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

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

Drive-Thru

Hilarious.

Weekend Worship Songs 9.26-27.09

This weekend’s worship was powerful. Before he hit the stage I shared with my team some worship truths. As a leader it is essential that you direct the hearts of your team to eternal, spiritual matters. Don’t expect them to lead you. Remind them of God’ Word. Remind them what congregational worship is. Remind them why they are here ministering.

I shared how we never know the intensity of individual’s personal trials. I know of some members in our church who have been hit with devastating losses recently, and I’m sure there are others we don’t even know. As a worship team, we are called to care about our people and lift their eyes to a higher truth than their circumstances. We want them to declare the promises of God’s Word and be transformed in the tangible presence of Jesus as we worship.

As a leader, if you don’t remind your team of Biblical truth, they will gauge success by a tight musical set. That is good, but it is not good enough for worship ministry. Direct their hearts into what God is presently doing, and into what He has definitively done.

1. Glory to God Forever (Steve Fee & Vicky Beeching)
2. All Because of Jesus (Steve Fee)
3. I Have Found (Kim Walker)
4. With Everything (Joel Houston) – this was a new one for us. I simply wanted to build on the truth of God’s glory. We only did the bridge on this one and it was a powerful close. I’m not sure if we’ll do the entire song due to the complex song structure. Could be difficult for a congregation to follow. We’ll see.

Daniel Bashta Interview

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

Weekend Worship Songs (9.12-13.09)

This was a great weekend of worship! We introduced a brand new song and did a monologue-type reading to introduce it. I wanted to sing a few familiar tunes before introducing the new tune (which is awesome, by the way). Here we go:

• Happy Day (Tim Hughes)
• Sing to the King
• Holy, Holy, Holy (hymn)
• Yahweh (Reuben Morgan) – I would recommend setting this song up with some teaching. Check out Andy’s blog to read what we did.

Hope this helps.

DS

Marks of A Professional Musician (Part 4)

Mark #3 – Does your attitude contribute?

Not only do professional musicians listen, watch, and feel the music, they have good attitudes. They have focused attitudes. Part of being professional is that you want opportunities to play and you know you’ll get them if your attitude contributes, rather than detracts from a band environment. Attitude is everything when you are playing with other musicians.

A bad attitude on stage is like gangrene in the body. It spreads. It does not just affect you but the entire team. I’ve had the privilege of playing with some incredible musicians over the years. Here are some ‘attitude’ items I’ve noticed, while playing in rehearsal settings:

• Take notes on your sheet music! This lets the leader know you care and he won’t have to repeat himself a thousand times. It also aids in not making careless mistakes.
• Don’t practice your scales/rudiments/licks at rehearsals in-between songs. Very frustrating to a leader. Focus your attention on what is trying to be accomplished.
• Don’t cry when your ideas get shot down. Someone probably knows more than you do.
• Laugh. Smile. Joke around. This contributes to a fun atmosphere.
• Don’t ever speak out of frustration. If you are frustrated about something, zip your lips until you can say it with kindness and cool.
• Invest all your passion, energy, and heart into the simplest licks & grooves. Don’t act like you are above simplicity. There’s no faster way out the door.
• Compliment other musicians on stage! Believe it or not, this is hard to do if you are a musician. Why? Because we love ourselves too much. Our identities can be wrapped up in what we do. Break that by encouraging others around you.
• Don’t act bored. Professional, enduring musicians play the same songs in the same way for more years than you’ve been alive. Get over your boredom.