An Evocative Opportunity!

To evoke is to stir up something that’s already there. Inside every Christ-followers--inside of YOU--is the image of God, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and Christ Himself. When it comes to worship, spirit and truth are in us. Faith, hope, and love are in us. The fruit of the Spirit is in us.

This has a double implication: one for the worshiper, and one for the worship leader.

As a worshiper, your job is unleash what is in you. Let it out! Don't hold it in. Within the healthy boundaries of your God-given, God-shaped personality, demonstrate the release of what is in you.

As worship leaders, our job is to evoke those things: to draw out praise, confession, worship, obedience, and more...in our gatherings.

Please consider this is my personal invitation to be part of the 3rd annual RELAY Worship Conference. We will host it at Woodburn Baptist again this year, and it will be on Feb 20, 2021. At the end of this post is a current listing of 19 MasterClass sessions. You can find more info (including the schedule) and register at www.relayworship.com. Registration is limited to the first 100 people, so you might want to get on this right away! [If you're part of our ministry at Woodburn, we will cover your cost. Just let me know you're attending.]

Oh, this is big: also within us, as image-bearers of God, is justice. This is why we will explore at this year's conference how the worship assembly can play a part in racial reconciliation. How can what is in us be evoked to change what is around us? With our hands and our tongues… with our prayers… in our relationships, our recruiting and scheduling people to serve? And more, of course. We have assembled a panel of pastors and church leaders, people of color and others who are white as the snow falling this morning, to talk us through this dynamic.

“Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness.” — Ephesians 5:26 (The Message)

Masterclass: Leading Up — how to lead when you're not in charge

Masterclass: Time Management — making the most of every opportunity

Masterclass: Lead a Rhythm Section Rehearsal — getting the most out of your band

Masterclass: Acoustic Guitar — playing for worship

Masterclass: Electric Guitar — playing for worshipMasterclass: Keys — playing for worship

Masterclass: Piano — playing for worship

Masterclass: Voice (women) — we sing differently when leading worship

Masterclass: Voice (men) — we sing differently when leading worship

Masterclass: Bass — playing for worship

Masterclass: Drums — playing for worship

Masterclass: Audio — mixing for worship

Masterclass: Graphics/Screens (ProPresenter) — visuals for worship

Masterclass: Lighting — lighting for worship (it's not just for the big churches)

Masterclass: Camera / Video basics — capturing video, including for online worship

Masterclass: Song writing — writing songs for the community of faith

Masterclass: Story telling — using stories to tell God's story

Masterclass: Using Scripture to Evoke — Scripture reading that captures the imagination

Masterclass: More than Skits — drama that transforms

Masterclass: Social Media — connecting those in and around your church