Archives for April 2014

Apr 17 2014

#36: Brian Doerksen on Emotionally Healthy Worship Music [Podcast]

If I could pick the top 2 or 3 songwriters and worship leaders who have influenced me the most, Brian Doerksen would be on that list.

Brian was writing honest, powerful, congregational worship songs before it was cool.

In the interview we talk about Brian’s massive body of work, mentoring young worship leaders, creativity over the long haul, and singing emotionally healthy worship music.

Also, if you’d like to help Brian and Shiyr Poets finish funding their debut album, head on over HERE.

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Apr 15 2014

How To Be More Present In The Worship Services You Lead

Worship Leaders, isn’t it easy to simply “dial it in” and get services done?

I mean, the more you lead worship the more you just know how to lead worship. Profound, right?

It’s not quite on the mindless level of riding a bike or brushing your teeth, but it’s easy to simply go through the motions and “check out” of what God is doing in the moment.

Both beginners and experienced worship leaders are prone to this.

You may be lacking “presence” if:

You sing worship songs, but don’t “lead”
Every service is the same
You’re more aware of the music than what God is doing
Most people watch you, instead of engaging

But do you know what’s interesting and exciting about corporate worship?

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Apr 11 2014

Why Your Songs Aren’t Finished (And What You Can Do About It)

You know what the biggest problem with songwriters is? Simply put, their songs don’t get done.

Whatever the reason, notebooks remain filled with ideas, dreams never see reality, and the thoughts about “one day” recording a song continue.

While we’re talking about excuses, let’s add some more:

I don’t have the proper equipment to record a demo
My voice isn’t strong enough
My song sucks
I just don’t have the time
I don’t have enough money.
I’m clueless as to how this business works

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Apr 09 2014

#35: A Blueprint For Better Worship Team Rehearsals [Podcast]

If you’ve been a musician for any length of time you’ve been a part of rehearsals that you wish you could leave.

Maybe the leader wasn’t prepared and there was no plan.

Maybe the band was simply terrible and it was impossible to get any chemistry going.

Maybe it just seemed to go on and on with no end in sight.

The goal of rehearsal isn’t just to get stuff done. It’s to form musicians into Jesus following, church loving, kingdom minded disciples (Tweet that?)

When you adopt this mindset, you begin to invest in people and not just your task list. You have more longevity with your team members. You have more fun. God blesses your efforts because it’s in line with what He already loves.

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Apr 07 2014

The Powerful Role Of Music In The Pursuit Of God

I have to be honest – I feel that music gets a bad rap when it comes to “Christian” circles.

We like to talk about how worship is not about music. That pursuing Jesus isn’t about the songs you sing. It’s inward, right?

But what about all the mentions of music throughout Scripture?

Psalm 150 commands us to “praise Him” with the sound of loud instruments.

Remember how King David organized thousands of full time musicians to stand before the Lord day and night?

Not only did he organize musicians – he created instruments for the purpose of praise (I Chronicles 23:5).

I think God has a thing for music. And in this post I want to explore why that is.

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