Creating Great Worship Set Lists
Imagine entering a room filled with people eagerly anticipating an encounter with God. The lights dim, the first chord strikes, and suddenly, the atmosphere shifts. As a worship leader, you’ve been entrusted with guiding this moment, stewarding a team and a congregation in a service where hearts are opened and spirits are lifted. But this doesn’t happen by accident; it results from a well-crafted set list thoughtfully designed to lead your congregation through a journey of worship.
Great worship sets are just one part of a great Sunday service. I wrote a post a while back that points out that we are only one moment in the spiritual lives of our people- you can read it here. When we as Worship Leaders are careful to remember that, suddenly, we can look past what songs we like in that particular moment and begin curating a special moment that we get to share with our people.
Here are three tips for creating great worship set lists at your church:
Ask your Pastor for the main passage or theme for that week’s sermon. To me, this one should go without saying. If at all possible, pin your Pastor down and ask them for as much info about the upcoming service as you can. That way, you can connect the songs you sing to the passage that will be preached. Often, because our worship sets are at the top of the service, we have the honor of being the first “pastor” your congregation sees.
Respond to what season your people are in. As you talk to those in your congregation, note their felt needs and the seasons of life your church is currently in. You already think this way: is it Christmastime? Add in songs that speak of Jesus’ arrival and the hope he brings to the world. Has there been a tragedy in your community? Include songs that speak of God’s comfort and peace. You don’t have to call out someone’s name as you lead the song- as you sing with a spirit of intercession, God will move those melodies right into their hearts.
Bridge each song together in the service. Before you step onto the platform to lead, find the connection points between each song’s theme or main message. Last Sunday, we sang “He Who Is To Come,” where the last part of the song talks about the tension in our world growing stronger as we wait for Jesus’ return. So, as we ended that song, I flowed into “I Get Overwhelmed Sometimes,” which is a beautiful confession and prayer for help. After we slowed that moment down and had sung that chorus a couple of times, I went right into the bridge of “Everything Is Changing,” which is a powerful declaration of faith, and you could FEEL the room shift. We have the opportunity to help our people respond to God’s invitations every week- what an honor!
Crafting a great set list is about more than just choosing songs—it’s about guiding your congregation on a spiritual journey. And the journey of worship is a sacred responsibility. By approaching set list creation with intentionality and prayer, you can lead your congregation into deeper encounters with God, making each service a unique and powerful experience!
