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Welcome back to this series called “What Regimen Training Taught Me as a Worship Leader”.

Part 1 is here.

Part 2:  “Rest as Needed”

R.A.N.  It’s an acronym for “rest as needed” that our trainers constantly use.  They want us to be pushed past our comfort zones but they don’t want anyone hurt.  Every person that arrives at “Regimen Training” is at a different place in their fitness ability.

It’s profound how true this is when we gather to worship.  Every person that arrives is in a different place spiritually.  Some are super-charged and ready to go.  Others are broken, hurt, devastated, or discouraged.  Some are full of confidence while others are beaten down with guilt.

These are examples of one’s spiritual condition – but we have to account for one’s physical condition as well.  Have we ever considered that not every person in our congregation is comfortable standing for 25 minutes?  That clapping actually hurts the hands of the person suffering from arthritis?

As worship leaders we should encourage our congregations to press past their comfort zones.  At the same time, we have to give them freedom to “rest as needed”.  Perhaps communicating this to congregations will liberate them from the fear of being judged if they take a break.

Here’s the truth.  There are some who come from church cultures where it’s not uncommon to praise and worship through song/music for 45 minutes to over an hour.  There are others who have never engaged in a flow of 2 or more songs back-to-back.  Worship is a spiritual discipline – and I might add, isn’t always defined by standing and singing.

So what do we do?  Communicate that worshipers can “rest as needed”.  Communicate it frequently.  Communicate it lovingly.  At the same time, encourage your congregations to push further and deeper into their expressions of worship than before.  Encourage them past their comfort zones.

I’d love to hear your thoughts!  Comment below.

About the Picture:
Photo by Chris Moncus Photography, for Taylor Made Training.  After a series of “bear crawls” and “crab walks” through the surf  of the Atlantic Ocean on St. Simons Island’s East Beach, my arms and legs decided that “R.A.N.” was in order.  No pain, no gain.  And of course, Mr. Moncus was right there to capture my defeating moment.

Today’s blog was inspired by an incredible article I read this weekend over at “TheWorshipCommunity.Com”.  Written by Sarah Markley, this article (it’s called “Sitting Down – For the Record“) revealed a side of the worshiper in our congregations that many worship leaders need to know.  (image by Mark Beeson)

Let’s talk about “posture” in our praise and worship settings.  Specifically, sitting down.  I know, I know – we don’t find any mention of someone “sitting” in praise or worship before the Lord in Scripture … I’m afraid I’ve probably used that one to manipulate those I’ve led … But then again … since when is the “singing” portion of our worship services the only time we are “in worship”?

I will never forget this time I was at a Hillsongs concert in Jacksonville, Florida.  It was several years ago and I was with a group of friends … we were down on the 4th or 5th row.  Darlene Zschech was leading that fun song, “You Have Turned My Mourning into Dancing” … you know, the one where everybody is standing, spinning around, hands in the air, dancing, carrying on in radical praise …

And I was sitting.  Bent over, face in my hands, elbows propped on my knees … having an encounter with the God of the Universe. I forget exactly what we were talking about, but it was a more serious encounter where we were “having words”.  In the midst of this time, I remember it was like God called a “sidebar” … we’re just having dialog back and forth, and then totally non-related to our conversation, He calls it out …

“Fred, you know if these people are anything like you … they are assuming you’re totally bored and disengaged from this worship time”.

I found that humorous because of the intensity of the encounter I was having with God; yet, I found it humbling as He was nailing me … blasting me of the judgment I’ve held so many times as I look at the postures and expressions of those I’m leading.

For the most part, I think we can discern when someone is (or is not) engaging.  Posture says a lot in most cases.  Scripture gives plenty of instruction and examples of Biblical postures of worship and praise.  But I think we can use those to manipulate people.  Worse, we can judge where they are and become a Pharisee ourselves.

What do you think?

Hey Everybody -

This is Part 2 of “What I Learned on the Mountain” … if you missed Part 1, check it out here.

Markers and Memories

As best as I can tell, it had been nearly 20 years since I climbed this mountain and stood on this summit.  There was a driving force inside of me that wanted to return to that place I’d been before.  That place was so special, bringing some great memories I’d experienced with friends in high school.

It’s amazing how our memory works.  I second-guessed my memory on the initial hike and went the wrong direction.  For nearly 10 minutes I kept walking but my memory was saying two things.  “Fred, I think you used to park and walk ACROSS the road you drove in on to get on the trail”.  “Fred, this hike is constantly going downhill – don’t you remember how it was a constant climb”? Read more »

Hey Folks,

It’s that time of year.  Christmas.  “It’s the most … wonderful time …. of the year”.

There was some discussion the last couple of days on the “Sunday Setlists” post about the usage of Christmas Carols during corporate worship.

I sort of let the cat out of the bag when I said that I don’t get super excited about doing them.  I mean … I love the carols, and enjoy singing them … at parties, at home, in the car, at special “Christmas Eve” services, etc.  But when I come to church on a Sunday for corporate worship, I tend to want to sing songs where I feel that I’m connecting with Christ.  I want to feel like I’m worshiping God, and not just singing a lullaby story about what He did 2,000+ years ago.

Clearly, this preference can cause issues – lots of people come to church wanting something familiar, something safe, and really can’t think of a better outlet to sing these wonderful songs.  But as a Worship Leader who is constantly trying to figure out how to maximize the small amount of time I’m given … I think to myself “OK, so I can sing ‘Away in A Manger’, or I can sing “Mighty to Save’”.  I am going to default to “Mighty To Save” every time.

Now – I realize this is my preference.  I also have all intentions of singing some Christmas Carols in our corporate worship over the coming weeks.

As I’ve pondered this, I started thinking about the verses in both Ephesians and Colossians where it tells us to “speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs”.  The truth is, these songs (most of them) are actually telling a story – of Christ, His birth, His becoming flesh for us.  This is doctrine.  This is at the very core of our faith.  So yeah – maybe I don’t feel like I’m diving deep into vertical worship … but I’m definitely “singing a spiritual song”, and telling a story.

Can’t that be considered worship, too?

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.