I'll never forget the first time I fell in love with a song that my church absolutely hated.

I was on one of my regular morning runs when this new worship song grabbed me—the melody was infectious, but it was the raw, honest, biblically rich lyrics that really got me. I listened to it five times during that run, already imagining how powerful it would be when our church sang it together.

I taught it with all the enthusiasm in the world. And it just... didn't connect. Tried it again the following week. Nothing. Rested it, brought it back with a different arrangement, and still—blank stares where I expected engaged hearts.

Sound familiar? If you've been leading worship for any length of time, you've probably had this experience. That's why having a clear process for song selection—and more importantly, song testing—is so crucial.

In this second part of our worship planning series, we'll dive into choosing songs that truly serve your congregation, including the proven three-touch test that reveals whether a new song will actually stick.

Sunday morning is the only time all week when we can put words in people's mouths. We have the incredible privilege of helping shape spiritual formation as we craft orders that bring glory to Jesus and edify the church... The songs we pick matter. The order we put them in matters. The elements surrounding God's Word—all of it is worship, and it all matters. Whether you're planning your first worship service or your thousandth, remember that intentionality beats creativity every time. Know the direction you want to go and build around that. Your church will worship as deeply as their walk with Jesus allows. Our job isn't to manufacture worship—it's to create environments where authentic worship can flourish

Worship leaders, let's talk about something that can slowly drain the life out of your calling without you even realizing it. Leading worship week after week can become exhausting, even for seasoned leaders. The routine of planning, rehearsing, and leading can slowly drain the wonder and awe that initially fueled your passion. I've been there. You probably have too. That moment when you realize you're going through the motions – hitting all the right notes, making smooth transitions, leading with technical excellence – but your heart feels dry. You're leading worship on your own strength instead of seeking the Lord in the secret place.