Be PREPARED
As it relates to organizational planning for the Christmas season, make sure that your pastor and staff work out all expectations ahead of time and commit the “who does what” to paper. Once a plan is set, these expectations will keep additional weight from being added to your workload as the warmth of Christmas turns up the heat! When the pastor’s aunt Carol (who sings a cherished version of “Christmas Shoes”) makes a surprise visit, there is less of a chance you will have to learn the song two days before she arrives if a solid plan is already in place.
As an example, here is a list of what is expected of me this Christmas:
- Hang banner on front of church
- Produce and orchestrate Christmas eve service
- Lead some carols on guitar during the staff Christmas party
- Pastor wants a special song during the Christmas eve service
- Pastor wants a choir during a couple of services
RELATED: The Wonder of Christmas
Knowing what I am doing allows me to honor my leaders and my family as we get to crunch time. I know what the goal is and how I will reach it. Once the list is accomplished I can easily take on any additional unforeseen changes.
Make sure that you clarify your expectations as well. Ask for help and delegate. For instance, I ask that at least one staff member wait and help me lock up on Christmas Eve so I don’t feel so isolated in that critical time. I’ve asked our Kid’s Director to decorate the building since it drains me and she finds it very life giving!
Worship Leaders, prepare for the Christmas season by knowing clearly and owning the role you play in your church’s celebration.
CREATE for Christmas
One of the best ways to drive out the worship leader grinch is to create new art for the advent liturgy. For songwriters, lyrical themes of longing, new life and expectation work well in this season. In worship service prep, creating a new order of worship can help make you feel like you are contributing rather than just going through the motions. Try stripping down existing hymns to their basics and adding new instrumentation, readings or languages that will breathe new life into what is otherwise mundane. These new creations will inspire your bands and awaken congregations to worship afresh.
Several years ago our church produced a Christmas record. We now actually look forward each year to singing those original songs again! It’s really wonderful to have a batch of songs that don’t wear out as quickly because we only use them a few weeks of every year.
Worship Leaders, find something new to say each Christmas season!
