Archive - January, 2011

What Trumpets and Conductors Can Teach You About Leading Worship

January 31, 2011 in Worship Leaders with 9 Comments

Do you know that your style of worship leading could be hindering people from entering in? Could it be that, good intentions and all, you are a distraction to worship? Before you write me off, consider the possibility and allow me to explain.

When you prepare your worship services, the first thoughts on your mind are probably not trumpet solos and conducting. At least that hasn’t been the case for me. But they both have important lessons to teach us on how to engage a congregation in worship effectively.

This topic of engaging a congregation has really stole my attention the past few months. I’m not content to just perform well. I want people to truly experience God. And based on the fact that you read this blog, I assume that’s your desire too.

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How Awkward Are Your Worship Services?

January 29, 2011 in Worship with 3 Comments

This video is hilarious.

It’s always healthy to imagine what guests (unaccustomed to expressive worship) are experiencing when they come to our services. As leaders, we need to be “students of the room” – engaging our ‘front row fans’ while ministering to the back row spectators. Pastor Steven Furtick brilliantly describes this idea in his post: “The Danger of the Front Row” (worth the read).

Think about your unchurched guests for a minute.

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Do You Have What it Takes To Tour Full Time? [Video]

January 28, 2011 in Music, Worship Leaders with 8 Comments

Brad & Rebekah are full-time traveling worship leaders. They write their own music, do their own booking, social media, graphics, & a host of other things. What I appreciate about these guys is that they work extremely hard at what they do. While their core value is to trust God and rely on Him to open doors for new opportunities, they are not passive about it. They go for it.

I wanted to record this interview for a couple reasons. First, I want you to get to know Brad & Rebekah. Buy their music. Lead their songs. Consider inviting them to lead worship at your church. You won’t regret it.

Also, maybe you would like to tour someday. Hopefully you can glean some insight into what it takes.

Here are the three poins Brad outlines to be a successful touring artist:

  1. REASON – the “why” behind the “what”
  2. WILLINGNESS - to serve wherever, no matter how small. Excellence in the little things.
  3. HARD WORK – develop an ‘up-to-date’ social media platform, contact hundreds of churches, write songs, network.

Question: If you tour, what are the key things that make you successful? If not, do you have any desire to tour someday?

10 Worship Albums That Changed My Life

January 27, 2011 in Music with 10 Comments

Everyone has influences. These were records that changed the way I led worship and pursued God.

Vineyard UK: Hungry

This album changed my life when I was about 13 years old. For its time, it was cutting edge in its musicality and still sounds up to date. What fresh expression of desperate worship. Great songs, great vibe.
Passion: Hymns Ancient And Modern

If I was honest, I was never really into hymns...until I heard this album. I think it created a fresh wave of interest in hymns across the world. Fresh arrangements, great theology, and deep worship.
Delirious: Glo

While many people attribute their "Cutting Edge" albums to reinventing the modern worship scene, this is the one that did it for me. The sheer aggression of the music, passion for God, spontaneous worship, and creativity is still inspiring today. Great songs too!
Matt Redman: The Heart Of Worship

Matt's songs are simply incredible. There's no denying that. This is probably the first album of his that really influenced me. The songs are so true, so simple, so well written. It's like having someone sing you the Bible.
Tree63

I don't know why I picked this album up at a local Christian bookstore. Incredible songs, voice, and passion. I still return to this album and am brought back to a time of deep longing for Jesus. Essential.
Passion: Better Is One Day

Before Chris Tomlin was the face of Passion, Charlie Hall was dominating with albums like this. Though this is mainly an album of cover songs, they came at the right time.
Paul Baloche: A Greater Song

This album is essential for the sheer number of songs I've done from it. Such a warm, humble, God-exalting album.
Winds of Worship 7: Live From Brownsville

How I miss the modern worship era of wailing guitar solos. I may be showing my age here :), but my life was significantly influenced by the Brownsville Revival. It was around that time that I started getting into worship. I probably listened to this record 8,000 times. Can somebody say "Let The River Flow" guitar solo? Incredible.
David Crowder: All I Can Say

By far, my favorite Crowder album of all time. I didn't know what I was getting into when I bought this. I had never heard such interesting music and unique lyrical expressions.
Something Like Silas: Divine Invitation

Now known as the brilliant "Future of Forestry", SLS put out one album and it was amazing. I think I blew up CD players listening to this album so much. Raw, challenging lyricism and powerful modern rock. Still gets me every time, particularly the song "Words That You Say", one of my all time favs.

Question: What albums have been your biggest influences?

How Do You “Keep it Real” on Sunday Morning?

January 26, 2011 in Worship with 4 Comments

I could be naive, but I imagine the word “worship” used to be a lot simpler. Worship today is a buzzword, an industry, a brand. While I’m thrilled that the worship of God is immensely popular and prominent, I wonder if we are losing the heart. Is it possible to go through the motions of worship services, program massive productions, build bigger churches, and God not be worshiped?

What comes to mind when you think about worship?

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How To Use the “H” Word in Worship Without Starting a War

January 25, 2011 in Worship Leaders with 17 Comments

[This post is part of a series on Your Guide to Selecting and Leading Songs for Worship. Check out the rest here.]

I never knew the phrase “we should do more hymns” would feel like a stab in the heart. It hurts even more when it’s followed up with the leg sweep of “we don’t like your songs”.

So as I lie there bloodied and battered down, I wonder, “Do these people know how much time I put into worship for Sunday morning?” Praying through the setlist, scheduling the band, preparing for a great rehearsal, praying for God to move, showing up early, getting nervous, pouring my heart out.

And then I hear it echoing through my head like an annoying baby toy: “we should do more hymns, we should do more hymns, we should do more…”

I know that was maybe slightly dramatic. But in all honesty, it’s how we as worship leaders feel when it comes to hymns: it’s an all-out war! The elder segment of the church desire the rich theology of the songs they sang when they were saved, while the young people desire the new, fresh expressions of worship because they just don’t “get” the hymns.

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Do You Make These 5 Mistakes When You Choose Songs?

January 24, 2011 in Worship Leaders with 6 Comments

[This post is part of a series on Your Guide to Selecting and Leading Songs for Worship. Check out the rest here.]

Choosing songs for worship is hard. It’s an acquired skill, akin to riding a bike in that you can eventually learn to do it well every time. Over the years I have made some mistakes in choosing a setlist and I hope to spare you the pain.

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Why You Should Be Writing Songs for Your Church

January 21, 2011 in Songwriting with 16 Comments

[This post is part of a series on Your Guide to Selecting and Leading Songs for Worship. Check out the rest here.]

You may not consider yourself a “talented songwriter”. You may even feel that you just get by picking out songs and leading a band on Sunday morning. That’s OK. This post is still for you. Writing songs for your local church may seem like an daunting task.

I hope to convince you otherwise.

First off, why should you write songs for your local church?

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Why Do You Serve God?

January 20, 2011 in Leadership with 0 Comments

I love this verse from the book of Hebrews:

“For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do” (Hebrews 6:10).

We all know we’re supposed to have love for God and love for people. But what drives your desire to serve – to be a small group leader, to pastor, to lead a worship team, to work with disabled children, to work with young people, etc?

What sustains your leadership and keeps you from burnout?

According to this verse, it’s love for God – the honor of His name.

If you pursue ministry for any other purpose than love for God’s Name, you will burn out. Love for God sustains service for God.

Question: Do you agree? What sustains you in your service for God?

A Simple Acronym for Writing and Selecting the Best Worship Songs

January 19, 2011 in Songwriting, Worship Leaders with 1 Comment

[This post is part of a series on Your Guide to Selecting and Leading Songs for Worship. Check out the rest here.]

We all know that certain songs stand out above the rest. But what makes them so unique? As a worship leader who picks songs each weekend and a songwriter who wants to write engaging songs, what are the qualities I should look for?

What should you be looking for?

Here’s my take, which I call the SEAT method:

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