March podcast @worshipcentral looks at flow and transitions

In February, I emailed Tim Hughes and asked what are some tools/principles and things to practice as a worship team that he has found effective in song transitions or creating space for response in worship while still leaving the Holy Spirit time to move and do what He needs to do.

Tim & Al responded effectively to this question in the interview portion of their March Podcast.  Check it out!

We Restrict Ourselves

Often we feel restricted by others or by God.  But, Paul states in 2 Cor 6:12:

You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections.

I suggest that looking at where we invest time, energy and money is where our affections really are.  The most common affection is self.  This limits us in being truly effective for God.  Change starts with ourselves before we can expect others to change around us. 

Free Local Resources for our Worship Teams

In the Vancouver area, Long & McQuade music is putting on a month long event called "Long & McQuade University".  It is a series of free sessions put on my local musicians, recording engineers and sound engineers.  Look around your local area for similar types of events to help equip your team to be more effective in serving your congregations.

Long & McQuade University Schedules

Olympic Speech Points to our Hope?

February 12th was the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics here in Vancouver. John Furlong, VANOC CEO, said the following in his speech:

Seizing the moment to inspire the youth of the world through your heroic efforts, you carry with you the hopes and the dreams of so many.   

You are role models for our children - heroes, giants, human champions, the best ever. You are living proof that men and women everywhere are capable of doing great good, and that in life as it is in sport, we should always give our best and never, ever give up. 

You are our beacon of hope in a world so much in need of peace, healing, unity, generosity and inspiration. Youth the world over aspire to be just like you. You compete with such bravery, conviction and pride.

I am forever grateful that my hope is not dependent on the athletes of the world.  As talented and gifted as they are, the only one who unchanging and a secure foundation is the Lord Jesus.  Worship is aligning ourselves with this truth and living our lives to the glory of God.  We should look to Christ as "our beacon of hope in a world so much in need of peace, healing, unity, generosity and inspiration" and salvation.

Free 10-Minute Vocal Warm-Up

If you sign up for the Praise Vocals Newsletter, you can download a free 10-minute vocal warm-up. I have been using it to warm-up my voice while driving to church for our Sunday morning music practice and I have found it very helpful in both sustaining my voice through the service and not feeling so vocally strained by the end of the day. I highly recommend this as a good way to warm-up your voice.