Band is scheduled?
Check.
Songlist is selected?
Check.
Tech team in place?
Check.
Service programming sheet filled out?
Check.
Rehearsal done?
Check.
Archives for February 2011
15 Things You Can’t Say From the Stage
1. Are you going to worship or not?
2. Are you excited to worship? Might want to let your face know about it!
3.During that last song I farted like 4 times. That’s what I call a strong anointing.
4.I am personally going to pay for all of you to attend Clapping Workshop 101.
5. I don’t feel like worshiping today.
6. Once while I was throwing up all over my wife, God gave me this revelation…
7. I just feel like we’re supposed to worship for the entire service today. Pastor, please be seated.
8. So this song that I wrote last night is incredible. Wow. Chris Tomlin, who? I am such a great songwriter. Let me teach it to you.
9. Can we just lift up a crap of plaise this morning?
10. Our righteousness is like filthy rags. Sort of like the tambourine player over there.
11. Wow. That guitar solo was lacking in the skill department now, wasn’t it?
12. That worship was awful. Please just watch me closer this next song.
13. If you worship a little harder maybe you’ll lose a few pounds!
14. Just soak in the presence for a few minutes. I gotta run to the bathroom.
15. All I’m sayin’ is that it’ll be tough for Pastor to follow a worship set like that. We were unreal!
That’s all I’ve got. What else can’t say from the stage?
Songwriter, Get to Work
Donald Miller wrote a super helpful post on doing creative work.
Click here if you can’t see the video.
His point is essential for songwriters:
A creator does not build on emotion!
Don’t wait for sappy feelings, perfect circumstances, and ideal surroundings to do your work. Get up and get to work. The best songwriters are those who have learned to develop a discipline and a strong work ethic.
Though you may not feel the sappy emotion, envision all the recipients of your hard work when the song is finished! This gives us hope as songwriters because, if we’re honest, we don’t “feel” it all the time. That frees me up to write and generate ideas when my mind and body feel like poop. Just do it.
Question: what songwriting disciplines have you tried? Share them in the comment section below.
U2, Halftime Shows, and Leading Your Congregation Beyond Songs
[This post is part of a series on Your Guide to Selecting and Leading Songs for Worship. Check out the rest here.]
Ever seen U2 in concert? I cannot say that I have yet, but what I’ve heard from friends and seen via youtube is nothing short of magical. Thousands upon thousands of people are not merely singing songs together – they are fully immersed in the experience. I’ve heard it said that it’s akin to a worship service. People sing loud, lift their hands, cry, and gush over their favorite rockstar superheroes.
Does this video resemble a worship service to you? (And if you were depressed by this years halftime show, be revived by this one).
10 Essential Instrumental Albums For Creative Inspiration
Some of my favorite music in the world is instrumental. I think it’s because I love music and atmosphere and deep feeling and prayer and communing with God. Music with lyrics leads you in a certain direction. It tells you what it’s about.
Instrumental music allows you to have your own experience with it. It helps me break a creative slump, relax, pray, work, and stay focused.
These are some of my favorites. Enjoy.
[table id=2 /]
What are some of your favorite instrumental albums?