A while back, a songwriter friend asked me an intriguing question. It wasn’t invasive, negative, or leading—it was a genuine question. “Do we really need any more worship songs in the world? Do I have anything to contribute, really?” It’s a great question, and the answer is, “Yes!” Even though…

If you have ever seen Georges Seurat’s famous painting, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, at the Chicago Art Institute, or if you have ever watched Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, then you understand the need for perspective. From up close this painting seems to be a smattering of dots…

I came across this passage in my devotional early one Sunday morning. As I read these words, honest and sobering questions flooded my thoughts: “This is true for Paul, but is this true of you and your congregation? Is it? Do you long to see them?

A blog post is not place to do a lengthy book review, but I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to commend a resource to you: a new book entitled The Next Worship: Glorifying God in a Diverse World. This book will benefit any worship leader who reads it.

The moment had come. And I was nervous. I cleared my throat one last time, grabbed my pick, adjusted the strap on my guitar and began to play. Was I recording in the studio? Nope. Playing in front of thousands of people? Nope. More pressure.

A few months ago I read Donald Whitney's book called Praying the Bible. For me, one of the most helpful parts in the book is his insight that many times when we pray we get stuck saying "the same old things about the same old things." His point is that we can easily go into prayer…

We humans were made to wander and wait for someone or something to come and capture our hearts, restore our soul, and meet our deepest heart needs. Our lives are combusting with expectation and anticipation, and we're groaning for answers.

We usually think of the Reformation of the 15th Century in terms of doctrinal renewal. The Reformers were not seeking to bring new or original truths to the Church; rather, they were zealous to bring back to the Church the biblical/apostolic teaching concerning salvation…

I can remember my first time lifting weights. Having zero athletic ability, coordination or training, it seemed a daunting task to repeatedly lift the heavy load above me. Anxiously, I took my place on the bench seat. I gripped the bar tightly and lifted.

Our instinct in thinking about worship from a biblical perspective is, rightly, to go to the Psalms. But have you ever considered going to Proverbs? Proverbs 8, for instance, is a beautiful passage of scripture that can help us form a holistic view of worship.

Emotions in worship are a touchy subject. They’re touchy because, first, worship is often intensely emotional, and, second, many of us have had unpleasant experiences with leaders who have abused that reality. In my opinion, there are two extremes, neither of which are healthy or biblical

Our church sings original music. Not always, but sometimes we do it. Most of the time it’s awesome, but other times, it’s an exercise of patience for our congregation. Recently someone asked me to explain why our church writes original music…

My wife and I scrambled to get our kids dressed up for the fourth of July parade. We were clearly behind schedule and our friends were already at the designated meet-up location. By the time we got there, the parade had already started, but we were able to watch the end with everyone.

Do you think of the psalms as divine instruction that you must respond to by faith? Or do you typically view the psalms as a conglomeration of songs and prayers? When you read the psalms, do you get the sense that you must respond?

The corporate worship gathering is a vital part of the weekly rhythm within the body of Christ. From prayer to preaching to lifting our voices in song, we as worship leaders and service leaders must be intentional with our planning in order that our services help point our people’s affections toward God in worship.

1. Dividing congregations along age and affinity lines.
2. Eliminating choral expressions in worship.
3. Worship leader ageism.
4. Elevating music above Scripture, Prayer and the Lord’s Supper…

There is something powerful about Scripture. The Bible, “breathed out” by God Himself, is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning…

Anyone involved in worship or production ministry is all too aware of the critical role that volume plays in worship services. Can the congregation hear the drummer? Do the people in the back row hear the Scripture reading?

I recently had a conversation about the process of creating art with a friend who writes movie scripts. As we talked, I mentioned a difficulty I’ve had in writing a song that I’m actually happy with.

What one word unites the billionaires of corporate America and the church of Jesus Christ? Excellence. Check the mission statements. The ambitions of America’s business elite are strikingly similar to those of gospel-centered…