Rehearse or Prepare?

I’ve been attending rehearsals, in one form or fashion, since I was 5 years old. That’s  like 430 years of Children’s choirs, Youth choirs, high school band and choir, college band and choir, Seminary choir, leading choir rehearsals in churches, leading worship band rehearsals. That’s a lot of rehearsing.

And the overwhelming majority of that time--probably 98%--is musical in nature. Maybe 99%.

Over the last 10 years I’ve been shifting that percentage. And for the last few years I’ve been changing what we call those rehearsals.

Now this may be a matter of semantics, but I’d prefer to think of it as a change in paradigms. Rehearsal has a very specific connotation--we rehearse through learning and repetition. We rehearse notes, rhythms, diction, phrasing, dynamics, etc. I love that stuff. When it is right and good, it is thrilling.

But there’s a layer of my weekly rehearsals that has grown. And with the growth of that layer there has been a corresponding growth in the spiritual potency of the music. The more time I spend pointing musicians (both vocalists and instrumentalists) to the text--and thereby to Jesus--the more we experience the Presence of Jesus in those sessions. There are frequently times that I’ll pray, or invite others to pray, spontaneously. There are often times that I will have to shout, hoop, or holler at the power of praise in the room. It isn’t unusual for me to see folks with tears in their eyes, with hands lifted high, or with faces aglow with the radiance of our God. (check out Psalm 84:2, 1 Timothy 2:8, and Psalm 34:5)

That’s why instead of referring to the time I meet with our weekly worship leading team as rehearsal or practice, I’ve begun calling it “preparation.”

On our church calendar it says “Worship Prep” on Thursdays from 6.15-8.00pm. And when the choir meets it says “Worship Choir” on Wednesdays from 7.15-8.45pm. Every three weeks or so, these groups combine. Those are my favorite. We have vocalists, instrumentalists, and choir members preparing to lead worship.

A.W. Tozer wrote,

“The whole Bible and all past history unite to teach that battles are always won before the armies take the field. The critical moment for any army is not the day it engages the foe in actual combat; it is the day before or the month before or the year before...”

“Preparation is vital. The rule is, prepare or fail. Luck and bluster will do for a while, but the law will catch up with us sooner or later, usually sooner...

“...it took David only a few minutes to dispose of Goliath; but he had beaten the giant long before in the person of the lion and the bear...

“Preparation is vital. Let this be noted by everyone. We can seek God today and get prepared to meet temptation tomorrow; but if we meet the enemy without first having met God, the outcome is not conjectural; the issue is already decided. We can only lose.”

How striking is that last sentence to you? It slays me. Few events in our week are as targeted by our enemy as the worship gathering. Every week, for someone in the room, eternity hangs in the balance. The spiritual battle is real. It is present. If we don’t prepare by meeting God in those times we set aside for rehearsal, “the issue is already decided. We can only lose.” 

I don’t know if this dynamic can be used to project backwards in our generation to explain decades of anemic worship experiences in churches or not. That’s not my call to make. But I do know that the more careful I am to lead weekly times of worship preparation that include meeting God, the more spiritually vibrant, potent, and dynamic our worship gatherings become.

So I wonder, what is coming to your mind? How can you transform from rehearsal to preparation? How will you continue to, start to, or increasingly lead your worship leading team to meet God?

One of My Very FAVORITE Ideas Ever!

When I was invited to be the interim worship pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington, KY I knew there were more people involved than anywhere I'd been. I also knew there was no way I could quickly learn their names. (The choir had more people in it than the whole church I served before that!)

Since I was working with musicians, I wanted to use musical lingo to create a relational dynamic. So as I was pondering and praying, I think God graced me with an idea I called:

From Trios to Quartets

Here's what that looks like. As soon as three folks from the worship ministry signed up for a time together (a trio) I would join them for a conversation (forming a quartet). 

In those conversations I ask three questions:

1) What was it like growing up as you? (What did your parents do? Do you have siblings? Do you have children?)

2) If you could have one thing happen in the worship ministry that you are convinced would please God, what would that be? (Not a song, not a style, not a preference, but what would bring a smile to God's face?)

3) How can I pray for you? (Not for your family member or your coworker or friend at school, but for you--personally.)

What happened over breakfast meetings, lunch gatherings, or time in my office--both at Immanuel and at Woodburn--is nothing short of astounding. The four of us get to know each other in ways that would usually take years. In those 60-90 minutes sessions there is very often a sweet mixture of tears and belly-laughter.

Inevitably people who have known each other for years or decades get to know each other in new ways. Such a treasure!

And since one of my deep desires in ministry is to value people and let them know they're valued, this gives me insight into who they are and a chance to pray for them.

It really is one of my favorite ideas ever. 

I'm not sure you HAVE to be in a new context for this to work, but if you are ever in a new place of ministry, I invite you to steal this idea and claim it as your own!

Survival Kit

Several months ago I asked my Facebook friends what they might be interested in reading about on this blog. Within a few weeks I'd answered all of those requests but one. My friend Mike hit on a subject that I felt (and feel) neither equipped nor faithful enough to answer well.

That said, over the last couple of weeks I have repeatedly encountered ideas, scriptures, stories, and even a daily devotional that seem to speak to his request. Before I answer it, I'll quote him directly: 

"What I think might be an interesting subject is something we touched on in a conversation in Frankfort. Let's call it, 'How God's Servants are Tossed from Pillar to Post by Churches and Still Survive through His Grace.' I've been there and so have you. Is there a book there? Because of your continue positive, optimistic attitude you are a true survivor. You can still find upbeat themes on which to dwell and meditate." - Mike

Let's start with something those closest to me would say is obvious: my "continued positive, optimistic attitude". While it is certainly not an act, it sure had some gaps in it over these last 4 years. And those closest would also agree that being a survivor often looked like a small boat on a very big lake--trying to figure out which way to go while trying not to capsize.

You see, nearly 4 years ago I met with the Personnel Team at the church I'd been serving for 7 years. They told me that they were thrilled with the work I was doing--grateful for it--but that there was simply no money to pay me any more. So they asked for my resignation.

Then I was part of a struggling church plant, which eventually closed her doors, for about 18 months. It was one of the hardest things I've done, serving there. I have some amazing friends from those months, and am very grateful for the time. But it was hard.

Then I was interim worship guy for one of Kentucky's flagship Baptist churches. It was supposed to be 4-6 months, but I was blessed to be there for 13 months. My family and I thought maybe, just maybe, we'd spend the rest of my career there. (Or at least a long time.) That didn't happen. That was hard.

So I launched Worship Coach, a consulting business designed to help churches make worship great--connecting hearts. I had a flurry of activity, saw God do some amazing things with the churches I visited, and then the activity slowed way down. I was writing, but not enough to generate income for my family. I started substitute teaching, but that was hit-and-miss. I started a temp job with my wife's company. I was happy to be part of a business like CLS but it clearly was not what God designed me to do. I was doing interim worship-leading and that kept my heart "in the game" of ministry.

Yep. A little boat in a big lake trying to figure out which way to go and not capsize.

Some of the things that didn't make the quick narrative include serious consideration of planting a church (as pastor or partnered with some folks). Going to school to get my doctorate. Becoming a full-time author. And, of course, just giving up.

If you're wondering if I'll ever answer Mike's request, the answer is yes. But before the answer could make sense, I figured knowing the problem might help.

So here's what I think made a pretty big difference for me:

"I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

"I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."

Did you catch the "one thing"? Forgetting the past--hard as that has been--and looking forward to what lies ahead--as hard as that has been to discern--I pressed on toward the end of the race.

A. W. Tozer wrote: "It is a simple axiom of the traveler that if he would arrive at the desired destination he must take the right road. How far a man may have traveled is not important; what matters is whether or not he is going the right way, whether the path he is following will bring him out at the right place at last."

And now, while I'm not at the end of the race, I am in a place of deep joy and delight. As Worship Pastor at Woodburn Baptist Church (10 miles south of Bowling Green, KY), I am serving with an amazing pastor and team, I am leading worship in ways I've never ever had the privilege to do before. It is simply magnificent.

So my friends, whether the path you're walking now is like a glimpse of heaven on earth or hell on earth, press on in the right direction. Look to Jesus. Don't put your faith in your church, if your job, or in yourself. Only One is worthy of our faith. And with that in mind, reach toward the end of the race. Keep the destination in full view.

And what is that destination? Our heavenly prize--unhindered, unfettered, unimaginable eternity in the presence of Jesus Christ. Oh my. Oh. My. Press on!

Like a ton of bricks

Actually, it may have felt more like a burning-hot refining fire than a ton of bricks, but it sure rocked me in the deep parts of my soul.

Let me back up.

It was my first staff meeting at Woodburn. Pastor Tim Harris was leading the devotional thought, using 1 Corinthians 3. It's a passage you probably know something about. The part that was so familiar to me that I nearly went on auto-pilot says, "After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow."

But Tim kept reading. And when he got to this part I was nearly undone:

"Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss."

I've read the Bible through more than once. I've read 1 Corinthians many times. But I don't think I've ever really seen those verses.

I was so moved that I nearly cried right there in the first 15 minutes of my first staff meeting. Looking back over the last quarter-century of ministry, how much of what I have done would be burned up in the fire? How much would survive? Far more importantly, looking ahead--will I give my attention, my time, my energy to the things that will burn up or to those that will last? 

I don't think I'm naive. We all have to do some "wood, hay or straw" in day-to-day operations. But what am I devoting myself to? 

I have a renewed commitment to make much of Jesus in worship, not just toys or tools. I have a deeper desire to develop deep relationships, not just chatter about the weather forcast. I yearn to build what endures far more than what will pass away.

I'm curious as I can be--does this connect with you? Leaders out there, does this rock your world? Or am I coming to this passage much later than you did?

Week 1 Reflections

It has been a pretty full first few days. Now that I'm the full-time Worship Pastor at Woodburn Baptist Church, the rhythm of my days is familiar again. Sort of. Here are some brief thoughts...

I have prayed for the folks in my area of ministry. I already wish I'd done more of this, but I am grateful that I've had the honor of praying for the men and women that I'll be serving. Really grateful.

I have spent lots of time with people. This is one of the few things I've done that I know, without a doubt, is great use of my time. I'm learning about those who are serving the worship ministry, the rest of the pastoral team, and other folks who are passionate about the church. I've probably met with more than 20 people already.

I posted a question on Facebook & Twitter asking for suggestions from people about places to eat in the  area. Later I asked about other things to do. Part of that is because I really want to know those things. But the other result is simply getting to hear from people. That's always a win.

I have spent lots of time getting things in order. I don't know about you, but when I need a piece of music or a book or any other resource, I like to know where it is. So I  have organized most of my office. And have had help organizing the choir room and music library. There won't be much time to do these things after rehearsals are in full swing.

I have driven around Bowling Green and Woodburn, simply getting familiar with the major roads and the places to eat, shop, and hang out around town. It has really helped me acclimate to the culture. I was given a beautiful gem of wisdom from one of my mentors--to enter the town as an immigrant, not a tourist nor a conqueror. I'm working at this daily.

I have met deadlines. I want to be credible, a worker with integrity. Last minute planning and enlisting of musicians makes people feel pressure. I yearn for them to feel freedom instead. So I have done pretty well at getting music chosen, musicians lined up, and making the music available to those musicians. (and audio/video folks)

I have gone as deep in conversations as seemed appropriate in my initial encounters. I want to know people, not just names. I want to hear the hearts of those I serve. I want to know their dreams for this city, this church, and their own journey.

I haven't done very well at taking time off. I need to make a firmer start next week to take a Sabbath. I need to do better at turning off the technology and thinking about "work" after I'm home for the evening, even though home is (for now) a hotel room by myself. I know that good rest makes for good work. I just need to do what I know.

I also need to finish a few more tasks that are incomplete. I've made lots of progress, but need to put some things to bed so I can move on to new tasks.

And I need to constantly remind myself to listen more than I talk. This is one of my greatest challenges.

More praying. More listening. More resting.

Overall, I'm very pleased with my first week. And I'm enormously excited about the coming weeks, months and years. More about that next time.

Willing vs. Want

I am always grateful when, as a worship leader, someone is willing to do something to serve God, to build up the church, and to make much of Jesus to those in our services who are yet-to-be-redeemed.

A teenager is willing to step up and learn how to run screens. Yay!

A retirement age person is willing to use their skills to craft a piece of art to display in the lobby. Yay!

A local professional musician is willing to use her tremendous talent to be part of the worship team. For free. Yay!

But what really excites me is when someone moves beyond "willing to" and arrives at "want to."

Every person in the choir wants to stay when rehearsal is supposed to be over because they want to get that ending just right. YES!

The sound tech isn't ready to say the EQ on the worship leader's mic is set because it doesn't sound at least as good as listening without the microphone. So they ask if rehearsal can go an extra few minutes. They want to make to make it excellent. The band shouts a resounding YES!

The pastor asks how he can preach a sermon or series on the topic of worship, not because he is willing to help out the worship ministry but because he wants to make sure his congregation knows how to engage their hearts and minds fully. YES!

Something magnificent happens when the folks in our churches move from "willing to" to "want to." There's an abundance of joy. Frustration is hard to find. We celebration one another's giftedness. There's less and less envy. If everyone is doing what God created and prepared them to do, because Christ's love compels them, then commitment isn't hard to come by. Accountability is less difficult.

An unrealistic dream? Maybe, this side of heaven. But it's a dream I continue to pursue. In fact, I think it's a dream God has for His Bride.

Paid or unpaid leader, how do you foster the "want to" in your area of ministry?


2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Ephesians 2:10

News or News?

A recent Time magazine article featured an article on a new evangelical surge among Latin Americans. There was a distinction made between these Latinos and their heavily Catholic heritage as well as the largest protestant group--Baptists.

Here's the sentence that jumped off the page at me about this new brand of churches: "Sermons aren't drawn from the headlines; instead, they often sound like news itself."

Can you imagine why it grabbed my attention?

The gospel is good news. It IS news.

It should be, anyway.

Can good news ever lose its' goodness?

Rather than the novelty being found in newspapers, it is that our God making all things new. God, through Christ and the Holy Spirit is making you and me and those around us new.

Now that's good news!

As a worshiper, a worship leader, and a guy who loves to help other people lead worship, let me say that if the news has lost its' goodness, I imagine it's because church attenders have stopped worshiping. 

I don't mean that they've stopped going to church.

I don't mean that they've stopped singing or listening to the sermon.

I mean that they've forgotten what it feels like to have their mind's attention fully focused on the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.

I mean they may have only faded memories of what it is like to have their heart's affection stirred by the mind boggling love of God for us, in us, through us.

Preachers, please remind us of the news. Christ died for us, all of us. Christ is risen, alive in us. And yes, Christ will come again for us!

Worship leaders, help us love Jesus Christ out loud.

Christ-followers, encourage one another. God is a God of hope. The God of The Hope. The good news is great news for all of us. Let's remind one another often.