Since we are looking at a time of change in our worship department over the coming months, I would like to get an open discussion going with you guys. I would like for you guys to post your answers to the two following questions.
1. What are the things you value most in the worship department?
2. What are the things and areas in our department that you feel need attention?
Here’s a great, and funny, article from Worship Together about types of worship teams and singers. What are your thoughts and what are some other types of teams?
http://blog.worshiptogether.com/worshiptogether/2010/01/ahhh-those-pesky-singers.html
I was riding to Dover the other day and didn’t want to listen to all of the craziness on the news, so I pulled out my old CD case and began to rummage through it. I came across a CD without a label and didn’t know where I had gotten it, so I stuck it in. It turned out to be a collection of songs my buddy Rob had given me to listen to for ideas for worship. The third track on the disk was the song “Holy God” by Brian Doerksen. It just go all over me for lack of a better phrase. It’s a definite to be added to the set list! Here’s a couple of videos from YouTube. The first is the song with images that someone put together. The second is the story of how the song was written and arranged. Be blessed!
Here is a blog I read this morning. I follow this guy and he regularly has some great insights into spiritual growth and maturity. He writes from his experiences both overseas and here in America. He leads an organization called AIM which you can read more about through the links on his blog. Enjoy 
http://www.sethbarnes.com/?filename=4-levels-of-spiritual-authority
This song has been in my head since monday night. I it is wonderful Psalm of praise by Joseph Sasser who is home with Jesus now. I need to find an MP3 of it to share with you guys but here are the words. Sing it to yourself today (in 6/8 time)
All authority is His, all the power belongs to Him
On bended knee we cry He is the King
King over all
Alleluia, Alleluia
He is Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth
He is Lord over darkness and Lord of His Word
He is Lord in the battle right where you are
He is Lord, Jesus is Lord!
Earlier Pastor Scott Hobbs posted a question. ”When is your favorite time to spend with Jesus and where?” I love those times in the early morning and late evening when all is quiet in my house and I really feel like it is just me and Him. Well of course any time I am thinking Jesus and His Daddy the Creator, that gets the creative juices flowing. God has given me some lyrics and I will post them below. I invite all musicians to feel free and take them to create something awesome that we can use. Only prerequisite is to honor God. So lets collaborate and create something awesome. Here is what I have so far:
Just You an me
talking about the day
it’s funny how time just slips away.
I’m sorry for the things i do
the things that keep me apart from you
But I know You are always there
You hear my every single prayer
You catch me when I fall
Pick me up, dust me off
Help me once again to stand tall
That is the way life should be
I love those times when it feels
like it’s just You and me.
I often say to our worship department that our public worship should only be an overflow of our private. It’s really easy to get into a public rut and just go through the motions. However, it is even more easy to get into a private rut and have no motion at all. We need to pursue Jesus privately and that will spill over into our corporate worship life.
Pastor Steven Furtick had a great post over at his blog today regarding this topic. Be sure and check it out.
http://www.stevenfurtick.com/uncategorized/the-real-test-of-worship/
I heard this song for the very first time during a worship dance Easter Sunday 2009. It spoke so deeply to my heart that I asked worship dancer, Lisa Westbrook, if she would once again dance as an act of worship at our wedding ceremony last fall. This is now my life’s mission statement…may everything about me be a living hallelujah to my King!!
Who am I that you came to earth for me to die on a tree/ Who are you, son of man, son of God, yes, I believe it’s true/ More than words I’ll bring to you/ May all I say and all I do
Be hallelujah, Be hallelujah / May everything about me be / Hallelujah to my king
All of me I surrender completely / Take control I want all of you and I’m letting go / I am healed and I’m forgiven /I am free because I’m living
Hallelujah, Hallelujah / May everything about me be / Hallelujah to my king
And it’s all so clear / And it’s all so clear / I was born to worship
Hallelujah, Hallelujah / May everything about me be / Hallelujah
This is the new song we did this past Sunday. Expect some changes the next time you hear it!
I am the Lord
I turn your mourning to joyful dancing
I turn your weeping to songs of laughter
I am the Lord
Taste and see that I am good
Taste and see that I am good
Though you sow in tears you will reap with joy
Though you sow in tears you will reap with joy
All I have promised will come to pass
though you are waiting keep holding fast
Perry Noble put up a great post about reasons he loves his worship leaders. I echo many of his sentiments and also encourage you guys on these points. Take a read and take it to heart.
http://www.perrynoble.com/2010/06/08/seven-reasons-why-i-love-our-worship-leaders/
