Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast & Blog

Prayer Time Techniques

I’ve had the privilege of spending some extended time with Jesus the past two days and it’s been so refreshing. I’m excited to do this more often in 2009. Here’s some things I do that may enhance your own time with God:

  • Worship – sometimes I play worship music, but most of the time I don’t. I love to open up the Psalms and pray them to the Lord. I’ll pause after each verse and just worship Jesus through His Word. So powerful. They key here is to do it out loud, which keeps you from falling asleep!
  • Pray in the Spirit – this may not be a part of your religious tradition, but for me it is essential. Praying in tongues over an extended period of time really lifts your spirit and focuses your heart. I feel the presence of God most strongly when I am praying in the Spirit.
  • Prayer Focuses – it is essential to enter a season of prayer with specific focuses on your heart. Don’t just leave it to chance. Lift up your requests to God and spend time listening to the Holy Spirit. Pray in faith!
  • Meditate on Scripture – after pacing and praying in tongues for a while, it is easy to get tired. I’ll then sit down and just read and meditate on Scripture. It’s important that you view this as dialogue with the Holy Spirit. Think about the text. Pray the text. Ask questions about the text. Listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying.
  • Songwriting – this may not apply to everyone, but I love expressing worship through songwriting. I love sitting down with my Bible open and writing songs from Scripture. The best songs are Scripture songs. Period.
  • Reading devotional/theological books – sometimes I don’t even get to this. It’s vital that a person has their own time with God and not just hearing from another writer. However, certain types of books can help expand your view of God and fuel your  heart for deeper intimacy. Don’t read books until you’ve meditated on Scripture and talked with God yourself.

Are there any techniques you practice?

Top Ten Albums of 2008

Some of these albums came out in 2008, and others I bought in 2008 and loved. These are in no particular order.

Angels & Airwaves – “I Empire”

Derek Webb & Sandra McCracken – “Ampersand EP”

Fleet Foxes – “Fleet Foxes”

Future of Forestry – “Advent Christmas EP”

Hammock – “Maybe They Will Sing For Us Tomorrow”

Ian Mcintosh – “Awakened”

Johnny Parks Band – “Break the Silence”

Mogwai – “The Hawk is Howling”

The Myriad – “With Arrows, With Poise”

Sigur Ros – “Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust”

What were your favorite albums?

Picking out a setlist to the glory of God

Ever get totally burned out on picking music for your services? Sick of doing the same songs over and over? Do you constantly feel the pressure to impress your pastor, congregation, and band with your song choices? Most people probably don’t know this, but picking out a setlist can be a lot of work.

Our minds are filled with questions such as, “Will this one be the next congregational hit? Will people raise their hands at the bridge? Do the keys flow together? Am I doing at least one hymn? Am I doing at least one CCLI top 25?” Too often we pick songs mindlessly, without meditating on the truth they embody.

I propose a few questions:

  • What if you transformed the way you picked out your setlist?
  • What if you began to see the formation of your set with spiritual eyes?
  • What if you allowed yourself to be changed by each lyric during the week?
  • What if you meditated on the Scriptures that certain songs were written from?
  • What if you prayed while you typed out chord charts – that God would use each song for His glory?

Try it this week. Yes, you have lots of administrative, logistical items to take care of. But do them in a spirit of prayer.

Allow your heart to be mastered by your setlist before you seek to master the arrangements.

Eoghan Heaslip – "Wonderful Story"

surcd5096Most of you reading this have probably never heard of Eoghan Heaslip. The first question you are probably asking is, “How the heck do you pronounce that name?” It is pronounced “Owen” and I would love to introduce you to his music. I have followed Eoghan’s music for a number of years – from the independent “Deeper Still” to the live “Powescourt” album with David Ruis to the Integrity released “Mercy” and “Grace in the Wilderness”. There are a number of things I appreciate about his music: It’s saturated in scripture, contains unique phrasing, is very passionate, and his delivery is contagious.

Eoghan’s new album “Wonderful Story” is his first studio album in a number of years and contains the production wizardry of Nathan Nockels, most well-known for his production of the “Passion” worship albums. Nathan is the master of acoustic pop production in Christian music; some may even say he overproduces. I happen to love how well thought out it is – every instrument is tight and layered beautifully for a compelling ‘radio friendly’ sound.

Eoghan’s songs are really strong here. I’m finding myself challenged as I listen. There really is not a bad song here, which in my opinion makes a great album. I love the lyrical simplicity of the opening rocker, “This is Our Story”, which states succinctly, “This is our story…Jesus died for you, for me“. Most noteworthy is the deeply personal “What You’ve Called Me To”. Try and listen to this without crying – “This is going to take the whole of my life. This is going to take my every breath. But I know it’s true. There’s nothing to fear in what You’ve called me to.” This song really connects my heart with what I want to say to Jesus. I also can’t get enough of “The King Has Come”. Strong theological expressions of Christ’s reign with melodic phrasing that is really fresh. I can’t get enough.

Eoghan is currently the worship director for New Wine UK, and worship leader at St. Paul’s Ealing, London. This is worship music born from the battlefield.

For more info, check out his website. Head over to iTunes to purchase. It’s worth it.

Practical Pointers for Vocalists

FYI, just because I’m posting some tips for different instruments doesn’t make me a pro at everything. I’ve immersed myself in enough music and learned from some great people over my short life to know a thing or two.

As for vocalists in a worship setting, take these to heart:

  • If you are a background singer, please sing like a background singer. Accent key phrases with harmony or simply serve to strengthen the choruses. You shouldn’t be singing all the time.
  • If you are leading a song, engage the audience not only with your vocals but with your stage presence. Find the best way for you to relax and lead with confidence. This is key. If you are nervous you WILL make everyone else nervous. Not good.
  • Work on your vocals like a pianist practices his scales. Your voice is a muscle and it needs to be worked to sound the best.
  • Be sure to warm up before you sing every time! The shower is the greatest place. Your family may hate you for it, though!
  • Don’t hype it up. Allow your passion for Jesus and the lyrics of the song to dictate your expression. Don’t just be hyped up because you are on a stage. This can be annoying to a congregation. People are inspired by genuine passion.
  • Don’t be visually depressed. I always say worship teams are called to “go before the people” and prepare the way for encounter with God. We don’t manufacture God’s presence, but we discipline ourselves to worship first, drawing in those who are weighed down by the pressures of life.

Any others?