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Sunday Recap – Moved to Tears During How Great is Our God

Ryan Egan —  June 29, 2010 — Leave a comment

This past Sunday at Living Word was so good on several levels.  There was only two of us leading worship (guitar and piano) but it worked, and it worked well.  We were very familiar with all of the songs and were able to worship as we led.  The message was challenging.  And the people were singing. I love it when we can hear the people sing.  It’s always so encouraging.

I think, as well, what made the morning so meaningful for me is that I was finally able to let my guard down a little bit.  God has definitely been working on some things in my life and the words from the call to worship from Psalm 34 (which was also the message text) really struck me.  They were almost overwhelming and I wish I would have let even more emotion show through.  However, the next day I received an incredibly encouraging email from some regular visitors to our church.  It was mentioned that

the Spirit was alive and moving in church today and that [this person] was moved to tears during the song about how great our God is.

To me, if nothing happens in the service except God being glorified in this way, I can be satisfied that He was moving in this one person’s life through the music.  I’m so thankful that they took the time to write.  Here was our song set:

  • I Exalt Thee (classic)
  • Come, Christians, Join to Sing (Covenant Life Arrangement)
  • I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Hymncharts Arrangement)
  • How Great is Our God (Tomlin – Looks like Chris from Canada was right after all)
  • Jesus Paid it All (Traditional)
  • I Exalt Thee

I’m so looking forward to worshiping again next week.

*This post is part of the Sunday Setlists community at The Worship Community.com.

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Worship Leader or Worship Pastor?

Ryan Egan —  June 26, 2010 — 2 Comments

Shannon Lewis posted a great question yesterday that I thought would be worth weighing in on.  You can check out the full extent of the question at his blog, but here’s a quick summary:

My question is this: is there a Biblical balance, and if so, where is it to be found?  Is worship ever to be “seeker friendly”?  Even if not “seeker friendly”, is there ever a proper time to use songs because they are comfortable or familiar?

I think there’s definite Biblical support for both sides, which would lead me to believe that “pastoring” includes using both new and familiar songs.
For instance, looking at Deuteronomy 6 where the people are commanded to “teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise…you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates”  – speaking of the law that God gave to the people through Moses.  These things they were supposed to remember would be familiar to them, even to the point of them dangerously becoming too familiar as we see through how the Israelites acted (and how we act!), but they were still commanded to dwell on and remember those things.
Contrast that with the multiple times in the Psalms where the writers urge us to “sing a new song.” I also think of how Paul exhorts us to both “think on these things,” speaking of whatever is good, excellent, noble, etc., AND move from milk to solid food.
In the case of music I think all of the above can, and should, be applied. Familiar songs remind us of truth in an easy-to-remember way.  They also make it easy for us to meditate upon those truths.  New songs, as long as they truly are filled with truths that stretch us, move us from milk to meat.
In For Worship Leaders, Leadership
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Since We’re Singing How Great is Our God in our Local Church this Sunday…

Ryan Egan —  June 24, 2010 — Leave a comment

…I had to alert you to this great blog post that’s voiced some of what I’ve been thinking for a while now.  Enjoy, and thanks, Chris!

Chris Tomlin – How Great is Our God.

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Worship Seminar with Tom Kraeuter – My Takeaway

Ryan Egan —  June 22, 2010 — 4 Comments

This past weekend I was able to enjoy a day-long worship seminar from Tom Kraeuter hosted by the Association Free Lutheran Theological Seminary.  It was highly beneficial for me (and hopefully many others there).  What was interesting was that I came expecting a workshop on practicals and mechanics of worship ministry (namely – musical training) but was instead taught skillfully from God’s word about what worship is, developing worshipers, how to worship God in the hard times and more.

One thought that struck me deeply and has me thinking differently about a lot of things was this question that Tom asked:

Are you more interested in leading worship or in developing worshipers?

It is so easy for us to get caught up in the “importance” of leading worship and try to force fruit out of our congregation all the while forgetting that we must look at the root of where worship comes from.  If our people don’t have a biblical understanding of worship in their hearts and minds (root), no evidence of worship (fruit; excitement, physical expressions, etc.) will even be possible.

No amount of musical technique, words of exhortation, or any other way to urge people to worship will work if they don’t understand who it is their worshiping, why they’re doing it, and how to do it.

Lord, help me be someone who is much more interested in developing worshipers than leading worship.

What are some ways you’ve taught people how to become worshipers instead of just church-attenders and spectators?

In For Worship Leaders, Leadership
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Where Should Your Focus be as a Worship Leader and Musician in the Local Church?

Ryan Egan —  June 16, 2010 — 4 Comments

Last week I shared some thoughts about how I need to determine my focus as it’s been a bit off lately.  I want to spend a couple minutes looking at where I think worship leaders and musicians in the local church should be focused.  I’m hoping that in the next couple months (no, more like weeks and days – don’t want to put it off!) I can shift my mind to being laser-focused on these areas.

  • Extreme passion to see God magnified and to see His Word proclaimed.  All other focus areas flow from this.  If God is magnified and His Word proclaimed in every area of life, all areas will be blessed.
  • Being the best husband I can be for my wife and the best father I can be for my daughter (and future children.)  If everything else in life is going smoothly but my family life is suffering, my focus is incorrect.
  • Being a servant leader in music ministry and as a worship leader.  Instead of letting my experience and expertise define my leadership, I want to focus on letting humility and service combined with my experience and expertise define my leadership.
  • Amazing support for my pastor and other church staff and leadership.

What about you?  Have you needed to redetermine focus in your ministry?  Do any of these things resound with you or are there more you could add to the list?

In For Worship Leaders, Leadership
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