Attitudes of a Worshipper by Tim Hughes

Recently, I've been thinking again about the importance of our heart attitudes. When involved in leading worship it can be so easy to lose focus and concentrate on the less important things. There can be a temptation to get so carried away with trying to create the best sounds and songs that we forget about our own attitudes and motives. Although it's essential that we give our best shot to being as musical and creative as we can, we must never forget the simple meaning of worship. When thinking about the attitudes of a worshipper, King David provides an excellent example. I have been challenged by the way he lived his life and want to briefly look at a few of his characteristics.

Firstly David had a heart after God. He actively pursued and hungered after God. One thing we often see David doing is 'enquiring of the Lord'. A great example of this was when David and his men returned to their base in Ziklag to discover it burnt to a crisp with their children and wives kidnapped. In the midst of such panic and grief, rather than letting his emotions get the better of him, David goes off to enquire of the Lord. (1 Samuel 30:1-8)

David concerned himself with doing the Lord's will and not necessarily his own. It's so important for any worship leader to be constantly seeking God's will. It can be easy to get complacent and work out the set formulas to get a good response in worship, but by doing this we'll miss out on so much of what God is doing. Rather let's be asking God to show us what He is doing and follow that. Therefore when leading worship it's vital to be seeking God's direction in terms of song selection, where He's taking it and what He's wanting to show us. If we don't 'enquire of the Lord' we'll miss it.

David embraced the hidden place where he would hang out with God. It was in this place that he learnt so much about God, worship and living a life for Him. I know for me personally that it has been on my own with God, worshipping Him and pouring out my heart that I have fallen deeper into love with Him and been changed. Let's embrace the hidden place.

Another characteristic we see in David was that he knew what it was to serve and to be humble. After having been anointed King by Samuel rather than letting it go to his head, he headed straight back to look after his beloved sheep! Now I don't know about you but if I had been told that I was going to be the next King of my country, I wouldn't return to my day job. However David knew what it meant to serve. He knew that before God it was just as important to serve his sheep as it was to lead his country.

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that we are all called to serve and not to be served. I heard the story of a well-known worship leader who when he was starting out was very eager to be involved in leading lots of worship events. However his main role at his church was initially to clean up after services and keep the place tidy. At first he resented doing this, but found that it was in this place that he met with God in a deep way and learned the importance of the heart of worship. As worship leaders we're called first to serve God, and then to serve the people we're leading in worship. If we know what it means to serve then humility will naturally follow.

Another thing we see in David is that he led by example. David lived a life of worship and consequently encouraged others to do likewise. One classic example was when David took on the mighty Goliath. Now in this situation David didn't confront Goliath because he was in a bad mood and was up for a fight. Rather David got his handy sling ready because he couldn't face seeing this giant mocking his God.

Another time in David's life, as he was bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, David was seen to be dancing with all his might in just an ephod - which apparently didn't cover much!! When his wife Michal looked on, she was embarrassed and ashamed, and consequently didn't hold back on letting David know how she felt. However, to this David replied; "I will become even more undignified than this and I will be humiliated in my own eyes." (2 Samuel 6:22) Here we see David worshipping God, going for it with all he had. It wasn't just his words that showed how much he loved God; it was his whole lifestyle that displayed his devotion.

One thing I love about David was that he was his own man. When he was about to square up to Goliath, the present king, Saul, told him to try on his best armour. However David was drowned in the kings fighting gear, and instead opted for a sling and five stones. Not much really when it comes to state of the art fighting equipment. The issue though was that David wasn't going to pretend to be anything he wasn't - he was going to be his own man. Graham Kendrick once said, "If asked to sum up the art of leading worship in one simple sentence, I think I would say, be a worshipper, be a servant, and be yourself." It's so important that we allow God to use us the way he intended to, rather than something that's not true to us. Unfortunately I will never have the guitar skills of Eric Clapton or the voice of Bono, but that doesn't matter as God chooses to use me the way I am.

Finally in David we see someone who respected those in leadership over him. Even though he was cruelly treated and pursued by Saul, the king at the time, David refused to harm him. David maintained a respect for the one he described as "the Lord's anointed." (1 Samuel 24:16) We must always honour and respect those in leadership over us, even when that is tough.

Sadly today people are painfully aware that no one is perfect. Again and again we have seen celebrities and church leaders fall from grace. Nothing seems to really shock anymore. This is why I believe it is so important to constantly be checking the attitudes of our hearts. When we get to Heaven, God will care little about how many albums someone sold, how many great harmonies we sang, how many inspired electric guitar solos we belted out. But He will care a lot about the attitudes of our hearts.

Article originated from Heart of Worship.com

Worship with Your Guitar by Lincoln Brewster

Worship advice from one of today's best instrumentalists.

I'm amazed by the transformation of my heart since I started playing guitar in a worship setting. In the old days, my heart's focus was, "When do I get to do a solo?" or "When are we going to play some songs that rock?" God is gradually and gently molding my heart into one that seeks the best way to contribute to the global picture of any situation. Let's remember that music is only a tool and NOT the goal. God is the goal. Our desire is to make sure He is glorified, seeking ways to make our instruments compliment and add to the atmosphere of worship.

Here are some tips I think will help you better serve any worship setting in which you find yourself.

1. Have a clear understanding of your role.

Why are you there? If I don't understand my role, there's a good chance I will play things, or use sounds that are inappropriate.

For example, my church doesn't have the same band line-up every week, so my role can change week-to-week (acoustic only, acoustic and electric, electric only, electric with another electric player). The greatest challenge for me is being the only guitar player, which means I play electric for most of the service. Without an acoustic guitar player, I have to fill that role to some degree—not because it is my heart's desire to strum my electric like an acoustic, but because it is my heart's desire to do what is best for any given situation. I accomplish this is by playing more strum-oriented parts, as I would on an acoustic; however, this requires that I clean up my sound a good bit. I have a patch stored for this very purpose to use in this setting. Also, guitar choice is key. I prefer to play my Fender Stratocaster in this setting, because it has much more detail and can be strummed with good results, while a Les Paul or a guitar with "humbucking" pick-ups is more difficult to produce a "strummy" sound.

However, if I just decide to use the sound I like best, with whatever guitar I want to use, I'm not only being selfish, but I can distract the very people I am there to serve. I must remember that it is NOT about me or what is right for me. It is about what is right for the setting. Above all else, we are there to serve.

2. Come prepared.

Guitar... CHECK! Tuner... CHECK! Strap... CHECK! Cables... UHHH, CHECK? Strings... UMMM, I'll be right back.

It's typically not the big stuff, but the small stuff that becomes the time, or momentum killers before a service. In most worship settings, time is of the essence so it is very important to be fully prepared. Change your strings at home if you can, even tune at home. Be organized and consistent. Make sure you have everything you need, including cables and extra cables (they do go bad from time to time), extra strings, picks, capo, pedals, batteries, power supplies, and tools to make your contribution smoother if anything goes wrong with your instrument or gear. If a cable is too long, either coil it up and wire tie it or get a shorter cable. Label each piece, so setup is a breeze. If possible, mount all your gear to a pedal board so you only have to plug in power and a couple of guitar cords.

I have a Line 6 POD XT with the short FLOORBOARD (http://www.line6.com/) that I use on the road. I carry them in a Pelican 1550 case (http://www.pelican.com/). I also carry many of the above items in the same case so everything is in one location, easily accessible and well protected for any type of travel. Ask yourself, "If any piece of gear in my setup completely failed, would it put me out of commission for the service?" If so, have a backup for that piece of gear. A backup guitar of some sort is essential for me. Due to baggage limitations on the road, we often borrow one from the host church. This is only a last resort so it doesn't have to equal what you normally use.

I also bring a spare POD. I can use the POD without the FLOORBOARD, but my tone is a non-negotiable! What items do you need backups for? One last note on preparation: know the songs! Many people are typically one step behind. For example, we LEARN songs at REHEARSAL, we REHEARSE songs at SOUND CHECK, and we SOUND CHECK during SERVICE. This isn't the way to do it! If we show up knowing the songs, there is no need to learn them at rehearsal. We can actually rehearse at rehearsal! Then at sound check we can, you guessed it, SOUND CHECK. We're then free to focus on why we're there by the time the service starts.

3. Play with passion!

Preparation and understanding your role release you to play with passion! I love the feeling of showing up, knowing why I am there, and knowing that I have all of the tools I need. This gives me an incredible sense of expectancy of how God will meet us.

I remember playing our 9:15 am service one Sunday, and things were a little rushed that morning. Time ran short and we barely had time to pray before getting started. As soon as we hit the downbeat, I could tell something was missing, and even though all of the parts were right, it still just lacked passion. After the service our worship team talked about what it means to play and sing with passion. The next service reflected the difference between night and day. It was awesome! Our drummer later came up to me said, "What a difference. I mean...it was the same songs, the same tempos, the same chords, but what a difference." I replied, "It's not the notes we play, it's how we play the notes we play."

This is how the practical disciplines free us to embrace the spiritual. The distractions of ambiguity and lack of preparation disappear, and our hearts for the one true and living God are reflected through our fingers as inspiring sounds of worship and praise! Hallelujah!

This article originally appeared in Worship Magazine.

Backing Vocals in Worship by Jessie Clake

Jessie Clarke was born and raised in England, but moved to the Central coast of California when she was 19. Jessie started singing at the age of 16 in her home church, and went on to sing with Matt Redman & Graham Ord in her late teens.

I’ve been a backing vocalist in worship teams and other scenarios for 9 years now. That’s such a long time it’s scary. I have been a wannabe singer for as long as I can remember - prancing around my world with my hairbrush, spoon, or toothbrush, singing mostly out of tune to whatever was playing on the radio.

As children, my sister and I would lie in bed making up songs - trying to fool the other that it was a genuine song we’d heard on the radio - and my sister would freak out because she’d be singing away and I would interrupt her by singing another song – louder. These days it’s my boyfriend who gets frustrated with me because I start singing in the middle of his sentences – that’s pretty rude isn’t it? I’m working on that.

Anyway, the truth is that God designed me with this passion – when I sing, I feel God’s pleasure. It turns out that God did have a plan to use my warbling larynx, and all these years later I look back and love God all the more for the opportunities He has given me.

For some time it was hard for me to believe that God was not just humouring my love for singing. The realization that He had planted this desire in me for a reason, brought me so much joy and freedom, and of course made me want to sing all the more.

Grateful for this gift from God, I’ve been on a path with God investing in me and teaching me about worship, and also stripping me of some of the twisted stuff that gets in the way. I still sing backing vocals, and I am leading worship a bit too. I think a key to being a good backing singer, is to understand that your voice is an instrument, and your voice is a gift. You have the opportunity and potential to be a gift, and bring a gift.

* First and foremost, your worship is an offering to the Lord. I have to constantly ensure that this is my central motivation, because God deserves nothing less. It’s so easy to shift one way or another. But when our hearts are in the right place, there is less pressure and so much more joy. God is glorified.

* As a backing singer your role is also a vital support to the worship leader.

* Also important, you are an example for the congregation to follow.

If I were to pass on any of the lessons that I have had to learn, either through my own mistakes or through the grace of learning from other’s mistakes (!) I would suggest the following:

Listen a lot!
Listen to the band and everything that’s going on. Listen for and be open to, anything that God might be saying/doing.

Lay down your own agenda and defer
Be sensitive towards the worship leader - follow their lead – and go with them in the flow of what God is doing. Make sure however, that you don’t ‘over take’ them or battle with them either musically or thematically. This is crucial if you are doing spontaneous stuff. Also, be sensitive to the other members of your team and what they are doing. It’s easy to clash. Remember there is a time for singing out and there is a time for shutting up.

Ask lots of questions
Find out where you stand with the leader in terms of improvisation, ‘ad-libbing’, and prophetic contributions - what do they want and need from you?

Protect your relationships within the worship team
Be an encourager. Don’t underestimate the power of unity and relationships that honor God. If you are singing with other vocalists, take the time to pray together. This has made a serious difference for me at times.

Remember that your voice is an instrument
Don’t play down your role. Take the time to work out harmonies and parts. Good vocals are crucial. It’s what people are listening to, and what they are following.

Be creative with your harmonies
Try not to get stuck in a rut. However, do be aware that ‘more creative’ doesn’t always equal ‘better’. Remember to think of the overall sound, not just your individual voice – you are not singing solo - you are a team player. Being sensitive to this will set you apart as a backing singer.

Know that backing vocals is a different skill to lead vocals
Just because you can do one, doesn’t mean you can automatically do the other (knowing how to do one well can help you learn to do the other well). Recognize the difference. It may sound basic, but many backing singers think that just because they have a great voice - perfect pitch, passion, tone - that they will be a great backing singer. Not so. Bad BV’s can be distracting, out of place, over crowding and just plain attention seeking.

Backing Vocals in a worship team is different to backing vocals in a ‘normal’ band
You are not a token girl (or guy). You are not performing. You are an example. So be a good example of worship, on and off the platform. Demonstrate worship - engage. When the leader says lets dance, or lets sing out a song to the Lord, it’s your job to do this! Bite the bullet.

Protect your instrument
Look after your voice. But be sensible, don’t become a psycho–ricola sucking, dairy-hating, ‘must always have a room-humidifier’ fanatic who has lost all sense of perspective. It’s good to get a balance! But do get to know your voice, understand what helps you and what doesn’t - and if it hurts – STOP.

Final Word...
Don’t get so lost in worship that you miss what is going on around you, cues etc, but at the same time don’t get so hung up on the music that you miss what you’re actually trying to do - worship.
Be real up there, but professional, and I have to say it…dress modestly.

Remember, they are not all watching you as much as you think. Try opening your eyes occasionally and you’ll see that they’re NOT all looking at you!

Don’t take yourself too seriously; enjoy yourself, enjoy God, feel His pleasure over His people, watch what He is doing with the people - it’s like Heaven on Earth.

Article orignated from IntegrityMusic.com

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

When peace, like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll.
What ever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Chorus:
It is well (It is well)
With my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Tho Satan should buffet, tho trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul!

My sin - O the bless of this glorious thought-
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more:
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul!

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll.
The trump shall resound And the Lord shall descend,
"Even so"- it is well with my soul.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

by Horatio Spafford
The author of this hymn was a layman, a lawyer and professor of medical jurisprudence from Chicago who maintained a close friendship with D.L. Moody and other Christian leaders. During the 1871 Chicago Fire, Spafford lost all of his real estate holdings. The year before his son had died. In order to assist Moody in a Great Britain campaign, Spafford planned to travel there with his wife and four daughters. Due to business commitments, he was unable to travel with his family, but planned to join them within a few days. On November 22, 1873 two ships collided; Mrs. Spafford was rescued, but their four daughters were lost. While Horatio Spafford sailed to join his grieving wife, it is believed that he penned the words to this hymn, including the words, "When sorrows like sea billows roll...." In the face of overwhelming tragedies, he was able to declare, "It is well with my soul."

Foundation for Simplicity

Simplify Your Life.

Sola Scriptura
(scripture alone)

Sola Gratia
(grace alone)

Sola Fide

(faith alone)

For Who You Are

Another song for our Holy, Righteous, Faithful Saviour, Healer, Redeemer and Friend



Standing here in Your presence
thinking of the good things You have done
waiting here patiently
just to hear Your still small voice again

Holy, righteous, faithful to the end,
Saviour, healer, redeemer, and friend

Chorus
I will worship You for who You are
I will worship You for who You are
I will worship You for who You are
Jesus (repeat)

Bridge:
My soul secure, Your promise sure
Your love endures always

Enemies of A Growing Church

DVD Training Session on Ministry Appreciation Lunch

Enemies of A Growing Church

1. Lack of Faith
2. Lack of Knowledge
3. Failure to Realise - God is no respector of persons
4. Growth is Always the Goal of A New Testament Church
5. An Unsure Pastor
6. Failure to Build on Small Victories
7. Failure to Preach the Announcement
8. Lack of Corporate Fasting and Prayer
9. Getting Started
10. Motive

Dead Leader Running

1. Know What Fills and Drains Your Tank
2. Understand Balance of Life
3. Lead Out of Rest
4. Find A Lighting Rod
5. Be Disciplined in Your Daily Devotions