Worship leaders struggle with so many aspects of getting it "right". Most folks show up for a weekend service to just enjoy the experience, never knowing how much time, effort and prayer goes into making it all seem effortless. Being human, it's easy for those of us who have a passion for such things to grow a wee bit sarcastic when our church family whines and complains about a "product" that isn't served to them "their way". With so many things to accomplish to make things go right for them - I thought I'd paraphrase an article I encountered in the Jan/Feb issue of Worship Leader Magazine by John Andrew Shriner which sort of turns things around in a new light...
Number 1 way to help your church family sit quietly and NOT participate:
Turn the volume up so loud that the congregation would have to scream in order to hear their own voices. Too much volume is not just for damaging ears, it's also an effective way of intimidating your church family and making sure they're disoriented and distracted at all times. Heavy volume is a very effective way to eliminate annoying distractions for the worship team such as clapping on 1 and 3, singing a harmony that isn't a whole number above or below the root and using that speed-bump vibrato, we all know and love, to really make an impact. If you want to really keep your congregation in line and prevent them from entering into a God-encounter, just turn it up!
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