At last year’s WorshipGod conference, I gave a message on The Future of Worship, based on the opening verses to Psalm 78. I’m increasingly aware of is how important it is to pass on the right things from generation to the next, and this message was an attempt to address that topic. Here’s a 3:45 video clip from that message where I’m focusing on Ps. 78:7: “so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.” I talk about how important it is to make sure those who are following us are putting their hope in God and the gospel – not us, our musical preferences, our technology, or our efforts. What …
Tag Archives | WorshipGod09
What Do You Say When You Lead Worship? Part 3
I’m aware that for many people reading the question posed in the title of this post, their immediate and firm answer is, “Nothing!” I, too, have been the victim (and the perpetrator) of comments during corporate worship that are more distracting than helpful. That’s why I want to list ten practical aspects today that hopefully will keep a well-intentioned, zealous leader from misinterpreting what I’ve been saying. 1. Recognize that God’s words outlast ours. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions …
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Looking Back at WorshipGod09
As I review the past year, one of my highlights was definitely WorshipGod09: From Generation to Generation, featuring John Piper, C.J. Mahaney, Jeff Purswell, Thabiti Anyabwile, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Shai Linne, Don Whitney, and many more. Over 1700 worshipers of God gathered for 3 1/2 days of singing, instruction, fellowship, and equipping. From the evaluations we got, God met us in wonderful and specific ways. We just put together a slide show (using Animoto) that gives you a sample of what took place at the conference. The soundtrack is The Father’s Love, from Sons & Daughters, the album that we released at the conference. If …
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What Do You Want to Be Remembered For?
Here’s another clip from the message I gave at WorshipGod09 on “The Future of Worship.” (You can find two posts from the same message here and here.) In verse 8 the psalmist references a previous generation “whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.” They were remembered as NOT being faithful, and NOT being steadfast. Have you thought much about what YOU want to be remembered for? That’s the question I ask in this 2 1/2 minute clip from my message. …
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Can We Even Sing in the Same Room?
In a previous post I referenced a message I gave at WorshipGod09 on “The Future of Worship,” based on Psalm 78. Here’s a 3 1/2 minute excerpt from the message where I talk about the importance of finding musical styles that multiple generations can sing together. …
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Planning and the Holy Spirit
Here’s another video clip from WorshipGod09, where Jeff Purswell is interviewing CJ Mahaney and me about some of the things we’ve learned over three decades of leading. In this section we talk about the importance of planning as well as listening for the Spirit’s leading during the meeting. In my experience, people tend to value one or the other. Either we trust completely in our plan and wouldn’t think of veering from it, or we minimize preparation and think God is only active when something spontaneous happens. When it comes to leading corporate worship, both planning AND spontaneity are important values. If you’re interested in …
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The Future of Worship: Passing the Baton
At WorshipGod09:From Generation to Generation, I gave the last message on The Future of Worship, based on Ps. 78:1-8. The previous messages had dealt mostly with the biblical values of worship we want to pass on to future generations – the nature of God, the importance of the heart, the role of leadership, the significance of the local church, and more. The question I asked in my message was: What do we need to keep in mind as we seek to transfer these and other biblical values of worship to the next generation? In preparing for the message I came across some comments from Nigel Hetherington, the Scottish National Sprints and Hurdles coach. …
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Fifty More Spaces Open for WorshipGod09
God has been very kind. We’ve actually reached the 1,600 attendees we had hoped for for WorshipGod09. Made us so happy that we decided to open up an extra 50 spots for people to register on site (on-line registration is already closed). The choice of seminars will be limited (see below). To reserve a spot, on a first-come-first-served basis, you can contact us via our website. The cost is $185 or $135 for students. Payment (cash/check) will be expected when you arrive. Thursday, Seminar 1 “Do You Thirst for God” Donald Whitney “Thoughts on Songwriting, Part 1” Keith & Kristyn Getty Thursday, Seminar 2 “Improving Your …
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One Week Until WorshipGod09 Registration Closes
We’re three weeks away from WorshipGod09: From Generation to Generation (Aug. 5-8) and the last day for registering is next Wednesday, July 22. Where has the summer gone? So many things I’m looking forward to about the conference. With the help of my good friend, Jeff Purswell, I finally nailed down what the topics of the main sessions are going to be. They’re all related to significant issues to think about as we pass corporate worship from generation to generation. Wed. PM – The God of Worship (John Piper) Thurs. AM – The Heart of Worship (John Piper) Thurs. PM – The Leaders of Worship (Jeff Purswell) Fri. AM – The Church of Worship …
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WorshipGod09 Worship Leader Pre-Conference Intensive Expanded
One feature we’ve added at WorshipGod09 this year are pre-conference intensives for vocalists, songwriters, and worship leaders/planners. They’ll take place on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 1:00-4:30. We wanted to offer something more hands-on and focused for those who were willing to pay a little more ($50) and come a little earlier. Due to numerous requests, we’ve added thirty slots to the worship leader intensive, which I’ll be leading. I’ll be covering topics like 4 ways to view ourselves as leaders, heart issues, song progression, working with a team, and more. If you’ve already signed up for the conference and saw that the intensive was full, …
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Three Weeks Until WorshipGod09 Registration Closes
Life comes at you fast sometimes… I’ve been finishing up a few projects, including our latest kids’ CD, To Be Like Jesus, and the Next Live CD, from our Next conference. That will be available next Wednesday. 13 songs for $5. I’ll keep you posted on the details. But I just looked at my calendar and saw that it’s exactly five weeks until WorshipGod09 begins, and three weeks until registration closes. This will be our 7th conference since 1999, all held at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, MD. I’m looking forward to WorshipGod09 for a number of reasons. We’ll be spending three and a half days hearing rich teaching, singing …
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WorshipGod09 Rates About to Go Up
The Next conference is now history. What a fantastic time. I’ll be posting reflections and the song list on Worship Matters in the next few days. In the mean time, it’s time to turn to the next big event on my calendar – WorshipGod09: From Generation to Generation, Aug. 5-8, to be held in Gaithersburg, MD, near Washington, D.C. We have a great line up of speakers and musicians including John Piper, C.J. Mahaney, Thabiti Anyabwile, Jeff Purswell, Don Whitney, Keith and Kristyn Getty, Shai Linne, Ben Gowell, and more. As in years past, we’ll have plenty of giveaways, free lunches for registrants, new songs to learn, and teachings meant to …
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WorshipGod09 Rates About to Go Up
If you’re thinking about coming to WorshipGod09: From Generation to Generation, Aug. 5-8, rates go up $25 next Wednesday, April 1. Right now high school and college students are $85, groups of 5 or more are $110, and individuals are $135. Looks like it’s going to be a great time. Main session speakers include John Piper, C.J. Mahaney, Jeff Purswell, Thabiti Anyabwile, and yours truly. Don Whitney will be speaking on family worship and cultivating a thirst for God. Musical guests include Keith and Kristyn Getty, Christian hip-hop artist Shai Linne, and guitarist Ben Gowell. We’ll also have a number of the musicians, bands, and pastors that I’ve …
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WorshipGod09 Registration Now Open
The WorshipGod09 website is now up. Here’s what I posted on the home page: What are we teaching future generations about worshiping God? What kind of legacy will we leave? Will those who follow us be more impressed with our music or our God? Maybe the psalmist had those questions in mind when he wrote, “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4 ESV)? To equip us for declaring the mighty acts of God to the next generation, John Piper, C.J. Mahaney, Jeff Purswell, and Thabiti Anyabwile will be addressing us at the general sessions of WorshipGod09. Keith and Kristyn Getty will also …
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WorshipGod09 Registration Delayed Until Friday
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. (Prov. 16:9) So glad that verse is in the Bible. We had planned to open registration for WorshipGod09 tonight at 12:01 AM, but things have been a little busy around here. So if you planned to register for WorshipGod09 tomorrow, you won’t be able to. The only reason I mention it is that we typically give the first person who signs up a free registration. And I don’t want anyone staying up until midnight tonight to try to be the first one to register. Lord willing, the website will launch and registration will open this Friday, Feb. 27, at 12:01 AM. Thanks for your patience. …
