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Girls vs. Guys

So I get a lot of questions about the next topic. One of the popular descriptors about worship songs today is “it’s a guy song” or “it’s a girl song.” Typically what is meant by the comment is that a girl (or guy) sang the song on the original recording. I . . . → Read More: Girls vs. Guys

Reformation

This year is a big year, as it marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of the Reformation, generally marked by the nailing of Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” on the Wittenburg Castle door. The purpose for the theses were to raise questions about what was happening in the Catholic church. The . . . → Read More: Reformation

Congregational Singing

Over the last year or so, there have been a multitude of blog posts about the decline of congregational singing. I agree with many of them. Reasons given range from too many songs in the congregational repertoire, keys that are too high to sing in, songs that are difficult to sing, . . . → Read More: Congregational Singing

Saying “No”

     One of the most difficult things about my job is saying “no” to students who want to be in the worship program at Cedarville. These are typically students who have been accepted to the university, who have often studied their instrument with a private teacher, and who desire to serve God . . . → Read More: Saying “No”

What Millennials Want

There has been much talk on the internet about what millennials want in churches. The Christian pollster George Barna has done a recent study that is very interesting. A Google search will also reveal many more articles and opinions on this issue.

I think this is a good question to ask, . . . → Read More: What Millennials Want

Unity

A significant theme that has been recurring in my life is that of unity. It is critical that brothers and sisters in Christ be unified. Psalm 133 is a psalm that has unity as it sole theme.

1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in . . . → Read More: Unity

Less is More (Take 2)

One of my early blog posts was titled “Less = More”. In that post, I gave some of my basic ideas on how this principle is important for us as worship leaders. In the subsequent post, “‘Less is More’ in Practice” I gave some more concrete ideas on how to apply this principle.

. . . → Read More: Less is More (Take 2)

Keep Educating Yourself

One of the things I love about being a college professor is being in an environment where learning is always happening. Students learn. Teachers prepare for class: learning and growing in the process. Guests are on campus lecturing about different subjects. Deep conversations about God, faith and life happen often.

One . . . → Read More: Keep Educating Yourself

Salting the Oats

As the old saying goes, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” In my last post, I mentioned the one thing that we can’t fix about congregational worship. The one thing would be the congregation’s response. It is possible to lead a congregation to church, . . . → Read More: Salting the Oats

Helping Your Congregation Sing

There is a lot of talk these days about why congregations have stopped singing. I agree that this has become a problem in many churches, and I do believe that we as worship leaders are partially to blame.

Some of the top reasons listed are: 

1. Songs are difficult . . . → Read More: Helping Your Congregation Sing