On the Fourth Day of Christmas CCS Gave to Me…

December 9, 2021

Four ways to ease the stress of holiday programs  

On the fourth day of Christmas, we’d like to share four things we’ve found to help ease stress as worship teams get ready for Christmas programs. 

Preparation 

We all know the famous quote by Ben Franklin, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”  Unfortunately, there are very few things that can be done to overcome a lack of preparation. We recommend walking through rehearsals in your mind even BEFORE you meet, and also plan for all possible “what if” scenarios. For example, “What do I do if the lead can’t hit the high parts of his or her song?” Plan your practices and rehearsals out to 5-minute increments, and stick to the schedule. 

Expectations 

Begin practice on time and end on time. This is huge! It shows respect for those who are prepared and have committed the time. For the most part, people tend to do what’s expected of them. If you’re clear from the beginning what your expectations are, it can eliminate conflict later. Start strong; it’s difficult to play catch up later. If you or one of your volunteers is having trouble with a part or you feel that there is a performance issue, be gentle but direct. 

Remember, “praise in public, correct in private.” When utilizing young performers, it’s important to keep their parents involved throughout the entire process. Have parents attend the informational meetings and make sure they receive copies of rehearsal schedules and volunteer expectations. If there becomes an issue with a younger performer, it’s always best to include the parent in any discussion. 

Guard Against Perfectionism 

Even people who are not perfectionists can get wrapped up in wanting everything to be perfect at Christmas. And admit it, most of us involved in creative and worship ministries have a touch of “perfectionism.” If you’re not careful you can get so stressed out over every detail that you miss out on enjoying the celebration. Striving for perfection in your performances, decorations, and events can leave you frustrated and exhausted. 

Maintain Your Perspective 

The reality is that the Christmas season lasts a fairly short time. The extra stress you are experiencing is not unending and will pass sooner than you realize. Certain challenging situations brought on by the church, family, or finances will only be for this brief season and then life returns to normal. 

If you have any questions about how music licensing can take some of the stress out of planning your programs, simply e-mail us or give us a call at 877-394-5566. 

About Christian Copyright Solutions: CCS’s quest is to help churches and Christian ministries “do music right.”  CCS is an expert on church music copyrights and our primary focus is providing licensing and clear educational resources to churches. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel.  

Tags: , , , ,

Categorized in: