Intro - Mr. Shannon Lewis from Brunswick, GA

[SaintLewis]

34 years old, happily married (to the BEAUTIFUL Cyle Augusta), dad (to Daniel 'Kenimer' Augustus & the forth-coming Samuel Tucker Lewis), originally from Georgetown, Ohio (see Brian Grant, Ulysses S. Grant, et etc.), sidetracked in Athens, GA for many years, but having found the promised land of Brunswick, GA, and now calling it my home.

An Atheist from the age of 7, God got His grip on me around 1991 - my freshman year in college - and I've been following Jesus since.

I've been playing music in bands since I was 15, having released one cassette with Masada, and 3 cd's so far as Set on Edge, and am currently recording a cd of original worship material with my wife as Saint Lewis (http://www.myspace.com/saintlewis). I am currently the 'Assistant Music Director' at St. Simons Community Church (http://www.sscommunitychurch.com/), though I also occasionally guest lead at other area churches, and various youth events as needed.

I am honored to be able to lead worship and train/develop others to do the same.

Good music takes my breath away.

I devour multiple books at a time.

I love nature and the outdoors.

My favorite color is the line that is formed where the dark green treetops touch the deep blue sky on a clear day in late spring.

I am convinced that God is big - no, huge - I'm talking outstandingly beyond our comprehension, and that, if He didn't let little hints of himself peek through the cracks in our reality, we'd be lost as to even speak of Him. My personal understanding Jesus is heavily informed by a steady dose of "puritian" and "reformed-charismatic" authors, and supplimented by "emergent/missional" folk, and "radical orthodoxy"/"neo-calvinism". That's just to say, I'm doing my best to figure out what Biblical Christianity is and then living that out with all the failures and trip-ups that are common to man. And Jesus - well - Jesus takes my breath away. Even when my faith is shaken, I return to the person of Jesus and cannot let go of him (or, rather, He won't let go of me). I'm still exploring the depths of the Spirit. The journey has just begun.

Did I mention God being big, glorious, awesome, kind, loving, and worthy of our worship? Yeah - that. He's awesome!

[Wojobass]

I spent 10 years in Jacksonville, Fl. and always loved to go to Brunswick. I haven't been there since '94 so I'm sure it has grown. Used to be a Sub base there. Anyway, good to have you with us. Wouldn't mind some titles of books to "devour" especially good ones on Worship. Peace.

[SaintLewis]

Per your request...

ON WORSHIP:

the Unquenchable Worshipper (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FUnquenchabl e-Worshipper-Coming-Heart-Worship%2Fdp%2F0830729135%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks% 26qid%3D1176817644%26sr%3D8-1&tag=worshcommu-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325") by Matt Redman
Passion...pure passion. This book is mandatory reading for anyone serving 'under me' on a worship team, and I've given out 25+ as gifts in the past 3 or so years. It primarily deals with the 'heart issues' of leading worship. I LOVE IT! His book "Facedown" is also very good.

the Complete Worship Leader (ttp://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FComplete-Worship-Leader-Kevin-Navarro%2Fdp%2F0801091160%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks% 26qid%3D1176817735%26sr%3D1-1&tag=worshcommu-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325") by Kevin J. Navarro
By far the most helpful book on leading worship I've personally come across, and I'd encourage any and all to read it. He's also recently published "The Complete Worship Service" which is on my 'to read' list, and which I suspect is also very helpful.

the Art of Worship (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FArt-Worship-Musicians-Leading-Modern%2Fdp%2F080106709X%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks%2 6qid%3D1176817804%26sr%3D1-1&tag=worshcommu-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325") by Greg Sheer
I am currently reading this and it is ESSENTIAL reading for all worship leaders/pastors...VERY practical, especially if you're in a church that is transitioning between styles or musicians. Incredibly helpful.

Created for Worship (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FCreated-Worship-Genesis-Revelation-You%2Fdp%2F1845500261%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks%26qi d%3D1176817857%26sr%3D1-1&tag=worshcommu-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325") by Noel Due
Though not nearly as engaging as the fore-mentioned titles, Due's book is thoroughly Biblical, covering the whole witness of the Scriptures, and is helpful in getting 'the Big Picture' of what worship is from God's view. This is a much easier read that David Peterson's "Engaging with God", also on the sam</font><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">e topic. I honestly think that anyone reading only the personal and practical material (the first 3) would be sorely lacking a full-orbed Biblical picture of worship if they did not balance those studies with either this book, or one like it - a Biblical Theology of worship.

IN OTHER READING...(some of my favorite books of all-time that have had the greatest impact on my life)

Desiring God - John Piper
Convergence - Sam Storms
Confessions of a ReforMission Rev - Mark Driscoll
Godric - Frederick Buechner
Travelling Mercies - Anne Lamott
A Long obedience in the Same Direction - Eugene Peterson
the New Testament and the People of God - N. T. Wright
Living the Cross Centered Life - C.J. Mahaney
A Circle of Quiet - Madeliene L'Engle
Jonathan Edwards: a biography - Iain Murray
What Jesus demands of the World - John Piper
Pleasures Evermore - Sam Storms
Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Lord of the Rings trilogy - J. R. R. Tolkein
Raising Children to Adore God - Patrick Kavanauh
The Pleasures of God - John Piper
One Thing - Sam Storms
Till We have Faces - C. S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia - C. S. Lewis
Lilith - George MacDonald
Systematic Theology - Wayne Grudem
The Foundations of dialogue in Science and Religion - Alister McGrath
End of the Spear - Steve Saint
J. I. Packer: a biography - Alister McGrath
Introducing Radical Orthodoxy - James K. A. Smith
Summer for the Gods - Edward Larson
Inside Out - Larry Crabb
A Celebration of Discipline - Richard Foster

[Sunray]

Yes our God sure is big and great and awesome. Not so much a theological question as curiousity.: I hadn't heard before the term "renewed charismatic" that you mentioned. What specifically does that refer to. I understand the term "Charismatic" to mean what many refer to as "Spirit-filled," "full-gospel" etc., believing in the present-day use of the gifts of the spirit mentioned in 1 Cor 12, such as speaking in tongues. This has been a part of my spiritual life for many years - not sure if it's "reformed" or not. Ray

[SaintLewis]

The term was "Reformed Charismatic" - it refers to a growing movement (there are at least 6 or more 'denominations'/church planting organizations/associations of churches currently) of 'Reformed' (a general term for various branches of 'Calvinist' leaning Christians) who are also active in practicing the Spiritual Gifts. This is unique in that, historically, 'Calvinists' were are cessationists (believed that the spiritual gifts died out with the apostles and were no longer active in this day and age). The main 'Reformed Charismatic' church movements these days are Sovereign Grace Ministries, headed by C.J. Mahaney & Joshua Harris, New Frontiers International, headed by Terry Virgo, and Grace Churches International, headed by Michael Fletcher - other smaller movements are the Assoc. of Charismatic Reformed Churches, Spirit & Truth Church Int., Grace Network, Household of Faith Community Churches, and there are some Reformed Charismatic Churches within the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), the Vineyard, and independant Community Church movement. Other important 'players' in the conversation are: Wayne Grudem, Sam Storms, J. Rodman Williams, Matt Chandler, Ian Stackhouse, Brent Detweiler, Michael Youssef, the late Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Zeb Bradford Long, Bob Kauflin, Mark Driscoll, Greg Haslam, Mark Altrogge, or even John Piper and D.A. Carson. The basic thrust is: strong Biblical teaching with a focus on the Gospel and God's sovereignty, accompanied by passionate God-centered worship and the functioning of the spiritual gifts strictly according to the Biblical guidelines. Both the Puritans, especially Jonathan Edwards, and the Vineyard movement (ie - 3rd Wave Charismatic theology) has been very influencial on the movement. It's really just a bunch of God-lovin' Christians trying their best to live out the Bible's teachings by the Spirit's power, as we all are. If you've any more questions about it, you can email me personally at
[email]saintlewis@bellsouth.net. I'd be happy to discuss it, as it's a passion of mine.
blessings to you, brother!

[Sunray]

Ah Ha! Now I understand. I was thinking you were referring to reforming the Charismatic movement, but actually are referring to the Charismatic movement in the Reformed denomination. pardon my ignorance. Isn't it wonderful how the Holy Spirit has moved to at least some degree through so many denominations like a breath of fresh air through the renewal. Ray

[SaintLewis]

Yeah - sorta. In fact, MOST of the Reformed Charismatic organizations have come about the other way around - starting as purely Charismatic/Pentacostal movements that saw a need to reform their practices to line up more thoroughly with God's revelation, which led some of those 'reforming' movements to come into line on some of their major doctrines with historic 'Reformed/Calvinistic/Augustinian' Christianity - but of course, I also believe that this was a result of true renewal, and the Spirit revealing God to them. Some of the organizations (only the Assoc. of Charismatic Reformed Churches and Grace Network, as far as I know), however, do come from Charismatic renewal coming upon already 'Reformed' churches.
Examples of the first would be Ian Stackhouse (author of "the Gospel Driven Church"), C.J. Mahaney (author of "Living the Cross-Centered Life") & Terry Virgo. Good examples of the later would be Sam Storms.
But yeah - really both moves would be represented in the movement: Charismatics being 'reformed' by the Word, and Word-centered christians being touch and move miraculously by the Spirit.

[Michael G]

Good to see you on here. I've already met you a little at worship music connect and your MySpace page. God bless you!

[lilywhitechild]

Hello Everyone... I decided to register here.. my friend showed me this site and recommended coming here as there is lots of tips/sharing/and advice. I am looking forward to fellowshipping with others here.

God has given me worship leading as my gift to further his kingdom and I lead often in our church for the past 5 years. I lead with keyboard and vocal... and drums and backup singers.. no guitars yet on our teams.. we are praying them in when God wants them to join in. Some young people are just learning guitar so they may be drawn soon we will see.

I have recently been able to freely move in the style of worship God has put in me as for many years I was not able to branch out due to cultural expectations. I am in a church where first nations is where God has called us to minister and in that the music is country orientated however I find myself totally different. I love worship like ie matt redman, chris tomlin, uk passion hillsong ...etc. There has been a few new worship leaders who are now regular and do that country style so it has freed me up to bring in the new and be who I am as it provides variety. I found that I lost the congregation when I branched into this and moved away from country. This was earlier though before the church came into more maturity.... and has changed since then....so thats a little history for me as a leader. I am 28 years old and still thankful God has given me such opportunities to really rely on him and what he wants me to do for him.

So right now tonight im just looking for some fresh worship, seeing where the flow is right now...I havent had the opportunity to listen to new albums out etc... Anyone have some songs that have really moved in their church recently and are in season .. any artist suggestions... My heart is in true passionate worship to our king...Thanks all:)
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