a worship leader, discussions of the balance between preparation and

spontaneity often arise. Inevitably, I hear arguments for spontaneity over

preparation usually because it feels better or is cooler and less rigid.

Further, a problem arises when the Holy Spirit is solely linked to spontaneity.

God the Spirit, however, commonly uses planning, especially in matters related

to Christian worship. In response, without quenching the possibility of

spontaneity and its good, my aim today is to argue for the good in how God uses

preparation.