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Perserverance

We all have things in our lives that are challenges for us. Some may be physical, some may be emotional. Some may be self-inflicted, and some things may be beyond our control. All of the challenges we face can be discouraging, especially when the challenges seem unsurmountable.

The Oxford Dictionary defines . . . → Read More: Perserverance

Vanilla

Recently, my choir sang a two-song set in chapel. The first one was an upbeat arrangement of a popular worship song, and the second a traditional hymn modernized with some new rhythm. I liked them both, but if you asked me to pick my favorite, I would have said the . . . → Read More: Vanilla

Joy Robbers

Ever had something rob you of your joy? Pop your bubble? Rain on your parade?

I had this happen to me recently. I had just finished a great time of worship and I sat at my computer. First mistake.

Second mistake, I opened up a program that documented some criticism toward . . . → Read More: Joy Robbers

To Serve

To Serve

The last phrase in the purpose statement of the Cedarville University Worship Program is “to serve.” This comes naturally for most of our students as they have already served in their local church ministry before coming to CU. However, it is often contrary to human nature; we would rather . . . → Read More: To Serve

Worshipers

Worshipers

Our Identity

The second word in our Cedarville Worship Program’s mission statement is “worshipers.” We look for students who have the heart of a worshiper, and we seek to develop that heart while they are here. While I am currently writing an entire book on what it means to be . . . → Read More: Worshipers

Equipping

The next three blog posts will break down the mission statement for the Worship Program at Cedarville, “Equipping Worshipers to Serve.” While this is a reminder to our students of our program’s purpose, I hope it will be a helpful tool for others to think about their own purpose and how . . . → Read More: Equipping

Reflections on the Eclipse

Last week, large parts of the Western Hemisphere experienced a solar eclipse. [As the moon made its way across the face of the sun, it seemed as though the world stopped to watch. I was on tour in Bloomington, IL, with a group of choir students. Watching the eclipse was amazing, . . . → Read More: Reflections on the Eclipse

Leaders: Born or Raised?

I often remind my Intro to Worship Ministry class of a deeply profound statement: half of the phrase “worship leader” is the word “leader.” They pay good money for such incredible insight.

Seriously, as worship leaders, we often don’t give attention to developing our leadership skills. Worship leaders are called to . . . → Read More: Leaders: Born or Raised?

Grace and Truth

During the Christmas season, a lyric from a song or traditional carol typically jumps out at me in a new and meaningful way. But this year, instead of it being a song that impacted me, it was a familiar verse about Christ’s incarnation from John 1:14.

And the Word became flesh . . . → Read More: Grace and Truth

The Continuum of Excellence, Part 2

In my blog post in September, I gave some thoughts about using a continuum of excellence as a guide to help us improve our ministries and some biblical rationale on why it was important. I want to provide thoughts about some pitfalls of taking this to the extreme and conclude with . . . → Read More: The Continuum of Excellence, Part 2