Teaching Your People To Worship
If you have been in the
ministry for a while you know that the arts department has a tendency to
draw people of all colors and expressions. We are a bit different
as people who are for the most part on the creative side. We see
things in a different light and approach things in different ways.
Because we tend to draw in
people who have creative backgrounds and talents in the arts, there is
a strong tendency for us to want to use our gifts to help fulfill a need
within us. We have all come across people who want to get up and
"sing for the Lord" in our "worship times". We also have some very
gifted people who serve on the worship teams and are a part of our worship
services. I would like to challenge you with a thought concerning
those we have in places of leadership in our worship ministries.
Questions we will look at are - What is their place in the service?
What motives do they have for serving? And are they called or awed?
If you do not understand or believe that those God calls to a ministry
He equips to do that ministry then you will probably disagree with what
will be said from here on out.
I believe with all my heart
that God called me to the specific ministry of worship - more specifically
- teaching and leading worship. I also believe that God has
gifted me to do what He has called me to do. He has equipped me through
experience and education as well as given me a certain level of natural
talent. He has also given me a great desire to use these gifts in
ministry. One thing God has not gifted me to do is preach.
I would love to be able to preach. I would love to be able to communicate
the gospel in such a way that people would respond to it and lives would
be changed. You know what? It's not going to happen (at least not
at this point in my life). I could force it and even have the opportunity
to do it, but, it would be terrible and believe me you would get very little
out of it if you stayed awake long enough. No matter how much I would
love to preach, God has not gifted me in that area. I have no experience
or education in the area and it is best for all that I don't do it.
Now bringing it a bit closer
to home. We all have people who want to "sing" or "act" or play their
instruments in our services. You more than likely have come across
people who have a great desire to be apart. What is the right thing to
do? Let them participate because they have a desire to be a part.
Should anyone who has a desire to sing to the Lord or sing a song for the
Lord get up and do it in our services? I know that most of us feel
that the answer to most of these questions is no.
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Used by churches all over the world to help teach worship, the Experiencing Worship study can help your worship team too.
Your team will learn why we worship and gain a better understanding of how to worship.
One user said..."Your 5 week study course has made a tremendous impact on my life in the study of worship... I would like to express my thanks for a well written study course that leads into a higher realm of praise and worship."
This is the debut album by EXW friend Paul Langford. Paul is a Chicago based singer, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor. Paul has a career that spans 14 years. Paul's work includes arranging for groups like GLAD, Voices of Liberty, VoiceTrek, The Chicago based "Caroling Party" and Day of Discovery Singers. His arranging has appeared on recordings side by side with greats like Gene Puerling and David Maddux, and he has sung with Don Shelton, Bonnie Herman and Bob Bowker, among others.