Spontaneity in Worship

I found this article from Bob Kauflin particularly insightful…

If planning is classical music, spontaneity is jazz. Both are important for serving the church faithfully with our gifts.

Pursuing spontaneity isn’t simply about breaking our routine or being creative. We want the Spirit to manifest his power through us in as many ways as possible so people’s hearts and lives can be affected. Spontaneity can be a means to that end.

Spirit-directed spontaneity

From passages like 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, we see that the early church exercised spontaneous spiritual gifts that were “manifestations of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Martin Lloyd-Jones encouraged preachers in such Spirit-directed spontaneity, and his comments can easily be applied to those who lead congregational worship:

Do you expect anything to happen to you when you get up to preach in the pulpit?… [S]eek His power, expect this power, yearn for this power; and when this power comes, yield to Him. Do not resist. Forget all about your sermon if necessary. Let Him loose you, let him manifest His power in you and through you. (As quoted by Tony Sargent in The Sacred Anointing, 57)

Freedom to Respond

Spontaneity give us the freedom to respond to present needs and promptings and can increase our awareness of the Spirit’s active presence. This could include an unplanned comment, a prayer, a Scripture reading, or a prophecy. Smaller churches may be able to do this more frequently, but even in a large church we can make room for unplanned moments. Whether your church is big or small, it’s important that contributions are evaluated by a pastor. Valuing spontaneity doesn’t negate the need for wise leadership.

Charles Spurgeon shared these wise thoughts about spontaneous impressions:

I have been the subject of such impressions myself, and have seen very singular results. But to live by impressions is oftentimes to live the life of a fool and even to fall into downright rebellion against the revealed Word of God. Not your impressions, but that which is in this Bible must always guide you.
(From Sermon #878, A Well Ordered Life)
However, “to live by impressions” is different from simply being receptive and responsive to them. If our feet are firmly planted in the sufficiency of God’s Word, we are then more prepared to benefit from listening for the voice of the Spirit as we lead.

Here are a few practices and principles that have helped me grow in spontaneity, both spoken and musical, over the years:

1. Don’t plan to do too much. Too many items on the agenda limits interaction with the Spirit and the congregation. If this happens, we can’t repeat songs or parts of songs for emphasis, and we certainly can’t expect anyone to have time to actually think about what we’re singing.
2. Practice musical spontaneity alone. Sing your prayers or Scripture, make up a new melody to familiar words, or make up new words to a familiar melody. Break out of your routine.
3. Practice spontaneity with your team.  That sounds like a paradox, but it’s helpful to work out with your band how and when to listen for your direction. Some musicians do this naturally, others don’t have a clue.

Spontaneity isn’t an end in itself. But it can open doors that will enable us to regularly experience a fresh awareness of the Spirit’s presence when we gather.

Measuring up?

 

Another great article from Brannon Dempsey. this would make a great short devotional for your next worship or creative team meeting!

“In some churches the quest for “excellence” is an idol…needs to be replaced with the quest to pursue the likeness of Christ crucified and him alone.” – Reggie Kidd

It’s a common struggle we all face at one point. Do I measure up? We live in a competitive world of work, school and even in our churches. In some way, we set a value on what others think. Based on this, we make decisions on how we proceed with our plans and choices.

Consequently, when our search becomes our entire focus for approval, we subject ourselves to live by a measuring stick. When we fail, our self-worth is determined to be of little value. When we win, we take pride in what others think and we feel better about ourselves. Sad but true, we do live in a world that operates by the phrase: perception is reality. But is what we perceive really Biblical? What does God say in His word that determines our worth and His glory?

Psalm 40.4 has refreshed my perspective. David recites a psalm of praise to God in saying:
Blessed is the one
who trusts in the LORD,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.

We have no need to look to the proud, which are those we seek for approval – even from ourselves. This too becomes an idol. So we ask the question, what is an idol? My little red Webster’s Dictionary says this: an image or representation of a god used as an object of worship. A person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered. We look to God for approval. Unto Christ we are blessed, not by man. Almighty God is to be the object of our worship.

When we turn aside from our idols, even the work we do in the church, we are able to take the emphasis off ourselves and place it on Christ. Here, we find our significance in Him, who loved us first and chose us in Christ before the foundations of the world (Eph.1). This true acceptance of grace, mercy and unconditional forgiveness is found in no other person or thing. This is what David meant when he said blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord and does not look to the proud. We have no need to measure up to anyone. We only need to be measured in Christ.

Reflection:
What difference would it make in your life to stop looking for approval? How can you ask God to help you look to Him in discovering your worth in Christ? Let our measure be of Christ that is limitless and boundless in whom we give the glory and in whom we have life.

Confessions of a Worship Leader…

I came across this article by Eric Walker that would be great to use with your team as a discussion. There are even discussion questions at the end! Enjoy!

 

You must worship no other gods, but only the Lord, for He is a God who is passionate about His relationship with you. Exodus 34:14 (NLV)

As I have sought to walk in obedience to God’s call on my life, I am often reminded that the role of a worship pastor is “to pastor a congregation in the area of worship.” God’s will extends beyond that of growing a worship ministry. He desires rather that a worship pastor build a ministry of worshipers.

A few years ago it occurred to me how easy it is to lose sight of all we are called to be and to do as worshipers of Christ and as worship leaders. I realized that it might be helpful to create a creed of sorts; a confession for worship leaders; something that would help us not to lose sight of who we are in Christ and all that God has called us to.

The following is an attempt to remind us all (myself included) of God’s will for worshipers and worship leaders. Following the reading are group discussion questions.

I am a Worshiper
…I deeply desire to grow and mature as a passionate worshiper and as a worship leader. I know that, like all of God’s children, I was created to worship and adore the living God.

My daily worship of God is a time of precious communion; priceless moments of adoration of my Lord Jesus Christ. As I pour out my heart before Him, like David of old, I long to speak the intimate language of worship and praise. In these moments I choose to rehearse God’s goodness and His matchless character; I thank Him for His mighty deeds and His loving-kindnesses toward me.

This is the foundation not only of my day, but also of my role as a worship leader. I know that the task of leading God’s people in worship a high and holy calling. Worshiping God in the secret place builds within my own heart authenticity and consistency; which in turn adds vitality and integrity to my efforts to lead God’s people publicly. I look forward each week to doing my part to usher God’s people before His Throne. It is an honor and a joy for me to be able to serve God in this way.

It is my passionate conviction that God receives, as far as it depends on me, all the praise and glory that He deserves. I realize that, in the heart of a worshiper, there is no room for ego or personal jealousy. I have learned that only in humility and servanthood can the calling of a worship leader truly be fulfilled. Even so, I must confess that at times I struggle. For in my weakness, I too can desire glory. Still, I know that God will not share His glory with another… and any talents I may have are only gifts borrowed from God.

I am also careful to walk in love toward my brothers and sisters in the Lord, for this too impacts my ability to worship. I admit that this is a challenge at times. But I have learned that bitterness and unforgiveness are the mortal enemies of true worship. Therefore I must avail myself to the cleansing blood of Christ. For as I daily confess my sins, His righteousness covers me. Only in this way may I truly walk as a vessel, purified and useful to my Master.

I hunger that other believers in Christ might fully realize that they, too, are called to be passionate worshipers. In light of all that God has done for us through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, how can we be passive? We must respond with joyful abandon to the goodness and love which God has for us. I know that the Father deeply desires (and Satan fears) that believers would learn to fully walk in their calling as worshipers.

This is my calling. This is my passion. I am a worshiper . . .
and I am a worship leader.

I Am a Worshipper – Discussion Questions
In your opinion, what ways does this reading challenge the experience of the average Christian?

What ideas or thoughts in these paragraphs are new or uncommon to many believers?

What barriers do you think stand between most Christians and a deeper worship life?

What do you see as two or three primary life motivations of this worship leader?

How does a passion for worship impact this person’s character? Their relationships? Their world view?

What role does humility/servanthood play in the life of a worshipper? Why is this true?

In what practical ways do you see a worshipping lifestyle drawing someone toward greater maturity in Christ?

How does a heart for worship contrast with the role “self” typically plays in our lives?

How is Satan impacted by our worship of God? Why might it matter to him whether we live a lifestyle of worship or not?

Is living a lifestyle of passionate worship really an option for New Testament believers? Why or why not?

Vocal Training #6 – Vocal Blending

This session I’ll be diving into to teaching what vocal blending is and how to blend well with others your singing with. I’ve added links below to my teaching notes as well as the worksheets if you’d like to teach this lesson to your team go for it!

Listen or download…

Vocal training #6 – Vocal blending.MP3

 

Here are the notes…

Vocal Blending – Teachers notes

Vocal Blending – Worksheet