Aaron Niequist says U2 is the perfect model for a traveling rock show, but a potentially unhelpful model for weekly church.

About ten years ago, I wrote a piece called “Everything I Know about Worship Leading I Learned from an Irish Rock Star“. But after seeing U2 last week in Chicago, I no longer agree with what I wrote. Let me explain…

The concert was incredible. I’ve seen U2 over a dozen times, and the first half of last week’s show was one of my favorite performances yet. (The second half felt a little tired.) Bono’s voice was in top form, and the journey they took us on was powerfully stunning. I loved it and am already looking forward to their next tour.

But as I marveled at Bono’s ability to create such an epic worship experience, it occurred to me that this anthemic, euphoric, cathartic, euphoria is the perfect model for a traveling rock show, but a potentially unhelpful model for weekly church. And yet so many worship leaders–myself included–have been trying to emulate this mountaintop experience every Sunday morning for years: “Did people lift their hands in the air? Did they sing loudly? Did they have a deeply authentic emotional experience?” These questions, learned from traveling rock stars, have come to define so much of the current Christian worship culture.

Continue reading.

Amanda Furbeck offers a great example of how to engage others in our worship music:

Is your worship music contagious? Do your songs draw people in, point them to Jesus, and help them give words to their praise? We don’t have to be worship superstars to create an atmosphere of excitement, joy, and worship. And yet, even when we are in the midst of worshipping, we may be unknowingly distracting others from being able to worship by the emotions or body movements that we project. So how can we be mindful of the environment we create while we worship our Lord and Savior?

I must confess, I love to watch videos of The Piano Guys in action. Their music is interesting, creative, beautiful, and well-rehearsed. But it is their videos that really draw me in. Why? Because their enthusiasm for their music is infectious. I spent some time watching the performances on their YouTube channel to figure out what it is that makes them so fun to watch. Here’s what I noticed.

They’re having fun!
If you watch the Piano Guys perform, you’ll see them smile, laugh, and bounce to their music. They have a playful attitude during fun songs, and a sincere attitude during somber songs. If I were to look in the mirror when I’m leading worship, what would I see? Would I see a happy, light-hearted attitude reflecting a joyful heart or a pained expression and a furrowed brow, reflecting an intense level of concentration? It’s ok to put on your thinking face when you’re taking the SATs, but what should our faces reflect when we’re singing of the greatness of our God, his amazing miracles, or His unending love? Are we like Moses when he came down from Mt. Sinai, reflecting the glory of God to others, or are we just revealing the cold, leftover pizza we ate for breakfast on our way to church? We often don’t realize the faces that we make when we are working hard to worship, but the people in our congregation would probably have a stronger desire to join in praising God if worship looked enjoyable rather than painful.

Continue reading.

Scott Brown offers tips for public Scripture reading:

For the person reading Scripture, a time like this requires careful preparation both of the heart and the body.

First, let’s take the preparation of the heart.  The heart is moved only by what is in the mind. Thus, your mind must be properly instructed so that your heart can be instructed and in sync with what God is communicating through the text you are reading. To get there will take many slow readings. My recommendation is that the passage is prayerfully read no less than 10 times, both silently and out in loud in front of your family.

Our technique will improve with passion that is only built through familiarity and delight.  When Ezra read the law to the people the narrative says, “So they read distinctly from the book” (Nehemiah 8:8).  This is a description of careful reading that should form a pattern for us as we read scripture publicly.

Then there is the preparation of the body.  By this I mean that you understand the meter and tone, and have a sense for how it should be read. This means you should practice it out loud to get the right inflections and timing, so that it is read with great passion and clarity.

Twelve Keys to Scripture Reading:

1.  Understanding
In order to read accurately, you need to discern: the attitude and tone of the author, the genre of literature you are reading, and the intent of the author.

2.  Delight
When we delight in the law of the Lord (Ps. 1:2) and His testimonies (Ps. 119:24), then we are useful for the Master’s use to exult in the glory of the words of God with a pure and honest heart.

3.  Confidence
Remember the power of the Word of God – it will not return void. “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

Continue reading.

Christopher Cook reveals his personal technique for learning, preparing, and rehearsing new music:

As a music director, session player, and clinician, I’m often asked to speak about my personal technique for learning, preparing, and rehearsing new music, as well as my approach to team rehearsals. However, above the technical delivery of your musicianship, I believe that your commitment to be your very best for your team and for the Lord is the primary component of an excellent offering week in and week out. Quite simply, it’s the commitment to develop a culture of momentum within your life and the life of your team. So where does a maximum impact rehearsal begin? With you! These 5 steps to a maximum impact rehearsal will allow me to pull back the curtain.

1. DEVELOP A WINNING ATTITUDE

For years, I have told teams, “Nothing can stop the person with a good attitude, yet nothing can help the person with a bad attitude, other than an adjustment of attitude.” As such, be encouraged to develop a healthy picture of yourself as a needed contributor to the team, whether you’re a worship leader, vocalist, musician, tech, stage manager, or display operator. Come to church/rehearsal/team night with a plan to win, preparation to win, and an expectation to win. What does that mean? Each week, come to church prepared, ready to serve the team, your pastor, and the congregation, and expect that the presence of God in your midst will touch lives. Furthermore, be intentional. Refuse to be the singer or musician that robotically goes through the motions in your service to the Lord. Stay fresh, stay creative, stay teachable, and prepare in a way that allows you to pay attention to what the Spirit of God is doing in the meeting.

2. BE THE BEST “YOU” POSSIBLE

Be a person who cares about adding the most value to your team by being the best you can be, first in heart & attitude, then in giftedness. When the right person is in the right place, everyone benefits. As such, cultivate a solid foundation in every area of your life so that you bring your best to the team each week.

Continue reading.