Starting with this chapter, the book changes gears. It goes from self evaluation to job description and brings up some very interesting discussion questions. Read the quote from D.A. Carson at the bottom of page 53 before reading any further.
Wow! What a concept. Fact of the matter is that if you ask many people the question "What isworship?" don't be surprised if you get answers like, "when we sing music at church." Singing is a form of worship, but not the only form. After a conversation with a friend of mine, I have tried to emphasize that on Sunday mornings. Typically I will say something to the effect of "...as we continue our worship through reading, listening, and giving." Not sure if many or anyone catches that but I do not want people to have narrow minded views of worship. Worship is lifting our praises to God through song, but it is also worship to read his word and listen to what he has for each of us. It is worship to give our money and our time.
What is your thought on eliminating the term "worship leader" because of its descriptive inaccuracy? Any thoughts or ideas.....
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Chapter 5 - My Life: What Do I Model
For me, the most profound moment of this chapter was in the section about conduct.
"God wants our conduct to be an example to others. If the way we live doesn't back up what what we proclaim on Sunday morning, we're not only deceiving the church-we're misrepresenting the God we claim to be worshiping." (p 45)
OUCH! Many times I have screwed this up on a Sunday afternoon. We can't live the life of a worship leader for just a few short hours on Sunday, I am convinced it has to be a lifestyle. And, at the objection of some, probably more than the average christian. You see, the word "leader" in our title subconsciously denotes a level of expected behavior from others. Right, wrong, or otherwise, it does. We just need to keep that in the forefront of our minds as we live out our daily lives.
Comments, thoughts....
"God wants our conduct to be an example to others. If the way we live doesn't back up what what we proclaim on Sunday morning, we're not only deceiving the church-we're misrepresenting the God we claim to be worshiping." (p 45)
OUCH! Many times I have screwed this up on a Sunday afternoon. We can't live the life of a worship leader for just a few short hours on Sunday, I am convinced it has to be a lifestyle. And, at the objection of some, probably more than the average christian. You see, the word "leader" in our title subconsciously denotes a level of expected behavior from others. Right, wrong, or otherwise, it does. We just need to keep that in the forefront of our minds as we live out our daily lives.
Comments, thoughts....
Chapter 4- My Hands: What Do I Practice?
Ah....the practice word. You have heard me say many times that satan uses bad music. Anytime he can take the focus of the Lord, Satan will do so. Anything to disturb focus.
Bob really hammers home the idea of the importance of practice in this chapter. He points out that skill is a gift from God himself but points out that we must take time to develop that skill. Once the skill is developed, how it is used in worship is still important.
Basically, a willing heart with out rehearsal is not enough and vice versa. God wants us to take our skill, practice it, and , whole-heartedly, without any expect for gain or praise use it to glorify His name.
Yes, practice can be boring and tedious, but our Father is worth this tiny little sacrifice that we sometimes look on as annoying.
We hear great music everyday when we turn on the TV or listen to it in the radio. Most of the time, those people we are hearing have spent their lives focused on practicing to make great music. Hours upon hours PRACTICING.
We brag to our family and friends about a "Great Night of Praise and Worship" or the "Awesome" Easter program we do. Things don't become "Great" or "Awesome" without the required practice. Nor do they become that way because of practice. It becomes that way when the practice and commitment to serve Jesus intersect in just the right place. When that happens, God can work a magic that only He is capable of.
Bob really hammers home the idea of the importance of practice in this chapter. He points out that skill is a gift from God himself but points out that we must take time to develop that skill. Once the skill is developed, how it is used in worship is still important.
Basically, a willing heart with out rehearsal is not enough and vice versa. God wants us to take our skill, practice it, and , whole-heartedly, without any expect for gain or praise use it to glorify His name.
Yes, practice can be boring and tedious, but our Father is worth this tiny little sacrifice that we sometimes look on as annoying.
We hear great music everyday when we turn on the TV or listen to it in the radio. Most of the time, those people we are hearing have spent their lives focused on practicing to make great music. Hours upon hours PRACTICING.
We brag to our family and friends about a "Great Night of Praise and Worship" or the "Awesome" Easter program we do. Things don't become "Great" or "Awesome" without the required practice. Nor do they become that way because of practice. It becomes that way when the practice and commitment to serve Jesus intersect in just the right place. When that happens, God can work a magic that only He is capable of.
Chapter 3- My Mind: What Do I Believe?
Bob has done a really good job in speaking to the regular, everyday worship leader here. Through his work with others in music ministry, he comes up with some common misconceptions. The first was the one that hit me the hardest.
Misconception 1-Studying the Word should not be so hard.
In our microwave society, we have gotten ourselves in a position of "I want it and I want it 5 minutes ago." The fact that God may take time to reveal Himself to us in a time frame other than our own is absolutely foreign!
I feel like my life is very busy and, at times, complicated. God knows how busy I am, therefore, his revelations to me should be quick and concise. I get frustrated when they are not.
I think this way of thinking is a direct result of putting things before God. Instead of letting our time with The Almighty dictate where our other time lies, we just fit God in where ever we can. As Sherman says, we "throw God a bone" and expect him to do miraculous things in our lives.
Talk about messed up theology.....Thoughts....
Derek
Misconception 1-Studying the Word should not be so hard.
In our microwave society, we have gotten ourselves in a position of "I want it and I want it 5 minutes ago." The fact that God may take time to reveal Himself to us in a time frame other than our own is absolutely foreign!
I feel like my life is very busy and, at times, complicated. God knows how busy I am, therefore, his revelations to me should be quick and concise. I get frustrated when they are not.
I think this way of thinking is a direct result of putting things before God. Instead of letting our time with The Almighty dictate where our other time lies, we just fit God in where ever we can. As Sherman says, we "throw God a bone" and expect him to do miraculous things in our lives.
Talk about messed up theology.....Thoughts....
Derek
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