Misquoting the Bible

Here is an interesting article that I found on misquoting the Bible.  My question to you is; how often do we as worship leaders embellish on the Bible with our songs/lyrics/prayers?  I think this is a conversation worth having. Here are a few streams of thought:
1. Artists can use imagery that can help us understand the Bible in a better way. We are not saying that these lyrics are from the Bible so we should not have to worry about what people will do with them.
2. Songs that are moving toward infamy can aid Christians in pulling their theology off of the Biblical texts and on to the song texts as "Biblical".  Ex. "Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me" - How many times have you heard this quoted and used to back emotional/spiritual arguments.
3. Should worship leaders/musicians be held to the same theological standards as the teaching pastors? Are they in some way less responsible for the theology of the congregation or are they also responsible for the doctrine and theology that they communicate, or fail to communicate?

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/05/thats-not-in-the-bible/comment-page-55/

Worship Cental: CREATE Conference @ RockHarbor

There is a great Worship conference coming up later this month called CREATE. It is put on by Worship Central and RockHarbor Church. I know that this conference will be great. I've been to a few Worship Central conferences and they always have a unique and intimate style that sets them apart from many of the other conferences that are offered.

This year there are sessions and worship services with artists John Mark McMillan, Evan Wickham, and Phil Wickham. There will also be seminars with some great, experienced worship artisans and pastors. Sign-up at: http://worshipcentral2011.eventbrite.com/

I highly recommend signing up for this conference! I hope to see you there.

- Luke

Here is a list of seminars that will be offered.

Educating The Imagination - Caleb Clements & Trever Hoehne

Do you ever feel stuck or uninspired?  Hear the journey of what it looked like for an analytical thinker to begin to to unlock the imagination.  This especially geared to songwriters and artists.

The Relationship of Worship Leader and Lead Pastor - Todd Proctor & Alan Frow

Many worship leaders and lead pastors have a tension in how they relate.  Too often they work against each other, rather than as a team.  Hear from two former worship pastors that are now both lead pastors as they share their thoughts and learnings.

Mixing live worship - Paul Dexter & Scott Clement

Learn how it is possible to achieve great, consistent sound while training and using volunteers.

Effective use of the Arts in Church - Nick Benoit

We've all seen cheesy and awkward use of arts in the church, but is there a better way?   Learn from what has worked at ROCKHARBOR from our fabulous Arts Director.

Developing the Next Generation of Worship Leaders - Keri Fox

Never before have there been so many young, eager worship leaders.  How can we best develop them while maintaining a strong culture of worship in our churches?

Worship in times of sorrow - By Paul Baloche

Some of the hardest yet most inspiring times of worship occur during funerals. The raw emotions of sadness and loss are mixed with a sense of hope and eternal perspective.

The book of Ecclesiastes says, “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart” (7:2 NIV).

In our fast-paced culture, funerals give us the rare occasion to reflect on the brevity of life and how each of our days are numbered. There is a sense of “coming to terms” with reality that our life on this earth will end. As Christians we find assurance in the promise of God’s Word that Jesus Christ did indeed die for the remission of our sins and rose again with the invitation to live forever through Him and with Him.

Songs of worship can be the most encouraging aspect of a funeral service or a time of intense grief. Part of my role as a worship pastor is to show up and “pastor” those who are grieving. Several times last year I was called upon to lead worship during memorial or graveside services. Silence can be powerful. Stillness consoling. Yet when a simple chorus or hymn begins with a guitar or human voice, you can feel something change in the air. Timely words sung at the right moment can bring a wave of comfort and release His faithful presence.

“Blessed be Your name when the road’s marked with suffering, when there’s pain in the offering, blessed be Your name.” “Open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see you.” “I can only imagine …..I will rise when He calls my name, no more sorrow, no more pain.” These are just a few of the songs that have served the moment and brought hope to those who have lost loved ones.

Sometimes we aren’t sure how to bring comfort in situations where someone is fighting an illness or recovering in some way. Often my wife and I have gone to someone’s bedside in the hospital or at their home and simply sang over them. With sensitivity to the moment, we pray for them and ask if they mind if we sing quietly and worship in their room. Some of my most profound moments with God have been during these times as tears flow and faith is released in prayer and song.

Scripture is filled with passages that exemplify praise in the midst of pain, promises of joy as we walk through profound sorrow.

“Why are you so downcast, oh my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God,” (Ps 42:5-6a).

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me … my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Ps 23).

Shortly before a crazed gunman murdered her, Virginia Tech student Lauren McCain wrote in her diary, “Show me Your purpose for me at Tech, and on this earth. But, if You choose not to, I will still praise you and walk where You lead, not because I am selfless, or holy, or determined to sacrifice myself for what is right but because You are the delight of my heart; and I cannot live without You.”

Lord, give us all that same heart as we seek to console others in their time of mourning. For one day we will wish for someone to sing over us and help us to worship in the midst of our sorrow.

This article appeared in Worship Leader Magazine. 

What is Easter

Here is a great video that speaks for itself...

http://vimeo.com/8560816


What is Easter? (Man on the Street) from joe perez on Vimeo.