All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise stated, are taken from the Holy Bible: English

Standard Version®. Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News

Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

WORSHIP LEADERS HANDBOOK: Book 1: Line Up Pa More!

Copyright © 2016 by Don King Evangelista
Layout by Rigel Fortaleza
Cover Design from Freepik

2 Worship Leaders Handbook

 Table of Contents

Preface 4
The Great Dilemma 5
Some Misconcepctions and a Reminder 7
Pray-paration 10
Story-telling and Theme 13
Song Selection 15
Song Arrangement 18
Endnotes 21
Appendix A 22
Recommended Readings 23
About the Writer 23

Book1: Line Up Pa More! 3

 Preface
Hola! Simula nang buksan ang Future Worship Pastor
Facebook Page, laging lumulutang ang tanong na: "Hi po. Paano po
mag-line up? Bago lang po kasi ako." Walang mintis iyan. Mga twice a
month. Para makatulong sa Body of Christ, nagdesisyon ako na
sumulat na ng mini-book about sa topic na ito: LINE UP.
DISCLAIMER lang: My style of line-up may or may not be
applicable to you. Puwedeng hindi mag-resonate sa iyo. The tips that
I would share are just suggestions for you. Sa pitong taon ko sa
Worship Ministry, trial and error ang pagla-line up. Minsan, epic
fail. Minsan, successful. Mga natutunan ko lang sa mga aklat,
seminars at sa real-life na setting ito. Sabi nga, eat the meat and
throw out the bones. Ang mahalaga, ang Diyos ang napapapurihan.
Tulong tulong para sa Kaniya!

4 Worship Leaders Handbook

 The Great Dilemma
Dumating ka na ba sa punto ng pagwo-worship lead mo na
parang hirap na hirap kang mag-line up ng kanta? Iyong bago ka
lang sa ministry at sinabihan ka lang ng leader mo na "O, ikaw ang
worship leader sa Linggo!" Walang formal training sa art of line-up. I
feel you. Sa unang balsada ko ng pagiging worship leader, natulak
lang ako kasi walang magli-lead. Binigyan ako ng skeleton ng
Worship Service. At ang task: mag-plug in ng mga kanta doon. Ang
ending, copy-paste na line-up. Itong kanta, dito. Itong kanta, diyan.
Mairaos lang.
Sabi nga nila, may tatlong klase ng mga miyembro sa
worship team: Tinawag (mga talagang called to lead worship, be a
part of worship team), tinulak (mga no-choice, "walang tatayo",
napilitan) o "tinopak" (mga napagtripan lang na mag-worship team
pero alam naman nilang hindi sila doon tinatawag ng Diyos.) Kahit
Tinawag, tinulak o tinopak, may dilemma kung paano mag-line up.
Itong kanta bang ito o ito? Okay ba na fast songs muna bago slow
songs? Kailan puwede magpasok ng bago? Dapat ba magkakasunod
ang key? If you have asked these questions before, pareho lang tayo.
The worship leader has three tasks: Preparation,
Presentation and Evaluation. For me, the preparation part is the most
crucial. What you prepare is what you present. Kahit napakaganda
pa ng presentation kung hindi maayos ang preparation, sasablay

Book1: Line Up Pa More! 5

 tayo. Imagine going to a five-star hotel pero
“We are in
ang kama ay hindi ayos. Hindi rin naman
charge to
lead the excuse na porke maayos ang preparation ay

people into hindi aayusin ang presentation/delivery.

the Ang Mona Lisa, kapag sa basurahan

Presence nakalagay, mababalewala ang value. Kaya

and into the ang line-up preparation ay crucial hindi

worship.” lang para sa worship team kundi sa buong

kongregasyon. We are in charge to lead the
people into the Presence and into the worship. Imagine a
disconnected church in worship because of poor line-up. Saklap.
The main target of the book is to guide you in making a line-
up. Mga tips at suggestions para ma-refine natin ang paggawa natin
ng mga setlists sa churches natin. Iisa lang naman tayo ng layunin,
papurihan ang Maylikha at pangunahan ang mga nilikha sa
pagsamba. Ito ang ating pagkatawag (kahit tinulak ka pa). This will
deal more with the preparation part. Tandaan natin ang sinabi ni
Kuya Benjamin Franklin: If we fail to plan, we plan to fail. Let us
plan excellently for His glory!

6 Worship Leaders Handbook

 Some Misconceptions
and a Reminder
Kagaya nga ng nasabi ko sa unang parte, crucial ang role ng
worship leader sa pangunguna. Ang worship leader kasi ang na-
assign na gumawa ng mga kakantahin sa worship service. This may
make or break the flow of worship. Minsan, sa kantahan pa lang,
alam mo nang naroroon ang Panginoon. Kapag kasi sama-samang
nagpupuri ang mga magkakapatid, ang Presensya ng Diyos ay nasa
kanilang piling 1 . Minsan naman, may parang struggle to break
through. Hindi ko sinasabing ang dahilan nito ay line-up lang.
Maraming puwedeng siliping factors. At least, we can minimize the
causes.
Maraming format ang line-up. Iba-iba nga ng bilang ng
songs per church. May mga churches na mas mahaba ang kantahan.
Meron namang mga churches na at least may mga six songs lang per
week. Nevertheless, selecting songs for the service has been a very
important task. This requires much sensitivity sa leading ng Holy
Spirit, God-given gifts (discernment, knowledge) at practical skills.
No one perfects preparing line-up overnight. Kahit mga matatagal na
sa ministry, minsan nagsa-struggle pa rin. Here are two of the
misconceptions about line-up preparation.

1
Psalm 22:3

Book1: Line Up Pa More! 7

 Number 1: Preparation blocks the free move of the Holy
Spirit. Even if I come from the Pentecostal-Evangelical background, I
firmly believe that preparation is a very important task. Madaling
palusot para hindi maghanda na "maging led by the Spirit" pero baka
naman palusot lang iyan kasi hindi talaga siya handa. Naniniwala
ako na ang Banal na Espiritu ay naghahangad ng order sa ating
pagsamba. We can be Spirit-led yet planned. Hindi synonymous ang
salitang "plan" sa "rigid." Planning will enable you more to become
spontaneous in your worship. Hindi mangangapa ang team kung
anong kakantahin. Our God is a God of order2.
Number 2: Ang itinakda, bawal nang baliin. Ito naman ang
resulta ng pagiging rigid sa plano at hindi na nilagyan ng free room
ang Holy Spirit sa pagsamba. Always remember that the Holy Spirit
is the worship leader's leader. Minsan, may mga sweet promptings
ang Banal na Espiritu sa ating puso ukol sa worship time. You know
it. Minsan, habang nagle-lead ng worship, alam mong hindi na dapat
idugtong ang isang kanta, pinilit mo pa rin kasi nakaplano. Hindi
law ang line-up. We can break it as long as it will help and serve the
people to communicate more to God and glorify Him.
Sabi ni Bob Kauflin sa kaniyang librong Worship Matters:
Planning also can't ensure we've made the right plans. We
can have an incredible arrangement worked up for the wrong song.

2
1 Corinthians 14:33

8 Worship Leaders Handbook

 Or prepare an extended musical intro that effectively quenches what
the Holy Spirit is doing and turns Sunday morning worship into
Sunday worship performance.3
Anong sinasabi ni Kauflin dito? That planning can only
minimize the wrong that we can do. Laging ipinapapaalala sa akin ng
Panginoon ang dakilang katotohanang ito: Kahit anong plano ang
gawin ko, kung wala Siya, wala. The line-up preparation is our part,
the rest is God's part. As the famous verse says: not by might, nor by
our power, [nor also by our plans or line-up] but by the Spirit4.
Inilagay ko na ngayon pa lamang iyan para ipaalala sa ating lahat na
ang plano natin ay worthless kung wala naman ang Panginoon. We
can learn all the principles, but without Jesus -- nothing. ULTIMATE
REMINDER iyan sa atin. Plans can do so much, the God that we
serve and that empowers us can do even more, immeasurably more.

3
Kauflin, Bob. Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God. OMF Literature,
2013. p 183.
4
Zechariah 4:6

Book1: Line Up Pa More! 9

 Pray-paration:
Ang Starter Pack for Preparation
Nobody can doubt the power of the prayer. Bago natin
isipin kung abot natin ang kakantahin natin, naisin muna nating
abutin ang puso ng Panginoon. Remember that worship is not a
physical task but a spiritual task. That is why Jesus said that He is
seeking for worshippers that worship in spirit5 and in truth. Our
skills and abilities can do so much. As looking at worship leading
and preparing as a spiritual task needs the aid and help and the
leading of God himself talking and taking the lead to us. Kaya nga
sabi ni Moses bago sila umalis papunta sa Promised Land, "If your
Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. (Exodus
33:15 NIV)" Unahing mapuno Niya bago
magpuno ng iba. Maintain a regular prayer “Unahing
and devotional life. Be sensitive sa Holy mapuno
Spirit. Kagaya ng palagi kong sinasabi: Niya bago
Intimacy bago ministry. Hinding hindi ko magpuno
makakalimutan ang sinabi ng isang pastor ng iba.”
sa amin sa isang camp, that we need to

5
Ang ibig sabihin ng "in spirit" ay "in the spiritual realm." Basahin ang komento ni Grudem sa
Systematic Theology, page 1010: "In the Greek text, the word en ("in") of the phrase "in spirit and truth"
corresponds to the same word (en) used in v. 21 to speak of (literally) "in this mountain" and "in
Jerusalem"... To worship "in spirit and in truth" is best understood to mean not "in the Holy Spirit" but
rather "in the spiritual realm, in the realm of spiritual activity." (Grudem, Wayne. Systematic theology.
Inter-varsity Press, 1994. p 1010)

10 Worship Leaders Handbook

 "minister out of the overflow, not out of lack." Kailan ka huling nag-
pray? Minsan kasi, nasasanay na tayo na kapag nagle-lead tayo,
naisasantabi na natin ang Diyos at tinitignan natin ito bilang task na
lamang. When was the last time you become so focused on
interceding and praying for your church? Kailan ka huling nag-soak
sa Presensya ng Diyos?
If you have pressed into the
Presence of God, everything becomes
“Let God
meaningless. Ang makapiling Siya ay
speak into
ang pinakadakilang bagay na puwedeng
your heart the
mangyari sa atin. You will also notice
songs He
that words and songs may pop up of wants your
your mind. Siya kasi ang nagmiminister congregation
at hindi ikaw. Let God speak into your to sing and
heart the songs that He wants your for you to
congregation to sing and for you to lead. lead.”
This does not neglect the necessity of
rational or the mind. Madali nang mag-arrange kapag andiyan na
ang mga kanta. Ang mahalaga, alam mong galing sa Kaniya ang mga
awit.
But beware: Hindi ibig sabihin na tahimik ang Diyos ay
wala Siya. That's my personal struggle. Sometimes, God seems so
silent even in my prayer times when I ask for a line-up, a song, a
leading. Pero, alam ko sa puso ko na may nais ipakanta ang Diyos sa

Book1: Line Up Pa More! 11

 amin. One thing that God has revealed to me through a pastor is this:
na hindi dahil tahimik ang Diyos ay wala Siya. Minsan, ine-enjoy ka
lang Niya. He is pleased in what you are doing kaya wala Siyang
sinasabi. Kumbaga, nakangiti lang Siya sa'yo. Your spiritual senses
will confirm that to you.
How about reading the Word?
“Hindi ibig It greatly helps you as well in doing your
sabihin na line-up. Dapat automatic na sa atin na
tahimik ang kapag devotional life - Word and Prayer
Diyos ay wala iyan. Minsan, kapag nagbabasa ka ng
Siya.” Bible, may madadaanan kang verse
tapos bigla itong tatama sa puso mo.
Rhema ang tawag diyan. Sabi ni Ryan Wyatt, "...[rhema] is something
that is being spoken in the now... is always fresh. It is spoken directly
from the Lord.6" Ito yung moment na parang parang sinusuntok ka
ng Word. Pagkatapos, bigla kang mapapa-isip ng kanta na related sa
Word na ito. That is how God may speak through us. Marami pang
mga ways on how God speaks to us. Sometimes, God speaks through
nature katulad nang nangyari kay Elijah, sometimes through people,
sometimes through visions and dreams. Hindi na dapat pagtakhan
iyan. Creative ang Diyos natin! Ang mahalaga, be intimate first
before your ministry. Out of intimacy comes open communication
from Him.

6
Wyatt, Ryan. School of the Supernatural. Destiny Image Publication, 2011. p 106

12 Worship Leaders Handbook

 Story Telling and Theme
Imagine your Pastor delivering a message na hindi mo alam
kung ano ang message. Nag-introduction siya about grace of God,
ang text niya ay about sa Holy Spirit tapos ang conclusion niya ay
about sa Noah's Ark. Ang labo diba?
Imagine your Uber driver na sinabi mong papunta kayo ng
Navotas pero imbis na pumunta ng Navotas, nag South Luzon
Expressway. Stress!
Ganiyan din ang line-up. We are story tellers in the stage.
Message bearers din tayo tulad ng mga preachers. Before selecting
and arranging songs, decide what message would you like to convey
to the people. Huwag natin silang dalhin sa kawalan. Songs have a
great impact to those listening and most especially those who actively
participates to the singing. So please, pray and decide for the theme
first.
Sagutin muna ang tanong: "Anong
“Message
gusto ng Diyos na malaman nila pagkatapos
bearers din
ng mga kanta?" Kapag nasagot mo na ang
tayo tulad
tanong na iyan, it is BEST that you find a
ng mga
key verse for that. Dapat lahat ng sinasabi
preachers.”
natin, rooted sa Word. Halimbawa, kung

Book1: Line Up Pa More! 13

 "thankfulness" ang inilagay ng Diyos sa puso mo na theme, mainam
na suportahan ito ng verse or verses. Mula doon, tsaka mag-isip ng
mga kanta.
Exercise tayo! Match the theme with the verse. Then think a
song!7
Theme Song About the Theme Verse
__1. Repentance ___________________ A. Psalm 145:3
__2. Thankfulness ___________________ B. Isaiah 6:3
__3. God’s Greatness ___________________ C. 1 John 1:9
__4. Holiness of God ___________________ D. Psalm 27:4
__5. Intimacy ___________________ E. Psalm 28:7

Be clear of your message. Ang Diyos natin ay clear ang

message sa atin. It is our duty and responsibility to have a clear
message to cut across to the congregation. Ang theme ang
nagsisilbing compass ng lahat ng gagawin. Mahirap ang taong
walang direksyon. The theme may come from your Pastor (kung
naka-series kayo) or sa iyo. Prayerfully prepare for the theme.

7
Answers: 1. C, Banal Mong Tahanan; 2. A, Thank You Lord; 3. E, How Great is Our God; 4. B,
Revelation Song; 5. C, I Just Want To Be Where You Are (Songs may vary)

14 Worship Leaders Handbook

 Song Selection
Pagkatapos mag-pray at mag-isip ng tema, handa ka na
muling harapin ang mga tao. Paano ngayon tayo mamimili ng kanta
para sa line-up? Personally, may limang pamantayan ako para
mapasama ang isang kanta sa line-up. Know by heart that some
songs are meant for praise and worship and some songs are best fit
for special numbers. Hindi lahat kayang kantahin ng mga tao.
Tandaan natin na we are worship leaders and we must strive that
everyone worships and connects to God. Kapag tayo na lang ang
kumakanta at ang mga tao ay napapa-"wow" na lang, baka hindi na
worship iyan pero solo concert na lang natin. Here are some words
to guide you:
SINGABLE. May mga range na comfortable ang taong
kantahin. According to some articles, maraming mga tao ang
nakakanta ng range8 from middle C to C' above. Mapalalaki (lower
octave) man o babae.9 Kahit gaano kaganda ang mensahe ng kanta,
kung hindi naman nila nakakanta, balewala. Kayang kaya ng mga
instrumentalists na i-transpose iyan. Huwag matakot sa pagbabago
ng keys. Mas komportable rin sa'yo kung hindi ka birit ng birit. Wala
naman tayo sa singing contest. Isa pa ring i-check ang tempo ng
songs. Mahirap na iyong English na tapos sobrang bilis pa.

8
Magkaiba ang range sa key sa Music Theory.
9
You may refer to this beautifully written article about keys and range best for congregations (written sa
Baptist context which utilizes hymns): https://spinditty.com/learning/Finding-the-Best-Key

Book1: Line Up Pa More! 15

 PLAYABLE. Para naman ito sa mga instrumentalists. Know
the limits also of the skils of your team mates. May mga kanta kasing
hindi kayang tugtugin ng normal na churches. Puwede namang
pasimplehin ang areglo. Kunwari, ang mga EDM music ng
Planetshakers like Turn It Up at Endless Praise. Mahirap tugtugin ng
eksakto ito kung wala kayong keyboards or synthesizer. However,
arrangements can be made para maging acoustic ito or electric.
Mahirap din na masyadong maraming bagsakan. Over-excellence
may lead to distraction.
RECOGNIZABLE. Ang tawag ko dito, LSS-able. Part of our
role as worship leaders is to convey a message to the congregation
through songs. Maganda kung may "after-effect" ang kanta na ating
nilelead sa kanila. Nate-take home nila ang mensahe ng kanta.
Puwede nilang gamiting sandata sa oras ng kahinaan o pagsubok.
Typical LSS songs have simple rhythm and clear lyrics. Choose these
songs.
SENSIBLE. Ito ang issue ng mensahe. Pumili ng mga kanta
na Christ-revealing (as what Sis. Edith says always), God-honoring
and has theological nuggets or truths in it. Hindi porke maganda ay
tama. Some songs may have theologies that are colliding with your
theological stance. Again, we are conveying a message. Discern the
message that God wants for you to sing and read the lyrics of what
you are singing.

16 Worship Leaders Handbook

 RELATABLE. This is the language issue. Kung ang church
ay sanay sa English preachings, go with English songs. Kung nasa
urban poor setting where people are not used to English, kahit
favorite mo pa si Darlene Zschech, go with Filipino or mga kanta sa
taal nilang lenguwahe. Sa mga surveys ko dati sa FWP, nakakatuwa
kasi may mga Christian songs na nasusulat sa Visayan, Waray at iba
pa. Hindi tayo nakakulong sa rehas ng English language. The
language that God put into your mouth is your gift. Sing with that
language!

Book1: Line Up Pa More! 17

 Song Arrangement
If you have the theme now, you are now ready for arranging
songs. Ang arrangement ng songs ay base sa theme. So again, have a
clear picture and message in mind.
May different patterns of arrangement sa line-up, ito ay ang
ascending, deepening at tabernacle patterns.
Ascending Pattern: Ang Ascending pattern ay base sa
Psalm 24:3-6. Ang motiff ng ascending pattern ay from "me" to
"Him." Nagsisimula ang mga awit sa mga songs that reflect our
condition, our sinful nature, mga "first person" songs -- those written
in the first person pronouns like "I, me." Pagkatapos, pataas ito
papuntang "Him, You." Mula sa immanence ng Panginoon patungo
sa transcendence. A sample of this line-up is this:
THEME: Holiness of God
Line Up: Give Us Clean Hands (Chris Tomlin)
Refiner's Fire (Brian Doerksen)
Revelation Song (Kari Jobe)
Deepening Pattern: Ang Deepening pattern ay pattern that
focuses on intimacy with God. Mas maraming "I" songs dito that
expresses our utmost love and devotion to God. Madalas ito ay mga
solemn songs at mga tagos sa pusong mga expressive songs. Songs
like How He Loves, I Could Sing of Your Love Forever and Draw Me
Close to You catches this pattern.

18 Worship Leaders Handbook

 Tabernacle Pattern: This pattern is derived from the
tabernacle worship ng mga Israelita. It starts with gates where there
are thanksgiving, courts with praise, at sa holy of holies kung nasaan
naroon ang worship. Ang generic pattern ay nagsisimula sa
thanksgiving songs, then praise songs (declaration of who He is) and
worship kung saan ibinubuhos ang sarili sa Kaniya bilang alay sa
Holy of Holies.
When you arrange the songs, mind of the "pattern" that you
can use and most especially the "theme" and message that you want
to go into. Huwag mag-line up ng random. Consider the lyrical
continuity of the line up.
When considering the lyrical continuity, also consider the
musical continuity. Sa mga musikero, may transitions and mga flow
sila na kinoconsider. Most musicians consider na mas maganda kung
ang keys are the same or pataas. (Example: If you start with a song in
the key of G, the following song must be in an A or G.) Usually,
inuuna ang fast songs bago ang slow songs, but this rule is not a rule
na itinaga sa bato. You can change it as you want and as the Lord
wills. Tignan ang mga patterns na sinuggest ni Andy Park sa
kaniyang librong To Know You More.

Book1: Line Up Pa More! 19

 ANONG STYLE MO SA PAGLA-LINE UP?*

LEGEND:
A- River – from joyous mode to worshipful then bursting again to joyous celebration
B- Mountain Hiking – from worshipful mode, reflective mode to jubilant celebration
C- Plateau – reflective mode of the holiness and splendor of God, even praise in reflection
D- Down the Hill – from a joyful mode to a reflective and worship mode on God’s holiness

*Modified from “To Know You More” by Andy Park.

Puwedeng chillax lang ang line up, puwedeng high praise

muna bago intimacy, puwede ring baligtad. You can also consider
these patterns as well. Magkaroon ka ng healthy communication sa
band. It will help you to arrange the songs. I will supply you with
forms sa Appendix that you can use to make your line up.

20 Worship Leaders Handbook

 Endnotes
Bilang worship leader, kailangang malawak ang selection
mo ng songs. Listen often to Christian music. Kapag ba tinignan
natin ang iyong playlist sa Spotify, mas nagbababad ka ba sa
musikang God-glorifying? Kung saan ka nagbababad, iyon ang iyong
nakakamukha. If you want to renew your mind and be sensitive to
the Spirit's leading, be intimate with Him and soak with Him every
time you have the chance.
Gumawa ka ng listahan ng mga kanta at ang key nito. It will
help you to build a solid set-list. Hugot ka na lang nang hugot ng
kanta. Learn also at most one instrument.
Higit sa lahat, magpakalalim sa Panginoon. You cannot
fake your ministry and you cannot exchange ministry for your
intimacy sa Panginoon. Hindi issue ng pagalingan kundi ng
katapatan. You will have the share of failures and successes. Always
give God the best that you can and always rely on Him. Wala sa tao
an gating approval kundi sa Diyos lamang. Laging mong tandaan:
Hindi ikaw ang bida. Tagadala ka lang ng magandang balita. Always
be ready to serve Him and always be ready to be refreshed by Him!
Tara, gawa na tayo ng line-up! Your labor is never in vain!

Book1: Line Up Pa More! 21

 APPENDIX A

Theme Verse
Song Key Tempo Verse to support the
(BPM) song

22 Worship Leaders Handbook

 Recommended Readings

Exploring Worship by Bob Sorge

To Know You More by Andy Park
Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin
School of the Supernatural by Ryan Wyatt
Presence Driven by Hiram Pangilinan

About the Writer

Don King Evangelista is a graduate of PNU and is currently

studying at Asian Theological Seminary taking up Masters of Divinity in
Christian Education. He is a worship leader and a youth leader sa kanilang
church - Church of Grace sa Navotas. Worship Leader din siya at social
media coordinator ng Lovestruck Movement. He is also currently teaching
Chemistry and Biology at Chiang Kai Shek College. Siya ang administrator
ng Future Worship Pastor na nagsimula sa isang blog.

Connect with us: Future Worship Pastor

futureworshippastor.wordpress.com
http://thefutureworshippastor.tumblr.com

Book1: Line Up Pa More! 23

 24 Worship Leaders Handbook