Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast

Real Worship: A Call To Simplify, Be Brave, & Pursue Genuine Congregational Worship

6563902327_80f08226a2_zI crave the real thing.

I don’t know about you, but I want the manifest presence of God in my home, life, and church – not just manufactured, emotional experiences with great songs.

Of course, I am not opposed to production. I love it. I love a creative, well-rehearsed band. I love the pursuit of ever-expanding creativity.

In the context of worship, I believe it’s important for creatives to explore how their art can help to inspire and serve and help people see more of God’s glory. I’m all about that.

But I’m also all about dialing back. I’ve had a few conversations with some leaders in the worship community who agree.

Sometimes we need to simplify to see where our heart is.

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#51: Worship Leader, Know Your Bible [Podcast]

2296855678_f348e0d954_zA few days ago, a member of my worship team asked me a question,

“Dave, what should I be working on? How can I improve as a worship leader?”

Being the seasoned, experienced worship leader that I am I started to rattle off a list of improvement tips.

I told her to become a student of other worship leaders. I told her to listen to a lot of worship music. I told her to practice behind closed doors.

All good things, right? Sure – except for the fact that I missed probably the most important discipline she could “work on”, and that is knowing the Bible.

There’s nothing that brings context to worship leading like God’s Word.

The Bible helps me lead worship like nothing else. It’s scary, but I can know all the worship songs in the world but completely miss the point if I don’t know my Bible.

Worship Leader, know your Bible.

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The Morning After Sunday Morning: An Essay on the Emptiness of Serving Your Ego

14753371285_b2c5c46aa5_zWhen I woke up this morning, I was anxious.

I didn’t know who I was. No, not in a scary, schizophrenic kind of way. I wasn’t at peace with who I was, my identity, and what I was called to do.

Every morning is marked by this stress, but especially Monday morning – the morning after I lead worship.

When worship goes well, Monday morning feels empty. I miss the compliments of the crowd. I miss the feeling of a job well done. I feel alone.

When worship is a train wreck (yep, it still happens sometimes), I feel like a failure. I feel like I shouldn’t be doing the things that I do. I’m a fake…a phony…I don’t have what it takes. It’s probably time for a new career.

Monday mornings. It’s quiet. And the silence is deafening to my ears.

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#50: Don Moen On Worship In Action, Authenticity, & Keeping It Simple [Podcast]

IMG_6040-e1364515497136Do you ever think that we over-complicate worship?

Oftentimes we can get so caught up in massive creative pursuits that I fear, sometimes, God is on the outside wondering when we’ll welcome Him in.

In this interview, I had the honor of talking with worship pioneer Don Moen about this and so much more.

Don was the Creative Director and President of Integrity Music for 20 years. A prolific songwriter and recording artist, he’s been involved with over 50 projects, 17 of them his own.

He was a major catalyst in launching the careers of Paul Baloche, Darlene Zschech, Israel Houghton, & Hillsong United.

Don’t miss this conversation!

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The Weapon of Worship: How To Fight Sin, Walk In Purity, and Live For Heaven

6174750180_d2e12d4cee_zI’m not going to beat around the bush. Let’s strike right to the heart.

The best way to counteract today’s culture of materialism, sexual immorality, and self centeredness is…worship.

There’s no better medicine for our hearts than the act of consistent gazing upon the glory of Jesus.

I know, today’s post title seems epic, dramatic even. But when you consider what is after our attention on a daily basis, I don’t believe that it is.

Life is a battleground – a war over your heart, your worship. And thousands of lovers are pining for yours. [Read more…]