Worship Music Resource Tips
by Jay Walden
Jay Walden is a Transformation Ministries Worship Associate and full-time
Celebration Arts and Men's Pastor at Pomona First Baptist Church, Pomona, CA.
Jay is a frequent worship leader at camps and conferences.
I've been thinking about 2008 and what was going to be different about this year and the ministry places where God has given me the privilege to serve. I have always had a desire to "take on" a new area of ministry every year. My past thinking has always been about how much I need to do for God because of what He has done for me. As I get older, I am beginning to understand how naïve I was to have that philosophy. Not that new ministry isn't good, but just how much can one person do? Now, I don't just take on something new unless I give up something else so I'm able to give the new all I've got. Okay, enough about that. What is going to be different about this year than any other year and can this carry on for the rest of my life as a pastor?
The other day, my senior pastor, Glenn Gunderson, said something to me in passing (or I may think it was in passing) - he said "everything we do is about Sunday;" in other words, all of my prep, prayer time, rehearsals, calls and personal time with the people I get to work with etc. all comes together in the weekend of "worship" services. For some reason, that hit me really hard, this time, and I realized, "yes, it is all about Sunday".
When our church family comes together with us on the weekend to worship together, they, as well as the One we worship, deserve the best we can give. Now, that doesn't mean that your team members are all professionals, but it does mean that you have done your homework and the product you present is the best it can be. I don't know how many times I personally haven't been ready for a given Sunday and I'm embarrassed with what I bring to the "table". I don't know if you have ever experienced this, but if I had a regular 9-5 job out in the world, and if there was a meeting where I was supposed to make a presentation and I hadn't done my homework, I wouldn't last very long. Maybe that's why I think sometimes people don't really take what we do seriously. Could it be that our attitude of "good enough" is what keeps us from being who God has called us to be: His leaders? Let's praise God and cultivate the talents of those He has provided. Let's also make certain we're not the ones doing all of the special music. It's our responsibility to be constantly searching for people in our church or even people we know who aren't involved in a church that would be willing to come and share their gifts. I have done that before and the result sometimes is after being with us for a while, they stay! Praise the Lord!
Why don't you join me this year and make a covenant with God that you, with His help, will plan, prepare and present an incredible worship service that will make your church family sit up and take notice. Remember, it's not a performance for them, but for an audience of One! Picture Jesus sitting in the front row watching everything and coming up to you after the service and saying, "Well done, my faithful servant."
Some music tips:
Check out the vocal group Selah. They are an amazing trio who has produced several albums. You can purchase books and sing their actual arrangements. Most of their CDs are available on iTunes.
National Worship Leader Conference is going to be July 21-24 at Riverbend Church in Austin Texas. I went last year and it was really good. You can contact them by going to www.nationalworshipleaderconference.com.
If you're looking for some great women's small group music, Women of Faith has a couple of books available that your women will really enjoy singing. The available titles are: Faith for a Lifetime and Irrepressible Hope. Both books and CDs are available from Integrity Music. 800-239-7000
Easter songs for your congregation:
"Worthy is the Lamb" is written by the good folk at Hillsong Church.
"All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises" - personally, I like the Travis Cotrell arrangement.
"My Savior Lives" - New Life Worship. Check it out on iTunes. High energy but powerful!
"Arise" - arrangement be Michael Neale, Bigger than Life CD. Really good! This would be a great opener for Easter morning. Praise Charts has a wonderful arrangement of "Christ the Lord is Risen Today." You need to check this out and other Easter arrangements at www.praisecharts.com.
If you ever have any feedback or just want to talk "shop" I'm available! Just call me at either the church or my cell. 909-629-5277*3005 - church; 909-921-2701 - cell
Blessings and Happy New Year,
Jay Walden
www.pomonafirstbaptist.com
Jay's December Article
