Worship HeartCries

Thank you for your kind words. As the Apostle John...

2012-05-04T21:14:28.081-05:00

Thank you for your kind words. As the Apostle John says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." [I John 5:13]

Well said my friend in the Lord Jesus Christ. God ...

2012-05-04T13:47:14.174-05:00

Well said my friend in the Lord Jesus Christ. God is coming back for the true followers of Jesus Christ. I hope that I am one of them as well. God bless you and your ministry!

Thanks, Paulo. I appreciate your taking time to re...

2012-04-30T20:10:05.432-05:00

Thanks, Paulo. I appreciate your taking time to read it. It was good to meet some of your members at El Congreso in Waco, too.

Great Post Ed, I love it.

2012-04-30T18:57:10.800-05:00

Great Post Ed, I love it.

Thanks, Kris. Learning to reassign meaning is a li...

2012-04-16T13:51:44.823-05:00

Thanks, Kris. Learning to reassign meaning is a lifelong task!

He does have amazing things planned!! It is hard w...

2012-04-15T22:20:50.246-05:00

He does have amazing things planned!! It is hard when we can't see them though. He is showing His glory through you, as you trust Him.
Love you. Respect you so much!

The full document has been sent to the email addre...

2012-02-23T15:00:13.293-06:00

The full document has been sent to the email address given. I trust that it will be helpful. Robert Woods and Brian Walrath compiled a helpful study on top 25 from 1989-2005 in the book entitled, "The Message in the Music: Studying Contemporary Praise and Worship," published by Abingdon. I recommend it for further study.

Please send a copy of your full study to Rhoffmann...

2012-02-23T14:39:30.041-06:00

Please send a copy of your full study to Rhoffmann12@aol.com

Thanks for your honesty, Brian. Would that more of...

2012-02-20T21:21:42.003-06:00

Thanks for your honesty, Brian. Would that more of those leading worship would join your efforts.

I rejoice with you, Brian! Our congregational wors...

2012-02-20T21:19:17.282-06:00

I rejoice with you, Brian! Our congregational worship changes one person at a time, and God can use testimonies like yours to encourage many more to join the worship revolution!

I'm failing my church family by treating sympt...

2012-02-20T11:16:58.331-06:00

I'm failing my church family by treating symptoms.
Thanks for the eye-opener.

"Corporate worship is an extension of private...

2012-02-20T11:07:20.207-06:00

"Corporate worship is an extension of private worship." when I learned this a few years ago, it changed my whole ministry. I began worshipping at the piano with the entire upcoming service schedule in preparation. This was different than practicing the notes to get them right - it's actually meditating on the words and thoughts in prayer and praise and song to God. Now my worship leading on Sundays is so full, because I've already been filled with the thoughts these songs address in relation to my heavenly Father. It's been a ministry-changer!

Thanks, Michael, I appreciate your reading and com...

2012-02-18T22:25:53.950-06:00

Thanks, Michael, I appreciate your reading and commenting. God Bless you, your family, and ministry!

Great word, Ed. Thanks for sharing your blog!

2012-02-18T21:16:02.930-06:00

Great word, Ed. Thanks for sharing your blog!

Simon, I will be glad to send it your way. Another...

2012-02-15T21:53:10.885-06:00

Simon, I will be glad to send it your way. Another resource that you might be interested in is the following book that did an earlier survey:
Wood, Robert and Brian Walrath. The Message in the Music: Studying Contemporary Praise and Worship. Nashville: Abingdon, 2007.

Dr. Steele, I too would like a copy of your comple...

2012-02-15T19:51:03.073-06:00

Dr. Steele, I too would like a copy of your complete study. As a worship, this subject fascinates me. Please email to simon at gillbee dot com. Thanks!

Thanks, Eric for your comments; always thoughtful,...

2012-02-14T19:17:08.287-06:00

Thanks, Eric for your comments; always thoughtful, always helping me to think deeper into the matter. A few years ago I was in a group and we memorized John 17; it has never been the same to me since. It amazes me that of the few requests in prayer we have recorded in Scripture from the mouth of our Lord, His request in John 17 is unity, and that, more than once. For us to properly reflect the nature and character of God, we must reflect the nature of the unity in the Trinity: "That they may be one, Father, as you and I are one." I would that all pastors and leaders would memorize the passage to help get the heartbeat of Jesus on the matter.

SOme good thoughts here on discipleship versus con...

2012-02-14T11:26:15.275-06:00

SOme good thoughts here on discipleship versus consumerism. I am reminded of the prayer of Jesus in John 17. I think we need to re-visit it sometimes. The three distinct sections in the prayer can be applicable to worship. First, as Jesus prays to the Father, he asks nothing more than the Father be glorified through all he is and does; Jesus always points beyond himself to the reality of God the Father. Second, he prayed for his inner circle. These are the movers and shakers, the ones who are always there, ready to serve. He prays specifically for their protection (not just physical but spiritual, keeping their hearts on Him). Satan can attack from without and within the community of faith. Third, he prays for all Christians (everyone cannot be a leader as the inner circle folks are). There are many who just are satisfied to follow and the prayer is that they remember they are unified in their worship and witnessing efforts. Granted this is but a sketch of John 17, but if our worship only hits the consumer end of things, how can God be glorified and His work accomplished when He is not the actual center, but, rather the desires of individuals are the center?

Thank you, Rebecca. I will send a powerpoint prese...

2012-02-08T21:04:11.379-06:00

Thank you, Rebecca. I will send a powerpoint presentation I did for worship leaders that touches on some these topics. God Bless, and don't give up. I have found that we can do more to help other grow by being an example of what Christ wants and loving those with whom we work. I know that is nothing new to you.

I really appreciate your referral to this post, Dr...

2012-02-08T16:35:45.865-06:00

I really appreciate your referral to this post, Dr. Steele. It was helpful. I hope to "distill" it in a way that can be communicated to young (and not necessarily well-versed/trained) lay-musicians. Any additional suggestions will be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your service to the church.

Thanks, David. See you this summer.

2012-01-25T21:11:46.160-06:00

Thanks, David. See you this summer.

Thanks Ed. I did the same with your blog on my si...

2012-01-24T21:31:45.778-06:00

Thanks Ed. I did the same with your blog on my site. Hope to see you at the BCMC in June.

David, I've placed a link to your blog on my s...

2012-01-24T15:16:42.073-06:00

David, I've placed a link to your blog on my site so others can follow you as well. Thanks for keeping the focus!

Thanks, David. I appreciate your input. You have a...

2012-01-24T10:35:03.136-06:00

Thanks, David. I appreciate your input. You have a great blog. I think one of the problems of the lack of theological training in worship leadership is evident when the church becomes "just another gig," rather than a ministry. Your words in "Convenience or Calling" is right on.

Ed, great post! You and I are thinking in the same...

2012-01-24T09:09:58.428-06:00

Ed, great post! You and I are thinking in the same direction this week. As I was preparing my blog post on Convenience or Calling I received your RSS feed and your writing affirmed some of the same thoughts I was mulling over so I quoted you. Keep up the good writing my friend.

David Manner