Merge Worship

I've been in youth camp the last few days here in NC. This is the camp that I grew up going to. This is where my heritage is. I first felt called into ministry in the back of this chapel and surrendered my musical gifts to the Lord on this altar. I've had the chance to worship with old and new friends and it's been a great opportunity for me to come back and minister to kids around the same age I was when all those things happened for me.

We've had some marathon worship times this week and our speaker has only hit the stage twice. It's been a great time of sensitivity to the Spirit and seeing kids interact with God. Last night was a pretty intense. As we began to worship a simple song came forward that I felt the Lord was directing at one of the brothers at the camp. I called him up and began to sing three simple words. "He is faithful." One of the pastors here got up and spoke about God's ability to seal and keep us. After worshiping for a few more moments we felt the Lord was calling us to give an invitation for people to receive prayer. It was a powerful time of seeing God impact people's lives and speak words into their lives.

I prayed for several kids last night and the Holy Spirit revealed specific words for most of them. We talk a lot in our church about Spiritual Gifts and it is always great to see them in true operation. We had tongues and interpretation, words of knowledge, wisdom and prophecy. I'll be honest and say that I'm always amazed when God decides to speak directly to a person's situation and destiny. He has a way of cutting through to the heart of the matter. The fact that He loves us and died for us is amazing enough on its own. The truth that He remains invested, interested and involved in our daily grind and the over-arching destiny of our lives is almost mind blowing for me.

After having prayed for several kids I walked back to my cabin tired, humbled and fulfilled. Sometimes when God decides to use you in a meeting in a specific way pride is lurking at the door. I could feel myself feeling good about what had happened. That was when it was time to remember that I am completely unworthy. My usefulness to God is only there because my righteousness is not in myself. Whenever I feel a little pride creep in because of something God is doing in my life, I remember the words of Paul. He said:

Today I'm posting a document that I sent out to our team worship leaders a few months back. I have a personal process that I walk through about every 6 months and thought I'd share it with them. Here's basically a cut and paste of the email I sent out. I'd love to hear how you review what God is doing in your life.

I just wanted to walk you all through the process I go through on a regular basis with myself. Thinking through these questions should help us all learn more about where God has us and has us doing.

1. Reevaluate

• Review what God has done in your area of ministry.
• Where have you seen positive progress?
• Where would you like to see more improvement?
• How can I help you in this process?
• Review songs for retirement
• Is there a song, or songs, that you over use?
• (One of mine has been "Meet With Me". I love that song a little too much for other people's good. I have to “retire” songs to prevent myself from that.)
• Retiring a song forces us as worship leaders to be more proactive in finding new or lesser-used songs to keep our worship expressions fresh.
• Review your team
• Where are your strengths and weaknesses as a team?
• What positions could be filled on your team?
• Where can we build a sense of family on our teams?
• Review yourself
• What has God taught you this last year?
• What do you feel like God is speaking to you about your team?
• Am I where He wants me to be?

• Recommit yourself to what God has called you to do and whom He’s called you to
• lead.
• Decide to stay creative instead of complacent.
• Fight the urge to stick with the status quo.

• Once you reevaluate and re-up, reverence the holy calling that you have to
• lead others into God’s presence.
• Take time to be thankful to God for the opportunities He’s afforded you.

• Respect those God has placed in authority and given voice to in and over your area of ministry. (i.e. Pastors, fellow Worship Leaders, Elders)

I was talking with a friend who was just starting their worship team and they were asking what advice I would give to them for their new team. I think my number one advice, after prayer and getting a basic understanding of worship, would be to "be where you are".

I've been privileged to be a part of many worship teams and can honestly say that most worship teams can sound good right where they are even with minimal skill level. Where most teams get into trouble is by trying to be something they aren't or trying to play something way ahead of their capabilities.

When directing a band musically I try and rate the team in my head on a scale of 1-10 and then choose/create musical arrangements that will suit where we are. If I'm in a long term situation, i.e. my local church, then I start with songs right in the meat of our abilities or a touch behind. Then I gradually introduce more musical/difficult arrangements and pretty soon we're a level above where we are.

Here's a scale that I used in explaining this concept to this particular friend.

A band who is a 5 in skill should be playing songs in the 1-6 range.
A band who is a 7 in skill should be playing songs in the 5-8 range.
A band who is a 10 can play whatever they want.

Where the trouble usually starts is when the worship leader hears a song that is an 8 on the musical arrangement scale and brings it to the team who is just starting out in a 3-5 range. To me, it plays out this way:

If Band A is a 5 and play a 7 they sound like a 3.
If Band A is a 5 and play a 3 they sound like a 7.
If Band A is a 5 and play a 5 they sound like a 5.

Every worship team can look a little better when they are able to be where they are. Part of what we do as worship leaders is help nurture the musical gifts of those on our team and there is great service to them in choosing arrangements that help them shine. Don't let frustration creep in, but rather work diligently to help your team be the best they can be while gently pushing them further in excellence.

I am getting the opportunity to speak to our kids, over the next two weeks, about worship and prayer. While not an exhaustive list, I thought I'd post here what I'll be teaching on. If your kids are a part of our church, don't let them miss it!

Here's a little taste of what our parents will receive and what I'll be using as a template to teach the kids.

This weekend we discussed the following with your child: (We are including some corresponding Scriptures to help deepen your discussion with them. Please feel free to use some of your personal favorites as well.)

Why Do We Worship God?
o It invites His presence. (Psalm 22:3)
o God deserves it. (1 Chronicles 16:25-33)
o We desire Him. (Psalm 63:1-4)
o It stops the enemy. (2 Chronicles 20:22)

How Do We Worship God?
o Singing (Psalm 9:11)
o Lifting of Hands (The Act of Praise: Psalm 141:2; The Entering of Agreement: Genesis 14:22-24)
o Shouting (1 Samuel 4:5)
o Making Music (Ephesians 5:19)
o Bowing (Psalm 138:2)
o Dancing (Psalm 150:4)
o Repenting (1 Kings 8:48 & 49)

Where Do We Worship God?
o Everywhere (Psalm 150)

What are some of your favorite worship scriptures that didn't make my list?