I quit planning songs based on the sermon topic. Here’s why. 

I agree with your method. We can plan SOME of the songs as well as allow for space for the Holy Spirit to speak to the congregation in song.

I agree. I only plan songs based on a sermon topic when it's a BIG event, like Easter or Christmas. Or if there's a BIG sermon series that's been announced for a while.

I play at the Catholic Church and the sequence is basically what you've listed. We choose some of the songs to be more aligned to the "theme" of the week but not all of them.

Haha I only joined a worship team in January, and I've been using your videos to learn more about it. I have pitched to them to cut their songs down cause we are a small church plant, and I'm the only committed musician atm (they borrowed keyboard and drummers, but we are changing to a morning service this week). They gave me 50+ songs back then, but then still picked other songs I've never heard of before service. The singers also didn't always know the lyrics and would be asking me how it goes (during rehearsal before the lyrics are up on the screen). I know in one video, you said 40 songs should be the max for a church to get familiar with them, it's enough variety. I told them 25ish since we only sing one, maybe two songs each week. I also asked my pastor earlier this week when he knows what he wants to preach on so we can coordinate, as that's something I've heard a few times in your videos, and elsewhere as well. The worship team usually picks on Thursday, but there's been a few times where he requested a different song or an additional song the night before. I've only been playing guitar for 4 years, and while I have performed on big stages in my previous genre/niche, I always had weeks or months to learn my set for the gig. I don't mind the challenge as I'm learning to play more by ear and be more spontaneous, but I can't do as well as I want to with so many unknown factors. For example, the key wasn't decided until before service when we would rehearse. I couldn't even ask the keyboardist anything because he didn't hear the song til he was on his way. Even if I figured out the progression, I'm not given enough time to develop any muscle memory, and yet, I still try to provide backup vocals as we only have two singers. Thankfully, they have agreed to a shorter setlist, and even the pastor said if he picks a song, he'll choose something from the list 🙏🏾 I really want to establish better organization so everyone can be better prepared to serve and worship, and so we're all on the same page when we do get new members down the road. Unmotivated bandmates can certainly cause everyone else to get lazy, as I've seen in my own past band experiences 😓

This is helpful since my pastor doesn't always give me his "major theme" until too late in the week. That being said, his preaching is expository through a book, so I can anticipate what's coming next by just following along chapter by chapter each week. My "method" for song selection has been 3 fold: topic/scripture passages being discussed, Spirit-lead intuition regarding what I'm sensing our congregation needs ministry in at that given moment, and I take loose consideration about the band members we have for that week - for instance, do we have a drummer, bass and electric, or is it just one acoustic guitar and cajon? I could say I don't necessarily focus too much on "Gospel-centered songs" because the vast majority of them in our rotation simply are, and our pastor ALWAYS ties the Gospel in regardless of what verses we are studying that week., so it is incorporated by default. The previous church I lead worship at was Anglican and due to following the liturgy and lectionary, song selection always followed a "template." (I now lead at a Calvary chapel and have much more flexibility.) All that being said, I think this is a great model to use, a fantastic reminder of the importance of the Gospel message in worship, and I appreciate the freedom of not having to be so worried about aligning with the pastor's exact thesis. Thank you!

I’m so grateful for my Pastor who gives me his themes months in advance. I love singing a song that helps me reflect on the sermon. Our first song is a song of praise and our last song is related to the sermon theme. But the Holy Spirit works when and how he wants… with or without our planning and effort.

Inspirational video, Spencer. I now have this need to go and categorise our song book :)

This is so relevant, we all run into this issue! Thanks for sharing 😀

Spencer this is a great video! Just had a conversation with my wife on having the songs and the word lining up. But i really like this alot and this speaks to me.

Very well done with this one. It was a struggle at my last church since the Pastor would use the Saturday before services to prepare his sermon. I tried to stay topical, but I wasn't as diligent about staying to the shape you're recommending as I should've been.

I pray about and pick how God leads, sometimes more than a week ahead. 9/10 my theme is the same as what God tells our pastor to preach. This is the second pastor we've had and it has happened with both. We in no way compare notes. God coordinates it for us.

We sing 5 songs each Sunday. There is a call to worship with scripture and a praise song, then announcements, 3 songs, sermon and closing song that matches message of the sermon. You mention 10 points of gospel shaped set list…can you give an example of how that can be done in 3-4 songs? Thanks so much for these videos! God bless your ministry!

This is brilliant

Really helpful.

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1:50 I think you are presenting a false dichotomy when you present the choice between a Gospel shaped worship service, or a worship service based on the sermon topic. It is the responsibility of the pastor to include the Gospel in every sermon he preaches, regardless of where he is preaching from in the scriptures. Every week should be about the Gospel and if you have to choose between emphasizing a topic or the good news in a worship service, there is a foundational issue with how you plan liturgy.