Archives for June 2016

Jun 30 2016

#126: A Behind The Scenes Look At The Worship Ministry Of Saddleback Church [Podcast]

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My role is to identify leaders who are very comfortable identifying other leaders and create space for them to access ministry.” – John Cassetto

I love conversations with worship pastors. Especially those who are more interested in raising others up over doing their own ministry. This is John Cassetto, Global Worship Pastor at Saddleback Church.

This interview covers a lot of ground. Consider it a field trip, a tour of how a successful worship ministry is run. From auditions, to vision, to songwriting, to discipleship, to potted succulents (yep), this interview has it all.

No one has it all figured out but one of the most effective things you can do is learn from those who are further down the road of ministry.

Enjoy!

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Jun 28 2016

A Challenge To The Frustrated Worship Leader

On a scale of 1 to 10, how frustrated are you?

I suppose that’s a sad way to open an article. I’m sorry.

But if I’m honest, not a week goes by where I don’t hear from a frustrated worship leader. That frustration centers around these issues.

Musicians who:

Show up late.
Have bad attitudes.
Don’t know the music.

I understand the struggle. You have a burning desire to see God move. You want to build a great team. You want to be unified and foster a unique, healthy, kingdom culture. But Daisey the Drama Queen is on your team and it doesn’t seem to be getting any easier.

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Jun 22 2016

Why Lyrics Might Not Be The Most Important Part Of Your Song

Who wants to write better songs?

I doubt anyone would answer “no” to such a question. If you’re a writer, you want to write better lyrics, better melodies, better songs – songs that connect, that minister, that set hearts on fire.

Much easier said than done, right? Great songwriting takes time and a tenacity to not finish until it’s, well…finished.

That’s why I want to pull back the curtain on my own writing a bit and share with you what I’m learning.

I love to study songwriting. Not just great books on songwriting, but listening to songwriters and studying how they write songs.

As a songwriter, I’m always wanting to develop and find new ways to craft lyric and melody. In the early days, I was all about the lyric.

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Jun 15 2016

Stop Trying To Be Great And Start Doing This

Greatness. It’s a term we hear over and over.

Becoming the best we can be. Reaching your potential. Living the dream.

Kobe Bryant. Absolute greatness. The Pittsburgh Penguins. Greatness.

I’m sure you can think of other people in the greatness category.

When we think of greatness we see the Stanley Cup. We see the accolades and awards. But greatness starts way before that. For you, it starts right now.

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Jun 08 2016

The Form Is Forming Us: What Are We Encountering In Corporate Worship?

I don’t think any of us would disagree that corporate worship is a place of encounter.

Sure, we gather for community. But we don’t just gather for community. Sure, we gather to hear God’s Word. But we don’t just gather to hear God’s Word. We gather because the Spirit has promised to come where His people are gathered.

Heaven and earth collide. In corporate worship we meet with the living, real presence of God.

But how do we know if we’re encountering the real thing?

Are we encountering the risen Jesus?
Are we encountering heightened emotion?
Are we encountering a peaceful atmosphere?
Are we encountering “great worship”?

I believe the answer lies in what we begin to crave Monday-Friday. Over time, the habit of worshiping in church every week should produce a new desire. We crave more that which we spend time doing.

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