Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast & Blog

Archives for January 2011

What Trumpets and Conductors Can Teach You About Leading Worship

Do you know that your style of worship leading could be hindering people from entering in? Could it be that, good intentions and all, you are a distraction to worship? Before you write me off, consider the possibility and allow me to explain.

When you prepare your worship services, the first thoughts on your mind are probably not trumpet solos and conducting. At least that hasn’t been the case for me. But they both have important lessons to teach us on how to engage a congregation in worship effectively.

This topic of engaging a congregation has really stole my attention the past few months. I’m not content to just perform well. I want people to truly experience God. And based on the fact that you read this blog, I assume that’s your desire too.

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How Awkward Are Your Worship Services?

This video is hilarious.

It’s always healthy to imagine what guests (unaccustomed to expressive worship) are experiencing when they come to our services. As leaders, we need to be “students of the room” – engaging our ‘front row fans’ while ministering to the back row spectators. Pastor Steven Furtick brilliantly describes this idea in his post: “The Danger of the Front Row” (worth the read).

Think about your unchurched guests for a minute.

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Do You Have What it Takes To Tour Full Time? [Video]

Brad & Rebekah are full-time traveling worship leaders. They write their own music, do their own booking, social media, graphics, & a host of other things. What I appreciate about these guys is that they work extremely hard at what they do. While their core value is to trust God and rely on Him to open doors for new opportunities, they are not passive about it. They go for it.

I wanted to record this interview for a couple reasons. First, I want you to get to know Brad & Rebekah. Buy their music. Lead their songs. Consider inviting them to lead worship at your church. You won’t regret it.

Also, maybe you would like to tour someday. Hopefully you can glean some insight into what it takes.

Here are the three poins Brad outlines to be a successful touring artist:

  1. REASON – the “why” behind the “what”
  2. WILLINGNESS – to serve wherever, no matter how small. Excellence in the little things.
  3. HARD WORK – develop an ‘up-to-date’ social media platform, contact hundreds of churches, write songs, network.

Question: If you tour, what are the key things that make you successful? If not, do you have any desire to tour someday?

How Do You “Keep it Real” on Sunday Morning?

I could be naive, but I imagine the word “worship” used to be a lot simpler. Worship today is a buzzword, an industry, a brand. While I’m thrilled that the worship of God is immensely popular and prominent, I wonder if we are losing the heart. Is it possible to go through the motions of worship services, program massive productions, build bigger churches, and God not be worshiped?

What comes to mind when you think about worship?

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