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Today’s “Guest Blog” is from Mandy Thompson. I’ve known Mandy for years and I had the privilege of doing worship together on St. Simons Island from time to time. She was one of the vocalists on the “Worship Under the Stars” recording back in 2005. I also had the honor of working with her on producing/recording/arranging some of her original songs for a demo CD. Be sure to check out her blog and music with the links below.

The Key of “Girl”

I fell in love with contemporary worship music as a socially awkward teenage girl struggling through each strum of a guitar on her own. Growing up in a traditional church, I’ve always loved the hymns. I’d even get the tingles whenever my vocal teacher would sing a solo. Music was my favorite part of the service and it didn’t matter what type. It was through the songs that I first memorized truths about God: What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus; On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand; Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe; How Firm a Foundation; All I have needed thy hand has provided. Great is thy faithfulness. The “training” I’ve received as a musician/worship leader started as a young girl covered in goosebumps, soaking up God’s presence in the rise and fall of melodies.

Now, as a worship leader, I’m primarily a worshiper and secondarily a musician.

As I grew in my knowledge of the bible, I also began to notice the importance of music throughout the scriptures. Miriam celebrating, Moses teaching the Israelites, David ministering to Saul’s spirit, angels announcing the Messiah’s birth, Jesus and His disciples singing, Paul instructing us to sing songs, hymns, and spiritual songs, John observing a passionate worship party in Heaven, and the list goes on. I realized that there’s something to all this… There’s something to Moses’ teaching, David’s comfort, the angels’ declaration, Paul’s instructions, and John’s revelation. Yes, music makes the human soul feel good, but it also teaches us, it encourages us, it imparts truth to us, it challenges us, and it glorifies God.

As a worship leader, I’m primarily a worshiper, secondarily a teacher, an encourager, a truth-teller, a challenger.

These nuggets of truth – these glimpses of Biblical music – became the foundation for my worship ministry. My efforts as a worship leader point in the direction of helping others become more aware of God’s presence through music, just as I did as a girl and still today. I long to “re-create” my childhood experiences for them. I long to help open their eyes to the veracity of Scripture, the magnitude of God’s glory, and the heart of true worship, by bringing passion, truth, and revelation to the service – all in the key of “girl.”

Comment – how do you worship, teach, encourage, and challenge in your worship?

You can read more of Mandy’s perspective as a worship leader at blendingworship.wordpress.com.
For more of Mandy’s music and life: mandythompson.com.