Hi Darlene, thanks so much for chatting to us here at the Women In Worship Network!
I’ll shoot a few questions your way, that have come in from the readers of this site, sent into me via Twitter and email:
When you wrote Shout To The Lord, did you know or sense it would be a powerful song that would touch the world, or did that suprise you?
I had absolutely no idea it would have the impact that it is having… The song came when I was having an ‘ I don’t know if I can handle today..’ type of day. and in my overwhelmed state, sat at my piano, opened my bible to Psalm 96..
I read and played and worshipped. the song probably took 20 minutes to complete, and I just played it to myself over the next few weeks as I worshipped through my storm.
I finally played it to our worship pastor at the time, who took it to the church, and the song kind of just leapt into people’s hearts.. I cannot explain what happened, it was a Holy moment and one I will never forget.
How do you put together a set list?
I think about the people, the style of service, I never let the prevailing atmosphere dictate as to what we will or won’t sing… I feel it is our role to encourage the worshipper in every single person to be released in Spirit and Truth…
So, we enter His gates with praise and thanksgiving, and encourage people to not allow their circumstances to small down their praise of God.. and eventually sing the more intimate songs as we worship, truly worship our Jesus. I pray I will never take for granted the immense privilege it is to lead people to the courts of our King.
When you write a song, do you start with music or lyrics?
Both ways work for me!! i have journals going at all times filled with lyrics and ideas, then I will record ideas whenever they come to me on my ipod, to look at when I get time at home to flesh the ideas out, and then I also will just play and worship, and sometimes songs come out of that time.
One other way I love to write is to collaborate… this is always lots of fun. I have been writing recently with Israel Houghton.. he makes it very easy!
What advice would you give to the female worship leaders/singers/songwriters who are part of this online community… any words of wisdom that you feel would help and encourage them?
Thanks! Really appreciate your time and your insights! Blessings to you Darlene. All of us here at the WIW network will be praying for your ministry and all you are doing.
so encouraging!! she is my biggest role model and am so glad to hear more of her wisdom!! <3
Every time I hear Darlene speak, sing, or even just write a message of encouragement and love, I cry out and thank God for the miracle He has given us in life and in death…She is an inspirational leader to so many. This post made me think…We so easily see God as The High Judge, but do we really grasp that He is our Deliverer, our Defender, our Strong Tower? Darlene has encouraged me, as a female worship leader and as a Believer, to become who I was designed to be and not what others tell me I should be. Wisdom and growth are found in study and Godly council…thank you, Darlene, for (unknowingly) mentoring me, just a passionate 20 year old, through your life and actions. I will glorify God and worship Him in everything I do; everywhere I go! In Christ, I will become what HE wills me to be. <3
I hope to worship with you (LIVE) one day! With love in Christ,
Danielle
I will take her advice on no being bossy. It is a fine line when you are a leader and a woman so we must try hard not to do this. I'm glad she said this.
o darlene! thank you for letting God use u! I am so encouraged!! thank you for encouraging us to be ourselves as we lead worship and embrace the call of God on OUR lives!! It is so easy to compare myself to other female worship leaders. I will keep your words in mind!
Brytni
i love darlene!:)