Hidden Opportunities
I often get offended when people ask me what I do full-time as a Worship Leader. For some reason, I get offended more than I care to think about. Don't ask me why - in my mind they should have at least a hint - "Worship Leader." I didn't realize that I got so offended until an associate of mine questioned my area of study. He said that his Bible College did not have a degree program in the area of Worship only Music. So did that mean that I had a bogus degree or what? (What's up with that?) Is it me or does anyone else have this rub going on in their life? Anyway I needed to sit down with my friend and "school" him a little bit. We ended up with an understanding and an appointment to speak some more.
Just that simple statement threw me into a "funk" that only the Holy Spirit could have taken me out of. Many of us know that the area of Worship is new in our Bible Colleges, and those of you who did not know that you can achieve the Doctorate level should do a little homework. But, in general, the churches that we function in, the people around us, as well as our Senior Pasto,r may need us to loving enlighten their understanding about what we do. Some view us as Ministers of Music or Music Pastors, although these are good titles to have if you are "bent" in the music way. What about those of us who are "bent" in the worship way. (Like you or me)
Honestly, I know very little about music except I like to sing. I have basic music fundamentals and a little music theory thrown in for good measure. But ask me about worship and we can sit and talk for awhile. Oh yes, I write songs and hear all the arrangements in my head, but I can't play one single instrument. (Boy, do I want to, though!) It ‘s not my gift. I have often questioned the Lord as to why I can not play, and why on earth would He put a worshiper as head of the Worship & Music Ministry at our church? He really does take the foolish things of this world to confound the wise and His children too!
This little mystery really started to work on my self-esteem concerning my job situation. I found myself in an identity crisis not knowing what to call myself. In conversation I would give myself titles that I thought people would understand. Titles like: Worship Pastor, Minister of Worship, Director of Worship & Music Ministries, Worship Leader, etc. My title would change depending on the understanding of the person that I was speaking to. After speaking to people, the message that came across was that I was the "Minister of Music." (What's up with that?)
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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.
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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.