Revamp classic hymns and worship songs with new arrangements on a new instrument. This ensures that the songs will be both familiar and fresh to the church audience. If you're a beginner guitarist, start by talking to your church pianist or organist to get a song's basic chord progression. For instance, "Amazing Grace" involves only four different root chords. By adapting these chords to the guitar, you can create a simple, modern version of the beloved song.
Just because contemporary artists often are accompanied by a full band doesn't mean that their songs don't have simple, underlying chord progressions. Popular Christian artist Michael W. Smith is known for having orchestral backing to his songs. Still, hits like "How Majestic Is Your Name" can be recreated on guitar with simple major and minor chords. Basic chords, guitar tabulature and sheet music to contemporary songs can be found online. Some databases, like WorshipArchive.com, contain a vast collection of contemporary worship music arranged by artist and title.
Create an original song by matching simple chords and light melodies with the soaring vocals of a traditional choir. Little more is needed than some extra practice, a few good ideas and some copies of the lyrics to start introducing original music to a congregation. Some church choirs have even found themselves going on tour to churches across the country thanks to their moving and powerful original songs.