Question:
Hi -
How many of you incorporate "talk" or scripture reading, etc. into your praise sets? Is is spontaneous or scripted out?
Thanks,
Answer:
Before anyone answers the question individually, let me just say that a lot of this is subject to a combination of factors: your own style, your congregation, your denomination or theology, your liturgy, your band, and a number of other factors that I'm sure I've forgotten.
Personally, I do speak. But how I speak depends on the situation. Recently, I lead worship at a youth rally type of thing. It was an outreach to a pioneer church's youth group and another nearby pioneer church's youth group came as well. So a lot of the speaking I did was hype-oriented; telling them what a great time we were going to have, or encouraging them to spread out or clap their hands, etc. I also did some speaking about the meaning of some of the song lyrics, that type of thing.
On the other hand, if I were at my home church leading a regular Sunday service, I might not speak at all. If I did, it would be instructions to take up the offering, or to introduce somebody, etc. Rarely will I talk about song meanings or read scripture in that setting. But that's just me, as well as the congregation.
Answer:
I don't talk a lot, and when I do, it's usually either a brief account of why I selected songs, a little tie-in to the sermon, an explanation of some difficult words or phrases, or a Scripture reading. I've considered scripting them before since I'm a terrible public speaker, but I've gotten better at it simply by thinking out in the days before our service what exactly it is that I want to talk about and how exactly I want to say it. I have a good memory, so if I run through things in my head a few times beforehand, it usually comes out okay.
In His love,
Nate
Answer:
Originally Posted by Nate I've considered scripting them before since I'm a terrible public speaker, but I've gotten better at it simply by thinking out in the days before our service what exactly it is that I want to talk about and how exactly I want to say it. I have a good memory, so if I run through things in my head a few times beforehand, it usually comes out okay.
Very much the same for me, too. A song or sermon theme will have me searching for related Scripture that I can use before/during/after the song or somewhere during the 'set' and I'll typically rehearse what I'm going to say beforehand.
I've always been a horrible public speaker but God is working on that in me and, I think, progress is being made.
Also, I was brought up in the school of "don't say anything unless you have something to say" and I'll do very little improvisational speaking between songs unless I'm "led" to do so.
[opinion mode]
Nothing turns me off during a worship set more than the leader giving a lengthy dissertation before each song.
[/opinion mode]
Answer:
Thanks a lot. It is nice to get a feel for what others do. I am pretty bad a public speaking and only do it if "led". Yesterday, I felt particularily led to tell the congregation how much we appreciate their participation in our worship leading. How it ministers to us all.
Answer:
I seldom say anything other than instructions, and let the song selections speak for themselves.
Answer:
Public speaking - Not a problem for me, I quite enjoy it.
I like to blend songs together alot so there is not alot of room for speaking.
But -
I often will use words of encouragement related to the songs. My goal is to give them a fresh view of Jesus in which they respond in worship. ( it also helps the overhead or powerpoint person know where you are going). So I use both song and words of encouragement. I also have been on occasion known to do a prophetic song for groups or individuals. depending on your theology you may or may not agree. It works well for us though.
In His service
Joe
Answer:
I don't speak at all during songs, I may sing a couple of lines that I feel God is saying but otherwise I leave it to the congregation/elders to do the scripture reading or whatever else.

I feel praise and worship is "one on one" communication with God to us or vice versa... there's no ways I want to interrupt that I like to keep a flow of music and expressions.

Giving little sermons inbetween songs is discouraged, prepared ones, that is... if it's spontaneous, then no problem, we just communicate with the elders that we want to say a word or two.
Answer:
We generally incorporate a fair amount of spoken elements in our services--there are typically 5 prayers during the morning service, and then things like creeds and denominational confessions that we'll use. Not as much, I think, as I remember sitting through as a kid, though. It's rare for us to do more than two songs without something spoken in between.
Answer:
I usually pray at least once during the worship part of the service (not counting before communion).
I usually say something quick at the beginning to get everyone ready to go.
Usually, before the song right before communion, I will say something that has at least a little bit to do with what's going to be talked about during the sermon. I have scripted them in my head before, but usually I find myself just talking rather than remembering anything. I'm also notorious at changing what I say at each service. I pretty much just speak what's on my heart at the moment. I would say this part lasts maybe 2 minutes at the most.
To counteract my "speaking time", I usually have a period of reflection right before the last song as well.