Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast & Blog

Avatar and Sunday Morning

Remember the day? The day you went to see James Cameron’s blockbuster hit, Avatar? Since you had heard so many good things about it, you were prepared to ‘go the distance’ with this one. Armed with a $15 popcorn & drink, you were prepared for an amazing three hours of pure escapism from the ordinary. And amazing it was, right?

Why is it that we humans LOVE movies, amusement parks, sports events, and a gazillion other entertainments? Why is it that our culture is consumed by the pursuit of them? Why are we enamored with entertainment?

I believe it’s because we were created to worship. We were made to be fascinated, awed, lost in wonder, starstruck – by the greatness of God. The time and money America spends on entertainment is a reflection of this deep need. We long to escape the ‘ordinary’ and engage with the ‘extra-ordinary’.

How would our congregational worship times change if we approached God in this way? Much the same way that we approach seeing Avatar in 3D IMAX with buttery popcorn and a ‘way-too-big-for-any-human-bucket-‘o-drink’?

What would it look like if our anticipation for gathering in God’s house, together with God’s people, to encounter the glory of God was that much stronger?

What do you say?

12 Indicators That Leadership is Lacking

As a staff we are reading through the book Exponential by Dave & Jon Ferguson. I thought these 12 indicators of poor leadership were incredibly helpful.

Leadership is lacking when…

  1. I wait for someone to tell me what to do rather than taking the initiative myself.
  2. I spend too much time talking about how things should be different.
  3. I blame the context, surroundings, or other people for my current situation.
  4. I am more concerned about being cool or accepted than doing the right thing.
  5. I seek consensus rather than casting vision for a preferable future.
  6. I am not taking any significant risks.
  7. I accept the status quo as the way it’s always been and always will be.
  8. I start protecting my reputation instead of opening myself up to opposition.
  9. I procrastinate to avoid making a tough call.
  10. I talk to others about the problem rather than taking it to the person responsible.
  11. I don’t feel like my butt is on the line for anything significant.
  12. I ask for way too many opinions before taking action.

Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, & Worship Leaders?

Where did the term “worship leader” come from?

If it’s not found in Scripture, is it really necessary?

Even though our modern church culture makes such a big deal out of it, does God?

Does worship leading fit into the biblical paradigm of ministry?

I think these are important questions to wrestle with. If this is something that I’m giving my life to I want it to be biblical.

Paul says in Ephesians chapter 4 that he “gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.”

While he doesn’t add “worship leader” to that list, a worship leader can function within any of these ministry gifts.

Here’s what I mean:

  • An apostolic worship leader may break new ground and naturally release other worship leaders into their calling.
  • A prophetic worship leader may clearly hear the voice of God for a particular congregation and speak/sing it over them.
  • An evangelistic worship leader has a heart for those on the ‘outside’. He may go places that other won’t in order to reach the lost and bring others into the presence of God.
  • A pastoral worship leader may approach what he does with a sensitivity to the people he leads and explain what is happening so people don’t feel lost.
  • A teaching worship leader may feel a strong sense of the “why” behind the “what”. He may choose songs that are rich in doctrine and lead people to understand what they are singing.

You may be one or a combination of a few of these.

Truth is, the Bible is filled with references to music, singing, worship, and the exaltation of God. And God calls people to be skillful leaders.

I don’t know about you, but I feel privileged to stand before a local congregation and lead them to encounter the greatness of God every week.

Question: How about you? What type of worship leader are you?

Songwriting for Worship – Brian Doerksen

The past few days I had the privilege of attending Integrity’s Seminars for Worship with my worship team. I so appreciate the experience and humility that Paul Baloche, Brian Doerksen, and Kathryn Scott bring to the table. I wanted to share some songwriting thoughts that I gleaned from Brian’s session on “songwriting for worship”

  • Our world is crazy about the visual – the God of the scriptures continues to invite us with his written and whispered words.
  • Never use a song publicly that doesn’t move you to worship privately.
  • Write for the ‘gap’ – don’t imitate others. Look for where a certain truth or style is missing.
  • Worship music involves writing for the church & self-expression, clear lyrics (meaning then sound), and simple, creative music.
  • Recording artist writing involves self-expression, unclear lyrics (sound then meaning), and creative music.
  • How does the songwriting process actually work? – seeds of inspiration; days of perspiration.
  • People have the misconception that God gives songs. He actually gives seeds. It is our job to cultivate the soil and grow the song.
  • People need 2  things to sing your song – Reason (they want to say what your song says) and Affection (they need to love the song).

The Heart of Worship: Obeying God

Beyond the music, beyond the songs, beyond the band, lights, gear, rehearsal, and setlists, is your life. A life that needs to love God’s Word and do what it says.

As worship leaders we need to set an example not only in our musical excellence but in how we live our lives. Consider I Timothy 4:12

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

  • Speech – are you glorifying God in your words?
  • Conduct – are you glorifying God in your actions?
  • Love – are you glorifying God in how you treat others?
  • Faith – do you actually believe the song lyrics you lead others in singing?
  • Purity – are you glorifying God in abstaining from sexual sin?

Does what you declare on Sunday oppose what you live Monday-Saturday? Are you more passionate about music and performance than you are living a holy life behind closed doors?