Scott Jasmin

Leading worship: Have some fun and roll with it…

Posted by yourfriendjaz on May 13, 2011

Recently I was leading worship at a church whose usual format is to start with one or two gathering songs followed by announcements and a children’s message by the pastor’s wife.  On cue, all the children of the church scurried to the front and sat on the floor.  This Sunday was Palm Sunday, so the pastor’s wife sat on the front of the stage and told the story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a colt.  She described how the people of Jerusalem who had gathered for the Passover were waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna!” The next part of her message was going to be for the children to walk around the sanctuary waving palm branches, rattling noisemakers and playing kazoos.  Before she passed out the palm branches and noisemakers, she leaned forward and said quietly, “You know what, kids?  Today… we’re going to get excited!”

The children remained focused, yet quiet…all except for one boy who let out a long, “yessssssssssssssssssss!”  I couldn’t help but smile.  A few chuckles echoed throughout the adults.  Bobby, my lead guitarist, leaned over and whispered, “Napoleon Dynamite!” in my ear.

The pastor’s wife gave the children their directions, then passed out the palm branches and noisemakers, and their jubilant parade commenced.  Applause and shouts of “Hosanna!  Hosanna in the highest!” rang from the congregation.  Finally, the Sunday School teachers corralled the children out of the sanctuary and into their classrooms.  The worship team and I resumed our places on the stage to begin the worship set, but that “yessssssssssssssssssss!” was still playing in my head, and I was having a hard time collecting myself.

I decided to just roll with it and have some fun.  I explained to the congregation what had happened up front where only few of us could hear.  I said, “from the mouths of babes… isn’t that kind of honesty wonderful!?!”  Then I told them that we as believers ought to be that honest and excitable.  “Our King is here!”  I said, “We have reason to be excited!”  Then I gave them a little coaching.  I told them that I was going to say, “Today… we are going to get excited!”  I told them that their proper response was to say, “yessssssssssssssssssss!”  There were a few giggles and insecure looks, but when I said, “Today… we’re going to get excited!,” right on cue they responded with a loud whisper, “yessssssssssssssssssss!”  It was flippin’ sweet, and we all had a good laugh.  It lightened our mood, allowing us to worship our King with joy and freedom.

Now I’m not suggesting that you break out some stand-up every Sunday, but there are times–depending on your style and the style of your congregation–when a little levity is in order.  Heaven knows life is serious enough!

Rolling with it,

Scott