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.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
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.
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