Singing to the Lord in the congregation can be one of the most exciting and meaningful activities of the local church. No other activity equally engages the mind, will, and emotions. No other activity requires the precedent of unity around the truth of God’s Word. It is a wonderful experience when God’s people are fully engaged and unified in worship.…
In the last post on this topic, I explored six ways to find new music for your church. After finding new music, though, the next task on a music director’s list is to choose the best music. Choosing music seems like an elementary topic for a post, but any music director who has choosen music with constraints like a budget,…
Yes, I am dedicating this entire post to review this book. I’ve read many books on worship and music, and there are many good ones. I can’t say I’ve ever read one so encouraging as this one. I think it is an important book for reviving passionate, joyful, and celebratory congregational singing. Keith and Kristyn Getty have written some great…
Let all things be done decently and in order. –1 Corinthians 10:31 Have you even stopped to consider how the smallest details of your order of service can communicate importance to the congregation? Did you know that even a simple detail like how you begin the service can set the wrong tone for the service? Specifically, have you considered that the…
Because my primary role at West Coast Baptist College is to oversee the music department, I am constantly asking whether or not we are effectively preparing our students for the work of music ministry. As you can imagine, the skills and knowledge required for this position vary from church to church. In some cases, a music pastor is responsible for other…
You’ve probably heard someone say, “Leaders are readers and readers are leaders.” I cannot pinpoint exactly when I first heard that statement, but I know that many great books have influenced my thinking on a variety of topics. Sometimes I ask people I meet in ministry to tell me which books have influenced them. I’m amazed how often I’ve never…
In part 1, I discussed some considerations when choosing songs that communicate truth in a powerful way. In part 2, I stressed the importance of congregational participation. There is a third, more practical way to develop the praise of new believers in your church. Create a development plan for your music program. Most churches do not have a systematic program…