Introduction

Chapter 1. Discovering Contemporary Worship

Why Contemporary Worship Is Biblical
Why Use Contemporary Worship?
Why Not Use Contemporary Worship?
A Parable for Our Time
Blended Worship
A Modern Culture of Worship
Applications of Charismatic Worship to Evangelical Churches
Cautions

Chapter 2. How To Establish A Contemporary Worship Program

Instrumentation: What do I need?
Singers
How many do I need on my worship team?
Quality versus Quantity
Going Slow
What Worship Music is All About
CCLI

Chapter 3. Mechanical Considerations

How to Manage the Music: Boxes
Transparencies
Music Database
Adding a New Song
Making Transparencies

Chapter 4. Sound System Requirements

What Do I Need?
The Mixer
The Monitor Amp
Power amplifier
House Speakers
Monitor Speakers
Snake
Microphones
Recording Equipment
Facility Requirements

Chapter 5. Starting A New Team

A False Argument
The Call, the Gift, the Passion and the Preparation
Example: A Missionary
Applying the Example to the Church
The Member Selection Process
Invitation to Rehearsals
What to Look For In Singers
Vibrato
Other Considerations for New Members
Worship in Large Churches
Worship in Small and Medium-size Churches
Temperament Blends
Temperaments and Roles
Role Reversal
The Mathematics of Worship
Starting a Worship Team
Rehearsal
Using Recordings
Learning from Professionals: the CD as Mentor
The Cassette as Critic
Rules

Chapter 6. The Things They Don't Tell You When You Join A Worship Team

The Value of Worship
Opposition
When People Feel Threatened
What to Do

Chapter 7. Song Selection

Selecting the Songs in Your Repertoire
Where to Find Great Worship Songs
Where to Get Referrals
Subscription Services
Success Stories
How to Select the Songs for a Worship Service
Flow
A Note about Keys
Models
Service Structure
Adapting Our Plans to God's Purposes

Chapter 8. Song Arranging

Instrumental Arranging
Layering
Other Techniques
Variety in Instrumentation
Acappella Singing
Vocal Arranging
Staying Contemporary

Chapter 9. Leading Worship

Being the Lead Worshiper
Preparation
Hearing God's Voice
Sin
Leading
Communicating and Leadership
Role Models
Leading a Worship Service
A Special Extended Worship Service
The Worship Leader and the Pastor

Chapter 10. The Keyboard In Worship

The Piano in Contemporary Worship
Playing Piano on the Worship Team
The Pianist as Chief Musician
Working with a Bass Player
Working with a Guitar Player
The Synthesizer in Worship
Equipment
Other Sources of Information

Chapter 11. The Acoustic Guitar In Worship

The Capo
Alternate Tunings
Slash chords
Playing with another Guitarist
Finger-picking
Modern Chord Voicings
Ornamentation
Equipment
Pre-amps or Effects Units
Chord Charts

Chapter 12. The Bass Guitar In Worship

The Glissando
Fifth Position
"Slash Chords" - Chords with Alternate Bass Notes
The In-Between Stuff
Father Abraham
The Walking Bass
Simple Tricks
Additional Information

Chapter 13. Drums And Other Percussion In Worship

How to Talk to a Drummer
The Names of Everything in a Drum Set
Learning to Play
Controlling Volume
Drumming for Worship
Where to Go for Help
Percussion
Audience Participation

Chapter 14. The Electric Guitar In Worship

Rethinking an Electric Guitar Player's Setup
Finding a Space to Play In
"Slash Chords"
Techniques
Arpeggios
Volume Swells
E-bow
Leads
Effects
Examples
The Acoustic Alternative

Chapter 15. Running Sound

The Sound Man as Team Member
The Nature of a Sound Man
A Sound Man's Two Priorities
Checklist
Techniques
Feedback
The Parameters of Feedback
Eliminating Feedback
Eliminating Buzzes and Hum
Recording

Chapter 16. Jammin' With The Flow

Some Basic Music Theory
What to Play
Improvisation on Lead Instruments
Instrumental Music and Prophecy
Playing During Ministry Times

Chapter 17. Hymns

The Challenge Hymns Present to a Contemporary Worship Team
Meeting the Challenge
Changing the Harmony
Old Message in a New Package

Chapter 18. Transposition, Modulation And Transitions

Congregational Harmony Singing
Key Selection Considerations
Bright and Dark Keys?
Key Changes
Aids to Transposition
Transposition Charts
Modulations
Dominant Seventh Modulation
More Complex Modulations
Modulating to Any Key

Chapter 19. How To Start A Second Worship Team

Drawbacks to Having Two or More Teams
Mentoring
Coordinating Song Selection
Differing Styles
Too Many Musicians
Keeping Your Options Open

Chapter 20. How To Add A Second Worship Service

The Second Service: Same or Different?
Time Constraints
Preparing for a Second Service
Group Dynamics and the Magic Number
Reducing the Impact of a Smaller Crowd Size

Chapter 21. The Future Of Contemporary Worship

Staying Contemporary
Predicting the future
APPENDIX A. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
How do I get the men in my church to move into "intimate worship?"
A list of things that worship is not:
How do I do the hymns so they blend in with the choruses?
People Skipping Worship
Complaints about Hymns Left Out
Scriptural Basis for Distortion in Electric Guitars
How do I copyright my original songs?

Index