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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What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- How to let the seasons of creativity do their work
- “The notes you don’t play are more important than the notes you do” – John Wimber
- Behind the scenes of Brian’s production work on Winds of Worship 12 & Hungry
- Asking the question: “What does your expression of worship sound like when you give up imitating others?”
- How to disciple young worship leaders who feel inadequate
- How to notice the call of worship leadership on someone
- The story behind Brian’s favorite project
- Brian’s take on the current state of the “worship movement”
- On singing laments and singing the difficult parts of Scripture
Resources Mentioned in this Post
- Music: The Shiyr Poets (Brian’s band)
- Music: Town to Town by Phil Keaggy
- Music: Winds of Worship 12 by Vineyard UK
- Music: Hungry by Vineyard UK
- Music: Today by Brian Doerksen
- DVD: Today by Brian Doerksen
- Website: Brenton Brown
- Website: Kathryn Scott
- Book: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazerro
- Book: The Case for the Psalms by N.T. Wright
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Question: What are your thoughts on singing laments in corporate worship and confronting the difficult parts of Scripture? Do you choose songs like this on a regular basis? Let’s talk in the comments.
[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]
Very powerful interview with Brian Doerksen. If we are artists commissioned to paint a portrait of the living God through our worship, then we need to include the aspect of our utter desperateness before God and incorporate that texture of lament in our songs — “Not Be Moved”; “Rescue”; “Take Me In”; “You Are Holy” resonate with our congregation. There’s an appropriate somber atmosphere when we sing these songs, and I’m curious to see what other songs worship leaders use in their churches.
Great songs, Alice. Cool to see you approaching those “somber,” more difficult aspects of faith in song. I’d also be interested to hear what other worship leaders do. Thanks!
not sure how to listen to this….
Did you figure it out, Kerri? There’s a media player towards the top of the post.
Thanks for this podcast! It is so encouraging. I wrote a song that is kinda different and was thinking to pretty it up, so to speak, will not now. Will just worship and sing through it to fill in all the tune and leave room for the notes not to be played.