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!

*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.


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.