“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.

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

The Evolution of Worship Music

Has anyone heard the album pictured above? If you haven’t, I think you should. And if you have, I’d be interested to know what your thoughts are.

Worship music has evolved into so many different streams. A few have blazed a trail, and thousands have copied. I haven’t been alive forever, but allow me to take you on a worship journey through my lifetime.

When I was a young chap, I cut my teeth on Vineyard worship. They were trail blazers. They wrote simple love songs to Jesus in a style that had never been done before. Integrity was around then, but were not quite as progressive as the Vineyard folks. Based on the teaching of John Wimber, they pursued the presence of God and wanted to experience the fullness of Spirit in worship. Great stuff, to this day I love listening to (especially the 10 minute 80’s guitar solos).

Even deeper in the charismatic arena are people like Kevin Prosch, Morningstar, and the more current IHOP folks from KC.

Then there’s this crazy popular, mainstream worship sound, pioneered by Hillsong. Planetshakers, and more than a few large churches across the world have adopted this high energy, community model of worship (and producing new worship albums every year).

There’s also the rock band turned worship, pioneered by one of the best, Delirious. Also, there’s singer/songwriter worship like Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, and numerous others.

I’m also impressed by the Reformed theological bent of worship music like Sovereign Grace Ministries.

And then there’s David Crowder Band, who sort of create their own category that no one can enter. And maybe not many can relate to. Is it possible to be too creative with worship music?

What stands out to you above the rest? What are the qualities that constitute good worship music? What can’t you stand about worship music? As worship songwriters/musicians, what should we be pursuing?

Let the discussion flow…

DS

Daniel Bashta Interview

Inspiring to hear/see how this worship leader is leading worship with his life. Check out Daniel’s music.

Marks of a Great Musician (Part 3)

Mark #3 – Do you feel it?

Not only do great musicians learn from listening and observing great music, but they also feel the music they play. There is a night and day difference between playing notes on a page and translating music from deep within who you are. Many people find my body language and facial expression quite humorous when I’m playing music. And rightly so. It is funny. This is not something I think about. It is a natural occurrence for me when I’m feeling the music. I’m not just playing notes. I’m speaking something about what I believe and who I am. I know that sounds incredibly deep.

Allow me to put it like this: when a speaker speaks he/she is trying to communicate a central idea. Breakthrough wisdom right there. When an artist paints he/she is trying to communicate a certain feeling. When a good musician plays, he knows he is communicating something as well.

When I play the piano, for example, I’m trying to communicate my passion for Jesus through what I play. My heart and mind and body are engaged together in worship.

Great musicians know where there music comes from, whether it’s good or bad. Making sound is not enough, my friends. There is plenty of that around. Communicate something. Contemplate a picture and create it with your music. Engage all you are in your music.

No matter how stupid it may look.

Marks of a Great Musician (Part 2)

Mark #2 – Are you an observer?

Great musicians observe other musicians. As I look back over the years, a lot of my growth as a musician came from watching other people. I remember watching a particular drummer at my church when I was really young. I never took drum lessons but I studied his playing – how he held the sticks, his facial expression, his body language, how he hit the snare, hi-hat patterns, etc. Watching him play and trying it myself made all the difference. I would have never figured that stuff out on my own.

Watching professionals play is like a free lesson. Observe what they do and then try it out yourself. Observing and listening go hand in hand. When you don’t have the opportunity to observe great musicians at a particular venue, you should be listening.

Press in to the difficulty of what you saw and practice it till you get it. It can be done with hard work!

MUTEMATH on Letterman

These guys are sick.

Current Listenings

Every now and then a week will hit you with loads of good music. Here’s what I’ve been spinning lately, along with a brief description:

Hillsong: Faith+Hope+Love – only a few tracks worth buying (4,5,6). “Yahweh” is amazing.

Matt Redman: We Shall Not Be Shaken – the best worship songwriter ever with some of his best melodies ever. Essential.

MuteMath: Armistice - tons of fun. Great melodies & production. Took too long to come out.

The Glorious Unseen: The Hope That Lies In You – a weak voice but different enough to be cool. Songwriting and heart that will draw you in and help you cry out to God honestly. Excellent production.

Sleeping at Last: Storyboards – Like reading a genius novel. Listen and re-listen and re-listen. You may never understand it, but you’ll love it. One of the best.

Derek Webb: Stockholm Syndrome – I can handle DW in small doses. A little critical for around the clock listening. Genius songwriting and some crazy production. Wow.

Jesus Culture: Consumed – A great worship album. Very fresh and inspiring.

Jonsi & Alex: Riceboy Sleeps – My current soundtrack for reading and quiet time. Beautiful instrumental ambience.

Andrew Bird: Noble Beast – Music you will never understand, but a great voice. He whistles better than you talk.

What are you spinning these days?

Hillsong – “Yahweh”

This is the best song off the new Hillsong album, “Faith+Hope+Love”. Written by one of my favs, Reuben Morgan. Take some time to watch this.