Last weekend we opened our service with this video.
125 people were baptized that weekend.
God moved among us.
The same God who made us.
There is ONE!
A few months ago I wrote a piece called “Forgiving Hitler, Child Molesters and Every Mean Person Ever“. The post is still stirring up some great conversation and debate. All the hoopla is leading me to reflect on how I forgive others.
This is how it usually goes down:
1) Someone hurts me, I become upset
2) I rework my perspective to Christ and what He has done for me … (Sometimes)
3) In time, I forgive … (Usually – only if #2 happens)
I find myself challenged to go deeper.
Do you ever feel like you could use a little help as a worship leader?
I know you do. Thats why you’ve been reading my “Dear Worship Leader” series.
I wanted to let you know there is more help out there from individuals who are much wiser than I.
Here are 4 blogs by worship leading types turned bloggers that I have found helpful/challenging/encouraging over the last few months.
Before I get into this post I want to answer two questions:
Q: Is Atlantic breaking up?
A: No, absolutely not. In fact, we have a tour booked for May and another one in August. We will being doing fewer dates every year, but still doing them nonetheless.
Q: Are you still speaking at events?
A: Yes. I would love to come speak at your event!
Almost two months ago my wife and I moved to Rapid City, South Dakota, to join a movement.
Prior to moving, we were living in Grand Rapids, Michigan in a small apartment on the West side of the city. My wife had an awesome job working in one of the top salons in the city. I was staying busy leading worship and speaking at different churches, camps, retreats, and youth groups. I was also really enjoying the extra time I had to pour into writing.
We had friends who loved us. A community to do life with. Family only a car ride away. It seemed like the perfect set up.
The thing was, we knew God wasn’t calling us to stay.
One morning I woke up to an email from a pastor in Rapid City who was leading a church that was experiencing unprecedented growth.
In the last 4 years the church had gone from a regular attendance of 140 to a regular attendance of 1600.
In the last two years they have seen almost 1000 people surrender their lives to Jesus.
In the last year they had the privilege of baptizing 260 people.
The crazy thing is that Rapid City has a population of less than 70,000 people. This church was infectiously reaching this city.
The Pastor told me they were looking for a Creative Arts Pastor who had a “love for hurting and disconnected people” as most of their church was either “unchurched” or “dechurched” folks. More than the numbers, this resonated with my wife and I.
After a visit, 3 months of praying (and some tears) we sincerely felt called to be a part of this incredible movement of God that was happening in Rapid City. A month and a half later we were moving into a small two-bedroom house on the North Side of Rapid with no idea what we were getting ourselves into.
Last week I wrote a post about dealing with the those who are critical of your worship leading (read it here). This week we flip the coin and talk about how to deal with compliments.
It’s awkward, right? Your heart is so focussed on exalting God and there are those people who consistently want to tell you what a great job you’ve been doing.
So what should your response be?
One year ago today I married the girl of my dreams.
These were then, and are still now, my vows to her…
If you have been a worship leader for any amount of time, you have probably already figured out that people have opinions about you and what you do.
Continue Reading…
Just eleven days before Christmas, the world experienced a terrible tragedy in the sleepy town of Newtown, Connecticut. It is in the midst of these kinds of senseless and heart breaking events that we all see, as if through a magnifying lens, how broken our world has become.
Our computer screens fill up with thoughts and opinions on what may prevent such acts. Many, in the name of Christ, suggest that prayer is the answer; more prayer would stop tragedies like this one.
I desperately wish I could agree…but I can’t.
Here’s why.
Every Wednesday, well almost every Wednesday, I write a post to worship leaders called “Dear Worship Leader”. Here are the posts so far. I hope these are helpful to you.
Please ask questions, leave comments and share your experiences in the comments section of each post.
