Worship Theology

REVIEW: Reuben Bidez – the Signs of God

January 26, 2012 By Shannon Lewis 5 Comments

Reuben Bidez The Signs of God
(Independent)

In all honesty, you may not be ready for this.

Following his big, anthemic, modern rock, corporate worship CD, GENERATION, Reuben – an Atlanta-based worship artist – felt a tug on his soul to do something quite a bit different with this project. Fans of Gungor, take note: though THE SIGNS OF GOD sounds nothing like Gungor, that same stretched feeling you got when first challenged by Gungor’s unorthodox take on worship resides here as well, for many reasons. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Music Reviews, Reviews, Songwriting, Worship Arts, Worship Theology Tagged With: Jesus in the Qur'an, Messianic Muslim, New Music, Reuben Bidez, review, the signs of god, worship

The Cross Matters: How To Lead Effective Worship In 2012

January 9, 2012 By Russ Hutto 2 Comments

Originally published at DavidSantistevan.com – republished with permission.

Worship leader, as you take your first few steps in 2012, there’s something you can’t forget.

Something as essential to your success as breathing is to your life.

The cross.

In the midst of technical upgrades, vocal improvements, increased innovation, and better songs, don’t forget about the reason and basis for your ministry.

Without the cross, you can’t draw near to God.

Without the cross, your worship gathering is pointless.

Without the cross, you have nothing.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Worship Theology

Holy Days: Hanukkah Sameach! (Happy Hanukkah!) Dec. 20-28, 2011

December 22, 2011 By matreames 2 Comments

Today we are continuing to celebrate Hanukkah. This year, Hanukkah lasts from December 20 until December 28th. Many people recognize this as the “Festival of Lights” But it is so much more than that. Hanukkah is less about light and oil than it is about dedication and faith.

You see, about 165 BC the Syrian King who ruled over Israel, King Antiochus IV appointed a Hellenistic High Priest over Israel. He prohibited the study of Torah, and he commanded the sacrifice of swine upon the holy altar. This was about as much desecration as the temple had ever seen. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Holy Days, Recent Articles, Worship Theology Tagged With: Hanukkah, holidays, Israel, Jewish

Challenge And Appreciation: Art, Creativity, and The Same Old, Same Old

December 5, 2011 By Russ Hutto 23 Comments

Throughout the history of the music of the Church there has been one consistent pattern. New waves of artistic, creative and beautiful musical revelations crashing onto the established shores of the normal, comfortable and expected forms of musical expressions of worship. The new comes bursting onto the scene, usually causing widespread head scratching and hand wringing.

The old is upset by the new, upended and disturbed by these brash, and unruly invaders. Then the new becomes normal and comfortable and before you know it the new is now the established. Then it happens again…and again…and again. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Recent Articles, Songwriting, Worship Arts, Worship Theology Tagged With: Challenge, expression, genre, paradigm, style, worship

Thoughts on Worship

November 18, 2011 By Russ Hutto 21 Comments

We talk a whole lot about “Worship” around here. In fact, our name is The WORSHIP Community. We’re an online community that is based on “Discussing All Things Worship.” In one sense, we’re a community devoted to discussing all things that have to do with the musical time of worship. In another sense, we’re a community dedicated to discussing all things worship service related. This might include things outside of the scope of a time of song and music.

So, what is worship? There have been many deep and philosophical posts on this topic throughout the years, some here and some elsewhere. The word worship (and its many interpretations) is at the heart of many discussions, debates, and disagreements. We’d all agree that the idea of “worship” in the context of how it is expressed in our corporate gatherings can be a pretty explosive topic. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Recent Articles, Worship Leadership, Worship Planning, Worship Theology

Leading Worship: What’s Your Preference?

October 18, 2011 By Russ Hutto 42 Comments

As a worship leader one of the tensions that we will consistently manage is the notion of preference.

I’ve noticed over the years that even my own preferences are shaped and changed by circumstances. I’ve never, ever been in a church where preference wasn’t present. Whether it’s talked about, or not, preference is something that is a part of every individual’s experience, and every community’s make-up.

People have certain individual preferences when it comes to the music that we use offer as worship. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Recent Articles, Worship Leadership, Worship Theology Tagged With: preferenece, worship

Holy Days: The Festival of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

October 12, 2011 By Russ Hutto 6 Comments

Thanks to Mat Reames for sharing this insight on Sukkot for our Holy Days Series - a series of articles dedicated to our Christian/Hebraic holidays, feasts, and observances.

This Wednesday (tonight) begins the Festival of Tabernacles. This is an 8 day time of hiding away. It is a festival wherein you draw away from the world and you draw into the Lord. Many Christians feel they do not need to celebrate the Jewish holidays because they are no longer under the Law. However, this is not about salvation, grace, or anything of that nature; it is about doing the things that please the Lord, and getting closer and more intimate with him.

The Future of Worship Music?

October 10, 2011 By Russ Hutto 19 Comments

Originally published on www.DavidSantistevan.com. Thanks to David for allowing TWC to republish this!

I’ve been having numerous conversations surrounding the future of worship music.

What will Sunday morning look like in 20-30 years?

Will it be completely electronic?

Will the electric guitar be obsolete?

Will it resemble a late night rave?

Will the current Sufjan Stevens obsession sweep across all the earth? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Recent Articles, Worship Leadership, Worship Theology Tagged With: future of worship music, music, style, worship wars

Holy Days: Rosh Hashanah

September 27, 2011 By Russ Hutto 3 Comments

Thanks to Mat Reames for sharing this rich insight into Rosh Hashanah for our Holy Days series – a series of articles dedicated to our Christian/Hebraic holidays, feasts, and observances.

Rosh Hashanah is coming up at the end of this month. But do many Christians have any idea what that means? Sadly no. That is why I am writing this article. I believe that there is much to be learned from studying Jewish culture, customs, and their calendar. Because they receive many of these times, seasons, and traditions from The Lord himself. If we begin to understand these customs, we will be able to understand our God a little better. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Holy Days, Recent Articles, Worship Theology Tagged With: atonement, feasts, holy days, rosh hashanah, tishri, trumpets, yom kippur

The Marriage Preparation

August 26, 2011 By Russ Hutto 2 Comments

Reposted with persmission from Billy Hutto who shared this at Covenant Connections Church.

If you are married you know first hand of all the detailed, carefully and deliberate arrangements that are required for a wedding. Planning usually starts months and months ahead of the wedding, and is not uncommon to start even years before the actual wedding. If you are the bride you know this to be especially true, as in our western culture and most others the wedding is centered around the bride, not the groom. Grooms, you too take part in this planning, however it is usually the bride who labors most and harbors and cherishes those times in her heart most. If you’ve never been married, most of us have been in a wedding, or know of people who have labored to prepare for the wedding day.

It is common in America these days for couples (and parents) to spend thousands of dollars, and sometimes tens of thousands, on that single day. Reserving the reception hall and church, picking the colors and theme of the wedding/reception, the dresses and tuxedos, the music, the vows, the minster, the flowers and decorations, the reception food and decor, the photography and videography, the cake, picking the small things out like napkins and dining ware, the invitations, the balloons, and the list just never ends. It takes months and months and for some years to choreograph all of these things into the perfect wedding.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Recent Articles, Worship Leadership, Worship Theology Tagged With: bride of christ, imagery, marriage, metaphor, revelation