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Top New Christian Worship Songs Each Month
Happy New Year And Happy New List!
Find great new worship songs that work with a small worship band in a contemporary church, especially for worship leaders.
Finding songs that work can take a lot of time that you don’t have. As a worship leader in a small church, I feel your pain!
So each month, I hunt for 3 new worship songs for your small church and for mine: 1 fast, 1 medium, and 1 slow.
Each song has:
- Lyrics that relate to multiple generations
- A vocal range that is singable to an average person
- Capacity to be successful in developing musicians
Knowing every small church has different challenges, different instruments, and different cultures, you’ll find a variety of songs each month, from hymns to contemporary praise, a capella to full band, and acoustic to more electric sounds.
Don’t Strive To Duplicate A Popular Recording
With a small worship band, it’s never my goal to sound like a recording we hear. And I hope it’s not your goal either. I believe God gives us what He wants us to have. So unless you have 24 professional musicians on your roster, your worship band isn’t supposed to sound like theirs! But it still can be amazing.
But making a popular worship song your own might take some adjustments. Our band sometimes changes up a song quite a bit. We’ve altered tempos, instrumental mixes, and even melody lines now and then. I’ve pulled all my electric instruments out and led with just the piano, or gone heavy with an acoustic guitar and vocals.
So, as you check out these new songs, I encourage you to take a risk and be bold, even if you are new or feel like you are just learning. I was reminded by a friend last week, that we grow the most when we are out of our comfort zone!
Along with every song choice, I include extra tips for worship leading, developing your team, or creative worship ideas. If you enjoy this post, be sure to pour through the archives and sign up for my emails so you don’t miss the new ones as they are published.
Click here for November 2019, October 2019, September 2019, August 2019, July 2019, June 2019, May 2019.
January 2020 Edition: Top New Worship Songs For Small Churches
1. King Of Glory (Passion)
- Tempo: Fast
- CCLI Song # 7142008
- Brett Younker | Hank Bentley | Jason Ingram | Kristian Stanfill | Matt Maher
- My chosen singable key: F
- 2019
Fast Worship Songs Are Hard To Find
As you know, fast songs are hard to find. I was so grateful to come across “King of Glory” sung by Passion. Our worship service typically starts with a fast, upbeat song or two to help with the transition into worship. To make my fast song pick, the song has to be naturally clappable, and this is a perfect pick for opening a service.
With great imagery –– the gates of heaven, a lion roaring, and mountains shaking –– this song is memorable, catchy, and easy to learn.
Kristian Stanfield’s “King Of Glory” Can Be Led By Keyboard Or Guitar
While “King of Glory” recordings are heavy on keyboard, this song is very doable on an acoustic guitar. Don’t let the electronic sounds intimidate you if you don’t have a keyboard player. It is easily led on guitar or piano.
Introduce “King Of Glory” As A Worship Song For Easter
But do it NOW, not later!
While it seems a little early to mention Easter on the January song list, the first quarter of the year is actually an ideal time to teach new songs celebrating the empty tomb. If your worshipers are familiar with Easter songs now, they will sing more fully when Resurrection Sunday comes.
As it’s impossible to fully experience Easter without embracing the cross, many congregations celebrate Lent for 6 weeks before Easter Sunday. While the focus changes to repentance and reflection, celebration songs are often put on hold during that time. So if your congregation has already fallen in love with “King of GLory”(and others declaring the Risen Christ), they will be more than ready to burst out in celebration on Easter!
And while “King of Glory” is not expressly about Easter, it powerfully sings of Jesus, the King of Glory, the God who saves and reigns over all.
2. Christ Be Magnified (Cody Carnes)
- Tempo: Medium
- CCLI Song # 7139866
- Cody Carnes | Cory Asbury | Ethan Hulse
- My chosen singable key: E
- 2019
Wow. This brand-new song by Cody Carnes is an instant favorite on my list. I predict this will be a top worship song for 2020.
“Christ Be Magnified” Is A Contemporary Worship Song With Theological Depth
“Christ Be Magnified” is incredibly worshipful with theological depth. It has the classic feeling of a hymn mixed with contemporary imagery and word choice.
The song is emotionally moving and builds powerfully throughout. In fact, I’m crying through the bridge of this song as I type.
Develop A Practice Of Building Vocal Harmonies For Powerful Dynamics
The chorus of “Christ Be Magnified” is a great practice ground for vocal harmonies. If you have a tenor, a high harmony on this chorus adds a lot of fullness. An alto can fill out the lower harmony as well.
As you develop vocalists, don’t insist on harmonies throughout entire songs.
As in this song, it is better to start to begin in unison and then add harmonies as the song builds. This gives power and momentum, especially if a song feels flat or lacks dynamics. Instead of trying to add more as the song continues, try doing less at the beginning. Simplify, pull back, start quieter, or even have only one vocalist begin the song.
“Christ Be Magnified” Is Another Great New Worship Song For Easter
Talking about resurrection life, here’s another fabulous song to have on your list for Easter. Teach it now, so worshipers will embrace it even more in the springtime!
Bridge 2:
‘Cause death is just the doorway – Into resurrection life
If I join You in Your suff’rings – Then I’ll join You when You rise
And when You return in glory – With all the angels and the saints
My heart will still be singing – My song will be the same
3. Burdens (Jamie Kimmett)
- Tempo: Slow
- CCLI Song # 7113327
- Jamie Kimmett | Ben Cantelon
- My chosen singable key: C
- 2019
While this song is definitely covered by CCLI (copyright license), its lyrics and chords are not yet available on my favorite worship song resource, SongSelect. However, until they are, you can find them at Ultimate Guitar Tabs by clicking here: Burdens. I’ve transposed it to the key of C for our preferred singing range.
“Burdens” Is A Beautiful Worship Song For Reflection And Prayer Times
“Burdens” is a compelling introduction for prayer, confession and/or repentance. If you ever lead into a time of prayer, whether people come up front to be prayed over, or worshipers remain seated in prayer, this song is a natural lead-in.
The lyrics take us from burdens and sorrow to God’s glorious promise of light and life. It is a hopeful song that allows space for human pain and sadness, but leads to freedom and hallelujahs!
The Chorus To “Budens” Alone Is An Invitation To Prayer
The simple but meaningful melody of the chorus reminds me of praise songs I grew up with in the 80s. “Burdens” is one of those songs we memorize without trying. It sticks in our hearts and pops up as we drive down the highway, cook a meal, or fall asleep at the end of the day.
Chorus:
Come and lay your burdens down
To the place where freedom is found
At the feet, at the feet of Jesus
Come and lay your burdens down
This chorus can stand alone as its own call to prayer, and it also flows well with many other contemporary worship songs. As I love blending worship songs into others to eliminate harsh starts and stops, “Burdens” is a beautiful addition to my song list.
Three Reasons To Each A New Worship Song This Month
As a worship leader, it’s important to introduce new songs. New worship songs:
- Renews your personal worship
- Keeps your worship team learning
- Gives a fresh word to your congregation
While it can be challenging to find new songs, put them in the right keys, and teach them to your team, it’s absolutely vital. It keeps your own spirit refreshed, gives your team a challenge, and blesses your worshipers with glimpses of God speaking through contemporary songwriters who seek Him.
As in many contemporary churches, the worshipers at my church still love a traditional hymn. They sing loud and strong to “Come Thou Fount”, “How Great Thou Art”, and “Amazing Grace”. God spoke through songwriters of the past, and He still does today.
It’s vital to hear God’s words to our contemporaries and to stay fresh for the generation coming on our heels.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences with these songs and other current favorites too. Please leave comments below!
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