Should Worship Be Great?

This whole idea of "Worship Coach"--the blog, the consulting, the Facebook page--is an effort on my part to use the dozens of things I've learned about leading a worship ministry to serve those who may not have had the chance to make as many mistakes as I have. 

Seriously!

Especially during the 7 years I was honored to serve with Memorial Baptist Church in Frankfort, KY, the team I designed and led had tremendous freedom and struck out often. (We had lots of base hits and some home runs, too.) So I learned a great deal, and would like to share with pastors and worship leaders some of those learnings.

Spiritual.

Relational.

Musical.

Organizational.

Managerial.

Educational.

And more words that may or may not end in "al".

That's why I've been working on a brochure to give out to friends in church-world who might be able to benefit from my mistakes (or what I've learned through them, anyway). And in an effort to articulate the ways I hope to serve, I have found it difficult to find just the right words.

On the front of that brochure, across the top, it currently says:
Worship Coach
Make Your Worship Gatherings Great!

"I will sing with my spirit but I will also sing with my mind."
I Cor 14:15b

And given my propensity to seek input, I've shown the prototype to about a dozen people. I have had two of those people, both of whom I respect immensely, object to the word "great." 

So I decided to ponder, research a little, pray more than that, and write a series of blog posts about why that makes sense to me. I haven't printed the brochure yet, so your questions and comments may help me finish up that design.

Next time: "God is great, God is good" and what that may mean for worship gatherings.

Worship Leaders: Mattaniah or Binnui?

I’m reading the Bible through this year. Haven’t done that in a while, so it is taking some serious commitment on my impatient part to read through things like lists of names in Nehemiah, where the city of Jerusalem is being restored.

Then it happened. Not a big thing, but a great reminder for those of us who lead in worship.

See if you see what I saw?

Chapter 11, vs. 17: “Also Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zabdi, a descendant of Asaph, who led in thanksgiving and prayer. Also Bakbukiah, who was Mattaniah’s assistant, and Abda son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.”

And just a few verses later, in chapter 12, “The Levites who returned with them were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who with his associates was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving.” (vs. 8)

Do you see a difference? I did. And maybe it’s just me, but it really jumped out.

I’d rather people think of me as one who “led in thanksgiving and prayer” than one who was “in charge of the songs of thanksgiving.”

What do you think?

Semantics or totally different leadership pictures?

Time = __________

I had some minor shoulder surgery a few days ago. It was outpatient, so I was back to normal health pretty quickly except I couldn’t use my right (dominant) arm. Between that and the fact that I currently get to work only two part-time jobs, both of which I do mostly from home, I’ve been around the house a whole lot more than in the last week or two.

Our dog Cooper loves that. He doesn’t get left locked in the kitchen for 7 or 8 hours a day. In fact, he’s spent less than an hour locked in the kitchen for most of the last two weeks.

And you know what I’ve noticed?

The more time Cooper spends with me, the more obedient he is.

The more we communicate, the better he gets at giving me cues about going outside. It’s not just that. When I call, he comes. I’d say we’re up to 90% of the time now. A month ago? 50% at best.

When I ask him to do his tricks, he gets them right the first time. He’s even doing tricks easily that he used to struggle with. 

The lesson about walking with God may be too obvious to state, but I’ll risk it.

The more time I spend with my Master, the more obedient I am.

And usually--at this stage in my walk with Jesus--it is obedience of attitude more than actions. (To those who know me well... I did say USUALLY!)

Now, I have a LONG way to go in having “the same attitude of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 2:5) But the more time I spend wallowing in God’s word... the more time I spend participating in prayer... the more time I spend trying to think His thoughts... the more time I spend inviting His heart to invade my heart.. the more obedient I am.

Conversely, the less time I take to read from His word to me, or listen for His voice, or consider His ways, or allow myself to be touched by the things that undoubtedly touch Him... in those times I care less. I am less sold out to having a Jesus-attitude.

Bottom line? Time with my Master makes me more obedient.

Sorta like Cooper.

Discouraged?

This is a hard season in my life, and in the life of my family. The reasons don’t really matter much, but it is really, really hard. 

And yesterday I had one of the most discouraged days of my life. I kept to myself a lot (stupid, I know). I allowed my thoughts to wander as I pretended to watch college football. As those thoughts toyed with me, I tried to discern if I was depressed or tired. If I was just upset, or simply and appropriately grieving the loss of some things that meant a lot to me.

But after sleeping for a few hours I think I found the right word: I’m discouraged.

Maybe you are too.

Think about that word for a minute.

Discouraged.

Sometimes we consider that word innocuous. But it really can be devastating, can’t it? Even if you’ve not felt devastated by discouragement, I’ll bet you can think of someone who has.

It occurred to me... discouragement is when courage gets dissed.

I’m walking with a friend through a season in his ministry where I hear far more fear in his voice than courage. And that fear is debilitating. It perpetuates and elevates his struggles.

Fear and discouragement are often found in the same closet.

But then.

Oh, but then... someone opens the door and light spills in. The name of that light?

Encouragement.

You and I have the power to encourage. You can put courage in someone! 

There is amazing power in encouragement. It not only dispels (disses!) discouragement and fear, it emboldens faith. It casts out hopelessness.

Just in case you skipped over it, I want to say it again:

YOU can put courage in someone!

Today, you can do that. Maybe even right now. Pick up the phone. Walk across the room. Pull up your email. Tweet away. 

IN-courage someone today.

We have a pretty great example...

Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Matthew 14:27

By ______

How would you fill in that blank?

By God?

By his bootstraps?

By myself?

By faith?

That last one is just ringing in my soul today.

I found out yesterday that the job I really wanted is no longer a possibility. 

Still... by faith.

I had shoulder surgery 10 days ago and can't do much to get our house ready to sell.

Still... by faith.

I went to see a doctor with my 17-year old daughter about a lingering medical issue. (Nothing life-threatening!)

Still... by faith.

I had a conversation with the pastor of a church in another state today. I think I'd really like to serve there. But I'm not at all sure. Yet.

Still... by faith.

That's why the song is so timely, I think. Not one of those things can be "fixed" by effort. But every one of them can be, no--will be--settled by my Father in heaven.

Here's a link to the whole song (By Faith) and here's one to the passage that inspired it (Hebrews 11) but for now, I simply invite you to consider this final stanza:

By faith this mountain shall be moved 
And the power of the gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name

I'd planned to write about an hour ago, but my dog distracted me. His stood next to my chair, paws on the armrest, and stared me down. All 12 pounds of him.

Now really, could I ignore such a precious face?

Obviously I didn't. I put down my computer, called him up into my lap, and spent a few minutes just allowing him to be in my arms.

Now I'm not comparing myself to God, but I am sort of comparing Cooper to me. So hang with me for a minute...

He had been fed, had taken care of business outside, and had already spent some time with me this morning. His needs were met. I'd even given him a treat earlier.

But it wasn't enough. He wanted to be with me.

Not around.

Not below.

Not beside.

With.

And when he jumped into my lap, he was content to be in my presence.

And I loved it.

It makes me think. Do I pursue the presence of God as intently? Am I too busy to simply be with Him?

And as a worship leader it makes me think, too. Is it undeniably evident that the time we spend in worship is time spent with God in His chair? (actually called a throne of grace in Hebrews 4:16) Or are we too busy creating/communicating an agenda that people leave filled with information but empty of time with their Father?

I hope you'll choose to spend time with your Master today.

And if you're a worship designer or leader, I pray you take folks into the presence of God on Sunday.

"...You fill me with joy in your presence..." Psalm 16:11

'Tis Grace

The more grateful I am, the less troubled I am.

The more grateful I am for the indescribable gift of salvation, the less troubled I am about the very describable things I want. 

Even the things I need.

Right now I need a job. And I really do need one. We'll run out of enough money to pay our bills in a couple of weeks. (I'm not asking for any money; Promise!)

But the more I dwell on the astounding truth of what Jesus Christ has purchased for me, the less I am troubled about the things that I need to purchase.

That all may change in a few weeks. It really might.

But for now, I'm just deeply amazed by grace.

Again.

And again.

And again.


"Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home."