5 Tips for a Leading Worship at a Retreat
Just this past week, I was on staff retreat with my church staff. We started and ended each day with a devotion, and some of them included a time of worship. Leading worship at a retreat is a little different than leading in most settings, so a few new rules apply. Here are some tips in case you find yourself in the same boat:
1. Be careful with your key. In a larger (especially younger) gathering, you can get away with higher keys for a lot of songs. If you’re a male vocalist and playing in the key of B, you’ll likely find yourself in a low octave on the first or second verse and then shooting up to a high octave to build the song.
I’d advise staying away from these types of low then high songs. When you’re in a small setting with just an acoustic guitar, people will feel really uncomfortable belting out a chorus, and many of the men will be forced to sing an octave lower than you’re singing.
At the retreat I dropped most of my songs a whole step. So, it’s a little on the low end for a male vocal, and just right for the female vocal. It’s better to shoot a little low than too high. Also, be very mindful if you’re leading a session in the morning. Everyone’s voice is still waking up. Don’t force something with a really high key.
2. Be ready with a go-to song. During one of our sessions, the atmosphere was perfect for a time of worship, but there wasn’t anything planned.
The leader asked me to lead in a song. Fortunately, I have a few go-to songs, where I have all of the lyrics memorized, and I know that the people there will be able to follow along without much prompting. I starting off with “How Great is Our God” in the key of G. Most everyone knows this song, and the key of G is comfortable for everyone in the room.
3. Lean on older songs. Classics do really well in a retreat setting. Our church still incorporates hymns when we can, and this setting is a great time to work them in.
Hymns are typically designed to be very singable without injecting a lot of vocal trills or difficult musical riffs. Also, older songs will be really familiar to everyone, and they will therefore since out more. You know your environment better than anyone, but lean on familiar songs for your sets.
4. Think ahead with lyrics. Depending on whether you’re in a mountain cabin or in an auditorium outfitted with AVL, you’ll need to think ahead. Do this work beforehand. If you have to handout lyric sheets, then spend a little time getting all of the lyrics on as few pages as possible and formatted the same. I omit the chords too on the lyric sheets, since they’re not helpful for most people worshipping.
If you’re building out a ProPresenter (or other type of) file, then get everything ready, including the order of the song and background. If I’m going to an unfamiliar venue, I also try and call ahead to get the dimensions on the projector and screen. That way I can punch in the correct dimensions before I even arrive. This will help you tremendously with formatting.
You may also want to pick someone beforehand to run the lyrics.The more prepared you are, the easier this ask will be.
5. Tune up and warm up before everyone gets there. Please don’t make a group wait on your to tune! Step up your game and tune up beforehand. If I’m leading at a camp setting where there is a worship session after dinner, I try to eat as quickly as possible, and the go to the auditorium to make sure I’m tuned up, everything is working, and my voice is warmed up.
Being prepared, on time, and on-it doesn’t cost you any money, but it will leave a lasting impression with your leaders. You’re demonstrating that you want to be servant hearted and do the best job possible.
Worship is worth it.
Spend time thinking through your songs, preparing, and doing the best job you can. The more you do, the less distractions will pop up, and you’ll have the best chance at creating a truly worshipful environment for your sessions that can be (literally) life changing.
Stephen
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