I left my position at New Hope about 4 months ago and haven't blogged since while getting settled into my new home and community. My wife and I accepted jobs at Southern Adventist University, the institution we met at and the community we loved living in.
I'm still leading worship. In fact, it's still a part of my job. I lead a team of students that travels throughout the Southeast doing programming for youth events and worship gatherings. It's a way for SAU to get it's name out without all of the "sales-pitch" feel of conventional recruiting.
I've also just accepted a volunteer position at Hamilton Community Church - a church I interned at while I was a student here - as the music director. I am leading worship once a month and overseeing the other worship leaders at Hamilton.
It's been incredible to see how God leads. Last summer we felt anxious and had a feeling that God was going to do something in our lives, but had no idea what was in store. He has blessed us and allowed us to transition into jobs that make us each happier and we live in a community with many friends and family. We still don't pretend to understand the scope of ministry that God has for us here in Collegedale, TN, but we are sure that He is using us and we're moving forward.
I look forward to posting more worship insights in this new setting as God continues to teach me what it means to honor Him with my life, my abilities and my heart.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Farewell
Dearest New Hope Family and Friends,
This very week two years ago I began serving as the Pastor of Worship at New Hope. What an adventure the last two years has been! I have made so many friends and valuable personal connections as a part of this church family and I will never forget my wonderful experience here.
I appreciate the trust that you have placed in me in my time here. One of my very first assignments was to oversee a complete stage and audio system makeover – which must have taken a lot of trust! Furthermore, you’ve trusted me as I’ve led worship at New Hope, going alongside me to the throne of God week after week. It’s humbling to be a part of something so great. What greater experience is there than to be at the feet of the God of the universe, giving Him honor and praise?
As I leave, I do so with the certainty that New Hope knows how to worship. Within this community, the act of corporate worship flourishes. I know this because each week I have looked out into a congregation and seen engaged hearts and minds, passionate about God. The passion I see at New Hope is not inspired by a worship leader or worship pastor, but by a holy and righteous God alone.
Continue to look to Him for your inspiration and He will continue to be faithful. Continue to seek His kingdom and He will make you righteous. Continue to do justly and your worship will not be in vain. God sees you, New Hope and He has a vision to prosper you, not to harm you. His plans include a hope-filled future, so seek after Him and His plans with all your heart and He will faithfully lead.
With much love and appreciation,
Rick Anderson
This very week two years ago I began serving as the Pastor of Worship at New Hope. What an adventure the last two years has been! I have made so many friends and valuable personal connections as a part of this church family and I will never forget my wonderful experience here.
I appreciate the trust that you have placed in me in my time here. One of my very first assignments was to oversee a complete stage and audio system makeover – which must have taken a lot of trust! Furthermore, you’ve trusted me as I’ve led worship at New Hope, going alongside me to the throne of God week after week. It’s humbling to be a part of something so great. What greater experience is there than to be at the feet of the God of the universe, giving Him honor and praise?
As I leave, I do so with the certainty that New Hope knows how to worship. Within this community, the act of corporate worship flourishes. I know this because each week I have looked out into a congregation and seen engaged hearts and minds, passionate about God. The passion I see at New Hope is not inspired by a worship leader or worship pastor, but by a holy and righteous God alone.
Continue to look to Him for your inspiration and He will continue to be faithful. Continue to seek His kingdom and He will make you righteous. Continue to do justly and your worship will not be in vain. God sees you, New Hope and He has a vision to prosper you, not to harm you. His plans include a hope-filled future, so seek after Him and His plans with all your heart and He will faithfully lead.
With much love and appreciation,
Rick Anderson
*printed in the bulletin at New Hope Adventist Church on September 3, 2011.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Using Scripture in Worship
Using scripture in worship experiences is essential. Reading God's word creates a direct connection between our needs and His promise for provision and protection. It reminds us of His goodness and speaks deeper truths that calm fears. There are several different ways to integrate scripture into your worship experience, but if its not done well, clearly or intentionally it can disengage the congregation. Believe me! :)
The most important step you can take in including scripture in your worship sets is to build the worship experience around a selection of scripture. Using scripture that is relevant to a theme used in the service or that the spoken message will be based on will help create a solid foundation of biblical truth for your worship experience. My devotional life revolves around the curriculum that my church and pastor are using and this helps me be really genuine in leading worship; I actually go through the spiritual, scriptural things in my own life that I will then lead people through in worship.
When it comes to the actual worship service, there are several different ways you can integrate scripture. Here are a few ideas for you to experiment with in your setting.
The most important step you can take in including scripture in your worship sets is to build the worship experience around a selection of scripture. Using scripture that is relevant to a theme used in the service or that the spoken message will be based on will help create a solid foundation of biblical truth for your worship experience. My devotional life revolves around the curriculum that my church and pastor are using and this helps me be really genuine in leading worship; I actually go through the spiritual, scriptural things in my own life that I will then lead people through in worship.
When it comes to the actual worship service, there are several different ways you can integrate scripture. Here are a few ideas for you to experiment with in your setting.
- Using scripture to introduce a song. Obviously, many songs use words and phrases directly from a passage of scripture. Reading the setting and story of that passage can give greater meaning and depth to that phrase.
- Spoken or graphical scriptural during an instrumental. Sometimes instrumental sections of songs can seem disengaging for your congregation. One way to make room for those instrumentals while keeping the congregation engaged in worship is to have scripture on the screens or read by a vocalist. If reading the scripture aloud, it should not only match the theme of the song, but should be read with appropriate energy and emphasis for the music.
- Make scripture tangible. Giving your congregation scripture cards, wrist bands or other tangible items that represent or contain scripture can make its effect and relevance last well into the week and perhaps longer.
- Responsive reading or reading in unison. Taking a passage from the Psalms or looking through hymn and litany books can also provide some great, readable material that can act as a "Call to Worship" or serve as a catalyst for binding the congregation together around a common cause or idea found in scripture.
- Quote relevant scriptural promises throughout a song, even though it may not be directly in the lyric. Finding and memorizing short passages of scripture that you can claim within a song can add new depth to the song. Claim the promise of Jesus that He will "never leave, nor forsake you" before you start the bridge of "You Never Let Go."
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Adaptable Worship Experiences
Every church community has a unique make-up that makes it distinct. Everything from the local culture to the facility shape what worship looks like in your church. It's a good thing; embrace it! It's what brought together this body of worshipers and that unique identity will continue to inform and fuel the church in its mission.
In the quest to be relevant, sometimes we veer off course and chase the ideals that work best in another church, but are in fact, irrelevant in our church community. Don't get me wrong... I'm a big believer in doing what works and learning from churches that do things with excellence! BUT, those other models and resources should inform our worship experience rather than determine it.
Create worship music that is relevant and organic to your own congregation. You don't "need" an electric guitarist or drummer to have a worship experience. Use the best gifts that God has already given to your congregation. As their is growth, the holes you see will be filled by God's design and in His time.
Custom fit songs to your setting. I like to tell my team members that learning the song as it is "on the record" is the baseline. From that point, we have creative freedom to switch chords, alter the structure and create a version of that song that fits the moment, the congregation and the band best. Only once you know the song as its been written and performed (might I add with HOURS of creative and technical refining by EXPERTS) can you reconstruct it tastefully.
Don't be afraid of simplifying. I would dare say that it would be inappropriate to do the 7 minute version of "Mighty to Save" every time your team led it. That makes worship predictable and stale. Have a four minute version that is the standard and pull out the extended version when the worship environment calls for it.
Remind your team and congregation that worship is the meshing of many personal experiences into one corporate experience. It's not a concert; the band isn't there to perform to its devoted followers. It's not Spotify; you don't get to just pick all your favorites. This is worship... the mystical gathering of many believers uniting with one voice to sing to their God.
Make it fit. Make it unite. Make it give God the glory He deserves.
In the quest to be relevant, sometimes we veer off course and chase the ideals that work best in another church, but are in fact, irrelevant in our church community. Don't get me wrong... I'm a big believer in doing what works and learning from churches that do things with excellence! BUT, those other models and resources should inform our worship experience rather than determine it.
Create worship music that is relevant and organic to your own congregation. You don't "need" an electric guitarist or drummer to have a worship experience. Use the best gifts that God has already given to your congregation. As their is growth, the holes you see will be filled by God's design and in His time.
Custom fit songs to your setting. I like to tell my team members that learning the song as it is "on the record" is the baseline. From that point, we have creative freedom to switch chords, alter the structure and create a version of that song that fits the moment, the congregation and the band best. Only once you know the song as its been written and performed (might I add with HOURS of creative and technical refining by EXPERTS) can you reconstruct it tastefully.
Don't be afraid of simplifying. I would dare say that it would be inappropriate to do the 7 minute version of "Mighty to Save" every time your team led it. That makes worship predictable and stale. Have a four minute version that is the standard and pull out the extended version when the worship environment calls for it.
Remind your team and congregation that worship is the meshing of many personal experiences into one corporate experience. It's not a concert; the band isn't there to perform to its devoted followers. It's not Spotify; you don't get to just pick all your favorites. This is worship... the mystical gathering of many believers uniting with one voice to sing to their God.
Make it fit. Make it unite. Make it give God the glory He deserves.
Monday, July 18, 2011
We're (NOT) All in this Together!
Curious guests walk into your church every week. Some are believers that are just curious about your church; they've heard about your pastor or the worship band or the children's ministry and want to try it on for size. The other group of curious guests is what I REALLY get excited about though; they're either apathetic or agnostic and have heard or seen something different about your church that has drawn them to walk through your doors.
Do you think about these guests when you create and lead worship experiences? How important is their experience to you? Let me tell you why they should be an important consideration in creating and leading your worship experiences.
It is my belief that the church has two callings. First, to grow and disciple believers in their lifelong relationship with Jesus. Second, to create disciples by introducing them to Jesus and inviting them into a relationship with Him. Both are really important jobs, but many of us are putting to much energy into the first calling and ignoring the second.
In His ministry on earth, Jesus made a big deal about the outsiders. He said that when we serve them, we are serving Him and in His last instruction to His followers, He said to go and tell them the good news. Reaching them is a big deal to Jesus - so we need to make it a big deal in our worship!
Believe it or not, in our corporate worship gatherings we have an opportunity to reach both groups. Here's how you can move in that direction...
- Use artistic expressions well. I've said it before and I'll say it again... if you can't do it well, you can't be credible. Whether its graphics, music or dance... it has to be inspiring, even to skeptics!
- Cast the vision for your team. They need to understand that you're not just trying to lead a congregation of believers to the throne of God, you're also trying to lead people into His grace for the first time. That means as we create and lead people through worship experiences, we allow them to engage at their own comfort level. We can't call them out, force anything out of them or expect any particular response.
- Lead by example. Focus on your personal worship experience as you lead worship. Be genuinely engaged in worship as a conversation between you and God. As you model worship for the attendees, they will be more willing to engage.
- Ask for a heart for non-believers. Pray that God inspires you with a heart for those Jesus-curious guests that come to your church. As God inspires you with a burden for outsiders, you'll be better equipped to serve them in worship.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Reviving Liturgy in the Relevant Church :: All Ages, One Message
With our crazy lives and schedules, family worship can be hard enough to pull of, never mind finding relevant meaningful resources. This is the reality for our congregations. Unfortunately, it might be something that doesn't happen in many homes, simply because they can't "find the time."
Why not make it easy on them?
What if "Average Joe" in your congregation was not only being fed spiritually at church, but you were also giving him the resources to feed his family and even giving him a head start?
You can do this by integrating all ages on one liturgical track. There are resources for every age level out there on the various versions of the liturgical year. If you find one that fits your context well, you should be able to make it work for all of your small groups, children's classes and "Kid's Church."
This way, the family sits down to lunch after church and they have something they can actually discuss! Since all 2.5 kids have experienced and learned about a bible theme and story in their different classes and worship gatherings, they all have something unique to share on the topic as well commonality in experience of learning on the topic.
The church has a more united and clear vision; the family, likewise has a united experience and clarity on God's plan for them as they apply what they're learning in their walk with Him.
It gets REALLY good when you take this a step further. Not only does this give great post-church conversation, but it provides a foundation for 24/7 worship. Curriculum also usually include material for daily use and devotion. From the Book of Common Prayer for the common texts to the daily devotionals that are built in to Group or Lifeway's liturgical calendar - there are resources to continue the learning and growing for the family between weekend worship gatherings. You can even share some of these resources on a daily basis through social media to help bring devotional thoughts and bible texts straight to the parishioner.
Why not make it easy on them?
What if "Average Joe" in your congregation was not only being fed spiritually at church, but you were also giving him the resources to feed his family and even giving him a head start?
You can do this by integrating all ages on one liturgical track. There are resources for every age level out there on the various versions of the liturgical year. If you find one that fits your context well, you should be able to make it work for all of your small groups, children's classes and "Kid's Church."
This way, the family sits down to lunch after church and they have something they can actually discuss! Since all 2.5 kids have experienced and learned about a bible theme and story in their different classes and worship gatherings, they all have something unique to share on the topic as well commonality in experience of learning on the topic.
The church has a more united and clear vision; the family, likewise has a united experience and clarity on God's plan for them as they apply what they're learning in their walk with Him.
It gets REALLY good when you take this a step further. Not only does this give great post-church conversation, but it provides a foundation for 24/7 worship. Curriculum also usually include material for daily use and devotion. From the Book of Common Prayer for the common texts to the daily devotionals that are built in to Group or Lifeway's liturgical calendar - there are resources to continue the learning and growing for the family between weekend worship gatherings. You can even share some of these resources on a daily basis through social media to help bring devotional thoughts and bible texts straight to the parishioner.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Reviving Liturgy in the Relevant Church :: Enriched Worship Experiences
Establishing a liturgical calendar not only ensures that you cover a diverse amount of material, it will also help establish sermon series' and worship themes far in advance. That will give whatever team or individual is charged with planning your worship services a big head start and a chance for true success.
Believers and seekers alike are seeking a narrative within the worship experience. If the worship leader is making a point about God's sovereignty throughout the songs, there is a video about God's love and the sermon is about forgiving others, then your congregation walks away with perhaps a nice experience, but no narrative that helped them grow and grasp the ONE main point that was essential that day. When the elements have no deep correlation, they will not lead the congregation along a worship journey throughout the service and into a deeper understanding of God's character. It remains shallow and discombobulated.
Conversely, if a worship experience is built like a narrative, the congregation goes on a spiritual, emotional and logical journey throughout the service. One element builds on the previous. There are highs and lows that help tell the story and ultimately bring restoration, hope and redemption. That is the nature of our own condition and God's plan for us - so, naturally it works.
Let me share a real, relevant example of this. My church (New Hope Adventist Church) uses the Faithweaver curriculum by the distributer Group. This weekend's worship theme is our calling to worship God in His holiness. The story that will be used for the sermon is the Prophet Isaiah's calling and his response to God's holiness. With this knowledge, my worship planning committee helped me craft this weekend's service to prepare people's hearts for this calling that would be presented in the message with songs like "Not to Us" by Chris Tomlin, "Surrender" by Lincoln Brewster and "You Are Holy" by Elevation Worship. We picked a video of a young woman's testimony of how she surrendered her personal dreams and agenda to be an influence in the lives of her young students that live in poverty - what she calls her "humble response to God's holiness." The congregational prayer will immediately follow that and give people a chance to submit to God's plan.
All of these things are intentionally built to drive home that central point, which will culminate in the message. We go through highs and lows and drive home the point using various avenues, but it all leads people to the same place - to respond to God's holiness - our main point.
All of this intentionality begins with a liturgical calendar. It will help you develop important seasonal themes and even work in the felt needs of your congregation as you cover a diverse series of topics and narratives from the Bible.
There are more resources for planning worship around themes and the liturgical year than you could ever make use of. It gives you a depth of creativity to cull from even as you implement and develop the creativity of your own team.
Believers and seekers alike are seeking a narrative within the worship experience. If the worship leader is making a point about God's sovereignty throughout the songs, there is a video about God's love and the sermon is about forgiving others, then your congregation walks away with perhaps a nice experience, but no narrative that helped them grow and grasp the ONE main point that was essential that day. When the elements have no deep correlation, they will not lead the congregation along a worship journey throughout the service and into a deeper understanding of God's character. It remains shallow and discombobulated.
Conversely, if a worship experience is built like a narrative, the congregation goes on a spiritual, emotional and logical journey throughout the service. One element builds on the previous. There are highs and lows that help tell the story and ultimately bring restoration, hope and redemption. That is the nature of our own condition and God's plan for us - so, naturally it works.
Let me share a real, relevant example of this. My church (New Hope Adventist Church) uses the Faithweaver curriculum by the distributer Group. This weekend's worship theme is our calling to worship God in His holiness. The story that will be used for the sermon is the Prophet Isaiah's calling and his response to God's holiness. With this knowledge, my worship planning committee helped me craft this weekend's service to prepare people's hearts for this calling that would be presented in the message with songs like "Not to Us" by Chris Tomlin, "Surrender" by Lincoln Brewster and "You Are Holy" by Elevation Worship. We picked a video of a young woman's testimony of how she surrendered her personal dreams and agenda to be an influence in the lives of her young students that live in poverty - what she calls her "humble response to God's holiness." The congregational prayer will immediately follow that and give people a chance to submit to God's plan.
All of these things are intentionally built to drive home that central point, which will culminate in the message. We go through highs and lows and drive home the point using various avenues, but it all leads people to the same place - to respond to God's holiness - our main point.
All of this intentionality begins with a liturgical calendar. It will help you develop important seasonal themes and even work in the felt needs of your congregation as you cover a diverse series of topics and narratives from the Bible.
There are more resources for planning worship around themes and the liturgical year than you could ever make use of. It gives you a depth of creativity to cull from even as you implement and develop the creativity of your own team.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Reviving Liturgy in the Relevant Church :: An Introduction
In many ways, the contemporary worship movement has been a reaction to "old church" function and form. For good reason, pioneers have sought to make worship personal and relevant, but it hasn't come without any cost. One thing that I believe we've lost out on is comprehensive liturgy. Many traditional churches follow the three year cycle of Common Texts that assist in creating seasons for the church as well as covering stories and theology from varied sections of the Bible, to keep the material covered in worship diverse and varied. Very few contemporary churches that I know of stick to the three year cycle.
As "application" has taken a more prominent role in modern preaching, we instead build sermon series' around felt-needs of the congregation and community. This does have many benefits, but it can allow a church to stick to some of its favorite themes in the Bible rather than push the church leaders to continue learning and searching for deeper truths and a more dynamic understanding of who God is.
Churches that have a defined liturgical calendar have a great opportunity to grow the spirituality and biblical knowledge of their congregation. Beyond the benefits of a varied biblical learning experience, it creates an environment of integrated learning for every age of attendee, lays a strong foundation for other worship elements and gives parishioners material for personal devotions.
Learning about liturgy, the Consultation on Common Texts and the Book of Common Prayer has been an exciting experience for me - I have a lot to learn yet on the topic though. I invite you to engage the ideas I present and contribute some thoughts from your own experience in your church by commenting below. I'll attach links and commentary to help you if (like me) you did not have the privilege of experiencing this type of liturgy first-hand in the church.
As "application" has taken a more prominent role in modern preaching, we instead build sermon series' around felt-needs of the congregation and community. This does have many benefits, but it can allow a church to stick to some of its favorite themes in the Bible rather than push the church leaders to continue learning and searching for deeper truths and a more dynamic understanding of who God is.
Churches that have a defined liturgical calendar have a great opportunity to grow the spirituality and biblical knowledge of their congregation. Beyond the benefits of a varied biblical learning experience, it creates an environment of integrated learning for every age of attendee, lays a strong foundation for other worship elements and gives parishioners material for personal devotions.
Learning about liturgy, the Consultation on Common Texts and the Book of Common Prayer has been an exciting experience for me - I have a lot to learn yet on the topic though. I invite you to engage the ideas I present and contribute some thoughts from your own experience in your church by commenting below. I'll attach links and commentary to help you if (like me) you did not have the privilege of experiencing this type of liturgy first-hand in the church.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Cornerstone Song - "Healing is in Your Hands"
It is good to serve a good God. Our God has a deep affection for us. It is so much deeper than the superficial love that this world has taught us - it’s so much greater and overwhelming than that love.
It’s easy to forget that. It’s easy to get caught up in the situations in this life that make us think for a moment that God isn’t in control or good to us. But He’s proven his love through the ultimate act of forgiveness and sacrifice by giving us His Son. Just listen to what the apostle Paul says to the church in Ephesus...
“... so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19)
Our eternal healing and salvation lies in the hands that have been peirced for our forgiveness. Stand and worship Him for His grace and mercy and love!
It’s easy to forget that. It’s easy to get caught up in the situations in this life that make us think for a moment that God isn’t in control or good to us. But He’s proven his love through the ultimate act of forgiveness and sacrifice by giving us His Son. Just listen to what the apostle Paul says to the church in Ephesus...
“... so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19)
Our eternal healing and salvation lies in the hands that have been peirced for our forgiveness. Stand and worship Him for His grace and mercy and love!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Cornerstone Song - "Healer"
Have you ever asked God to heal you? Is there some physical or emotional ailment that has held you back in some way or given you discomfort?
I’ve got great news. The same God that is the Creator, is also the Restorer. One day He will make all things new; restored to the image of His perfect creation!
Until that day, we cling to the promise of eternal healing. On this world, we may or may not find the healing that we are seeking - but God has a greater plan than we can understand. For the glory of His Kingdom, some may be healed. But, to keep our thirst for Him and His Kingdom others may not be healed on this earth.
The apostle Paul experienced this. He suffered from something he referred to as a “thorn in his side” and even though he asked God to take it away from Him, he went through life struggling against it. It made Him stronger though. It kept Him close to God’s will and gave him a dependence on God for his strength.
We worship God today because we know He is the great, eternal Healer. His power is unfathomable and we hold hope for the day He restores us! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
I’ve got great news. The same God that is the Creator, is also the Restorer. One day He will make all things new; restored to the image of His perfect creation!
Until that day, we cling to the promise of eternal healing. On this world, we may or may not find the healing that we are seeking - but God has a greater plan than we can understand. For the glory of His Kingdom, some may be healed. But, to keep our thirst for Him and His Kingdom others may not be healed on this earth.
The apostle Paul experienced this. He suffered from something he referred to as a “thorn in his side” and even though he asked God to take it away from Him, he went through life struggling against it. It made Him stronger though. It kept Him close to God’s will and gave him a dependence on God for his strength.
We worship God today because we know He is the great, eternal Healer. His power is unfathomable and we hold hope for the day He restores us! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Cornerstone Song - "God of Wonders"
I once took a spiritual disciplines test that gauges which avenues best connect you with God. In taking it, I discovered that one of my strongest spiritual connections was found to be through nature. It makes sense though; all of my life I’ve had a longing to be in awe of God in nature.
There’s something about the natural world in and of itself that inspires the soul and tells me that something greater exists. There’s a certain majesty in the mystery of nature.
Who made the stone walls of mountains stand high over the plains? How did water get pushed aside for land masses to emerge? Who made the human heart to pump just enough blood into our bodies to sustain life?
We believe in a creative, loving God that made this world and all that is within in it for our pleasure and His glory. He is an awesome, holy God and we stand before Him today, humbled by His greatness to proclaim that we are compelled by the mystery of His wonders to call on His name.
*Written for the bulletin for May 28, 2011 at New Hope Adventist Church
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Cornerstone Song - "Surrender"
When you find yourself spiritually face-to-face with the sovereign God of the universe, there is but one response: surrender. This is what happened when Job came to God in the midst of the chaos that the devil brought about in his life.
As Job begins to question God’s favor and goodness, God speaks to Him through a storm (Job 38-40). What God says is impressive, to say the least. Then Job gets the chance to respond to what God says and he is left speechless (Job 40:4) and humbled. He finally remembers that God is the merciful, loving Creator, that will deliver and restore us in His time.
As the story ends, Job surrenders to God. He acknowledges that in his finite understanding of existence he cannot understand the breadth and meaning of God’s purposes and acts. He chooses to believe in and serve God despite his circumstance.
That’s what it means to surrender to God. Take a leap of faith and choose to allow Him to have His way as you surrender it all to Him!
As Job begins to question God’s favor and goodness, God speaks to Him through a storm (Job 38-40). What God says is impressive, to say the least. Then Job gets the chance to respond to what God says and he is left speechless (Job 40:4) and humbled. He finally remembers that God is the merciful, loving Creator, that will deliver and restore us in His time.
As the story ends, Job surrenders to God. He acknowledges that in his finite understanding of existence he cannot understand the breadth and meaning of God’s purposes and acts. He chooses to believe in and serve God despite his circumstance.
That’s what it means to surrender to God. Take a leap of faith and choose to allow Him to have His way as you surrender it all to Him!
*Written for the bulletin for May 21, 2011 at New Hope Adventist Church
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Everyone is a Worship Leader
Too often worship leading has been limited to the central figure on stage that plays piano or acoustic guitar and sings the melody most of the time, but what really leads the congregation to worship? Is it the experience of that one central person? What role do the others on stage play? Are the other vocalists and band members just there to provide the background music for the worship leader?
I believe that everyone on stage is a worship leader. It doesn't matter if you're on the electric guitar or singing a harmony part - if you are on the stage, you are leading the worship experience.
When someone walks into the auditorium or sanctuary and engages into the worship, they may or may not identify with the worship leader that is singing the melody. They may enjoy clapping as much as singing, so they're watching the drummer. Or they may be an alto that can't hit those melody notes from the Chris Tomlin song, but they can follow the alto vocalist or pick out the part based on what the pianist is playing.
So what do I do? Here are some simple and applicable suggestions for everyone on stage.
The last thing to note on this topic is the heavy responsibility of spiritual leadership that lies within each person that takes up the call to be a worship musician. It's an incredible privilege to lead someone to the throne of the God of the universe to worship Him! Take it seriously. Take God seriously and remember that you are just a small part of the greater thing He is doing.
I believe that everyone on stage is a worship leader. It doesn't matter if you're on the electric guitar or singing a harmony part - if you are on the stage, you are leading the worship experience.
When someone walks into the auditorium or sanctuary and engages into the worship, they may or may not identify with the worship leader that is singing the melody. They may enjoy clapping as much as singing, so they're watching the drummer. Or they may be an alto that can't hit those melody notes from the Chris Tomlin song, but they can follow the alto vocalist or pick out the part based on what the pianist is playing.
So what do I do? Here are some simple and applicable suggestions for everyone on stage.
1. Be intentional about your worship. Know the songs and your role in them so well that you don't depend on a band chart or lyrics on the screen. Those things are great help and are fine, but avoid staring at them. Instead, be free of them!
2. Engage the congregation. I love a suggestion worship pastor and author Tom Krauter makes in one of his books. Identify one person in each quadrant of the church and make eye contact with them at least twice per song. This way, people throughout the congregation feel acknowledged and included.
3. Lead authentically. Authenticity means that you have to put in some extra preparation - you've got to get your heart and mind right with God. You have to adopt these songs as your prayers and make them your own. Apply the concepts, phrases and yearnings that come through in the music to your own life and walk with God - and you're set for a transformational experience yourself!
4. Sing, even if you don't have a mic or aren't supposed to be on-mic. One of the biggest things I ask of my worship vocalists that I work with is to sing off-mic. It shouldn't be limited to vocalists though - the entire stage should be engaged in the worship experience that they are leading and the most basic way to do that is to sing the words. Have you ever seen a drummer or bass player sing their heart out? It's moving. And think about it... we're asking the congregation to sing, why wouldn't we sing? We are very much a part of the church and congregation - we just happen to have microphones and instruments. We're all there for the same purpose; to lift up the name of Jesus, offer our hearts to God and our lives to the Holy Spirit.
The last thing to note on this topic is the heavy responsibility of spiritual leadership that lies within each person that takes up the call to be a worship musician. It's an incredible privilege to lead someone to the throne of the God of the universe to worship Him! Take it seriously. Take God seriously and remember that you are just a small part of the greater thing He is doing.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Worship Cornerstone - Palm Weekend
When Jesus entered Jerusalem in the days leading up to His death, something interesting happened. The crowd celebrated His entrance into Jerusalem as their new earthly king to rule over Jerusalem and the Jewish nations. Jesus had explained to His followers for three years that His kingdom was greater than one city, nation or the earth could even hold, but as an everlasting kingdom that knows no boundaries - and they still didn’t get it!
They wanted Jesus to be something that was so limited and focused on their own selfish needs. In their short sightedness, they could not see past their own agenda to accept and follow Jesus for who He truly was.
As we celebrate the triumphal entry of Christ today, sing to the God who knows no bounds or limits! Ask Him to be the King of your heart and to have His way in your heart and mind. Give it all to the God who knows the beginning and end, believing and understanding that His infinite knowledge and power will protect and guide us.
They wanted Jesus to be something that was so limited and focused on their own selfish needs. In their short sightedness, they could not see past their own agenda to accept and follow Jesus for who He truly was.
As we celebrate the triumphal entry of Christ today, sing to the God who knows no bounds or limits! Ask Him to be the King of your heart and to have His way in your heart and mind. Give it all to the God who knows the beginning and end, believing and understanding that His infinite knowledge and power will protect and guide us.
*Written for the bulletin for April 16, 2011 at New Hope Adventist Church
Cornerstone Song - "Stronger"
As I spoke with a friend this week, she expressed discouragement in light of recent battles in her own life and in the lives of those she loves. I resonated with her discouragement - feeling the weight of sin on my shoulders and wrapping my mind around the ugly existence of this world. As she said these words, I felt my own heart sink to where hers was... “it just feels like we can’t get ahead of the enemy.”
Then, I began practicing the songs for this weekend and God reminded me of one simple truth; He is stronger. We do not need to live weary lives afraid of the battles that we’re in, nor intimidated by the battles that are coming. Our God is almighty and has already won. Jesus has given us what no man could. He has provided a perfect sacrifice, which stands in our defense to the great and just God of the universe. He is the Lord of All!
As you face battles, remember that the war is won. Claim the promise found in Psalm 140:7, “Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle.”
Then, I began practicing the songs for this weekend and God reminded me of one simple truth; He is stronger. We do not need to live weary lives afraid of the battles that we’re in, nor intimidated by the battles that are coming. Our God is almighty and has already won. Jesus has given us what no man could. He has provided a perfect sacrifice, which stands in our defense to the great and just God of the universe. He is the Lord of All!
As you face battles, remember that the war is won. Claim the promise found in Psalm 140:7, “Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle.”
*Written for the bulletin for April 9, 2011 at New Hope Adventist Church
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Easter Song Selection Checklist - by Jason Hatley
This is an article by Worship Pastor, Jason Hatley. I think he's SPOT on, so I've decided to repost and share it. Enjoy...
I'm a big fan of checklists.
Let's face it . . . I can't remember it all, so the checklist helps me keep everything from my daily work flow to what I need to prepare for Sunday on track.
Several years ago I developed a checklist specifically for this time of year . . . The Easter Song Selection Check-list!
There are TONS of songs to consider at Easter, and whether your church uses modern worship (like we do at The Journey) or traditional (like the church I grew up in), running your Easter worship music set through this quick 5-Point Checklist will help ensure that the music of your Easter service is powerfully focused.
#1 - Sing Celebration Songs
Easter is a day of celebration! When I read the story of that Easter morning my pulse quickens as I see Peter and John running to the tomb and hear the joy in Mary's voice as she recognizes Jesus. It's a day of celebration and our songs should reflect that.
I'm all for a quiet moment in the service, but on Easter Sunday start and end your service "BIG" (and by that I mean with upbeat songs of celebration).
#2 - Focus on the Resurrection
Just this past Sunday a gentleman at The Journey put in a request for us to sing "The Old Rugged Cross" on Easter Sunday. Now - I love that old hymn, but it's not on my set list for Easter Sunday.
Why? Because Easter Sunday isn't about the cross . . . it's about the empty tomb.
Sing about the cross in the weeks leading up to Easter (and especially on Palm Sunday) but on Easter Sunday choose songs that celebrate the Resurrection and the new life we have in Christ because of it!
#3 - Select Songs that are Known by your Congregation
Easter Sunday is not the day to try out those 5 new songs you've been waiting all year to sing. Easter Sunday is a day to sing worship songs that the people in your congregation know by heart.
Why? Because your church will be filled with First Time Guests. Let me explain.
If you choose songs that your congregation already knows you will keep your congregation connected to the the worship set.
AND because the people around them are clapping and singing your First Time Guest will feel more comfortable clapping and singing as well.
On Easter, sing some of your church's favorite songs of worship. And if you want to do a new song, teach it in the weeks leading up to Easter so your church will know it.
#4 - Select a Song that is Known by your First Time Guests
Put yourself in the shoes of a first time guest at your church on Easter. They will enter your service uncomfortable (could be the shoes) and unsure of what to expect. They will be asked to stand and sing songs they probably don't know.
So be kind to your First Time Guests . . . choose a song that they are likely to know. Sing a hymn like "Amazing Grace". Or you may perform a popular radio song that ties in with Easter or your message series.
However you choose to do it, help your First Time Guests experience something familiar on Easter Sunday. It will go a long way toward taking the edge off and helping them relax for the rest of the service.
#5 - Don't do what you can't Replicate
This is a big time mistake that some worship leaders make . . . and I can understand why. Easter is a BIG DAY, so the tendency is to call in the local symphony orchestra and sing the Hallelujah Chorus (which is an Advent song by the way . . . I digress).
But what happens NEXT SUNDAY when the people that you reached on Sunday morning come back expecting to hear the orchestra but only find a guitar, piano and vocalist.
Easter is the PERFECT day to do your very best NORMAL service.
For me, on Easter Sunday we will have media, music, a spoken word / poetry slam element, a video clip in the message and an assortment of other small elements to creatively convey the story of Easter. But those are things we could do the following week as well.
If you can't replicate what you do on Easter Sunday the following Sunday, then you probably shouldn't do it on Easter.
I'm a big fan of checklists.
Let's face it . . . I can't remember it all, so the checklist helps me keep everything from my daily work flow to what I need to prepare for Sunday on track.
Several years ago I developed a checklist specifically for this time of year . . . The Easter Song Selection Check-list!
There are TONS of songs to consider at Easter, and whether your church uses modern worship (like we do at The Journey) or traditional (like the church I grew up in), running your Easter worship music set through this quick 5-Point Checklist will help ensure that the music of your Easter service is powerfully focused.
#1 - Sing Celebration Songs
Easter is a day of celebration! When I read the story of that Easter morning my pulse quickens as I see Peter and John running to the tomb and hear the joy in Mary's voice as she recognizes Jesus. It's a day of celebration and our songs should reflect that.
I'm all for a quiet moment in the service, but on Easter Sunday start and end your service "BIG" (and by that I mean with upbeat songs of celebration).
#2 - Focus on the Resurrection
Just this past Sunday a gentleman at The Journey put in a request for us to sing "The Old Rugged Cross" on Easter Sunday. Now - I love that old hymn, but it's not on my set list for Easter Sunday.
Why? Because Easter Sunday isn't about the cross . . . it's about the empty tomb.
Sing about the cross in the weeks leading up to Easter (and especially on Palm Sunday) but on Easter Sunday choose songs that celebrate the Resurrection and the new life we have in Christ because of it!
#3 - Select Songs that are Known by your Congregation
Easter Sunday is not the day to try out those 5 new songs you've been waiting all year to sing. Easter Sunday is a day to sing worship songs that the people in your congregation know by heart.
Why? Because your church will be filled with First Time Guests. Let me explain.
If you choose songs that your congregation already knows you will keep your congregation connected to the the worship set.
AND because the people around them are clapping and singing your First Time Guest will feel more comfortable clapping and singing as well.
On Easter, sing some of your church's favorite songs of worship. And if you want to do a new song, teach it in the weeks leading up to Easter so your church will know it.
#4 - Select a Song that is Known by your First Time Guests
Put yourself in the shoes of a first time guest at your church on Easter. They will enter your service uncomfortable (could be the shoes) and unsure of what to expect. They will be asked to stand and sing songs they probably don't know.
So be kind to your First Time Guests . . . choose a song that they are likely to know. Sing a hymn like "Amazing Grace". Or you may perform a popular radio song that ties in with Easter or your message series.
However you choose to do it, help your First Time Guests experience something familiar on Easter Sunday. It will go a long way toward taking the edge off and helping them relax for the rest of the service.
#5 - Don't do what you can't Replicate
This is a big time mistake that some worship leaders make . . . and I can understand why. Easter is a BIG DAY, so the tendency is to call in the local symphony orchestra and sing the Hallelujah Chorus (which is an Advent song by the way . . . I digress).
But what happens NEXT SUNDAY when the people that you reached on Sunday morning come back expecting to hear the orchestra but only find a guitar, piano and vocalist.
Easter is the PERFECT day to do your very best NORMAL service.
For me, on Easter Sunday we will have media, music, a spoken word / poetry slam element, a video clip in the message and an assortment of other small elements to creatively convey the story of Easter. But those are things we could do the following week as well.
If you can't replicate what you do on Easter Sunday the following Sunday, then you probably shouldn't do it on Easter.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Present Worship Leader
There has always been a lot of debate about which of the two is better - being spontaneous or calculated in worship leading. However, I don't see how you can truly be effective without a little bit of both!
Once the theme has been established (from our liturgical calendar) and the worship planning committee has placed songs and other worship elements in place, I begin planning the worship experience; I do it with my guitar or at a piano. I play through the parts of the songs and transitions to feel the journey that this worship experience is going to take me, my team and my congregation on. I feel the ebbs and flows that come from the peaks and valleys of the music. It allows me to feel where silence may be needed, where prayer may be needed or where a few words of testimony might further drive home the point. All these elements are essential to creating an effective worship experience for your congregation but too often overlooked or over-planned, creating a distraction to worship rather than a bridge from one important element to the next.
To create experiences that lead people to Jesus in an authentic manner, you must be both spontaneous and calculated. You must go through the worship experience yourself and feel the ups and downs, the praises and yearnings. You must be inspired by the Holy Spirit and the songs themselves and allow them to reach people fully. By experiencing the worship on your own, you will know how you can effectively lead it. By being present in the worship experience you will be in tune with the prompting of the Holy Spirit, the needs of the congregation and the abilities of the worship team.
Once the theme has been established (from our liturgical calendar) and the worship planning committee has placed songs and other worship elements in place, I begin planning the worship experience; I do it with my guitar or at a piano. I play through the parts of the songs and transitions to feel the journey that this worship experience is going to take me, my team and my congregation on. I feel the ebbs and flows that come from the peaks and valleys of the music. It allows me to feel where silence may be needed, where prayer may be needed or where a few words of testimony might further drive home the point. All these elements are essential to creating an effective worship experience for your congregation but too often overlooked or over-planned, creating a distraction to worship rather than a bridge from one important element to the next.
To create experiences that lead people to Jesus in an authentic manner, you must be both spontaneous and calculated. You must go through the worship experience yourself and feel the ups and downs, the praises and yearnings. You must be inspired by the Holy Spirit and the songs themselves and allow them to reach people fully. By experiencing the worship on your own, you will know how you can effectively lead it. By being present in the worship experience you will be in tune with the prompting of the Holy Spirit, the needs of the congregation and the abilities of the worship team.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Communicating "the Why"
I think many of us have lost sight of "why we do what we do." That's not something that is boding well for the church. It's a message that was known by the wisest leader God ever appointed, Solomon who said, "Where there is no vision, the people perish..."
I recently watched a seminar on leadership by Simon Sinek (Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action | Video on TED.com) that articulates the importance of casting a vision in leadership. The refrain he repeated throughout this 18 minute talk was, "people don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it." Now, I'm not selling anything per se. We're asking people to "buy-in" with their spirituality, emotion and commitment though.
Most churches communicate in this direction - we are a church (what); we do things this way (how); so you can go to heaven and evangelize others (why).
Instead, shouldn't we communicate in this order? We want to be a part of God's kingdom and invite others (why); so we do things this way (how) and by the way, we are a church (what). Make sense?
People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it.
Let's apply this to worship. I've said for a long time, "what you win people with, you win them to" (credit to Andrea Anderson who has also long said this). You can't do worship good enough to give someone a spiritual experience that leads them to Jesus. So why put the focus on that? A great worship service, in and of itself is only a foundation for leading someone to Jesus. The worship experience has to be an authentic expression of that faith.
People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it.
Here's how I apply this to the worship ministry at my church, New Hope Adventist Church.
People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it.
It's time to start communicating the "why" for our congregations and let the "why" redefine us. It should define us from top to bottom. It should shape every ministry, initiative and campaign that takes root in our church. If people perish without a vision, then they must thrive where it is present.
I recently watched a seminar on leadership by Simon Sinek (Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action | Video on TED.com) that articulates the importance of casting a vision in leadership. The refrain he repeated throughout this 18 minute talk was, "people don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it." Now, I'm not selling anything per se. We're asking people to "buy-in" with their spirituality, emotion and commitment though.
Most churches communicate in this direction - we are a church (what); we do things this way (how); so you can go to heaven and evangelize others (why).
Instead, shouldn't we communicate in this order? We want to be a part of God's kingdom and invite others (why); so we do things this way (how) and by the way, we are a church (what). Make sense?
People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it.
Let's apply this to worship. I've said for a long time, "what you win people with, you win them to" (credit to Andrea Anderson who has also long said this). You can't do worship good enough to give someone a spiritual experience that leads them to Jesus. So why put the focus on that? A great worship service, in and of itself is only a foundation for leading someone to Jesus. The worship experience has to be an authentic expression of that faith.
People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it.
Here's how I apply this to the worship ministry at my church, New Hope Adventist Church.
We want our congregation and attendees to experience transformational worship and know Jesus. (Why)
We use artistic expressions that people know and love to communicate biblical truth and lead them into a spiritual experience. (How)
We are the worship ministry, which is made up of music, technical arts, dance and first impact. (What)
People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it.
It's time to start communicating the "why" for our congregations and let the "why" redefine us. It should define us from top to bottom. It should shape every ministry, initiative and campaign that takes root in our church. If people perish without a vision, then they must thrive where it is present.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
ProPresenter comes to PC! Why you should consider making the switch.
The industry standard of presentation software for top Christian artists and megachurches is now available for YOUR church. ProPresenter has all the features that can take your worship visuals to the next level. I’ve worked with ProPresenter on the Mac platform for several years now and I’m really excited to see it now available on PC. Beyond the typical features of song library, multi-media playback and Bible verse integration, ProPresenter employs more advanced technology that enhance whatever worship environment it’s used in. Let me tell you a little bit about why I love it through how I’ve used it at the two churches I’ve served as worship pastor at.
I worked at a small church plant of about 80 attendees (Hillside Community Church, hillsidecommunity.net) meeting in the city hall of South San Francisco. In the small meeting room we had, there was no platform for the speaker and many complained that they couldn’t see the pastor speak from the back of the room. ProPresenter was the perfect solution for us, because you can run live video straight into ProPresenter and add it as a layer to what is projected onto the screen. Using the simple built-in layout feature, we were able to run the Bible texts and bullet points as lower thirds and use the live video during the sermons.
I now work at a larger church (New Hope Adventist Church, lookingforachurch.org) with a whole new set of priorities and needs. At New Hope, there are several unique features in ProPresenter that have proved helpful. We used to use EasyWorship and had to switch back and forth between applications to project song lyrics, video clips and PowerPoint from the pastor. Within ProPresenter, we can now effectively play and mix all of our media. You can import virtually any type of video file as well as files from other presentation software, like PowerPoint and Keynote.
There are lots of great features contained in ProPresenter; give it a chance at your church! Go to www.renewedvision.com to download the free version (with a watermark on the output) and check out all of the related tutorial resources and documentation.
*Originally written for Best Practices for Adventist Worship.
I worked at a small church plant of about 80 attendees (Hillside Community Church, hillsidecommunity.net) meeting in the city hall of South San Francisco. In the small meeting room we had, there was no platform for the speaker and many complained that they couldn’t see the pastor speak from the back of the room. ProPresenter was the perfect solution for us, because you can run live video straight into ProPresenter and add it as a layer to what is projected onto the screen. Using the simple built-in layout feature, we were able to run the Bible texts and bullet points as lower thirds and use the live video during the sermons.
I now work at a larger church (New Hope Adventist Church, lookingforachurch.org) with a whole new set of priorities and needs. At New Hope, there are several unique features in ProPresenter that have proved helpful. We used to use EasyWorship and had to switch back and forth between applications to project song lyrics, video clips and PowerPoint from the pastor. Within ProPresenter, we can now effectively play and mix all of our media. You can import virtually any type of video file as well as files from other presentation software, like PowerPoint and Keynote.
There are lots of great features contained in ProPresenter; give it a chance at your church! Go to www.renewedvision.com to download the free version (with a watermark on the output) and check out all of the related tutorial resources and documentation.
*Originally written for Best Practices for Adventist Worship.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Cornerstone Song - "How He Loves"
“How He Loves Us.” It’s more than a song title, it is a simple, yet
profound thought. That’s the point that John Mark McMillan was
making when he wrote this anthem of praise and invited others to sing
it with him at the top of our lungs.
The songs author, John, lost his best friend in a car accident. That loss
shook him to his core. It called into question the very nature of God in
his mind. He began to wonder, “if God really loves us, then why
would He allow this to happen to me?” His journey took him deeper
into the understanding of God’s love for humanity. Just like
everything in this world, it can be messy at times because sin has
created a separation between heaven and earth.
But through the salvation that Jesus has given us, we have hope in a
grace and love that knows no end. When we truly understand the
depth and passion of the love God has for us, we see that it transcends
our circumstances and gives us a glimpse of something so much more
meaningful and eternal than we could ever fully grasp on earth. How
He loves us!
profound thought. That’s the point that John Mark McMillan was
making when he wrote this anthem of praise and invited others to sing
it with him at the top of our lungs.
The songs author, John, lost his best friend in a car accident. That loss
shook him to his core. It called into question the very nature of God in
his mind. He began to wonder, “if God really loves us, then why
would He allow this to happen to me?” His journey took him deeper
into the understanding of God’s love for humanity. Just like
everything in this world, it can be messy at times because sin has
created a separation between heaven and earth.
But through the salvation that Jesus has given us, we have hope in a
grace and love that knows no end. When we truly understand the
depth and passion of the love God has for us, we see that it transcends
our circumstances and gives us a glimpse of something so much more
meaningful and eternal than we could ever fully grasp on earth. How
He loves us!
*Written for the bulletin for February 19, 2011 at New Hope Adventist Church
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Cornerstone Song - "He Wants it All"
Nobody likes to look or feel desperate. It’s a state of vulnerability like nothing else. It means, “I’m at a low point and I will do whatever it takes to make it back to where I was.” Desperation is something that we look at as weakness; in fact we treat the word desperate as if it were the definition of someone that is not able to “deal” with their emotions in any given circumstance.
It’s hard to admit it, but we are all desperate. We have all sinned and fallen short, but through the hope we have in Jesus God will adopt us into His eternal kingdom.
In fact, it’s only in that weakness and desperation that the true hope of Jesus can be revealed to us. It’s only in our weakness that we can allow Him to be strong. It’s only in our recognition that He is all that we need that we can in turn truly give it all to Him.
As you worship your Savior today, reach deep down inside to find your own sense of desperation that only Jesus can fill and accept His grace and mercy that He so freely gives in return.
*Written for the bulletin for February 12, 2011 at New Hope Adventist Church
It’s hard to admit it, but we are all desperate. We have all sinned and fallen short, but through the hope we have in Jesus God will adopt us into His eternal kingdom.
In fact, it’s only in that weakness and desperation that the true hope of Jesus can be revealed to us. It’s only in our weakness that we can allow Him to be strong. It’s only in our recognition that He is all that we need that we can in turn truly give it all to Him.
As you worship your Savior today, reach deep down inside to find your own sense of desperation that only Jesus can fill and accept His grace and mercy that He so freely gives in return.
*Written for the bulletin for February 12, 2011 at New Hope Adventist Church
Friday, February 11, 2011
Leading Worship for a Small Group
When I began leading worship in high school, I was the student chaplain and in charge of programming on my academy's campus. I led worship for large gatherings like our vespers and church services on campus. I learned very quickly how to be comfortable in front of a large group of people by doing this and it was valuable in my development as a worship leader, but I believe my experience in college further gave me experience and skills necessary to lead authentically.
When I got to my college campus, I immediately approached the chaplain on campus as well as local pastors, letting them know I was ready to lead worship at their church. Looking back... that seems pretty cocky, but it is what it is! Haha! Of course, none of them called or emailed this freshman they just met to come lead their congregation in worship. However, the campus chaplain recommended I attend a small group that was meeting in the student center every Sabbath morning and offer to lead a song there - so I did, that very weekend.
It went well and so began my experience as a small group worship leader.
I did that for a few months and began leading worship for another small group that met on a weeknight as well... and eventually a in several other small group settings.
In those small groups, I learned a lot about worship leading. The small, intimate setting creates an inescapable confrontation of your own heart, with the hearts of those present. You can't perform for a small group. They are literally 5 feet from you. They see every expression and sense any discomfort, nervousness or vulnerability. You cannot mask it.
As the worship leader, you too can receive immediate feedback from those you lead. You know exactly who is singing... who is worshiping. You can tell whether or not your song selection is on point by how engaged the group is (rather than how great your band sounds!).
To this day, I embrace leading small groups as I would a large group. I put in just as much personal preparation and intentionality. Each month I lead worship for our mid-week "service" at New Hope, which only has 5-20 attendees about once or twice. It's a great opportunity for me to get more personal with some of the most spiritually hungry attendees of our church. I encourage every young worship leader that I mentor to do the same and grow from their experience.
Learning to lead for a small group of people has only increased my abilities to lead for the larger congregations. It has helped me remember to be humble, yet convicted when I lead. To always consider those that I'm leading when I choose songs, which will fill their mouths with a conversation with God. It has helped me understand how to lead a group of people on an authentic journey of adoration and growth; not just "song service" or a performing a "worship set."
When I got to my college campus, I immediately approached the chaplain on campus as well as local pastors, letting them know I was ready to lead worship at their church. Looking back... that seems pretty cocky, but it is what it is! Haha! Of course, none of them called or emailed this freshman they just met to come lead their congregation in worship. However, the campus chaplain recommended I attend a small group that was meeting in the student center every Sabbath morning and offer to lead a song there - so I did, that very weekend.
It went well and so began my experience as a small group worship leader.
I did that for a few months and began leading worship for another small group that met on a weeknight as well... and eventually a in several other small group settings.
In those small groups, I learned a lot about worship leading. The small, intimate setting creates an inescapable confrontation of your own heart, with the hearts of those present. You can't perform for a small group. They are literally 5 feet from you. They see every expression and sense any discomfort, nervousness or vulnerability. You cannot mask it.
As the worship leader, you too can receive immediate feedback from those you lead. You know exactly who is singing... who is worshiping. You can tell whether or not your song selection is on point by how engaged the group is (rather than how great your band sounds!).
To this day, I embrace leading small groups as I would a large group. I put in just as much personal preparation and intentionality. Each month I lead worship for our mid-week "service" at New Hope, which only has 5-20 attendees about once or twice. It's a great opportunity for me to get more personal with some of the most spiritually hungry attendees of our church. I encourage every young worship leader that I mentor to do the same and grow from their experience.
Learning to lead for a small group of people has only increased my abilities to lead for the larger congregations. It has helped me remember to be humble, yet convicted when I lead. To always consider those that I'm leading when I choose songs, which will fill their mouths with a conversation with God. It has helped me understand how to lead a group of people on an authentic journey of adoration and growth; not just "song service" or a performing a "worship set."
Friday, February 4, 2011
Feedback from the Congregation
I get a lot of feedback from my congregation about the worship. It's not a bad thing, but its unfortunate that the few vocal individuals are usually extremely supportive or extremely critical. It makes me think that the truth is somewhere in the middle and I'd really love to hear the thoughts and preferences of those that might be of more moderate opinion.
In an attempt to do that, I've recently launched a survey via Zoomerang. There are a few key questions about the genre and 3 pages that feature a song and specific questions about that songs singability, instrumentation and lyrical content. I hope to get some great insights that will help me get outside the bubble of the worship team.
If you attend New Hope and would like to answer the questions on the survey, click this link.
If you do not attend New Hope, but would like to see the questions, click this link.
I'll report on the results in a couple weeks.
In an attempt to do that, I've recently launched a survey via Zoomerang. There are a few key questions about the genre and 3 pages that feature a song and specific questions about that songs singability, instrumentation and lyrical content. I hope to get some great insights that will help me get outside the bubble of the worship team.
If you attend New Hope and would like to answer the questions on the survey, click this link.
If you do not attend New Hope, but would like to see the questions, click this link.
I'll report on the results in a couple weeks.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Cornerstone Song - "Jesus Saves"
New Hope’s vision statement is “to be an irresistible influence in our community” and this weekend we’ll be digging into what that really means. As we do this, I think we need to ask ourselves as a community and as individuals, “how am I influencing the community?”
The longstanding and proven method of sharing a testimony or biblical truths with a friend is what we traditionally think of as sharing the good news, but its not the only way. As St. Francis of Assisi put it, “Preach the gospel always, and when necessary use words.”
The way that we live and interact with people tells them something about who we are and what we believe. In fact, that’s exactly what Jesus asked us to do in John 13:34-35. “A new command I give you: Love one another. “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Let’s tell the world with our worship, our words and with our lives that “Jesus Saves!” Use every conversation to show people that you have been transformed from a selfish human to a servant of the Living God. They will know us by our love.
*Written for the bulletin for February 5, 2011 at New Hope Adventist Church
The longstanding and proven method of sharing a testimony or biblical truths with a friend is what we traditionally think of as sharing the good news, but its not the only way. As St. Francis of Assisi put it, “Preach the gospel always, and when necessary use words.”
The way that we live and interact with people tells them something about who we are and what we believe. In fact, that’s exactly what Jesus asked us to do in John 13:34-35. “A new command I give you: Love one another. “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Let’s tell the world with our worship, our words and with our lives that “Jesus Saves!” Use every conversation to show people that you have been transformed from a selfish human to a servant of the Living God. They will know us by our love.
*Written for the bulletin for February 5, 2011 at New Hope Adventist Church
Multi-Cultural Worship
As I've mentioned throughout this blog, my church New Hope Adventist Church is a multi-cultural congregation. Planning worship services for such a diverse congregation can prove to be tricky and I often fail, but I'm trying. I'm committed to creating transformational worship experiences for all attendees regardless of culture, class or age.
The millions of preferences contained in myself, my team and the congregation must take a backseat to God's word. I really like what one of my team members recently emailed me while we were having a productive email thread on the discussion. It's a conversation with a worship pastor at a similar congregation undertaking many of the same challenges.
If you have any thoughts, reflections or suggestions on multi-cultural worship, please feel free to share them below in the comments or email them to me at rickandersonjr@gmail.com
Much more to come on this topic! :)
The millions of preferences contained in myself, my team and the congregation must take a backseat to God's word. I really like what one of my team members recently emailed me while we were having a productive email thread on the discussion. It's a conversation with a worship pastor at a similar congregation undertaking many of the same challenges.
If you have any thoughts, reflections or suggestions on multi-cultural worship, please feel free to share them below in the comments or email them to me at rickandersonjr@gmail.com
Much more to come on this topic! :)
Wondering About God: WILO AND JESUS
My friend and coworker Rajkumar Dixit blogs on all things spiritual at wonderingaboutgod.blogspot.com. He also blogs on church marketing and branding at rajkumardixit.com.
His latest entry on Wondering about God is a short conversation he and his youngest daughter had about Jesus. It's compelling. Please check it out.
Wondering About God: WILO AND JESUS
His latest entry on Wondering about God is a short conversation he and his youngest daughter had about Jesus. It's compelling. Please check it out.
Wondering About God: WILO AND JESUS
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Consistency in Worship
Culture is cyclical. It's reactionary. We get bored or unimpressed with what a previous generation does so we set off in a different direction that really isn't so different from what people another generation removed believed, thought or did. Within the context of contemporary worship, I think that we'll see unexpected changes in principles, values and perhaps even style in the coming years.
One such principle is consistency. Throughout the 90s and maybe even into this century, being fresh, unique and unpredictable were important things for worship leaders, teaching pastors and the like. Consequently, consistency meant boring, stale and predictable. But I find inconsistency very unsettling. I find it inauthentic and pretentious.
I don't believe that every week should be a mirror image, but I do believe that each week should carry similarities. Otherwise, how do you create and cast a vision? How do you build a core of people that will carry that vision out? How do you grow a congregation when you start from scratch every week?
Here are some thoughts on the topic from the great author and Christian thinker, C. S. Lewis...
So, what do you think?
One such principle is consistency. Throughout the 90s and maybe even into this century, being fresh, unique and unpredictable were important things for worship leaders, teaching pastors and the like. Consequently, consistency meant boring, stale and predictable. But I find inconsistency very unsettling. I find it inauthentic and pretentious.
I don't believe that every week should be a mirror image, but I do believe that each week should carry similarities. Otherwise, how do you create and cast a vision? How do you build a core of people that will carry that vision out? How do you grow a congregation when you start from scratch every week?
Here are some thoughts on the topic from the great author and Christian thinker, C. S. Lewis...
I think our business as laymen is to take what we are given and make the best of it. And I think we should find this a great deal easier if what we were given was always and everywhere the same.
To judge from their practice, very few Anglican clergymen take this view. It looks as if they believed people can be lured to go to church be incessant brightenings, lightenings, lengthenings, abridgements, simplifications, and complications of the service. And it is probably true that a new, keen vicar will usually be able to form within his parish a minority who are in favour of his innovations. The majority, I believe, never are. Those who remain - many give up churchgoing altogether - merely endure.
Is this simply because the majority are hide-bound? I think not. They have a good reason for their conservatism. Novelty, simply as such, can have only an entertainment value. And they don't go to church to be entertained. They go to use the service, or, if you prefer, to enact it. Every service is a structure of acts and words through which we receive a sacrament, or repent, or supplicate, or adore. And it enables us to do these things best - if you like, it "works" best - when, through long familiarity, we don't have to think about it. As long as you notice, and have to count, the steps, you are not yet dancing but only learning to dance. A good shoe is a shoe you don't notice... The perfect church service would be one we were almost unaware of; our attention would have been on God.
But every novelty prevents this. It fixes our attention on the service itself; and thinking about worship is a different thing from worshiping. The important question about the Grail was "for what does it serve?" "Tis mad idolatry that makes the service greater than the God."
A still worse thing may happen. Novelty may fix our attention not even on the service but on the celebrant. You know what I mean. Try as one may to exclude it, the question "What on earth is he up to now?" will intrude. It lays one's devotion waste. There is really some excuse for the man who said, "I wish they'd remember that the charge to Peter was Feed my sheep; not Try experiments on my rats, or even, Teach my performing dogs new tricks."
Thys my whole liturgiological position really boils down to an entreaty for permanence and uniformity. I can make do with almost any kind of service whatever, if only it will stay put. But if each form is snatched away just when I am beginning to feel at home in it, then I can never make any progress in the art of worship.
-- from Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer
So, what do you think?
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Building Trust on a Committee of Artists
Artists can be peculiar people. They are often creative, inspired and known for pushing the boundaries. Without them, congregations and communities would be quite bland. However, there's no doubt that with their valuable creativity there can also be sensitivity, controversy and dissent.
At my church, we've recently launched a Worship Planning Committee to translate each weekend's theme into a transformational worship experience for our attenders. It has been an exciting transition for us. Our team is relatively small, but representative of the different areas of ministries involved in worship as well as diverse in age and culture.
There has been a great difficulty in uniting people with such different perspectives, backgrounds and preferences though. In an effort to cast a vision, I have included in my emails, worship thoughts and in my words throughout each meeting some thoughts on unity, patience, compassion and peacemaking.
In an effort to further solidify the unity of the team and create a template for the conversation, I've created this covenant that all of my leaders, including those on the Worship Planning Committee will need to sign.
Here are the points that are listed on that covenant:
1. I will maintain and grow a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. I will continue to develop my technical abilities and skills to give God my best offering in worship.
3. I will use my position of authority to grow those under me both spiritually and technically.
4. I will publically support and respect other leaders and volunteers involved in ministry.
5. I will voice any concerns or disagreements with other leaders with the following biblical principles in mind…
a. Ephesians 4:14-16: Speak the truth in love to the individual. Do not use divisive language, condescending tone or allow my personal preference to interfere with communication.
b. Matthew 18:15-19: Go to the person, one-on-one. If that doesn’t work, involve one or two other leaders. And, so on…
c. Colossians 3:12-17: Be compassionate, tenderhearted and seek peace and unity above all else, for Christ’s sake. Our ministry is worthless if we are not exemplifying the love and mercy of Christ in our lives and relationships!
5. I will resolve to make worship at New Hope a transformational experience for people who come by lifting Christ above all things and eliminating distraction of any type from doing so.
6. I will treat all topics of sensitive natured discussion in meetings and private conversations confidential.
At my church, we've recently launched a Worship Planning Committee to translate each weekend's theme into a transformational worship experience for our attenders. It has been an exciting transition for us. Our team is relatively small, but representative of the different areas of ministries involved in worship as well as diverse in age and culture.
There has been a great difficulty in uniting people with such different perspectives, backgrounds and preferences though. In an effort to cast a vision, I have included in my emails, worship thoughts and in my words throughout each meeting some thoughts on unity, patience, compassion and peacemaking.
In an effort to further solidify the unity of the team and create a template for the conversation, I've created this covenant that all of my leaders, including those on the Worship Planning Committee will need to sign.
Here are the points that are listed on that covenant:
1. I will maintain and grow a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. I will continue to develop my technical abilities and skills to give God my best offering in worship.
3. I will use my position of authority to grow those under me both spiritually and technically.
4. I will publically support and respect other leaders and volunteers involved in ministry.
5. I will voice any concerns or disagreements with other leaders with the following biblical principles in mind…
a. Ephesians 4:14-16: Speak the truth in love to the individual. Do not use divisive language, condescending tone or allow my personal preference to interfere with communication.
b. Matthew 18:15-19: Go to the person, one-on-one. If that doesn’t work, involve one or two other leaders. And, so on…
c. Colossians 3:12-17: Be compassionate, tenderhearted and seek peace and unity above all else, for Christ’s sake. Our ministry is worthless if we are not exemplifying the love and mercy of Christ in our lives and relationships!
5. I will resolve to make worship at New Hope a transformational experience for people who come by lifting Christ above all things and eliminating distraction of any type from doing so.
6. I will treat all topics of sensitive natured discussion in meetings and private conversations confidential.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Cornerstone Song - "Holy is the Lord"
In Revelation 4 and 5, the Bible gives us a spectacular image of what
worship in heaven looks like. In chapter 4, there are a variety of odd
creatures, a group of 24 elders and millions of angels all surrounding
the Holy throne of God, worshiping Him non-stop! Day and night, they
sing this very song... “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!” (v.
8) They are worshiping God because He is the sovereign Creator- Lord
over all the earth!
Then in chapter 5, the Apostle John (who is being given this vision of
Heaven) witnesses the worship shift from the Creator to the Savior.
Jesus, represented as a lamb, emerges as the only One worthy to “open
the scroll” and exterminate sin forever! All of heaven then rejoices
because the battle is won! Jesus has paid the price for you and I to live
in peace forever with our Maker.
Jesus is the revelation of God in human flesh, born to give us salvation.
Sing to Him who alone is worthy of all glory, honor and praise!
*Written for the bulletin for January 29, 2011 at New Hope Adventist Church
worship in heaven looks like. In chapter 4, there are a variety of odd
creatures, a group of 24 elders and millions of angels all surrounding
the Holy throne of God, worshiping Him non-stop! Day and night, they
sing this very song... “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!” (v.
8) They are worshiping God because He is the sovereign Creator- Lord
over all the earth!
Then in chapter 5, the Apostle John (who is being given this vision of
Heaven) witnesses the worship shift from the Creator to the Savior.
Jesus, represented as a lamb, emerges as the only One worthy to “open
the scroll” and exterminate sin forever! All of heaven then rejoices
because the battle is won! Jesus has paid the price for you and I to live
in peace forever with our Maker.
Jesus is the revelation of God in human flesh, born to give us salvation.
Sing to Him who alone is worthy of all glory, honor and praise!
*Written for the bulletin for January 29, 2011 at New Hope Adventist Church
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Cornerstone Song - "Arms Open Wide"
Like many of you, I grew up in a church very different than New Hope.
The songs we sang were hundreds of years old! But, as I’m sure many
of you feel, those songs are special to me. Some of them eloquently
articulate the majesty and glory of God. One such song is “Take My
Life and Let it Be.”
This week, we’re singing a rewritten version of that song, “Arms Open
Wide” by Hillsong that puts the very same heart-cry, “take my life” on
the lips of a new generation of worshipers. The original song was
written in the late 1800s by Frances Havergal and was an expression of
her own spiritual journey.
When she gave her life to Christ, everything changed and she wrote the
song to give people a chance to experience that very same life
transformation. Giving our lives to God is a daily task and we are never
finished. As you dedicate and rededicate your life to Him, He will
direct you and show you what you can give up for His glory. As you
worship Him today, come with “Arms Open Wide!”
*Written for the bulletin for January 22, 2011 at New Hope Adventist Church
The songs we sang were hundreds of years old! But, as I’m sure many
of you feel, those songs are special to me. Some of them eloquently
articulate the majesty and glory of God. One such song is “Take My
Life and Let it Be.”
This week, we’re singing a rewritten version of that song, “Arms Open
Wide” by Hillsong that puts the very same heart-cry, “take my life” on
the lips of a new generation of worshipers. The original song was
written in the late 1800s by Frances Havergal and was an expression of
her own spiritual journey.
When she gave her life to Christ, everything changed and she wrote the
song to give people a chance to experience that very same life
transformation. Giving our lives to God is a daily task and we are never
finished. As you dedicate and rededicate your life to Him, He will
direct you and show you what you can give up for His glory. As you
worship Him today, come with “Arms Open Wide!”
*Written for the bulletin for January 22, 2011 at New Hope Adventist Church
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