Debates and dialogue have persisted for many years about the focus of the Sunday gathering – with the spectrum from “only the true believers should gather” to “this is primarily for the unbelieving.” Rather than delve more deeply into those thoughts and answers from the Biblical model, I’d like to ask all of us in [...]
A good friend from my small group and I were recently chatting about how the current pandemic has affected the Church and pondering its lasting effects on the Church. What will church look like when we can finally fling wide the doors? Will life be the same? What pre-pandemic things are worth leaving behind? What [...]
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness” Romans [...]
In the “Something’s Happening Here” discussion, we looked at the following things that occur during gathered (in-person) worship in music: We declare God’s worth, character, truths, and the Gospel to ourselves, one another and unbelieving attendees (visitors.) We commune relationally with God in His Presence When we sing as the gathered church, we have an opportunity [...]
When I first began attending an evangelical, (non-charismatic), Gospel preaching church I could tell something was different. If you had asked me then to describe what I experienced I would say, “something spiritual.” I now know I was experiencing the reality of the Holy Spirit moving on my heart. Years after coming to faith, and [...]
Thanks to those who have given feedback – either online or in person. It’s been great to continue these conversations. During my 20+ years in music ministry, I’ve had the opportunity to work with several music-leader (worship band leader) interns. It can be a great joy or an immense frustration. In all cases, it adds [...]
Physical Expression in Worship The first time I saw someone raise their hands in a worship setting, I was curious... but not confused. I didn't think anyone was "asking a question". I had been to see Whitesnake and Great White and Motley Crüe in concert. I had seen people fully physically engaged with something that [...]
Last time we looked at the Formats of songs used for worship - Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs. And we noted that the lyrics were of primary importance. So, how do we determine lyrical depth? Where does the line lie between God honoring emotion and pleasure-seeking emotionalism? I would contend the lyrics should be un-confusing [...]
In Part I, we looked at music in the Church - that the songs we use are to be: - richly full of the message of Christ - sung to God and to one another - from the heart and filled with gratitude But ....what about song formats or structures? What musical style should we use? [...]
I recently was speaking at a church about what our worship gatherings should look like, specifically in the area of music. It's mostly disheartening (but a bit comforting tbh) to know that the Church has argued over musical styles for centuries. Sadly, what is designed (in part) as a demonstration of our unity has been [...]
