You never know how much you need something until it’s no longer there. After playing piano for nearly 40 years (30 years professionally), I have developed a nasty case of tendonitis in my right index finger. Not only does that affect my playing, but since I’m right-handed it affects EVERYTHING I do. To give it some rest, I’ve had to learn to use my left hand, which has been quite challenging and really funny as well. For instance, after brushing my teeth left-handed for the first time, I felt like I had to clean the toothpaste out of my nose and ears! Although my left hand has been severely coordination challenged in the past, I’m slowly learning to use it for everyday tasks. With a lot of rest, a splint, and some strengthening exercises, I should be able to resume normal use of the hand several weeks/months down the road.

I’m so thankful that in our walk with God he’s always there to guide us, pick us up and dust us off when we fall, and set us back on our feet to continue following in His footsteps. Hebrews 13:5-6 says “…and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘the Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” Knowing that my Heavenly Father loves me and that he’ll never leave me nor forsake me gives me hope and motivates me to share His love with others. When I think about the pain and suffering that Christ went through on my behalf, dealing with my affliction and cleaning a little toothpaste out of my ear becomes a minor inconvenience in comparison.

We have a wonderful repertoire of music in our library, including many majestic hymns, contemporary choruses and some post-modern music as well, but choosing new music for the congregation to use in expressing praise to our heavenly Father is one of my most enjoyable and challenging responsibilities.
When it comes to music used in corporate worship, there seems to be hundreds of songs written each year to choose from – more than a congregation could ever be exposed to, let alone learn and use as an offering of praise. A lot of time goes into listening to and reviewing music for congregational worship. There’s more to it than simply choosing song titles from a favorite CD or from listening to the newest releases on Christian radio.

We first look at the text – what does the song say? Is it vertical – focusing on the Father, Son and/or Spirit or is it more horizontal, focusing on our needs and/or the work of the kingdom? Is there anything in the text that is theologically vague or questionable? Does the song communicate its message well? We then look at the song from a musical perspective. Is it singable by a large group? You’d be surprised at the number of songs that sound great on the recordings, but are difficult to sing with a group of 400 people in a large auditorium. Is the song too high, too low, or can we change the key to make it fit within the range of the average singer in the congregation? Does the song fit within a niche – does it serve a specific purpose (e.g. communion, outreach, prayer, missions, etc.)? Does the style of the song fit who The Chapel is as a church, or can it be rearranged to fit that style? Is it within the capabilities of the worship team to play/sing/lead the song well?

Once a song passes the above criteria, it goes on a list to be introduced to the congregation. I then work through each song on the list, changing keys and simplifying rhythms as necessary so that a large group can sing them rather easily. The idea is to allow the congregation to get past the details of the music so they can express their praise to God from the joy that overflows in their hearts while in His presence. My concern is that if a song is too high or low, fast or slow, or is too difficult to sing as a large group, then it can be a distraction to our worship. Hitting the high note or getting that funky rhythm correct can become the focal point while singing the song and then our praise to the Father is lost in the distraction.

As we near the end of October, the worship team will be introducing several new songs for us to express our praise to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Enjoy!!

I recently attended a worship conference hosted by one the largest music publishers in the business. In past years it seemed the goal was for the company to bring a group of worship pastors/leaders together and show them what products the company had to offer. The teaching times seemed to be secondary in importance. The company would also bring in several well-known worship leaders and a professional band, filling the room with sound, lights, pyrotechnics, etc. during our times of worship. It all seemed so “polished” and felt more like a concert sing-a-long than being led in worship.

This year’s conference was different, much different. The focus was on building up those of us in attendance through times of worship, times of reflection, and times of teaching. There were no company representatives trying to sell product anywhere in the facility. Instead, there was a simple display in the church foyer with friendly church volunteers handling the transactions. The company’s name was rarely mentioned from the stage and only one sales pitch was given – for a ministry that helps children in a third world country.

We were greeted by a well-known senior pastor from a large church out west and several well-known worship leaders and musicians, whom you’ve heard on countless recordings, led our times of singing together and many of the teaching sessions. There was no polish, pyrotechnics, or concert-feel – just times of genuine worship, teaching and interaction, together. This was one of the most refreshing conferences I’ve been to since being called into full-time ministry over 11 years ago.

I share all of this with you to illustrate the following point: As we worship together at The Chapel and offer our heavenly Father the sacrifice of praise, it’s not about the music style, choice of songs, perfect harmonies, or beautiful powerpoint backgrounds, instead it should be about making a joyful noise with our voices and instruments from the joy that overflows within us because of the love, mercy, and grace that God shows to us on a daily basis. It is my prayer each week that God will work through our worship team to engage the congregation in genuine expressions of praise that focus on the audience of One.

Psalms 66:1-2 “Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!”