The Write-It-Down Revolution

I'm sure this won't surprise you, but I like writing. I am a better, more refined, more articulate version of myself in the written world and would much prefer to live there...but I can't.

I write everything down. I pre-write and outline papers before writing the maximum amount of pages for class. I manuscript sermons, write articles just for fun, plan book ideas, and even write lists for myself Saturday mornings to remember what chores I need to get done.

I'm not good off-the-cuff, so in most situations where I need to speak in front of people, I write things down. At least, in every situation except when I lead worship.

For most of my worship leading career, I have operated under the impression that writing transitions or stories down for the time of worship would make me come across as inauthentic and forced. I avoided it at all cost. I would plan out every aspect of the music and flow of the service, but I would never plan what I would say.

I wanted the Spirit to move me, to allow myself the freedom to feel out the congregation. Every once in a while, it would connect, but most of the time my transitions and anecdotes were muddled, unclear, and irrelevant.I had a revelation a few weeks ago. I am a seminary student and worship pastor (yes, those actually exist), but I have struggled with how the two roles might intersect. I am passionate about writing, about preaching, about applying the Word of God to a culture misunderstanding it. But I never saw how those passions could be clearly articulated in the time of worship. My revelation was this: WRITE STUFF DOWN!

Just because I've written something down in advance doesn't mean it is any less genuine. In fact, since starting this practice a few weeks ago, the impact of the worship time has significantly improved. Just like every note and musical transition is where it should be, every word spoken in between is now carefully thought through to make the most impact possible.

I'm calling it the Write-It-Down Revolution. I write the big idea of the service (which I will explain how to develop in a blog post coming soon) so I know what phrase to repeat throughout the service. I write down the greeting. If I'm doing announcements, I write it down. When I want to incorporate Scripture or a story or a quick explanation. I write it down. The days of spontaneity are over, at least for a while.

Are you skeptical? Are you worried you might squelch the Spirit speaking in the moment by meticulously planning out what will be said and when during a service? I was too. And then I tried it.So here's the challenge: Try it. Join me in the Write-It-Down Revolution.

Do it just for a few weeks and tell me if you notice a difference. We need to remember that we, as worship pastors, have significant impact in the way our churches think and feel about God. Not only the songs we choose, but the words we say in between, impact our congregations. Preachers don't walk up unprepared as to what they want to say, so why should we?

Will you join me? Leave a comment if this is something you've tried or something you're willing to try? Do you think this is a stupid idea? Why?