Our worship leaders don't make a god of harmonious worship, but we do want to lead a service that runs smoothly and in which the parts blend, because orderly worship is worship that most helps our people.
—Jack Hayford

Ultimately, I don't know that God cares if our worship runs smoothly, but people do. For that reason, among others, I want to lead a harmonious service.

Although worship leaders should give their best to God, polished worship isn't necessarily worthy worship. God looks first for contrite hearts in the worshipers.

Yet, understandably, people expect a certain professionalism or quality in worship. Their standards have been shaped by television, where performances are well-timed and segments blend into each other with the audience hardly noticing. When people come to church and find services disjointed and haphazard, they are distracted from worship. They may dislike worship that is nothing more than a stylized production. But neither do they appreciate sloppy services fashioned ...