Worship Theology

Building for God’s Glory

July 13, 2011 By Russ Hutto 9 Comments

Republished with permission from Sam Hargreaves, Music and Worship Tutor at London School of Theology

The story is told of a traveller in the Middle Ages, who visited a city where many stonecutters were working. Approaching some of the men, he asked them all the same question: “What are you doing?”

The first stonecutter he met replied, “I’m cutting stone. I have to do it, my master told me so.”

A second stonecutter responded, “I’m the best stone cutter in the land. Look at the smoothness of this stone, the exactness of the measurements, how perfect the edges are.”

A third pointed to a foundation several yards away, and excitement and passion shone from his eyes, as he proclaimed, “I’m helping to build a cathedral for the glory of God!” [Read more...]

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

The Miracle of Worship

July 7, 2011 By Russ Hutto 10 Comments

Thanks to Patti Black for providing this encouragement for The Worship Community today.

Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Exod. 6:5

(Jesus said) “… a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship Him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.” John 4:23-24

Imagine a child who loves crayons and markers squealing with delight at opening the birthday present from his parents: an art set with an exquisite palette of paints, oil pastels and colored pencils. It is a perfectly astounding surprise, something for which he had never even dreamed of asking . . . [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Recent Articles, Worship Theology Tagged With: artist, creativity, god, miracle, worship

Invitation to TWC Event: “Refuge” – 3 Day Retreat

June 21, 2011 By Fred McKinnon 9 Comments

Dear Worshipers & Leaders,

We all know how vital prayer, rest, solitude, and fellowship are for our faith walk. Yet, our culture has created such an insane pace of life that we rarely take the time to:

Stop.
Rest.
Focus.
Worship.
Pray.

That’s what the “Refuge” 3-Day Sabbatical Retreat is all about. Hosted by [Read more...]

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

The Supreme Guitar Enthusiast Moment

June 20, 2011 By Russ Hutto 6 Comments

Thanks to Dr. Chris Brewer for sharing this series about the “Kairos Moment” with The Worship Community the impact of the Kairos Moment…and he’ll probably talk a lot about guitars too!

Last January, I was slowly walking down one of the many aisles of vintage instruments trying to absorb as much as I could of the 2010 Orlando International Guitar & Music Expo. Not really watching where I was going, I nearly bumped into a young man in his early twenties carrying what I would best describe as a filthy looking, beat up brown box. It was roughly the shape of a guitar and held together by a couple of frayed yellow bungee cords. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Recent Articles, Worship Theology Tagged With: 59 burst, cali girl, guitar collecting, kairos, les paul

Holy Days: Ash Wednesday And Lent

February 23, 2011 By Mandy Thompson 12 Comments

Part of Holy Days – A series of articles dedicated to our Christian/Hebraic holidays and observances.

Hi. My name is Mandy. And I’m a 30-something guitar-playing worship leader & creative church staffer at a contemporary church and I love the ebb and flow of the Christian Calendar year.

Now, everybody say “Hi Mandy.”

Glad we got that out of the way. And what better time to confess my affection for the Christian Calendar than with my favorite holy day right around the corner. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Holy Days, Recent Articles, Worship Leadership, Worship Planning

Why I Became More Charismatic When I Became Reformed

February 16, 2011 By Kyle Campos 21 Comments

I was raised in the Vineyard church, my dad was a worship leader in the Santa Barbara Vineyard and then later planted a Vineyard as the lead pastor in Lompoc CA. I was groomed in worship by some very talented musicians and worship leaders inside the Vineyard. I observed how these guys led worship, how they structured their songs, how they played their instrument…I was a sponge.

As I began to lead worship in my young teen years I went for it with everything I had. But at that point all I really had was a catalog of experiences, frustrations and longings, some painful, some joyful, some hopeful, some confused. As I’d lead there would be tears, shouts of joy, the full spectrum of “Charismatic” expression. I was a passionate kid that loved Jesus, wanted to know him and wanted to experience all I could. In fact one of my favorite songs to sing at the time was “I Want to Know You” by Brian Doerksen. Unfortunately, that “want” didn’t transition from fanciful longing to devoted journey until I turned 24. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Recent Articles, Worship Theology Tagged With: charismatic, reformed, theology, worship

Easily Provoked: Confessions of an Artist

January 19, 2011 By mtommey 5 Comments

No matter how talented an artist I am, or how much God chooses to use me creatively in the Kingdom, at the end of the day it boils down to one thing. Am I walking in Love? Recently in my own journey I have found the Father calling me to a deeper walk of Love. He’s been challenging me to make love my reflex, not just an afterthought. It is easy to talk about love but when it comes down to it, I have to be honest – it’s something the Father has to work in me. It is not my natural reaction. If you’re an artist I would venture to say you probably deal with this same challenge.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Recent Articles, Worship Theology

Aaron Keyes Interview Part 2: “Are We Really Worshiping?”

January 18, 2011 By Shannon Lewis 5 Comments

In preparation for the international re-release of Aaron Keyes‘ last CD, NOT GUILTY ANYMORE, Kingsway Records had contacted TWC to request an interview. Knowing that I’d occasionally led worship at Aaron’s church, Fred McKinnon – founder of TWC – suggested that I take this on. Aaron came into town to lead worship for SuperWow over on Jekyll Island, which is practically next door, so I snagged the opportunity, and what an interview it was! You can see Part 1 Here. Sadly, a number of technical delays led to the loss of some alternate footage, but I have the continuation of the interview right here as we discussed issues that concern us regarding the current state of “worship” and ask the question, “Are we really worshiping?” In Summary, Aaron says, “We’ve got to do more than lead songs – we’ve got to lead people.”

AARON KEYES INTERVIEW PART 2

Filed Under: Featured Story, Worship Arts, Worship Leadership, Worship Theology, Worship Videos Tagged With: aaron keyes, interview, shannon lewis, teaching, TWC, worship leading

When God Says “Wait”

January 17, 2011 By Ryan Egan 11 Comments

I’ve been waiting and working for something for a long time. I mean, a really long time. Ten years now. Door after door opens half way. Then it opens just a tiny bit more. Then it shuts. It shuts leaving me wondering, “How in the world did that happen? Why am I locked out and why isn’t anyone answering?”

I’ve begun to wonder if perhaps this particular thing that I’m waiting for just plain isn’t meant to happen, if I’m chasing after wind or possibly deceiving myself into thinking that it should happen when I’m just not up-to-par for it.

Then I hear a still small voice say, “Wait.”

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Story, Recent Articles, Worship Theology Tagged With: be still, waiting, worship

Leading Without Love

January 12, 2011 By Jan Owen 6 Comments

My apologies to Eugene Peterson for tweaking his beautiful translation of 1 Corinthians 13 (from The Message) , but I thought all of us worship leaders could benefit from thinking about what our true calling is in light of this passage of scripture. Last night when I led worship, I realized that my truest calling is not to sing, play, create, lead, have a vision, or write songs. While God may call and gift me to do all these things, when we get down to the basics, my truest calling is to proclaim the truth, hope, love and salvation of Jesus Christ while I love God and love others. Using all of my gifts, without love, is just a clanging cymbal…… [Read more...]

Filed Under: Recent Articles, Worship Leadership, Worship Theology Tagged With: 1 corinthians 13, leading, love, worship leading