Kondratowski Family Keys

I was talking with coach Walter K, and he was reveling in a simple idea that has made a significant difference in congregational engagement.

Walter has the privilege of raising four daughters along with his wife, Mrs. K. As he’s choosing songs, he simply sings them with his family and takes note of which keys are most singable for them. I can imagine he both listens to them and also asks them which “shoe fits best.”

That’s a great way to love and serve your congregation: make sure the shoes you choose fit well.. you’ll be walking a mile in them. Translation: find good keys for them to sing in.

It’s one decisive way to remove potential obstacles for them to participate so they can fully awaken to what God is already at work doing when we gather.

Here’s the challenge: find a group of people (family, friends, neighbors - cats don’t count) and run next week’s songs by them in a few keys. You can try the recording’s key, then (take the capo off and) try two steps lower, then some random key (maybe two steps higher than the recording).

It will very likely be obvious, but if not, you can ask things like:

• Which key felt the most comfortable to sing?

• Which key made you want to sing the loudest?

• Which key felt…like a bad idea?

I’m so curious to know what new key you’ll try for one or two songs. Tell me, please?

-Dave Helmuth
(purchase my book, "Worship Fertilizer: (the first hundred)" HERE)

Kondratowski Family Keys (Nº 389)