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3 Beliefs Holding You Back From Becoming A Digital Outreach Leader

Apr 29, 2024

Is your church staff stuck in their ways, rejecting social media and digital outreach as a “waste of time”? Tired of hearing the same lame excuses for avoiding platforms that could revitalize your community? This brutally honest article takes a sledgehammer to the 3 biggest limiting beliefs crippling churches from digital success.

First up, the notion that “social media doesn’t work” for ministry. Yeah, right! You’ll discover how this defeatist attitude ignores overwhelming evidence of churches thriving and growing online. From boosting visibility and engagement to reaching untapped younger audiences, you can’t afford to sideline these modern tools.

Next is the “time suck” myth – that maintaining an active social presence requires hours of frantic posting and monitoring. Not true! You’ll learn a simple, manageable daily routine that’ll have you consistently reaching your flock without burning out.

Finally, it’s time to drop the belief that digital skills are too “complicated” and impossible to master. This mindset is pure fear-mongering! Tackling the basics opens up endless creative potential for digital evangelism and connection.

If you’re ready to stop making excuses and finally break through to the digital age, this article is a must-read wake-up call. No more dismissing transformative opportunities as “fads” or writing off entire generations slipping through the cracks of outdated methods. Dive in. Embrace the future of church outreach and growth!

Read the full article.

Mandisa’s Father Addresses Cause of Death at Emotional Funeral Service

Apr 29, 2024

Brentwood, TN – Hundreds gathered at Brentwood Baptist Church in Tennessee on Saturday to celebrate the life of beloved Christian singer Mandisa, who passed away unexpectedly on April 18, 2024, at the age of 47. The service, which was also live-streamed to over 11,500 people online, featured heartfelt tributes from family, friends, and colleagues.

During the emotional service, Mandisa’s father, John Hundley, briefly addressed questions surrounding his daughter’s cause of death. “I’m not a detective, but I’ve spoken to the detectives,” Hundley said. “I’ve been in Mandisa’s home since last Saturday night. It will take about three weeks before they can give a report. Here’s what I think happened. Mandisa fell down in her bedroom. They found her on the floor. She did not harm herself.”

Hundley further elaborated on his belief, stating, “If you look from the rear of her bed, she was laying on the left side. It’s clear that’s where she was laying, there was a couple of big rugs there and some clothes. On the right side of the bed, front, was this nightstand. I found her phone on the right side of the bed. There was no way for Mandisa to get around the bed, go out there and get a phone to call for help.”

He also revealed that Mandisa had been struggling with the aftermath of COVID-19, saying, “She told me some time ago that she had gotten COVID-19 and she had been weak trying to get over that. But she was trying to press through.”

The funeral service was filled with touching tributes, including a special performance by the Fisk Jubilee Singers alumni from Fisk University, the group Mandisa was a part of during her college years. Well-known Christian speaker and author Beth Moore also shared about Mandisa’s impact on her life, saying, “Whatever she did she did it with every molecule she had. Mandisa had an impact on an audience that no one I have ever seen. She was simply sublime, utterly mezmerising. She loved Jesus in a way that made everyone around her love Him.”

Mandisa’s cousin, Dennie Marshall, expressed gratitude on behalf of the family for the outpouring of love they had received since the singer’s untimely passing. The service also included readings from the Bible and personal anecdotes from Mandisa’s college roommate, who spoke of her friend’s “impeccable tenacious spirit for the Lord.”

As the Christian music community continues to mourn the loss of Mandisa, her father’s words provide some insight into the circumstances surrounding her death. The Franklin Police Department has ruled out foul play but has not yet released an official cause of death. The investigation is ongoing, with a report expected in the coming weeks.

The Time You Have To Lead Worship Is Enough

Apr 22, 2024

For worship leaders lamenting the short time allotted for worship, here’s some encouragement: Even if you only have 2 minutes for a chorus, 5 minutes for a hymn, or 20 minutes for a full set, it can be enough.

Author Dan Wilt has led 3-hour extended worship times, which are beautiful for allowing hearts to become tender and open to the Holy Spirit’s work. However, the heart and passion you bring can shine through in any timeframe.

Wilt recalls a worship leader who powerfully engaged the room with just one familiar chorus because of her passionate, worshipful heart. The key is making the most of each moment by cultivating your own heart before stepping on stage.

You are a servant, not a producer or star. Embrace the time you’re given, whether long or short, by asking God for grace to serve that moment well. When you lead with your whole heart, even one song can be enough to open people’s hearts to Jesus.

The encouragement is to be at peace with the constraints, lead wholeheartedly within them, and trust that your heart postured towards worship can make any amount of time “enough” for connecting people with God.

Read the full article.

Preparation Makes Perfect

By Don Chapman

As I’ve said before, it seems everyone and their brother is starting a contemporary worship service. Unfortunately, I’ve heard that many of these new services are failing. Often the reason is poor planning and execution.

Here are two key points to consider if you’re involved with praise and worship:

1. Plan ahead. I can’t believe it when I hear of churches that meet thirty minutes before the service and throw together a song set.

A well known worship leader states that he never plans his worship song set. Rather, he has a list of all the songs his congregation knows, and he keeps this list on his music stand during worship to jog his memory. Then he lets the Spirit move.

While there’s nothing wrong with this free-flowing method, I’m sure a worship leader of his stature can attract the finest musicians in town. Frankly, you’d need top musicians to pull off a service like this – musicians who know the songs by heart or can sight-read a chart perfectly. Pretty unrealistic for you and me, unless you want to lead worship all by yourself – strumming your guitar or accompanying yourself on the keyboard.

Remember, the more you plan, the more people can be involved. Flying by the seat of your pants (or skirt) can often result in a musical train wreck. Multiple train wrecks tend to make people in the congregation think you don’t know what you’re doing. If the service isn’t worth planning, maybe it isn’t worth attending.

Planning ahead gives you time to work out your praise set like a puzzle, fitting songs together in a perfect flow. It also makes your rehearsals more efficient, which leads me to my next point:

2. Rehearse. I’m also surprised at the number of churches that don’t have a rehearsal! Rehearsals give you time to prepare both musically and spiritually for the coming Sunday.

If you’re doing the praise team thing with 3-6 vocalists, I recommend having a separate vocal and band rehearsal. Each group has their own problems, and I’d rather concentrate on one group at a time. Then, put the whole thing together during your pre-service run-through. If you have just a worship leader and a background vocalist or two, let them rehearse with the band.

Your musicians might balk at rehearsing. Rehearsals are a must if you want to succeed with a quality worship service, so don’t back down. However, people need to know your reasoning if you expect them to give you their valuable time.

Try making a deal with your musicians. First tell them your strategy: that you believe rehearsing will only improve the music and bring about a better worship experience for the congregation. Careless goof-ups distract people from connecting with God, whereas smooth transitions help usher them into His presence. Ask them if they’ll try rehearsing for a month. When they see the positive results – better blend and a tighter band – they’ll be more apt to become committed team members.

Blended worship on a budget. HymnCharts.com is the best sheet music value on the Internet. Download a free contemporary hymn arrangement.

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Senior Pastor: How To Lead Your Disorganized Worship Pastor

Apr 22, 2024

Does your worship leader consistently drop the ball on administrative tasks? Struggle with being on time for meetings and appointments? Get lost for hours obsessing over minute creative details?

If you’re constantly battling the brilliant-but-scattered tendencies of your artistically-gifted worship pastor, you need to read this insightful guide. It dives deep into proven strategies for effectively leading these brilliant-yet-disorganized creatives.

You’ll learn how to:

• Fight the right battles and identify keystones habits for change
• Give clear, direct feedback without crushing their artistic soul
• Establish much-needed boundaries while allowing creative flow
• Instill the power of systems (that they’re likely allergic to)
• Nurture the leader trapped within the artist
• Develop discipline through internal motivation

Plus get tips on killing perfectionism, aligning mismatched visions, and handling their unconventional communication styles.

Leading a talented-but-scattered worship leader requires a deft hand. This detailed playbook equips you with relatable examples and practical strategies to bring out the best in your creative worship pastor – both artistically and administratively.

Intrigued? Then don’t miss out on discovering how to unlock the full potential of your disorganized creative genius!

Read the full article.

How Prepared is “Prepared”?

Apr 22, 2024

Are you tired of showing up to rehearsals with your worship team all on a different page? Some members are still learning the song, others have it memorized, and it’s a struggle to get everyone aligned.

A simple system can fix that – the “Practice By Numbers” approach. This guide lays out clear preparation standards so your whole team knows exactly how ready they need to be each week. No more ambiguity!

Learn the different levels of song mastery, from just beginning to learn it to having it down cold. And you’ll get tips on setting consistent expectations for your team based on these levels.

The article gives you questions to consider when implementing the system, like whether you require full memorization and how to handle new songs vs. ones you’ve played for months. It’s a practical framework for finally getting your team prepped and polished.

Ready for highly organized Sunday services?

Read the full article.

John Michael Talbot on Faith, Music, and the Journey Within

Apr 22, 2024

In a candid interview with David Santistevan, John Michael Talbot, a multi-platinum selling, Grammy and Dove Award-winning Catholic Christian music pioneer, shares his remarkable spiritual journey. Disillusioned with the rock star lifestyle in his early career, Talbot sought answers in various religions before a personal encounter with Jesus led him back to Christianity. His conversion to Catholicism in 1978 marked a turning point, inspiring him to create music that deepened his faith and resonated with audiences, despite initial doubts about its commercial viability.

Talbot emphasizes the importance of solitude and contemplative prayer in his spiritual life, explaining the transformative power of retreating into a hermitage to battle inner demons and find true peace. He encourages Santistevan’s listeners to incorporate daily practices of silence and prayer, such as the Jesus Prayer, to ground themselves amidst life’s distractions.

Reflecting on his near-death experience and its profound impact on his faith, Talbot shares insights from his autobiography, “Late Have I Loved You.” He also discusses the state of contemporary Christian music, expressing concern about the focus on emotionalism and entertainment over genuine worship. Talbot stresses the need for musicians to be deeply prayerful and to create sacred music that transcends worldly influences.

Grammy-winning Christian Singer Mandisa Found Dead at 47, Police Suspect No Foul Play

Apr 22, 2024

Franklin, TN – Mandisa, the beloved Grammy-winning Christian singer and former American Idol contestant, was found dead in her Franklin home on Thursday, April 18, 2024. She was 47 years old. The Franklin Police Department has stated that no foul play is suspected in her sudden death.

Born Mandisa Lynn Hundley in Citrus Heights, California, the singer rose to fame after appearing on the fifth season of American Idol in 2005, where she made it to the top nine contestants. Following her stint on the show, Mandisa launched a successful career in the Christian music industry, releasing six studio albums and earning a Grammy Award for her 2013 album “Overcomer.”

Police spokesperson Max Winitz confirmed that Hundley was identified by a medical examiner and expressed the department’s condolences to her family, friends, and fans. While the cause of death has not been disclosed, Winitz emphasized that there is no indication of suspicious or criminal activity.

Mandisa’s talent agency, The Media Collective, also confirmed her passing on Friday but did not provide any details regarding the cause of her death.

Throughout her career, Mandisa’s music served as an inspiration to many. Fellow artists and celebrities have taken to social media to express their grief and share memories of the late singer. Amy Grant, a well-known Christian artist, described Mandisa’s smile as “like turning on sunshine,” while frequent collaborator TobyMac noted her encouraging and supportive nature towards other artists.

Paula Abdul, who served as a judge during Mandisa’s American Idol season, called her a “true beacon of light” and praised her warmth, kindness, and powerhouse performances. “I’ll always remember her poise, grace and dignity — and how could anyone forget those incomparable vocals!” Abdul told People magazine.

Mandisa’s musical achievements include three No. 1 albums on the Top Christian Albums chart, two chart-topping singles on the Hot Christian Songs chart, and five Grammy nominations. She also received 15 GMA Dove Award nominations, winning one for pop/contemporary album of the year.

As the music community mourns the loss of an irreplaceable voice, fans and friends alike remember Mandisa for her uplifting spirit, undeniable talent, and the indelible mark she left on the Christian music industry. The Franklin Police Department continues to investigate her death, and further details may be released pending the outcome of their investigation.

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