Men have long sought spirituality in elaborate architecture, “priestly” attire, and religious tradition. We have erected sophisticated denominations over the centuries, each with their own signets of sacredness--some with great pomp and circumstance. Even in less formal circles, we often become enamored with buildings, attire, attendance, titles, and numbers. But do these outward displays truly manifest spirituality? Do they indicate the very presence of God?
Okay, so it’s no surprise that this millennial is not particularly enamored with the 1950s era church culture, but what may surprise some is that neither does contemporary culture fill the void in my heart as the pendulum swings. Quite the opposite.
ONE OF THE GREATEST JOYS OF LIVING IS THE JOY OF SINGING A GOOD SONG. While taste in music is undeniably subjective, some hymns are of notably superior quality. Perhaps the greatest test of the quality of a hymn is the test of time.
AS A PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER OR SINGER, IT IS UNDESIRABLE TO MISS WEEKS OF WORK DUE TO LOSS OF YOUR VOICE. Naturally, missing some time due to illness is understandable. However, poorly managing common colds and allergies can result in consecutive weeks of time where the voice is incapacitated.
WHILE WORSHIP LEADERSHIP REQUIRES BEING SEEN AND HEARD, THERE ARE SOME THINGS WORSHIP LEADERS MUST NOT DO. A leader must be self-aware, able to discern when his method is most and least effective. He must be intentional, giving careful thought to how he may best lead the church in each particular act of worship. Above all, he must be sensitive to anything in his attitude, appearance, or sound that would get in the way of worship.
THOUGH SOME HAVE PURSUED TO AN EXTREME THE MYSTIFYING ART OF "INVISIBLE" WORSHIP "LEADING," PERHAPS A BALANCED APPROACH IS MORE EFFECTIVE. The worship leader is a minister for a people and a purpose greater than himself; his role and responsibility is to lead the people of God into the presence of God.
NEW MUSIC IS NOW BECOMING AVAILABLE TO THE AVERAGE CHURCH AT AN UNPRECEDENTED PACE. Simultaneously, music literacy is declining. Church leaders are often ill-equipped to discern between the various sources of music that may be infiltrating the church. Worship leaders may have competing agendas regarding worship styles, new songs to introduce, and favorite arrangements. Composers … Continue reading What every church leader needs to know about hymns and hymnals in the digital era
