This past week I’ve been finalizing the seminars for WorshipGod09: From Generation to Generation, to be held Aug. 5-8 at Covenant Life Church. With the suggestions from last year’s conference, comments left on this blog, and a few other sources, I’ve had plenty of ideas to choose from.
The schedule is just about complete, and I’m pretty excited about the way things are turning out. One recent development is that Keith and Kristyn Getty will be joining us again. They’ll be teaching two seminars on songwriting and sharing some of their songs in a main session. I’ve also asked pastor and Christian rapper Shai Linne to encourage us with his unique ministry. Shai’s heart and lyrics definitely speak of Christ’s excellence to multiple generations.
Don Whitney will be returning to talk about Family Worship and teaching a seminar on developing a thirst for God. Ben Gowell, a good friend who played on Worship God Live and who also plays guitar for Sara Groves and Paul Baloche, will be teaching two seminars for electric guitarists (although I’m sure acoustic players will enjoy these as well). We’re planning workshops on fighting the fear of man, sound engineer panels for small and large churches, an advanced keyboard seminar, developing next generation worship leaders, and plenty more. As always, there will be plenty of free stuff. I’ll pass on more details in the next couple weeks.
Lord willing, the website and registration will launch at 12:01 AM on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Early registration prices will be available until April 1.
For a sampling of what took place last year, check out the video below, put together by WorshipGod photographer, Andy Alonso, using the site Animoto. The song is Glorious and Mighty from our Psalms CD.
I am so ready for WorshipGod09. I hope to see Mark Altrogge’s name as the announcement guy.
We’re looking forward to another great conference. I’m happy to see a session on pleasing people and the fear of man. What a battle for musicians. I’m probably too late to ask about a session strictly on helping vocalists find and use harmony (and an ear for it) separate from “vocal technique” classes. Unfortunately, “Perfecting the Harmonic Ear in 85 Minutes” would be a slight overstatement.
I feel really bad for Mark. He usually has two whole years to develop his announcement theme. Poor guy. Maybe his church will grant him a sabbatical to develop this year’s material.
I noticed that President Bush came three years ago. Any chance President Obama will make an appearance? Maybe he can do the announcements if Mark does not have the time!
Wish I could be there this year, but highly recommend it to everyone!
Thanks so much for putting all the audio from the seminars and messages from the last 2 conferences they have thoroughly encouraged and spurred me on. Will there be anything for drama this year?
Joe, thanks for your encouragement! We don’t have anything planned for drama, but I trust many of the principles taught will be relevant.
Thanks for your response Bob. I missed your post back in December for suggestions and have had several drama leaders ask me if there was a specific drama track. I’m excited that John Piper will be ministering to us. I had one other question while listening to the audio from last year. In the middle of Band on the Run I heard you mention it was being videoed. Is there a way to purchase that dvd to share with my team? I praise God for using you and Sovereign Grace to serve and share your resources with so many of us outside the Sovereign Grace churches.
Joe, thanks for your encouragement. You can get to Band on the Run from the post I wrote here.
Hey Bob:
My heart is just soaring with joy as I consider the depth of valuable and practical teaching that will be available at this conference. I cannot but be aware of grace upon grace upon grace in the way God rescued you personally and is using you as a catalyst to serve the Body of Christ in this way. Well done brother! This is a “can’t miss” conference for sure! (Sorry I will have to miss it.)
Blessings!!!
Hey Bob, thanks for all your hard work on these conferences. I am still benefiting from all I learned last August. I’m hoping to be able to make it again this year… it looks like it will be wonderful!
Wow, looks like last year was a success, praise God!
I have three boys, two of which are old enough (I hope) to attend this conference, one 12 and the other 10. The 12 yo plays violin, very gifted in it, my 10 yo plays guitar, we stopped lessons due to money, but I feel they could greatly benifit from the time around other musicians. Any suggestions for younger musicians?
Will there be any sessions for daddy drummer!?
Thanks
Thomas, thanks for your enthusiasm! While the conference is directed at high school and above, younger children can reigster if you think they’ll be served by the conference. There will be a number of seminars that drummers will benefit from, one in particular for bass, drums, and loops, another for the whole team.
Thank you Bob. I will pray about it and for from there.
Looking forward to it myself.
Bob,
Love the conferences, the blog, the music, et al. But I’ve never seen you comment on Worship Planning Software. I’ve been checking several out, and wondered if you had/do use them, and whether you would consider an evaluation similar to your Sibelius vs. Finale writing? Interested in any help here.
Todd, thanks for the encouragement. I’ll try to post something about worship planning software in the next couple weeks.
I would love to come to this conference! Wondering about lodging options though. Are there any really low price options? You’re probably the wrong person to ask but I would really like to find out if this conference could be affordable for me to attend. (and yes, the conference registration cost is great!)
I can’t come this year to WG09. Totally bummed. I was the only one who came last year and was wanting to take some of the team to this one. But work is getting in the way- alas, the life of a volunteer leader, right?
I did use an audio recording from WG08 as the teaching portion for a small worship conference my church hosted back in Nov, though. A great resource!