Let's be honest. Someone stands up to sing a solo at church, or a guest singer has come to the service. What do you expect from them? Singing! Singers are usually asked into a church to sing. But that is not the case for many singers. The temptation is to talk...to share between songs. THIS IS ACTUALLY TRUE OF MANY WORSHIP SONG LEADERS, AS WELL! Being balanced is the key. If you are a singer, lean more heavily to that which you have been called to do at the venue. I have heard singers tell me their real gift is preaching. Hmmm. Then study to be a preacher. If it is to sing... then sing. It is to lead worship singing, then lead it!
The best comment I ever heard from a pastor, was this: “The thing I love most about (this artist) is that when he comes to minister, he sings. He doesn’t talk much in between songs.”
You have probably heard, as I have, some pretty cheesy comments in between songs, or the proverbial, “What this next song means is…” Don’t do that. Please! But, in case you must talk (at least a little bit) here are a few simple guidelines to consider before you say a word:
BE PREPARED. Keep a file in which you stash tidbits, articles, quotes, and features and draw from your reading and research. Before you sing that day, make sure you are aware of what's going on in the world and how a lyric from a song might be just the right words to express about a situation.
BE CONCISE. Think ahead to what you're going to say and how you're going to say it. Don't waste words in getting to the point. You have most likely been asked to sing, not speak. Make it brief when you do. Consider, highly, the value of “talking up the intro” of your song. Use bridges as well as interludes and sustained notes or fades to talk, instead of just before and after a song.
BE BALANCED. From the stage, you should share a balance of information, humor, and inspiration.
BE BRIEF. Likely people have come to hear you sing, or at least be willing to hear you sing. Don’t upstage your singing with much talk. Have you ever left a worship service grateful that during the singing there was talking in between songs? Probably not.
BE RESPONSIVE. Respond to the music, but don't rehash the words. Don't preach in clichés. Respond to events in the news that day. Respond to the things that your audience is thinking about.
BE NATURAL. Just be you. Unless the "you" is very talkative. Then dial it down for this setting.
BE BIBLICAL. You don't need to give a mini-sermon or devotional, but make sure that you speak from the source of all Truth, the Bible, and let your words be few.
Tempted to talk in between songs? I think the answer is simple. In many cases, you probably shouldn't. In some cases, you should.
© Clint Holden. All rights reserved.