Joyful Noise

Worship music has moved far beyond the simple, classical presentation of hymns. Praise bands open and close worship services and help lift the Holy Spirit’s presence in the congregations. There is little differentiation between praise bands, choirs, piano and organ accompaniment, and orchestras. All elements work together to lead the congregation in expressing their beliefs and the emotions that flow from them.

The collective praise band is an integral part of the worship team, leading the congregation through the musical segments of the worship service and integrating those segments seamlessly with the other portions of the service. The presentation is not a personal performance, but a collective act of praise and worship leadership. One or more praise band members often speak between the songs, helping the congregation transition from one song to another through a shared witness, prayerful comments, or explanation of how one song relates to the another. For example, if one song mentions water, the following song may speak to the pouring out of God’s Spirit, and the congregation is made aware of the connection.

Praise is the overwhelming and critical element of the musical selections, and the songs are selected to be supportive of the day’s sermon topic. The selections, by nature of their composition and effect, crescendo to a emotional and spiritual peak, then decrescendo back to an attitude of reverence and worship. Well done, it is a powerful and moving spiritual experience that prepares the congregation incredibly for the message. At the end of the service, the music selection generally reprises from one of the earlier selections with the highest joy of praise for the last song.