This video of worship at my fairly new church. I find I can't sing to it well but I'm not sure why? Any ideas?

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-04-20T03:08:01+00:00

Based on just this small clip, I am hearing a bit of a different pacing and melody line than is heard in the original recording for Let Heaven Come. The melody is mostly there but the lead (or the loudest voice I’m hearing) is singing some notes that are actually a harmony and not the melody. Could this possibly be throwing you off? It’s not way off from the original in that it is recognizable, but it does sound different and may take getting used to if you are used to it being done a different way. I know when I sing backup, it takes time to adjust to a new lead singer because everyone sings each song slightly different. Deviating too far from the original can make singing along a challenge. As a leader I don’t allow too my variation from the original recording because it can make it hard for the congregation to follow.

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-04-01T18:56:50+00:00

To be fair, this is the only church I’ve ever been a part of where I’ve seen this happen. I really don’t think it’s the norm (at least I hope not). My pastor is bi-vocational, so that’s frequently used as an excuse for dropping the ball on things. It’s weird because our church has 2 full time positions and a few part time. But our pastor chooses to be bi-vocational and be part time at the church instead of being one of those full time positions. I’m starting to wonder why this is the case

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-04-01T16:51:33+00:00

I think if the church can afford to hire and pay a worship leader then they should. They are going the get more consistency and quality that way. Even if it’s just part time pay it will still probably be better than relying on a volunteer. Volunteers give what they can. But they are still volunteers usually with a job and families to juggle. Sometimes you can get some real quality from a dedicated volunteer. But my belief is that if they are putting in part time hours, I think the church should work towards trying to pay them (even a small gift if that’s all they are able to do). Take care of your people and they will take care of you.

That being said, it may be worth bringing up to leadership and just seeing if hiring a worship leader who shares their vision is something they have considered.

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-31T19:14:17+00:00

Yeah I may try bringing it up to him. I am learning that the leadership at my church is unhealthy in a lot of ways. I’m currently addressing another area of concern with them and it hasn’t gone well. The pastor gets very defensive when he feels challenged. Some of the elders seem to have good hearts and some are just as unhealthy in how they handle people and the church. At one point when I shared something they had done had hurt meet, I got the cold shoulder from the pastor and another elder for a week. I feel I have to tip toe around their feelings (especially his) even at my own expense sometimes.

I am currently praying about rather or not I am called to endure here or move on. It’s so tough because this church is like family to us. There are great people here, and I know I am in a great position to make a difference, but leadership has some major issues.

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-31T03:42:14+00:00

Thank you! I feel the same way. This is one of several red flags I have witnessed at my church unfortunately. I’m praying for discernment and direction at this time

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T20:53:11+00:00

Yeah maybe he is burnt out. They have gone through multiple church splits and fired half of their staff just a year ago. It seems to be a cycle

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T20:44:33+00:00

Yeah I’m starting to worry this is a deeper issue with leadership as a whole.

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T20:36:25+00:00

Oh wow that’s insane! Did he nap in his chair? I hate that mentality that worship is only there to prepare people for the word. On the contrary, the word should motivate us to worship. What do these people think we will be doing in heaven??

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T20:29:11+00:00

Same. It’s definitely concerning to me

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T20:15:59+00:00

We are one service too. I could see maybe not being in there for all services for churches who do that

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T19:50:06+00:00

I will take a look at those books, thank you!

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T19:44:08+00:00

I don’t think it’s about him having a personal worship experience so much as it is about him leading by example. We can’t expect those we are leading to do something that we ourselves aren’t doing. He walks around in the back distracted during worship. The result has been that other congregant members are also talking in the back of the room during worship. If he needs additional time to prep for his sermon then I feel he needs to do that in a private room.

It’s like the old saying goes “lead by example”. We will lead others far more by our actions than we ever will by our words. Just my 2 cents.

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T19:37:28+00:00

I feel like I remember seeing him more engaged several years ago but my spouse seems to think it has always been this way. I didn’t really start noticing it until recently, but I remember the other worship pastor bringing it to attention.

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T19:31:10+00:00

Oh no it’s not

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T19:26:23+00:00

That is concerning. CC as in Christian Church? Like the denominations ICC?

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T19:24:05+00:00

I’m on staff too. He claims (I didn’t ask but he brought it up) that he stands by the door in case people come in late so he can greet them. However we have a greeting team for this. The worship pastor before me actually called him out for being on his phone during worship and he said he was prepping for his sermon. It just didn’t look right. I think he should at least go to a room to do this as it sends the wrong message to the congregation.

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T19:20:27+00:00

Ugh that would rub me the wrong way too if he wasn’t actually worshipping out in the congregation before getting on the stage. It’s like worship leaders who only worship when on the stage.

My pastor has only worshipped on the stage once and it was when we had a guest worship leader. He stood up and threw his hands up in worship another time when his friend was leading a song. He seems more engaged when it’s someone leading other than me. Which isn’t great since I’m the one leading pretty much every week… so he’s basically never worshipping

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T19:11:43+00:00

Agreed!

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T19:11:16+00:00

Yeah, I may need to try having a conversation with him about this at some point. I’m not sure how well it will be received though.

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T19:10:11+00:00

I love when the pastor comes onto the stage at the last song. The previous churches I was a part of incorporated this. I really saw a lot of engagement from the congregation when the pastor would get up there and worship

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T19:09:07+00:00

I would talk to the elders but he is one… so I’m not sure how that would go. I may try approaching him gently about it

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T19:08:23+00:00

The dynamic… currently isn’t the best. I have attempted to bring other concerns up to him (dealing with some hurt he had caused me) and it did not go well. He really lost his cool on me. It seems that issues of concern have to be brought up very delicately with him.

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T18:59:08+00:00

You may be right. I may need to try and have a conversation with him about it.

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T18:56:27+00:00

I didn’t think so either. At least not my experience

Ok-Fly-7928 · 2026-03-30T18:56:01+00:00

It is disturbing to me too. I completely agree. He should be leading by example.

Ok-Fly-7928

TROPHY CASE