Worship Leadership

Saturday night prep

On Saturday evenings we start shutting it down early around our house.  We start finding clothes for church, ironing, and settling down so there won't be as much stress in the morning.  Of course I don't have to experience it because I leave the house @ 5:50 am.  Cheryl bring the kids with her @ 8:15.

I am going through the songlist for tomorrow.  I am excited about what we are singing.  Here is the list of tunes we will draw from:

• Jesus Messiah (Chris Tomlin)
• Our God Saves (Paul Baloche)   
• Let The Praises Ring (Lincoln Brewster)
• Let there Be Blessing (Jason Breland)
• Save Me (Gateway)
• Glorious (Chris Tomlin & Christy Knockels)

I pray God's blessing will be on our lips and every person @ FC in the morning will sense the special presence of the Lord!!!

Peace

 

Worship Ministry 101

My personality has the tendency to lean toward 2 areas.  Those are events and being with people.  I know if I am out of balance and I'm not having solitude and time for reflection I will be in trouble.  But that is not what this is about today.  I have always thrived off of getting ready for an event or or being with a group of people.  Even back into my childhood I see that this is clearly evident.  Well these proclivities can really be helpful when your ministry is to lead others in worship.  You get to be with alot of great people while getting ready for an event. 

Recently I wrote about getting back to the basics.  I referred to "pulling it in" in my personal life.  Well there is no better way to "pull it in" in Worship leading than with getting back to the basics.  One of those basics is appreciating and caring for people.

I want to take a moment and publicly appreciate the people @ FC I worship alongside.  You are the finest people I know!  Your talent is obvious.  Your heart for God shines brighter each week.  Your dedication to the ministry and to FC is something I admire and share with all of my colleagues. 

It is so easy for someone like me to let accomplishing a goal or learning a new song or making sure we are prepared get in the way of caring for people.  Yes there are times I have to get everyone's attention and get us back on track.  But I never want to lose the ability to look and someone and stop what seems to be "so" important to care for someone who needs a kind word, encouragement, or a simple prayer.

To all of you whom I missed an opportunity to be sensitive to you - I am sorry.  I don't think I am a total failure because I have had many meaningful time with so many folks here involved in worship.  I am even more determined not to miss those opportunities.  During this time of reflection I am recommitting to the one of the basics.  I want to pastor people with care.  At this moment I am reminded of a line from a song from the 90's called, "Spirit Touch Your Church".  The lines is, 'I want to care for other like Jesus cares for me, let your rain fall upon me'.      

Father, I want to care for others like you care for me!

Your world may not be consumed in "the ministry" but the principle is true for each of us who are becoming disciples.  How are you doing when it comes to caring?

'I want to care for other like Jesus cares for me'

Peace

Be All You Can Be - Make the Most of Every Moment

Approximately 20 years ago I traveled with the Lee Singers the NEA (National Evangelical Association) convention to sing.  After we finished our part for the evening, we sat down and got to listen to (what one of my friends told me) an "up and coming" leader in the church world.  It was John Maxwell.  I had never heard of him.  By the time the night was over, I was captivated by his passion for the church and it moving forward.  When the night was over I bought his new book Be All You Can Be and then stood in line to get his book signed.  That was the only time in my life to do that.  As soon as I got out of there I started reading.  It was a page turner!!  When I was finished, I was convinced I would the make the most of every moment on the way to changing the world!!

Last Sunday our Senior Pastor finished a series called Judgments and Resurrections.  During this series our creative arts team performed a 4 part adaptation of the alagory Affabel by John Bevere.  Wow, I truly was moved so many times during this series.  Last Sunday by the time the sketch hit the stage for the service it was probably my tenth time to hear it.  It was still difficult to watch and listen to.  The overwhelming thing I leave with from this series is that I must make the most of every moment for the sake of my eternity.   

My head is still spinning right now but I am sure that I will give even more thought and caution to every motive, action and thought I have.  I must make every moment count!!      

Oh by the way, 20 years later I still believe I going to change the world.  Now it just looks different than it once did.