hands-on training you can put directly to use in your own worship environment. Learn how to think, plan, process and dream together, improve your communication with and understanding of each other, hear from local and national instructors and make connections with others who share your passion! Because we are called to make the message CLEAR.

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We're going to be planning for Christmas at the end of 2012...in what will feel like tomorrow. How will you have grown in that time? What nagging issue will still be nagging you then, staring you down like an old student loan on your to-do list? Are you lonely in leadership? Charles "Tremendous" Jones once said "You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read." Your growth requires intentional investment. 

So you want to develop into a more effective leader, but where do you start. Well, imagine if you could spend time one on one with an experienced worship coach who will pour into you, be a mirror for you, and help you know what to ask and what to do. And what if there were three or four other worship leaders also focused on growing in their leadership that you could have breakfast with where you would breathe strength into each other. And what if your worship coach would lead worship for you so you can have a break (and worship with your family "from the pew"). Or if you'd rather, he would tailor a training (or two) for your worship or tech team in place of leading worship. Plus, you'd get all the latest information on local training events, be privy to special opportunities and events, and have unlimited access to support from your coach via email. 

Dive into "The Year of Worship Leadership Development!" Instead of "Shady Mapling" your training by going to the next big conference in Texas, spread the training out over the whole year and grow like never before. This Leadership Development package is limited to the first 10 participants. 

Here's the specific breakout: 

A "Coaching Moment" each month, typically 1-3 hours, in person (or via Skype if you're out of range)

A "Coaching Group" that meets every other month (or every month if the group prefers)

Two "Guest Worship Leading" dates or "Worship Training Events" at your church

Email info@adlibmusic.com or call (717) 468-6428 and we'll set up a time to either meet face to face or over Skype. 

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Ánimo!

Dave Helmuth
Ad Lib Music...coaching and resourcing for the worship arts
962 East Orange Street, Lancaster, PA 17602
Phone - 717.468.6428
www.AdLibMusic.com