FredMcKinnon.Com

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted you to know that the Apostle Paul has some great insights on all the bickering that goes back and forth about worship styles.

OK, well not really … but blogger and TheWorshipCommunity.Com member, Brad Loser (and that’s Loser with a long o, as in loh-ser!)  has written what he believes it would sound like in an ongoing, heated thread called “Musical Styles to One Style” over at TheWorshipCommunity.Com.  Check out that thread over at TWC.

“Beloved – why are you so concerned with meaningless quarrels over musical styles. Is God not infinite? What musical style is there that can, by itself, capture the profound and complete mystery of the Divine? Brothers, do not be mislead into the deceptive thinking that some would have you believe about musical styles. For they say, “This style is better and reaches more people”, and, “I prefer this style because it’s what I’m used to.” No, you gather in the name of the Lord at the foot of the cross celebrating the gospel in which we ALL find forgiveness and redemption. Set aside your petty differences and let the world see the power of the gospel as it unifies and cleanses His bride.”

Thanks, Brad.  We needed to hear that!

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?

Hey Everybody -

I’m back in the swing of things now since returning from our vacation to Mexico.  While I was there I had a rare commodity at my disposal … “time”.  I was able to read a couple of books on worship.  (OK, well I read one book, and I’m about 1/3 through the second book)

Who Stole My Church by Gordon MacDonald

“Who Stole My Church” by Gordon MacDonald was the main book I devoured on this trip.  I’m not an avid reader, but I found that this was an easy book to read.

Basically, the overall concept of this fictional (but very realistic) story is how the original influencers from the older generation came to discuss how they thought their church had been “stolen” from them.  What happened to the days when they had Wednesday night prayer?  What about the choir, and all those wonderful hymns?  Why do we have that loud praise band now and no organ?

Unless you find yourself working in a younger church plant where you “made the rules” to begin with, most of us have found ourselves in this predicament.  On many occasions I found myself snickering as the comments I’d read sounded as if someone had been listening to the many conversations I’ve been a part of as a Worship Leader on staff in multiple churches the last 15 years.

I can’t wait to tackle some of the “issues” in multi-generational worship now that I’ve read this book.  It’s an easy read and one that will equip all of us as worship leaders.

So you’re not a worship leader?  I bet if you’ve attended church long enough you’ve lived through some changes that you didn’t care for.  Do you find yourself living in the past, saying “those were the years”.  You should read this book, too!

What books on worship have really impacted you?

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Honey Hole Worship
OK, for those who didn’t watch the video … here’s the deal.  I had an awesome fishing spot called my “hone hole”.  No matter what, I knew I could go there to catch fish.  (before finding out it was toxic).

In our churches, we have songs that are like my “honey hole”.  These are the songs that make up the “reservoir” of songs that will be near and dear to your congregation for decades.  These are the songs that you can go to, and you know that these songs will inspire your congregation to engage.

I want to know what your three “go to” songs are.  Just because I’m a Redneck Worship Leader, we’re calling them the “Honey Hole Songs”.

What are they?

Hey Everybody,

Yesterday we talked about “Rock Star Worship“.  Today I want to have a conversation about “Distracting Worship”.

Let me qualify the conversation by saying that my background is from the more Charismatic church … expressive worship is the norm, including clapping of hands, raising hands, shouting, dancing, etc.  All of these are Biblical expressions of praise and/or worship, and I think most of us would agree with that.

Today the environment where I serve isn’t quite as expressive, though it’s not uncommon to see a smaller percentage of people with raised hands.  You can count on Justin (I would link to his blog, but he never blogs anymore) jumping up and down some, and if you lead’em … you can even get that crowd to clap.

Our posture has been one that says “we want you to be free to express yourself in worship, but don’t let your personal freedom become a corporate distraction”.  

Does that make sense?

My question is this.  What distracts you in worship?  The answer could easily vary depending on the environment in your church.  What’s more important – personal expression, because the Bible supports various physical expressions, even if it may be a distraction to the majority of those present?

Honestly, I don’t have a right or wrong answer – I just want to get the conversation started.  Let it rip, folks.