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In Spear-It and Truth?

Here's an excellent post from my good friend, worship leader, wife, mom, and many other things, Molly Nickerson. Please read and leave a comment. Harold

 

1 Samuel 19:9-10

Now there was an evil spirit from the LORD on Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, and David was playing the harp with his hand. Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, so that he stuck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.

 

Have you ever really thought about this scripture as a worship leader? There’s David, rocking out on his harp worshipping God, when WOOSH – spear! The most interesting part about this passage to me is that this is not the first time this has happened! This is kind of a regular thing for David and Saul. My first reaction is that if a spear gets chucked at my head during some worship service and I get invited back, the answer is “Uh, no thanks.” So I have to ask myself, why did David keep doing this?

 

The first reason is the easy answer – it’s what he was told to do. He was the chosen guy. God and the king demanded it. David being an obedient man, you know most of the time, did what he was asked to do. The second reason as  I see it, which is open for debate, is that David knew his worship was not only  between him and God.

 

Earlier in 1 Samuel it tells us that when David worshipped God the evil spirit that was tormenting Saul would leave. Because of his love for Saul and his son Jonathan I’m sure it brought David joy to see him set free, even for a few moments. This couldn’t have been a comfortable situation for David, I’m sure he would rather have been in the company of those who were going after the heart of God like he was. He might have especially liked not having to worship with one eye open. Still, he was moved with compassion to touch heaven in order to bring change to Saul. Saul needed him. We know from Saul’s story that he never did get right with God, but I believe he had the opportunity to when that evil spirit lifted.

 

I recently led worship for a few moments with a hundred or so of my closest friends. In addition to being a wonderful salve to my soul it is a place where I am most comfortable. Some days I wish that is where I spent the majority of my time. It’s not. I live and work on the campus of a Recovery Center for addictions and life-controlling behaviors. Our church, at any given time, is at least a third of these folks. Many of them, when they first arrive are tormented. You can see in their eyes the anguish of their souls. When we lead worship with this crowd there are times when I can feel the woosh of spears flying in my direction, but there are other times when I can literally see that torment lift. Sometimes, unlike Saul, when it is gone they can see and hear clearly enough to cry out to God for salvation and deliverance. I live for that moment.

 

I’m not saying everyone needs to do what I’m doing. Not even close. But I do think we need to ask ourselves if our worship is between us and God only. I believe that God is going to begin using our gifts as worshippers in His church to bring us before kings and addicts to use worship as a means of setting people free. So get ready to leave the comfort zone, and when you hear the WOOSH? Don’t be afraid, just DUCK!

5 Things That Distinguish Worship Music

The following is re-posted with permission from Rich Kirkpatrick, www.richkirkpatrick.com.

Check out what Rich has to say, watch the video and read the notes. He's made this simple and practical, which I really like --   Harold

What Is Worship Music? from Rich Kirkpatrick on Vimeo.

I have a list below of five things that all combined distinguish worship music from what would not be worship music. Please note that this list of words is qualified in the video, so you might miss what I am saying if you skip the video. Of course, lets please understand that worship music does not mean we are worshiping. That is an issue of the heart. This list is just a way of identifying the music that helps us to express that worship.

1. Truthful – biblical and also something we can say truthfully & authentically (John 4:21,23)
2. Singable – not just in range of the congregations voice, but I remember the tune and it represents what the group needs to sing.
3. Teachable – we sing to God, about God and for God but also to each other about what God is doing in us. (i.e. testimony Ephesians 5:19)
4. Reachable – culture comes into play, lets be indigenous and not make new people learn a whole new language (1 Corinthians 14)
5. Beautiful – the mystery, craftsmanship and story should be present. (Psalm 66:2, Psalm 33:3)

Did I miss any? What do you think is worship music?

Hymnosphere

By Gary Durbin

(Reprinted by permission from http://garydurbin.blogspot.com)

I've been leading worship in the local church for the last 7 years. I would be categorized as a "contemporary" worship leader, because of my musical style. Taking two churches through style transitions, I've taken my share of hits. I'm so grateful for these experiences, because they've sharpened me and tested my motives. They've made me better. They were a huge part of my development. One of the frequent attacks that came my way was the complaint for not using hymns.

 What I quickly realized was that when they said "hymn", they were talking more about style. This became clear as I tried inserting more hymns to appease them, and still could not win their approval. In other words, these same people could care less whether I sang the lyrics to "Greensleeves" or "What Child is This?" as long as it sounded, to be blunt, old. This crowd wanted nothing to do with the new. Again, I'm past the bitter stage and well into the thankful stage. Through all of this, God showed me my purpose. I was to teach and train the church in worship through music. I was to help them see past the style and fall at the feet of Jesus. That is my purpose and passion as a worship leader and God has made it clearer everyday through the fruit.

The flip side to this is the progressive crowd that has, in a sense, thrown the hymn book in the trash. They are caught up in their own form of legalism that says, "If it's not new, I won't use it." They want nothing to do with the old songs of the faith. What they're doing is continuing a cycle of legalism, that ironically, they're rebelling against. Meanwhile, churches and worshipers are being deprived of the main thing: WORSHIP.

I love Jack Hayford's definition of a hymn: "A hymn is a song sung to Him." The balance we can find is that God doesn't care about the date of a song. He wants our hearts. As a worship leader, I basically have decided to blur the line that separates the old and the new. I'm looking to bring songs that are Biblical. Songs that will usher the crowd to worship God in Spirit and in Truth. I'm so grateful to finally lead a crowd that isn't thinking "How many hymns are we doing?" As I've said many times over the several years, I want to use inspired songs by inspired Christians from all generations. To throw the hymn book out like yesterday's news is just as bad as being close-minded to the new songs that our springing up today. Remember what it's all about.

What's your thoughts? What's your favorite old hymn and why?