This fall, reach your community through a fun harvest festival outreach event. These family-friendly festivals are a creative way to engage people outside of Sunday services. Learn how to host an impactful harvest festival at your church with tips from ShareFaith on getting volunteers, including enjoyable activities, collecting donated food, and providing next steps for attendees.
3 Keys to Effectively Connect with New Guests
Hooking first-timers so they come back – easier said than done, right? But nailing that first impression is everything. The Unstuck Group have seen what works (and what doesn’t) at churches nationwide. Forget info gathering. Make it about hospitality. When you make people feel genuinely welcomed and understood that first time, they’ll likely be back for more.
Quintuple Wide: A 5-Screen Wonder
Get inspired by this innovative 5-screen projection mapping stage design for Planet Wisdom’s youth conference tour. Camron Ware and Tim Pike teamed up to create a one-of-a-kind mosaic set using Coroplast panels, Renewed Vision software, and strategic lighting and projection. Learn how they configured twenty white panels on portable fencing and aligned five short-throw projectors to map dynamic media across the set.
Familiar Favorites: The Allure of Throwback Worship Songs
Nostalgic Classics Provide Familiarity
Across the country, worship leaders are finding that so-called “evergreen” tracks with proven longevity can provide a port in the storm of endless new releases. With over 1 million Christian and gospel songs emerging every year, many pastors are retreating to the security of tried-and-true favorites that continue resonating with their flocks.
“These songs hold a special place for folks of my generation,” said Ian Stewart, a worship leader in Colorado. “When the music fades, and all is stripped away, these lyrics and melodies remain embedded in our hearts.”
Music Companies Capitalize on Nostalgia
Industry trends reveal worship leaders are not alone in their affinity for nostalgic songs. As music companies invest heavily in back catalogs, they actively market re-recordings and mashups of once-ubiquitous contemporary Christian hits on social media. Their profit motives align with worship leaders longing for familiarity.
Labels Focus on Back Catalogs, Not New Artists
“Record companies and publishers are going to put more focus on their catalogs,” said Chris Lawson Jones, cofounder of Wings Music Group, an independent music distribution company. “They are finding it harder to develop new worship music.”
Jones explains that major labels like Capitol Christian Music Group are investing heavily in acquiring rights to back catalogs from decades past, which they can repackage and market to capitalize on nostalgia. This comes as getting a traditional record deal is less enticing for up-and-coming artists.
“The days of a label discovering and sweeping up an unknown artist are gone, and up-and-coming artists are okay with that,” said Jones. “Artists are usually faced with a binary choice: complete independence or a massive corporate label. I rarely speak to artists who want a record deal.”
Jones knows first-hand, having previously been the head of A&R for Integrity Music UK. He realized that by retaining rights and foregoing traditional label deals, artists could find more flexibility and long-term revenue potential.
This aligns with a broader industry shake-up, where established artists are realizing their back catalogs are more valuable than ever. As major labels focus more on maximizing profits from tried-and-true hits of yesteryear, they have less incentive to take risks on developing new voices.
Classics Facilitate Genuine Worship
Experts say evergreen tracks provide a unifying force for worshippers. Their widespread recognition allows people to engage freely, focusing on their personal connection with God. This contrasts newer releases that can feel disjointed or unfamiliar.
“By leading with classics, pastors can facilitate authentic worship while accessing nostalgic memories,” said Elias Dummer, a marketer and former worship leader.
Evergreen Songs Stand Test of Time
As the industry churns out more music than ever before, yesterday’s hits are providing spiritual nourishment and a reminder of God’s unwavering presence across generations. Worship leaders say that returning to evergreen favorites allows them to build services that resonate in fresh ways, year after year.
Popular Worship Songs From The Early 2000s
Let’s take a nostalgic walk down memory lane to revisit some of the most impactful worship anthems that shaped many Christians’ early faith journeys. Songs like “The Stand,” “Here I Am to Worship,” and “Revelation Song” anchored countless youth groups and church services in the early 2000s. Beyond just remembering the melodies, the goal is to reflect on the moments when these powerful lyrics resonated most deeply in our lives. What were the songs that carried you through formative seasons?
The Benefits of Custom In-Ear Monitors
Custom in-ear monitors have revolutionized the worship experience, allowing teams to hear a personalized mix and connect with each other and the congregation. Let’s explore the evolution of CIEMs and how a company called Bellos Audio is making cutting-edge in-ear monitoring accessible, with features like supreme comfort, removable faceplates, and ultra-quick build times. For worship teams seeking to enhance their stage experience, custom IEMs are a game-changer, enabling members to focus solely on facilitating impactful worship.
Why Your Church Is Larger Than You Realize
A church’s average weekly attendance doesn’t tell the whole story of its size and reach. When you factor in total membership, attendance frequency, and ministry demands from less frequent attendees, the scope of a pastor’s congregation is much larger. Though worship services may appear smaller, this reality of decreased attendance frequency actually means pastors are shepherding more people overall in today’s church landscape. Understanding this fuller picture helps church leaders grasp their true congregational scope and the busier ministry dynamics they’re experiencing.
3 Powerful Ways To Cheer Your Team Members On
Uplifting and affirming your worship team members is key to building strong relationships and unity. Look for opportunities to celebrate their gifts and character through verbal encouragement tailored to their personality, meaningful gifts that align with their interests, and standing up for them in public and in prayer. Investing in a culture of support propels teams forward more than any other leadership practice. Make it a priority to cheer on your team wholeheartedly.
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