On the first night of WorshipGod08, after we sang the hymn Jesus Shall Reign, Ryan Ferguson stepped up on stage and enthusiastically recited Psalm 145. I wanted to use that Psalm there because it’s filled not only with exhortations to praise and extol God, but also with clear reasons why God should be praised. Every time I lead worship I want to be sure people have plenty of doctrinal fuel for their emotional fire. I asked Ryan to participate because he had recited two chapters from Hebrews at our WorshipGod06 conference, and did an amazing job. It’s obvious he’s thought carefully about the passage he’s memorized and is seeking to communicate not just words, but meaning. Something to keep in mind every time we read Scripture.
Scripture readings don’t have to be accompanied with music, but because this took place in between two songs, I kept playing. I tried to follow Ryan’s inflections and amplify the emotional flow of the passage. Playing behind prayers or readings isn’t always helpful. Sometimes it can sound like Muzak. Sometimes it can be a distraction, as people try to figure out what song you’re playing. But there are times when I think it can be effective and help people listen more carefully to what’s being said. I hope this was one of them.
In any case, here’s the video of Ryan. Enjoy.
wow. awesome.
Yay! I can’t wait ’til I get home so I can check this out! I hope there’s more video to come. :) Did any of the songs come out okay? Or were they all like Glorious and Mighty quality wise?
Jared,
I have about 10-12 videos on my desktop that I have to review. I also will be listening to some of the audio. I’ll be posting whatever I can over the next month or so. Thanks for asking.
I loved Ryan Ferguson’s a chapter from Romans (I think it was chapter 8) from the past. His reciting make the Scripture comes alive (not that it doesn’t have any power with just reading and meditating on it).
I also enjoyed your message during the DG National Conference. Especially your heart for music and at the same time not allowing music to take a precedence over the core of worship. Also, thanks for being honest and transparent during panel discussion.
What a great resource! To hear the Psalms spoken in this way helps me to relate to the heart of the psalmist, and therefore understand parts of the psalms I struggled with previously. This is especially so when terminology, or phrases are used that I am unfamiliar with. I’ve listed to a couple of the other recorded psalms too – they’re great!
Thank you!
Huh, here I was thinking you’d practised playing along with him. You matched up perfectly, I’m amazed it was improvised by you!
Sorry — I was a bit distracted by Roger’s Nord Electro 2.
Super cool! And… I’m also jealous of the Nord…
Wow, what a great example of reciting the Word with conviction. Thanks for sharing this!
That was incredibly powerful! Thanks!
I was blessed to attend WG2008 and to be blessed by Ryan several times that week. I still weep with the significance of Ryan’s readings every time I listen to and watch him. Thank you Bob for the reminder of God’s faithfulness and Ryan’s faithful rendering.