P.A.S.S. Formula
Taken from “Worship Evangelism”, by Sally Morgenthaler, page 214
Personal – they relate in some way to people’s everyday lives and involve their whole being, including their emotions.
Attractive – they hold people’s attention.
Straightforward – both “Seeker Bob” and “Saintly Bill” can understand and latch onto them quickly.
Substantive – they have a thoroughly biblical message that is faithful to the whole counsel of Scripture (and Army Doctrine).
P – Personal
Do both Seeker Bob and Saintly Bill feel as if the song is coming from them?
Do they see themselves in it – their need to be close to God, their elation, hurt, awe, or even doubt?
Personal worship songs are expressive, involving whole human beings in response to God – emotions, spirit, and body as well as intellect. Worship needs to be about experiencing God as well as an understanding of God.
Personal worship music is real music that has a testimonial quality. It takes the naked truth of God’s word, passes it through everyday human life, and makes it come alive.
A - Attractive
Does the song “grab” people?
Is it hard to forget?
Just because a song is in print does not mean that it is worth singing.
However, just because a song is recorded in a style you do not like or one that is not popular in your community does not mean that it should be scrapped.
S – Singable
Is it singable (and understandable) without being trite or innocuous?
A song doe not have to be a “no-brainer,” four-line chorus to qualify as singable. If both visitors and regulars alike can sing, enjoy and understand it without rehearsal for several Sundays it qualifies.
The term user friendly is important but is relative to the people who are gathered. Also, we may need to reevaluate how simple we really need to get, especially when it comes to contemporary music. Even though the vast majority of people may not be able to read music, their ability to listen and repeat complex musical lines is probably much more advanced than we think.
S – Substantive
Are the song’s lyrics balanced with both spirit and truth?
Do they express doctrine and devotion, truth about God and a heartfelt response to God?
It is preferable to weight any worship service with songs that have both doctrine and devotion content.
Even though Seeker Bob needs to observe us worshipping and candidly expressing our love for God, he also needs to know who it is we are worshipping. Doctrine (truth about God) packaged in accessible musical form is a refreshing and effective way of communicating who that God is and what that God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
So, avoid songs that are:
r Difficult or frustrating to sing
r Just plain boring
r Poorly written
r Unscriptural or contain confused theology
r Full of religious jargon, Christian terminology or obscure biblical metaphors.
Personal – they relate in some way to people’s everyday lives and involve their whole being, including their emotions.
Attractive – they hold people’s attention.
Straightforward – both “Seeker Bob” and “Saintly Bill” can understand and latch onto them quickly.
Substantive – they have a thoroughly biblical message that is faithful to the whole counsel of Scripture (and Army Doctrine).
P – Personal
Do both Seeker Bob and Saintly Bill feel as if the song is coming from them?
Do they see themselves in it – their need to be close to God, their elation, hurt, awe, or even doubt?
Personal worship songs are expressive, involving whole human beings in response to God – emotions, spirit, and body as well as intellect. Worship needs to be about experiencing God as well as an understanding of God.
Personal worship music is real music that has a testimonial quality. It takes the naked truth of God’s word, passes it through everyday human life, and makes it come alive.
A - Attractive
Does the song “grab” people?
Is it hard to forget?
Just because a song is in print does not mean that it is worth singing.
However, just because a song is recorded in a style you do not like or one that is not popular in your community does not mean that it should be scrapped.
S – Singable
Is it singable (and understandable) without being trite or innocuous?
A song doe not have to be a “no-brainer,” four-line chorus to qualify as singable. If both visitors and regulars alike can sing, enjoy and understand it without rehearsal for several Sundays it qualifies.
The term user friendly is important but is relative to the people who are gathered. Also, we may need to reevaluate how simple we really need to get, especially when it comes to contemporary music. Even though the vast majority of people may not be able to read music, their ability to listen and repeat complex musical lines is probably much more advanced than we think.
S – Substantive
Are the song’s lyrics balanced with both spirit and truth?
Do they express doctrine and devotion, truth about God and a heartfelt response to God?
It is preferable to weight any worship service with songs that have both doctrine and devotion content.
Even though Seeker Bob needs to observe us worshipping and candidly expressing our love for God, he also needs to know who it is we are worshipping. Doctrine (truth about God) packaged in accessible musical form is a refreshing and effective way of communicating who that God is and what that God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
So, avoid songs that are:
r Difficult or frustrating to sing
r Just plain boring
r Poorly written
r Unscriptural or contain confused theology
r Full of religious jargon, Christian terminology or obscure biblical metaphors.
