Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast & Blog

Archives for April 2011

When Does Worship Become Just A Performance?

[This post is part of a series on Leading Your Team & Congregation Through Worship Tensions. Check out the rest here.]

How far is too far?

Does performance have a place in worship?

When does worship slowly become about performance?

When does it become more about the stage than about the cross?

When does it become more about a killer band than a risen Savior?

Are we in danger of “emptying the cross of its power?”

Is our worship an echo of the Apostle Paul’s concern in Corinthians that we speak wise words but have no demonstration of the Spirit’s power?

How can we know if we’re performing too much?

How can we know if we’re not performing enough?

[Read more…]

Why I’m Taking You Off the Worship Team Schedule

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You are so much more than a musician.

You’re not just a replaceable, dispensable instrumentalist.

You play a significant role in leading people to encounter God by your skill, your sensitivity, your humility, your stage presence, your worship.

That’s why we as worship leaders love when you’re prepared. You make it easier for people to meet with Jesus.

But I’m going to have to ask you to step down for a season. Trust me, it’s not an easy decision to make. We’re actually in need to your particular instrument. I like you. I believe God has a massive purpose for your life on this earth.

But there are some things that need to change.

[Read more…]

Is Worship More About Proper Theology or Personal Response?

[This post is part of a series on Leading Your Team & Congregation Through Worship Tensions. Check out the rest here.]

I’ve been to many churches throughout the years and have seen both sides of this.

At one church you have robust, theological songs and hymns, sung by people who look like they’re being tortured.

In other churches you have intimate love songs sung by people who are falling all over the place.

[Read more…]

Why You Should Consider Ditching iTunes for Rdio

Actually, maybe “ditching” is a strong word. I like iTunes.

I’m sorry iTunes. That was insensitive.

But Rdio is capturing my attention right now.

Rdio is a new social music service that centers upon unlimited internet music streaming. I have been loving it so far. In this brief video I walk you through some of the features. By the way, I didn’t realize it was pronounced (ar-dee-o) until after I shot the video. My sincere apologies.

[Read more…]

Leading Your Team & Congregation Through Worship Tensions

This new blog series is all about the differences we have when it comes to worship. Head and heart. Skill and passion. Unbeliever and Christian.

We all come from many church traditions. Everywhere we’ve been affects what we believe and where we are going. What you value may be different than what I value.

The question is, do you now what you value? Why do you do the specific things you do as a worship leader? In this series we’ll face these tensions head on and discuss practical ways to lead our teams and our congregations through them.

[Read more…]