Catalyst Compassion Moment

I referenced this moment in my message at APEX last night. I know it’s a bit long, but it is worth your time. Challenging, powerful, life-changing.

DS

Next Week = Leadership Week

Hey folks. Just wanted to let you know about something awesome coming your way next week. My good friend, Ben Davis (aka @iambendavis), is hosting a leadership blog gold mine (not sure what that means). All week, gifted leaders from around the country will share on different topics pertaining to life and leadership. I had the privilege of writing, though I am probably the least awesome.

I would share my post with you now on The Invisible Leader, but I think I’ll just whet your appetite for next week. Stay close to Ben’s blog, my friends. It’s gonna be good.

DS

 

Are You Lukewarm?

Over the last few weeks we at APEX have been talking a lot on the subject of being lukewarm.

As leaders in the church, I feel we can have the tendency to shy away from hard teachings. How do you preach on being lukewarm? “Welcome to my church, lukewarm and lazy Christians!” Yea, not the easiest message to deliver.

You have to confront. You have to convict. You have to be more faithful to the text of Scripture than you are to making friends.

But you also have to say things in a proper tone – with Biblical clarity, with respect, and in love.

When I stand before God at the last day I don’t just want to show Him my long list of facebook friends. I want to have lived unashamed of the Gospel, preached the full Gospel with all my heart, and enter into Heaven with thousands of true disciples that I’ve given my life for.

How about you? What are some hard things you have to teach in ministry?

Brad & Rebekah CD Release Concert

Really looking forward to being a part of Brad & Rebekah’s release of their new CD, “The One We Love”. Brad and I are friends from college and have spent some time writing a few songs together. On November 8th it will release. We have written two songs, “Amazed” and “Surrender” that appear on the album.

In a couple weeks I’ll be heading out to New York to be a part of the band for this event.

Brad & Rebekah both are amazing worship leaders who love God and love serving the local church.

Check out the details on the concert and go download a free track.

What Makes ‘Time With Jesus’ Worth It?

I have a challenging set of questions for you today. What makes ‘time with Jesus’ worth it for you?

• Is it the fact that you can sit down and get a breather from an over-crowded lifestyle?
• Is it so you can get a blog post out of it?
• Is it so you can impress someone with your knowledge?
• Is it so you can feel better about yourself?
• Is it so you can interact with all your Twitter friends?

I’m not saying any of these things are bad. But I find myself (all too often) spending time with Jesus with my blog open and Tweetdeck staring me down. It’s almost like if I don’t get some important piece of revelation than my ‘time with Jesus’ was a waste.

I want to return to the beauty of loving Jesus and spending time with Jesus for WHO He is. The revelation He gives me isn’t a means to impress others or advance my career, but to stay rooted in holiness and exclusive passion for Him.

Time with Jesus is worth it every time because I…am…with…Jesus.

“You Alone Can Rescue” – Matt Redman

This song brings me to tears every time I hear it. Probably because I’m so undeserving. Oh the beauty of the grace of God.

“Our shame was deeper than the sea. Your grace is deeper still.”

Don’t be too consumed with petty things today. Let the miracle of your salvation cause you to stand in awe of God.

When Was the Last Time I…

Do you struggle with pride? I already know the answer to that question. But your response to that question will determine how prideful you are.

As ministers, we are in the public eye. When you’re in the public eye, it’s easy to think highly of yourself, especially when compliments are flowing.

Consider this verse:

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (James 4:10).

As God increases our public platforms, I believe we need to be continually humbling ourselves before Him. The greater the platform, the greater humility is needed to handle the praise of man.

How do you humble yourself? Ask (what I like the call) the WWLT questions (bracelet, anyone?):

• When was the last time I had a conversation about someone else, with no reference to my own accomplishments?
• When was the last time I spent an hour in private worship?
• When was the last time I thanked God for His indescribable grace and for saving ‘a wretch like me’?
• When was the last time I confessed my sins to a trusted friend?
• When was the last time I personally responded to an altar call?
• When was the last time I visited a sick person in the hospital just to be with them?
• When was the last time I blessed someone financially?
• When was the last time I prayed for someone else, instead of being consumed by my own needs?
• When was the last time I was moved to tears while reading Scripture?
• When was the last time I listened to my spouse with undivided attention?
• When was the last time I personally served someone else’s ministry?
• When was the last time I shared the Gospel with a non-Christian?
• When was the last time I talked about Jesus with my Christian friends?

O God, make me a humble servant of your glory, honor, and fame.

DS

Songwriter Stagnation

Ever go through long periods of not writing anything? And even when you try it is so terrible that you feel you have lost your songwriting gift? Out of desperation you listen a top 40 song and and copy its form. Still, it sucks.

Been there?

I want to encourage you songwriters here for a few moments. That is absolutely normal. Consider these songwriting helps. They may just save you from prolonged songwriter stagnation:

• Lots of bad songs need to be written before you ever write a truly good one.
• Don’t try and write a hit song. Just pour out your heart. Make sure what you are saying is worth saying anyway.
• Go for a walk (away from people) and sing melodies apart from your musical instrument. Believe me, it works.
• Listen to a musical style that you aren’t naturally inclined to. Try and mimic the chord progressions. It will stretch you out of your current ‘box’.
• Go buy Future of Forestry music. Get inspired.
• Co-write with someone who is better than you. Learn how they work.
• Read this great book. Not just for worship leaders, by the way.
• Take time to pray. Ask God to clarify what He is doing in your heart.
• Journal. Write for the purpose of getting your heart on page, not for a song.
• Learn a new instrument (I want a banjo and a ukelele and anything else I don’t currently own). Sometimes new tones can inspire new songs.
• Do a spontaneity session. Play your instrument. Sing random melodies out of the Psalms or whatever. Persevere with this and don’t give up when it’s terrible.
• Ask trusted professionals to critique your work. Honestly. Take to heart what they say.
• Be fully present in the ‘moment’. Don’t be stuck in the past and overly concerned with the future. Learn from the circumstances, people, and places you are currently in. The best songs come from people who are fully present in the ‘now’.

Sleeping At Last “Green Screens” Music Video

Very creative music video from a great band. Check it.

DS

What Type of Congregation Are You?

There are many factors that contribute to great ‘times’ of congregational worship. A worship leader who loves Jesus, can sing well, and can engage people. A sensitive, skilled band, Excellent sound quality, singable songs, songs that are Biblical, Scripture readings, spontaneous praise, and…anything else? Something you may not consider is the congregation.

The type of congregation that is present also determines how powerful a worship service is.

Let me give you an example. Last night Emily and I stepped into the middle of a worship conference at CCOP to hear Israel Houghton lead worship. To begin with, Israel is a high energy worship leader. He has a voice like no other, loves God, and is a skilled musician. But in that room, it really wouldn’t matter WHO was up there. The congregation was bouncing around, shouting and praising before he even sang a lick. A bird could have led worship that night.

Maybe you experience this on Sunday mornings at your church. Maybe you’re like most of us and there is a mixed congregation of seniors, baby boomers, young adults, youth, non-christians and everything in between.

These types of settings can be very challenging to lead worship. A third of the congregation wants to shout in tongues for 2 hours, a third wants to sit down and stop singing these stupid songs, and a third are scared to death of the banners, dancing, raised hands, and off-key singing in the congregation (or from the stage!).

I’m not slamming certain congregations. I actually love the diversity of it all. I love having non-Christians in the room when I lead worship. And I love a large group of spirit-filled, Jesus lovers. Both are fun in a different way.

What do you do? How can one effectively ‘lead’ different congregations? What is most important in your worship leading preparation? Do different congregations require different preparation?

I’ll save that for my next post.

Until then, what type of congregation do you lead for?

Let the discussion flow…

DS