There are many reasons for a worship leader to write and introduce a new song. It could be a fresh approach to an ancient hymn or an adaptation of a popular secular song. Often, though, it’s because the leader wants to lead an audience into a deeper experience of God’s love. The goal is for people to leave the service feeling like they’ve been swept away by the power of his presence.
For most of history, worship has been a dynamic and evolving experience. That’s why the psalms call for a “new song” (Psalms 33:3, 40:3, 96:1, 98:1, 149:1). By definition, a new song is one that calls our attention to God’s majesty and sovereignty over all of creation and gratitude for his care of the human race and his forgiveness for our sins.
When a worship leader brings a new song to the church, it’s important to consider how well the congregation can play and sing it. Then, the leaders need to be sure they’ve rehearsed the song enough to get comfortable leading it during the service.
If a band isn’t confident they can pull off a new song, it’s best to save it for a special event when they can work out the kinks in rehearsal before introducing it to the congregation. Aside from the practical considerations, a worship leader should consider whether a new song will fit the mood and tone of the service and if it’s appropriate for the message being taught.
Some songs are too risky, though, and they’re destined to fail from the start. This was certainly the case for Justin Timberlake’s latest single, which critics say sounds a lot like Bieber-ized R&B. It may be too edgy for the average Christian listener, but that doesn’t mean it won’t find a home with others.
As advancements in artificial intelligence have gotten better, it’s become possible to create songs that sound a lot like the works of real artists. Some experts even believe that AI will eventually surpass humans as a creator of music. This trend is evident in the new song created by an algorithm that was programmed to mimic Drake and The Weeknd’s style.
When the 1970 victory of the Popular Unity government in Chile marked the beginning of Latin America’s nueva cancion (“New Song Movement”), a popular musical genre fueled by social change and folklore, it was clear that you couldn’t have a revolution without songs. The poetic artistry of the music drew upon rural Native cultures and infused it with a sense of community. Its popularity quickly grew throughout the region, bringing a new voice to many people in Latin America and helping them express their own experiences of struggle and hope.