FredMcKinnon.Com

Yesterday I blogged about how I changed a lyric in Jonathan Stockstill’s (Deluge) “Open Up the Sky”.  I only changed one word but it was enough to make the song singable in corporate worship for me.  Jonathan even sanctioned the change!

Today I’d like to as you …

“What worship song lyrics really bother you”?

Do me a favor – comment, and then share this link on Facebook, Retweet on Twitter, etc.  Let’s get the community rolling here again!

HEY -

We interrupt your afternoon with a quick announcement (yes, two blog posts in one day!) ….

TONIGHT, I will be joining several others in a live, online discussion, sponsored and hosted by the AllAboutWorship Podcast.

The topic?  Senior Pastor and Worship Leader Relationships!

Check out the details, and join us tonight!

I’d like to ask this question and have you respond here on the blog.  I hope this will bring forth good dialog.  My goal is not to accuse anyone of anything, nor is that my own heart or philosophy.  I have my thoughts – but I’m curious what you think.

True or False:

Younger Generations are more likely to accept and appreciate the music of Older Generations than Older Generations are of Younger Generations.

Look forward to the conversation. Let’s keep it respectful and in the spirit of love. This post is not meant to be divisive. It’s meant to open our eyes to various views so that we can be more effective at leading our generations in worship.

What say you?

Hey Everybody -

A while back I got a great “Q&A” email from Barry Trowbridge.  I’d like to use it as a post today and ask everyone to rally and get some responses for Barry.

Fred – I really am enjoying your blog. Since you are a  worship leader, I’d like to get your opinion/thoughts on something. We have about 25 people who are involved in leading worship at our church – several instrumentalists and vocalists, and we serve on a rotating basis, and don’t always serve with the same people, so there are very few times during the year when we’re all in the same place at the same time. As a result, we’re having trouble figuring out how to build great community in such a setting. I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you and your team  builds community.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you might have on this topic.
(Barry Trowbridge – www.weightuponthelord.com)

My Response:

Barry, this is a great question that shows your pastor’s heart in leading this team.  I believe that the stronger our relationships can be “off” the platform the better.  This intimacy and fellowship that we develop “off stage” will most certainly translate into greater flow, unity, and purpose “on” the platform.

Your question is also a stinging reminder that I’ve not done a good job in this very area.  I’ve got around 70+ according to PlanningCenter in the Main Auditorium rotation alone and it’s a daunting task to keep everyone in community.

A few thoughts:
1.  Food.  Nothing builds community like food and fellowship.  There is something about “breaking bread” together.  Have a BBQ, a big pizza party, etc.

2.  Ministry.  Consider having a time when you bring everyone together, and then have an outsider come in and just minister to your group.  Lead them in worship, or teach and train them.

3.  Experience Other Ministry.  If a worship artist is having a concert nearby, have a road trip.  We took a handful of our musicians to see Hillsong United in Jacksonville and it was a great time of team building.  The drive down was probably the best part of it.  Also, consider purchasing some DVDs of live worship and playing them.  It’s a great way to eat, fellowship, and then explore some purpose.

4.  Reach In.  Beyond just their participation on the worship team, make sure that as many volunteers as possible are “reaching in” on a different level – through a small group of sorts.  In our church, that could be a home group, Men’s Fraternity, Women’s Bible Study, etc.

What I’m learning is that if you don’t proactively plan these and get them on the calendar, they simply won’t happen.  Shoot for at least 3-4 times per year.

How about everyone else that reads this blog?  What would you suggest?

[ATTN: RSS readers, a special word for you at the bottom of this message!!]

Recently I was asked by Bridget Willard to participate in the “5Questions” series they are having over at TheWorshipJournals.Com.

The Worship Journals was started by a guy named Conrad Abraham … we’ve never met in person, but have mutual friends from the Marietta Vineyard. I’m subscribed to their site via RSS and there are some great interviews with other worship leaders as well.

The 5 questions were:

1. What does worship mean to you?
2. What do you think happens when you worship?
3. What causes you to worship?
4. How is worship displayed in your life?
5. What is your favorite song and why

I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate in the interview. My 5 answers are posted at TWJ … so, what are YOUR answers to these questions? If time is rushed, feel free to only answer 1 or 2 … but everyone participate ! (that means YOU, my wonderful RSS-Readers … c’mon … click the link, go to the site … leave a comment … YOU CAN DO IT.)

For the Kingdom,
Fred