Comments on: Worship styles http://www.rockworship.com/theology/worship-styles/ Creating music to lead people into God's presence. Music Ministry Production, Performance, Gear, and Theology Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:49:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Luke Wilson http://www.rockworship.com/theology/worship-styles/#comment-91 Luke Wilson Mon, 13 Feb 2006 03:55:52 +0000 http://www.rockworship.com/?p=7#comment-91 man travis, i really like that idea. i talked with steele at faithwalkers and then went to Passion and heard tim hughes share on worship and i've just really been trying to think of better ways to make the entire service flow, to make it seem like one seamless environment and i really like that idea. man travis, i really like that idea. i talked with steele at faithwalkers and then went to Passion and heard tim hughes share on worship and i’ve just really been trying to think of better ways to make the entire service flow, to make it seem like one seamless environment and i really like that idea.

]]> By: Travis Swan http://www.rockworship.com/theology/worship-styles/#comment-86 Travis Swan Wed, 25 Jan 2006 23:05:01 +0000 http://www.rockworship.com/?p=7#comment-86 Dan, I’ve never done a word study on the word “skill,” but I agree. One of the best worship leaders I've experienced only knew three or four chords at the time and pretty much butchered his way through every song he played. But his heart was so visible and honest throughout the time that everyone worshipped. See my <a href="http://www.rockworship.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=153#p153" rel="nofollow">new post</a> in the forum about the song "Break Me." I think it communicates the spirit of worship that God desires from us - broken and contrite, as you said. Ultimately all we do is for the glory of God. If our music is so good that people begin to adore us, instead of God, it's wrong. But I also think that God does desire the best from us. Like the Malachi verse states about the Israelites animal sacrifices, our offerings of praise and worship shouldn't be "crippled and sick." If we only do half the work, yes, God can still use us. But if we're capable of better, but are too lazy to get up off the couch and acquire some skill on (or knowledge of) our instruments, I don't think that's very honoring to Him. We must apply ourselves and not give into the laziness of the flesh. At the same time I must be careful that my focus doesn't shift away from God and onto being skillful. What matters is the state of our hearts. Are we offering Him everything we have, or are we holding back for ourselves - are our hearts divided? We must have a full commitment to lead worship and play with skill, within our God-given means. Think of the parables regarding talents. I really don't want to bury my God-given talent, I want it to multiply so He can get as much glory as He can. Dan, I’ve never done a word study on the word “skill,” but I agree. One of the best worship leaders I’ve experienced only knew three or four chords at the time and pretty much butchered his way through every song he played. But his heart was so visible and honest throughout the time that everyone worshipped.

See my new post in the forum about the song “Break Me.” I think it communicates the spirit of worship that God desires from us - broken and contrite, as you said.

Ultimately all we do is for the glory of God. If our music is so good that people begin to adore us, instead of God, it’s wrong. But I also think that God does desire the best from us. Like the Malachi verse states about the Israelites animal sacrifices, our offerings of praise and worship shouldn’t be “crippled and sick.” If we only do half the work, yes, God can still use us. But if we’re capable of better, but are too lazy to get up off the couch and acquire some skill on (or knowledge of) our instruments, I don’t think that’s very honoring to Him. We must apply ourselves and not give into the laziness of the flesh. At the same time I must be careful that my focus doesn’t shift away from God and onto being skillful.

What matters is the state of our hearts. Are we offering Him everything we have, or are we holding back for ourselves - are our hearts divided? We must have a full commitment to lead worship and play with skill, within our God-given means. Think of the parables regarding talents. I really don’t want to bury my God-given talent, I want it to multiply so He can get as much glory as He can.

]]> By: dan mcgowan http://www.rockworship.com/theology/worship-styles/#comment-85 dan mcgowan Wed, 25 Jan 2006 22:11:10 +0000 http://www.rockworship.com/?p=7#comment-85 Hi Travis, Have you ever done a study on that word "skill?" You (and others) may be as surprised as I was to discover that the word translated "skill" does NOT actually mean "ability" as we often translate it (in order to prove some silly point that God demands that our music be PERFECT in order to be acceptable.) Actually, the word means, "knowledge" which, while close, is not really the same thing as "ability." It is much simpler than that - Play [as someone who knows how to play]. I only bring this up because far too many worship leaders and church musicians actually believe - and then model - that unless our music is perfect, God does not accept our worship. That is a lie. You can have perfect worship and be an ass - and God will NOT accept your worship! Likewise, you can have a broken and contrite spirit, and only know 3 guitar chords and never be thought of as a "recording artist" and God WILL accept your worship of Him. Hi Travis,
Have you ever done a study on that word “skill?” You (and others) may be as surprised as I was to discover that the word translated “skill” does NOT actually mean “ability” as we often translate it (in order to prove some silly point that God demands that our music be PERFECT in order to be acceptable.) Actually, the word means, “knowledge” which, while close, is not really the same thing as “ability.” It is much simpler than that - Play [as someone who knows how to play]. I only bring this up because far too many worship leaders and church musicians actually believe - and then model - that unless our music is perfect, God does not accept our worship. That is a lie. You can have perfect worship and be an ass - and God will NOT accept your worship! Likewise, you can have a broken and contrite spirit, and only know 3 guitar chords and never be thought of as a “recording artist” and God WILL accept your worship of Him.

]]> By: AndyB http://www.rockworship.com/theology/worship-styles/#comment-51 AndyB Sat, 10 Dec 2005 06:10:39 +0000 http://www.rockworship.com/?p=7#comment-51 Hey Travis - yeah I attend a local Baptist Church in Ontario, Canada. My wife and I were at a Community style church for a while then moved to a smaller town environment and made the transition to this church. We like it. I love the idea u guys have in this blog - and now the forum etc.... great way to bounce off ideas for worship and even get guys stoked up chattin about their rigs etc... very cool. Hey - u guys dont' mind if i read and hang out on the blog/forum? sounds like this blog and stuff is insider for ur church denomination - anyway, it's been a while since I've been here so i didn't see your response to my post - thanx Travis. :) Hey Travis - yeah I attend a local Baptist Church in Ontario, Canada. My wife and I were at a Community style church for a while then moved to a smaller town environment and made the transition to this church. We like it. I love the idea u guys have in this blog - and now the forum etc…. great way to bounce off ideas for worship and even get guys stoked up chattin about their rigs etc… very cool. Hey - u guys dont’ mind if i read and hang out on the blog/forum? sounds like this blog and stuff is insider for ur church denomination - anyway, it’s been a while since I’ve been here so i didn’t see your response to my post - thanx Travis. :)

]]> By: Travis http://www.rockworship.com/theology/worship-styles/#comment-37 Travis Thu, 10 Nov 2005 22:44:27 +0000 http://www.rockworship.com/?p=7#comment-37 Greetings Andy. What church are you part of in Canada? What part of Canada? Greetings Andy. What church are you part of in Canada? What part of Canada?

]]> By: AndyB http://www.rockworship.com/theology/worship-styles/#comment-36 AndyB Thu, 10 Nov 2005 06:21:34 +0000 http://www.rockworship.com/?p=7#comment-36 Hey man - cool blog. Just a fellow guitar player/worship leader brother up in Canada - like ur blogin lots -thanx dude. Hey man - cool blog. Just a fellow guitar player/worship leader brother up in Canada - like ur blogin lots -thanx dude.

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