parachute pointers =)

i went for a parachute band worship workshop this last weekend, and boy did i learn a lot! in fact i had to force myself to wake up early on Sunday morning before church to have a short retreat and process all that i have learnt. there is so much to apply in both work and church contexts, in evangelism and worship, and i am SO thankful that i went, because i was actually quite reluctant to drag myself out of bed on saturday morning =b

here is a brief summary of the main points i've learnt:

1. Know where your congregation/audience has come from - literally.
- what hurts are they going through
- what confusion might be going on in their lives
- what might the media be telling them
- what is happening in their families, in their communities, in their country
- we want to take them on a journey from where they have from to a place where they can encounter God

2. create a 'big idea' for each song
- what is the main message of the song
- plan out how to create that message physically (structure, instrumentation) and emotionally (tone, mood, feel)

3. Redeem the chords of 'secular' music for God
- take note of cool rifts or chords and use it for God

4. People want to see the true ME, OUR story. they don't want to see us only copying someone else, be it Hillsongs or Keanne. the song should fit our personality, and the message that we are seeking to convey

5. Choose musicians/vocalists for their FEEL, not for SKILL
- Skill is still important, but chords can be learnt more easier, versus groove.

6. Analyse music pieces to understand key elements
- What makes this song 'this' song?
- Why does it evoke this feeling in me?

7. Plan rehearsals well
- Structure balanced with flexibility
- Clear flow and direction of each piece and TO each piece
- Always think what's good for the listener. How to NOT distract them?

8. Really FEEL what you are playing.
- love God
- love the song
- love the people you are leading

9. Develop emotional muscle
- Listen to genres you hate, understand where they are coming from
- Feel the music you listen to

10. Groove is most important in preparing a song
- Always focus on rhythm section first

11. Develop ear for music
- Sing scales to tune your ear
- Not just for singers - all musicians should 'tune' their ears, and need to do this regularly, to get better

12. Music is not a tool to draw people nearer to God. It is purely an emotional tool that creates an atmosphere for listeners to engage with God. it is up to the individual listener, and it is his/her responsibility, to choose to respond to God in faith.