Confronting… Anything

Once again, I’ve found myself on the receiving end of disapproval after caring, pastoral leadership was given.  This is a reality of leadership, whether someone on the MOToR team needs a tune-up from Phil or on the worship team needs a tune-up from me (get it? tune-up/tune-up?), our responsibility as leaders is to meet people exactly where they are with love and care for their benefit.  We don’t shrink back from conversations that need to be had, but we go forth in love and grace.

This article, “Confronting Weakness” got me thinking, “are we allowed to confront… anything” with all the refusal of acceptance that tends to result.  Ultimately, it affirmed my convictions to not hide necessary instruction or even correction from those I love and serve with, but to speak the truth in love.  I’d like you all to take a moment to read through the article and then take a few moments in private reflection about how you might feel when “confronted” to grow, then finally, go to prayer before The Lord and ask Him to help you be(come) who you want to be in Him.

You may comment below or reserve your commentary, as this is a very private issue… one where we may need to feel the weight more than remark.  Either way.  You are loved and appreciated, all of you.

Piano Project

We’ve seen this going on and for the sake of hiding our cabling alone, it seems to be a worthwhile pursuit.  There aren’t many how-to’s out there, or even start to finish process albums, so I’d like to perhaps continually craft this post to chronicle the entire thing… well, I don’t think we have the original picture of the whole piano, but you’ll get a good enough idea.

For now, let’s use this to make decisions as we compare photoshopped images… measure twice, cut once, right?

 

Which size do you prefer?  Original or half (6″ off the top)?

Collective Worship

Okay, another great article for you, with things to consider about our corporate worship ‘experience’ and what it could/should look like.  I’m mulling this over even now, not fully sure how it all plays into what we give so much of our time to accomplish in service to The King and His people we have to steward in worship, but it is an interesting question… What makes corporate worship different from personal devotional worship?  And THIS is the question I’ve been sitting with for months, so excited to read an article published about this topic.  I’m sure there’s much more to explore, but I would welcome your thoughtful and prayerful comments in the comments section.  (Thank you for commenting on these, by the way.  You do a great job.)

I remember often our time (with my wife and Susan and J. Waldie) at The Rock church for a worship conference with Paul Baloche… how he said his routine is to come up to the platform (practically late, which I don’t love), but engage in such a laid-back, home-y (not homie) way with the congregation, tuning his guitar, just strumming whatever while he intentionally prepares a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for his church to worship God together.  He said he’ll recognize people among the body in attendance who have celebrated a birthday or anniversary or some ministry accomplishment, and allow for the people to commune together and celebrate God together with more than song, as he ramps up to the music part of their gathering.  This conference had to be a year ago or more, if I remember correctly.  And it’s all still fresh and regularly on my mind.  No small wonder, as that is my primary area of ministry responsibility and I love it.

There are many who love to get up and move around and greet each other, there are people who hate it, feel alienated by it and won’t return because of it.

There are those who don’t feel like they’ve been at church unless they’ve sung a hymn, and those who wouldn’t know a hymn if Charles Wesley came and gave a class.

I’m not stirring up contention, and this isn’t a sortie in the worship wars, merely a reflection of corporate worship, since someone else brought it up in worship leader-dom.  Consider us worshiping God together, when we gather, because we don’t forsake the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some… and contrast the ideal version of that with the ideal version of your private, daily worship time (which I’m sure you all have #DisciplingMoment) and comment what comes to you.  You may use Scripture, even the ones he quotes in the article.  #WhatDoesTheWordSay

How to Position Yourself to Lead

Another good article, this one by Dan Leverence, about “hiring” worship leaders.  While not everyone is called to this ministry – particularly as the main leader – it is still helpful for all of us to know what people are looking for, and watching out for when considering you for opportunities to serve in leadership roles.  Our Level 5 faithbuilder last night was talking about the “opportunity” to be used, when God speaks to you.  Just because He says it and wants it doesn’t mean it will absolutely happen… we have to align our faith and our activity to His Words in order for His will to be accomplished.  Comment below for any discussion points.

Leading Generations in Worship

Found a great article about leading (youth) in worship.  The principles (mostly) apply to any generation.  Click here to read the article, which is definitely worth any worship leader’s time.

NEW ALBUM: God Will Reign – TRW (The Rock Worship)

This is a great new release from The Rock Worship in Anaheim, CA.  We love Pastor David Dirmann, his heart, his faith and his leadership of those great teams.  You can purchase this digital album and immediately enjoy the music by downloading it from Amazon.com here.

For those who have the CD and no great cover art downloading from iTunes, feel free to use the one below  800 x 800 pixels from TRWLive.com.

(Feel free to use the comments section to tell us your favorite track(s) while you download the graphic.)

 

9 Lessons about Worship – Worship Leader Magazine Link

Kevin West, a worship leader in this part of the land, shares 9 Lessons about Worship that will help us get and express the most possible out of every worship moment.

NERDS ONLY: Science and Math of Sound…

You may skip this post, but it is interesting to see some of the music theory that naturally affects our hearing.

Are You Missing Something?

This video sweeps the frequencies heard by the human ear.  It is recommended you turn your volume to about 30%, start in the middle (the test tone) and then when you reset your volume to a comfortable listening level, begin at the beginning and track which frequencies you can and can’t hear.

VOCALS: How to Sing on Stage