Bass guitar - drives the groove

At the worship conference I was at a few weekends ago - at Hidden Acres - I went to a seminar on leading worship and a bit on practicing. It was supposed to be on something like that, but wasn't totally. It was more simply about the importance of getting a groove going - which really means the band is perfectly together - which comes from the bass player and the drummer being perfectly on - and really, the bass player holds it all together. He is a rhythm instrument and a note instrument.

One of the results of that is that we are practicing with the click track from now on. It's not always easy, but is good for us. I personally need the practice. I think I may buy some sort of plug-in metronome so I can use it anywhere. Benjamin, my son, needs this (he's 4 and incredible for a four year old - but a metronome at this age would be great for him).

Do you use a metronome or click track (don't tell me you can never find one that works - that they always slow down or speed up). Have you used one? Why don't you use one if you don't.

Engaging Hearts and Minds on Sunday Morning

How do we encourage (challenge, help, etc.) the congregation to engage their minds and hearts on Sunday morning? I'd like to be able to assume it - but that's ridiculous. I'd like to just say - ok - engage your minds and hearts (like on an airplane - they say - fasten your seat belts - and people do it). Obviously worship leaders (not a perfect term) realize the problem and try to work on it. Some talk too much. Others not enough. Some preach. Some pray. Any deep thoughts on this problem and how to "fix" it?

Best Internet Site for Worship Leaders

What do you think is the best internet site for worship leaders?

In my mind, worshiptogether.com is the best site out there. Join for free, and then go every week and print off one new free song - not just the chords, but the sheet music - and print it in any key. I print it in at least 2 keys, sometimes four. I file it away and wait for it to become a great song or to fade away.

So many times where there has been a song that I want to learn and teach our people, I find that I already have it (in many keys) filed away (Indescribable, Unchanging, and so many more). If you are involved in worship leading, make it a practice to go here each week and print off the music. Also, they have great web interviews with song writers and some good articles. They also have junk articles (from my narrow theological point of view). It's worth checking out.

I should add that http://www.igracemusic.com/ and http://www.sovereigngrace.com/music/ are both great sites too.

What site benefits you the most? If you start trying worshiptogether now and like it (or not), let me know.

What are the keys to making music worship work?

When it comes down to it, what are the keys to making music worship work (obviously, God has to make it work, but what are we aiming at)?

I've thought about this question a lot and have really tried to make it simple. Not that I've tried to make up a system, but I've tried to most simply understand why music worship works well sometimes and not others.

There are all sorts of factors (the people worshipping with you, setting, musical talent, songs being sung, etc), but I really think there is a simple way to look at this.

The number one key to leading worship music is to truly be worshiping God yourself. They are following me - and I must lead them in spirit and truth.

So then the question becomes, how do I do that? Or - what keeps me from worshipping? I suppose many things could - and devotional life, amount of sleep, etc affect that. But as far as the band is concerned, the thing that keeps me from worshipping God as I sing the songs is when I have to focus on playing the music. If we practice so well that I know perfectly where we are going and can fully trust those with me to know where we're going, then I can spend my energy on God and focus on making Him look good.

In short, when we've practiced incredibly well, that frees us to focus on Jesus and lead people in giving Him glory.

What do you think? What do you have to add? Do you agree? Shoot me down.

What are your least favorite worship songs?

FIRST OF ALL - Be gentle. I think we can be mature about this. Some songs just are poor - musically, theologically, whatever. What are your least favorite worship songs? Simple enough.

FOR ME PERSONALLY:

King of Kings (something to do with camp and guitar)
Blindman (that's my wife - she hates that song - again - camp)
Pow'r of Your Love
I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever
Southern Gospel almost anything
Turn of the century Gospel Songs (there are a few exceptions)
There are so many more - and I'm drawing a blank now
So many songs where I change a word to make it theologically (more) accurate
Shout At (I mean "to") The Lord (it's worn out its welcome)

What are your favorite Resources for worship stuff?

What are your favorite sources for worship stuff? Maybe it's a book, a website, a video series, whatever? Again, there may be many categories.

FOR ME PERSONALLY
I play guitar - preferably accoustic, so that drives what I do. I also do our youth music and 1 of every 3 Sunday morning worship. That's what drives what I like.

Best Free Resource - http://www.worshiptogether.com/ - join and go every week and print of the free song in many keys. In the last 3 years I've printed off a bunch I didn't know at the time, and now I use them all the time.

Sovereigngracemusic.com - great site - free tab to their songs; download songs cheaply or by the whole CD. Great theology with good tunes.
igracemusic.com - and the RUF Hymnal

Tons of Tab places
rockin with the cross
ultimate-guitar.com
christianguitar.org
guitartabs
911tabs
delicatefade.com
so many more


Books:
Hymnal with chords (not the regular pew Hymnal - but most hymnals will have a chorded edition - I really like the Celebration Hymnal).
Gravity & Gladness On Sunday Morning: The Pursuit of God in Corporate Worship (John Piper)

What about you?

What are your favorite Bands?

What are your favorite bands? Break it down however you want to. I am primarily interested in worship, so that might be a limiting factor. But maybe some secular artists have some great insights are are inspirational.

FOR ME PERSONALLY

Caedmon's Call (great theology with good accustic guitar; though too folksy and country at times for my style).
Third Day
Chris Tomlin
Selah (I'm a missionary kid from Zaire (DRC) too)
Petra (means rock, baby)
A cappella
Take 6 (I dream of seeing them in concert)
Newsboys (old school too - but I really like them)
Jars of Clay (love their cool tuning - EABEBE)
David Meece (at least in concert, I love him - he's a musicianary)
There are many more.

Actually, I rarely listen to music (I'm evil, I know)

What are your favorite Worship Songs?

What are your favorite worship songs? Please include the name of the group(s) that does them. Why do you love the song? Any other pertinent info on the song. Maybe you have to have two or three categories of favorite worship songs.

For Me Personally:

HYMN CATEGORY: could be extremely lengthy, but...
When I Survey (especially with the Wonderful Cross Medley)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Children Of The Heavenly Father
Holy, Holy, Holy
Wonderful Grace Of Jesus
Be Thou My Vision
Doxolory (modern Version - Ken Thomas)

POPULAR PRAISE & WORSHIP CATEGORE
In Christ Alone
Before The Throne Of God Above
Indescribable
Revelation 19 (Hallelujah! Salvation and Glory, Honor and Power to the Lord our God)
Blessed Be Your Name
Here I Am To Worship
How Deep The Father's Love For Us
How Great Is Our God
Wonderful Maker
Holy Is The Lord, God Almighty

CLASSIC P7W (and clearly, some of my Pop ones are classic to others)
God Of Wonders
As The Deer
Beautiful Scandalous Night
More Precious Than Silver
Step By Step

What about Blindman, Awesome God, and so many more.

There are so many more.

What is worship? And more questions.

What is worship (biblically)? I'd love to hear answers. There are two kinds of worship (at least) in Scripture. The broad worship - Romans 12:1-2 - daily offering of whole being to God. The more narrow - what we do with music in Church (or in private). Maybe I need to always say - "song worship" rather than "worship".

If you had to boil it down simply, what are the very key elements of leading people in worship? What does the worship leader (and band if there is one) need to do to help people worship?

I have many, many, many more questions. I hope to address those as well over time.

I'd love to hear peoples' thoughts on favorite Christian bands, favorite Worship Tunes, favorite Worship Resources, and so much more. Actually, I'll ask those questions in specific blogs. That way the responses will kind of arrange themselves together.

I have some answers too - that I'll post some time. Talk to me.