Worship Pastors, how do you measure your work in relation to the church’s worship? We live in a society obsessed with utility. One of the stumbling blocks to giving and receiving Gospel is a prevailing attitude of “What’s the use?” The dominance of utilitarianism has certainly not been exorcized from the church and [...]
Archive for the ‘Worship theology’ category
Unuseful
February 13, 2012Winning Worship
January 31, 2012This is not an article about worship on Superbowl Sunday. To the contrary I want to invite you to a much larger view of worship not only on this coming Sunday but every Sunday, and ask you to consider the victorious tone that surely should characterize, or at the very least, underscore every service [...]
Trusting God’s Revelation in Worship
January 16, 2012In the introduction to his book, Simply Jesus, N.T. Wright is talking about “Jesus’s way of running the world….” which he states is through his followers. Then he says, “The heart of their life is Spirit-led worship, through which they are constituted and energized as ‘the body of Christ.” When I think of half-empty [...]
Where to Find “New” for Worship
January 4, 2012What shall we include in worship? We are often looking for something new. The question of what to include in worship can plague evangelical worship leadership whose churches worship in the free church tradition. As proud as we are of our independence from any ecclesial hierarchy, the question can be haunting when it comes time to [...]
Christmas Lives On
December 26, 2011The day after Christmas we are still picking up shreaded wrapping paper and emptied toy boxes. I feel like I have been stuffing myself with rich food for three days. I think it’s because I have been stuffing myself with rich food for three days. Christmas day 2011 has come and gone, but there are [...]
Pregnant
December 5, 2011It was a Wednesday night church supper in the downtown church where I served as Associate Pastor for Music and Worship. My regular routine was in full swing. I spent much of the day preparing the weekly choir newsletter, studying for rehearsals and placing finishing touches on Sunday’s worship. My wife, Ebbie, had run errands, [...]
Worship Leader Roundtable Reflections
November 2, 2011Each Fall for the past eleven years I have conducted roundtables for worship pastors/music ministers across our great state. I have come to look forward with great anticipation to these gatherings of fellow musician – ministers for many reasons. The fellowship is always encouraging, and every year it seems I see some new faces [...]
Leading with Heart and Voice
October 26, 2011The longer I serve in my role working with worship pastors across our state the more aware I have become of leaders who struggle with vocal problems. I can sympathize with these folks having had a bout or two during my own career with my voice. I don’t pretend to be a therapist, though I [...]
Busy About What?
October 4, 2011Is it just me or does it seem that every season of the year now is busy, busy, busy? I vaguely remember when music ministry had a certain rhythm that included seasons of busy – ness and other seasons of a more routine, if not laid back pace. I would reminisce about those “good ol’ [...]
Healthy Leaders Healthy Churches
September 29, 2011Over the past three weeks I have led two churches through aWorship Renewal through Congregational Singing weekend experience. The times of studying, remembering, sharing, and of course, singing, were laced with sweet moments of fellowship, inspiration, discovery, and encouragement. Some very practical realities were clear through these and all the experiences I have had sharing these conferences in [...]
