Every Sunday at Redemption starts on a Tuesday. Long before anyone plugs in an instrument or the lyrics go up on the screen, there's a quiet, intentional process happening behind the scenes: praying, reading, listening, and piecing together a set list that helps our church meet with God.
Below is the process we use. It's simply what works for us at Redemption, not the only way and certainly not a perfect formula. We share it in the hope that some of these principles might serve you too, wherever you lead: a church of 50 or 5,000, a youth room, a small group, or a worship night in someone's living room.
Take what helps, adapt what doesn't fit, and make it your own.
Start with a rhythm
Good planning doesn't happen in leftover time. It happens when you protect time for it.
At Redemption, we aim to plan each Sunday's set about a week and a half ahead, roughly 10–12 days before that Sunday, and publish it to the team as soon as it's done. Our team memorizes every song, so that lead time honors their preparation and lets everyone serve with confidence. For me, that lands on Tuesday mornings, so that's the time I block off each week.
This works for us. But what matters most is setting up a rhythm that serves you and your team best. Your team may not memorize everything, and your timeline or planning day may look different. When your team knows when the set is coming, they can plan their prep around it.
Don't forget what's coming next
Sunday is the main focus of that planning time, but I try to leave a little room at the end of it to look further down the road.
Worship nights, conferences, and special events need more runway. We aim to have those sets finished and sent out 14–16 days in advance, two weeks at the very least. Those sets usually run longer, and the team needs the extra time to prepare well. If you lead special gatherings, give them the same dedicated planning time you give Sundays.
The Five P's: how we build a set
Almost every week, we walk through the same five steps in the same order. Here's the short version: prayer shapes the heart, the passage shapes the message, promptings shape the direction, people shape the leadership, and progression shapes the experience.
1. Pray
We always start by inviting God into the process. Before we open a single playlist, we ask Him for wisdom, discernment, creativity, unity with the sermon, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
Planning worship isn't just scheduling songs. It's shepherding people. That's true in any church, any size, anywhere.
2. Passage
Next, we ask: what is God already saying to our church? We look at the current sermon series, the upcoming message, and the Scripture passages behind it.
Some weeks you'll know the exact passage. Some weeks you won't, and that's okay. Let the overall theme guide you. If your pastor shares notes or a sermon calendar, lean on it.
3. Promptings
Then we pause and ask what God has already been stirring:
Has a song been on my heart lately?
Has someone mentioned a particular song?
Has the congregation responded well to something?
God often speaks through His people. Don't ignore those promptings.
4. People
Who's leading this week? We think through which vocalists and musicians are serving, which key fits them best, and whether a song is right for this specific team.
A song may be perfect, just not for this Sunday. Choose songs your team can lead confidently and authentically, whatever your team looks like.
Consider the difficulty of the song and its arrangement, too. Do you have a team of seasoned players who can handle it? Would it give someone a healthy push to grow, or would it end up overwhelming them and become a distraction?
5. Progression
Finally, we look at how the whole service flows. That means thinking musically about keys and relative keys, tempo and energy, transitions and dynamics.
These musical principles are helpful guardrails, not rigid rules. Learn them well, but don't let them box you in. Sometimes breaking a "rule" creates a more natural, meaningful moment.
The question isn't just "Are these good songs?" It's "Do these songs belong together?"
Five principles behind every set
The Five P's are the "how." These principles are the "why": the convictions that shape every set we build at Redemption.
1. Worship is about God first
Our first audience is God. Our second responsibility is His people. Every set should glorify God while encouraging, strengthening, and instructing His Church.
"…let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe…" — Hebrews 12:28
"What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up." — 1 Corinthians 14:26
2. Every set tells a story
We think of a set list as a miniature sermon. Ask yourself: What journey does this set take people on? Does it build naturally? Can I summarize the message in one sentence?
Here's an example of what that one sentence might sound like: "In the Mighty Name of Jesus, we gather with Jesus at the Center, giving Him the Glory & Honor due His name."
3. Build with purpose
Our Sunday sets usually move through three movements:
Gather: joyful, celebratory, and energetic. Invite people to sing.
Respond: personal reflection on Christ's work, our response, surrender, and faith.
Exalt: finish with eyes lifted toward God's greatness and glory.
Your service may be shorter or longer, but this shape works in almost any setting.
4. Keep the Gospel central
Every Sunday should clearly communicate the Gospel. Believers need it every week, and visitors may be hearing it for the first time.
We look for songs that are biblically faithful, theologically rich, clear, and congregational. A song shouldn't be so artistic or vague that people leave unsure of what they just sang.
5. Think beyond this Sunday
Good worship leaders are planning the next season, too. A few habits that help us:
Pace new songs. We introduce one new song every 4–6 weeks: two Sundays on, one off, then one more to cement it.
Read before you listen. Look at the lyrics first and ask: Are they biblically true, rich, and clear?
Keep separate playlists. We maintain a "Sunday Morning" playlist and a "Worship Night" playlist for songs that fit each setting.
A final word of encouragement
There isn't one perfect formula for planning worship, at Redemption or anywhere else. Some weeks you'll know exactly what the sermon is about. Some weeks you won't. Some weeks the songs come together in ten minutes, and other weeks you'll wrestle with them all day. That's okay.
The same Holy Spirit who is leading your pastor is leading you as a worship leader.
So wherever you serve, trust Him. Pray faithfully. Plan thoughtfully. Then lead with confidence.
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