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What is missing from today’s worship services?

I was recently asked by Rick Lee James to answer a question on his podcast “What is missing from today’s worship services?” You can catch the podcast here. In preparation for the answer to the podcast, I jotted down some thoughts I want to share with you.

There is much about worship today . . . → Read More: What is missing from today’s worship services?

“Hymns for the Christian Life” review

Keith and Kristyn Getty are modern hymnwriters, and are contributing significantly to the music of today’s church. Their music is memorable and their words are impactful. They were on campus last week, and I got to spend some time with them. I was impressed again by their sincerity, servant hearts, and desire to . . . → Read More: “Hymns for the Christian Life” review

Idol Worship

I used to not think much about idol worship, but I am coming to believe that this may be one of the most detrimental factors in our worship culture today. Certainly we don’t have physical idols that we worship in our Christian churches, but we have things that vie for our attention which, . . . → Read More: Idol Worship

My Heart is Full

Last week marked the end of our 4th Annual Worship Camp at Cedarville University. We had 65 campers who were from various churches around the country. They auditioned for the staff and were placed in 6 worship bands with others they had never met.

Even a week later, I still wonder at the . . . → Read More: My Heart is Full

Reminders from Vacation

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Inadequacy

A sense of inadequacy can be your best friend. In today’s world, our society sees itself as a modern culture complete with all of the conveniences of modern life, and for much of the western world, comforts afforded by freedom and prosperity. As a result, we have very little need for God’s help or . . . → Read More: Inadequacy

Worship DJ?

I had a student ask me a great question. The question was essentially this: how is a worship leader different than someone who just plays song after song (basically a worship disc jockey)?

Insightful question, as I am afraid many worship leaders today are glorified worship DJ’s. The job of a disk . . . → Read More: Worship DJ?

Good Friday Book giveaway and Webinar Announcement

I have recently become friends with Jon Nicol of worshipteamcoach.com. Jon gave me a free copy of his most recent book Eight Words before The Cross, and he has offered me a chance to give away 10 free copies. If you will leave a comment on this post with your email address, I will . . . → Read More: Good Friday Book giveaway and Webinar Announcement

Relevance Revisited

I feel compelled to write one more post on relevance as it is such a driving force in our American Christian culture, usually for the negative. I see some trends in today’s evangelical church that are troubling.

Before I begin, I do want to issue a disclaimer: I don’t think we are to . . . → Read More: Relevance Revisited

Uncool is the new “cool”

Last week I read a post that I have been thinking about a lot. It resounded with me and was a great encouragement to me and my wife. The article is “Is Your Church Too Cool?” by Rachel Held Evans.

She had me in the opening paragraphs:

How a pursuit of relevance can undermine . . . → Read More: Uncool is the new “cool”