Worship is Life

I recently went to a great Christian concert (which was awesome!) and came out of the arena with my ears ringing.  Now before you get mad at me and say that I’m griping at music volumes, let me justify myself.  I enjoyed the concert.  Notice I said “concert” and not “Church Service”.  Concerts are supposed to be loud, church services, well, usually not.  If you come away from worship service with yours ears ringing, then there’s probably a problem.  Nothing should distract us from worship. 

While researching sound levels online, I found a great article that the church congregation and worship team will benefit greatly from.  The article, entitled Memo to Worship Bands is on Christianity Today’s Website.  John G Stackhouse Jr. gives five reasons why the volume should be turned down in church services.  I have added some of my comments below each number.

1. Cranking up the volume is just a cheap trick to add energy to a room.

• This is not always true.  I believe that there are times in a service when the volume should be turned up (during the ‘praise’ part of worship service, offertory songs, when the congregation is rejoicing, when the team is teaching a new song, etc.), and then down (during the worship time, altar call, prayer time, when Pastor is speaking, etc.).

 
2. When your intonation is not very good, turning it up only makes it hurt worse.

• Amen!

3. The speakers in most church PA systems cannot take that much energy.

• We have experienced this first hand.  Speakers will catch on fire, won’t they?

4. Consider that you might be marginalizing older people.

• As a worship leader, this is one of the hardest areas to discipline yourself.  Bringing pre-teens and seniors together during worship can be a hard thing to do.  It’s only by God and lots of sacrifice that this can be done without hurt feelings, unless the church has a designated ‘Traditional service’ or ‘Contemporary Service’.

5. Musicians—every one of them, including the singers—are accompanists to the congregation’s praise.

• This is one point that I try to stress to our Worship team.  We are not here for a show or performance.  We are here to serve the song.  We are servants.  It’s not about seeing how many guitar licks, drum fills, piano slides, or vocal runs you can manage to throw in ‘Trading My Sorrows’, it’s about opening the congregation to the presence of God.

So the next time you enter into worship, begin to focus on God and we’ll do our best to have the volume at the right level. 

You and I were made to worship
You and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free
When you and I embrace surrender
When you and I choose to believe
Then you and I will see who we were meant to be

–Chris Tomlin, Made to Worship

For all of you at Victory, here’s the setlist for the morning worship service.  Pray about and come prepared to worship and find God.  I may try and start posting the lists a few days ahead of time, so that you can look forward to what’s happenin’ at the next service….I said “try”.

Check it out below:

For all you Worship Leaders out there looking for new music to throw in your Ipod, I’ve found some.  It’s a “blend of Austrailian and American talent.”  Kinda like Steve Irwin meets Jack Hanna.  The music is from Christian City Church.  You can get all caught up with them on their website. 

From their website:  

“We want you to have the music for free – no cost. If you’re a musician, you can grab the chord charts from our backstage pass area. We ask just one thing from you… tell the world!”

True Christians, with true music.  Not about the royalty checks, or the hype.  Here it is.  Have our music and be blessed.  Their heart speaks to me.  I’ve been spinning the CD tracks from “It all comes back to You”, which is a step up from worship as usual.  Distorted guitar, and vibrant vocals on every track.  Be sure and give “Here and Now” a listen from the same album.  A worshipper’s cry to authentic and real worship. 

Enjoy.

The wait is finally over.  As I type out this post, I’m listening to it.  My #2 Worship person has just released another album today.  The album is called Hello Love.  Don’t know who I’m talking about?  His name is Chris.  Chris Tomlin. 

Many people have said that Chris Tomlin is the icon of worship today.  The poster boy of Worship.  Just look at his name, Chris Tomlin.  Now run the letters together: christomlin.  See anything?  Try again:  christomlin.  Yes mice and men, even his name has ‘Christ’ in it.  Awesome possum.  Chris Tomlin and Paul Baloche both have extraordinarily amazing gifts.  They both hold the gift of being able to write congregational songs that are both easy to sing and to play while being scriptural at the same time.  Chris’ new album proves no different.  Many great songs on it!  Read on for a track by track break down.

1.  Sing, Sing, Sing – If you’re not already singing this in your conregation, shame on you.  It was first released a few times back on a Passion CD.

2.  Jesus Messiah – it’s been on the radio for awhile.  You’ve heard it, and probably already love it.

3.  You lifted me Out – Hard core distortions on this song.  Chris’ tenor voice soars as usual. 

4.  God of this City – Another song released by Passion and also Bluetree.  Very powerful song written for the country of city of Pattaya, Thailand. Listen to it and be drawn to tears.

5. I will Rise – Slower song.  Still very moving.  Piano intro and piano driven.  I love Tomlin’s piano songs.  Lyrics are a proclamation of truth and rising up.

6. Love – features the Watoto Children’s Choir.  I like the song but it kinda reminds me of that Michael Jackson song  with the African Choir.  What was that song from?  Free Willy or something.

7.  Praise the Father – To me this song sounds like a hymn in the beginning.  Very christian-ese type lyrics.  Good song to sing for worship though.

8.  God Almighty – the intro alone is outstanding.  Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack eat your pants.  Hold on to your hats during the saweeeet intro.

9.  My Deliverer – A classic Tomlin song.  Guitar driven with distortion and delay. Lyrics are simple yet effective.  Don’t listen to this one if you don’t like songs that repeat and repeat…….and repeat.

10.  With Me – Another classic Tomlin intro’d song.  Pretty hard core distortions again.  Feel the drive in the bass line and the entire song.  Use of lots of delays again.

11.  Exalted (YAHWEH) – Reminded me of ‘Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone’.  Simple guitar and piano until the outro.

12.  All the Way My Savior Leads Me – Another slow one from Tomlin and the gang. I like this song but wish the would’ve ended the CD on a fast note.  Great song, nonetheless.

If you like Chris Tomlin and band, you need this CD.  Go buy it.  Don’t steal it.  Don’t pirate it.  Buy it.  Support the artist!