Applying First Principles. Again.

First principles are the foundation that built SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and many other remarkable things that once seemed impossible but are now real.

We use First Principles to minimize complexity and allow new ideas and options to appear that were once choked by the layers of complexity we unintentionally added over time.

Here’s a simple algorithm for applying first principles:

1. Question the requirements: Remove unnecessary ones and reduce the number of requirements. Start here.

2. Delete parts: If you’re not forced to restore at least 10%, you haven't removed enough. Try to delete as many parts as possible. You can always put things back if needed. In fact, if you are not adding back parts, you probably haven’t deleted enough.

3. Optimize: Focus on what remains after deletion. Don’t optimize what shouldn’t exist. Delete first, then optimize.

4. Speed up: Anything can be sped up, but don’t speed up what should not be there.

5. Automate: Only automate after completing steps one to four.

These principles work well in product management and technical fields, but how can they apply to worship and worship leading? Christianity has added many religious layers over the years - I’m not sure the early church would recognize what we call Christianity today - and that is ok. Things should change and grow. But maybe we have made some things seem critical when they might not be in the Lord’s eyes. We are not too different from the Pharisees in that way.

So how might we apply these principles to our corporate worship ministries?

Question the requirements: What are some assumed necessities in worship? For example, Must we start each service with two fast songs followed by slower ones? Is this truly required? Do we need third keys? Do we need that projector? Why?

- Delete parts: We often think more is better, such as bigger choirs, multiple instruments, etc. But what if we pruned ourselves back by 10%? How much could you remove before the pain is felt? Could this make us more flexible and efficient? Remember, you can always add parts back if needed.

- Optimize: With a smaller team, you can focus on improving each part more deeply. Less items to improve the more we can optimize.

- Speed up: It might not be about speeding up but getting better. Fewer people on stage could lead to stronger individual contributions through consistent practice or new talent. We can rehearse more because there are fewer people to coordinate. A small Navy Seal team can go faster than a large platoon.

Automate: Consider using technology and software to enhance efficiency, but only after questioning requirements, deleting parts, optimizing, and speeding up. Automating can mean going without much preparation.

How? Because a four-person band that spends a lot of time playing together can do a lot without much rehearsal, just showing up and playing is possible (not saying it is always advisable—but possible when the team is very right and experienced together).

I remember sitting in the green room with the HouseFires band before a live recording night. They literally created the pre-recording worship setlist - 10 minutes before going on stage in front of 2000 people waiting in the auditorium. Whaaat? How? They knew each other and their material so well.

Applying these principles can help in various areas beyond the worship band – like your department’s operations or rehearsals. Look at your processes and see what can be simplified or improved.

Being a good leader means improving & multiplying what we oversee without destroying it. Use these first principles to grow and enhance what you have.

I’ll be in Dallas in November. Speaking at a new worship conference. This one is different because it is about building relationships and mentoring for worship leaders in small or medium churches.

If you are a worship leader in a small or medium-sized church - check this out. Learn more here