doxologue

Doxologue Moving

2006-06-13T16:06:00.000-07:00

We've decided to move Doxologue to our own server after recent server problems at blogger and the fact that David has modified Reformed Praise to make it one giant blog.

Doxologue has a happy new home at http://doxologue.reformedpraise.org. Subscribe to the RSS feed through bloglines here or if you have some other RSS reader, use the direct URL http://www.reformedpraise.org/?feed=rss2&cat=12

Thoughts on Leading Worship

2006-06-08T20:12:00.001-07:00

I wrote up a very quick and very rough draft of a document on leading worship to share with a worship leader who will be leading in my absence in a few weeks. What do you think of the following excerpt?

The role of worship leader at Redeemer is extremely important. His task can be summarized as aiding the Holy Spirit in putting Jesus on display in the thoughts and affections of His people. The fact that God would even allow men to be used in this way should deeply humble and amaze his soul. This is done by example (both in how worship leadership is executed and in his life outside of worship), and by spoken word through exhortations and prayers. He should strive to maintain an atmosphere of comfort and security during the worship service and should strive to avoid at all costs the awkward feeling of not knowing what is coming next or being unsure of what to do or say next. This awkwardness tends to pull our attention away from the Savior onto people.

How the worship leader aids the Spirit
First, the worship leader aids the Spirit by example during the service. He should be adequately to worship God privately during the corporate gathering. This is accomplished by having intimate times with the Lord in His word and prayer during the week and especially on Saturday night or Sunday morning. He should worship God authentically even while in front of the congregation and avoid the temptation to be more expressive or express His worship in particular ways so that people will think or know He is "really" worshipping.
Second, he leads by example through the ministry of his daily life. He has relationships with the body and models the gospel by not hiding behind a veil of godliness but rather sharing his concrete sinfulness to magnify God's grace.
Third, the worship leader aids the Spirit by spoken word. He should put into practice the command in Ephesians 4 to speak what is helpful for edification. The right words spoken at the right time can do wonders to lead the hearts and minds of God's people from one song or reading to the next. Worshippers have the tendency to tune their minds out during readings and songs and words of explanation or reminders to pay attention (put tactfully) can be a great help. He can also model how he is responding to God's truth by spontaneous prayers and reactions to songs or readings.

Christian Radio Jewel

2006-06-08T20:12:00.000-07:00

I heard a quote from a Christian radio announcer this morning (one of those positive, uplifting music stations…) that I just had to share. After a song came on about God being there for us during the storms of our lives, she said something like (I'm horrible at remembering conversations, but hopefully this is close) "isn't it great that we can listen to songs like this that really lift us up when we are in the midst of life's storms. It's not about us, it's about these songwriters. They have truly been anointed by God…"

As a songwriter, I was horrified by this remark. Being comforted by God's faithfulness and loving care for us is not about anyone, especially the songwriters (who are particularly prone to taking pride in their craft, I know from experience!). It's not about us, it's about God.

Teaching Doctrine Through Song: David

2006-06-08T20:11:00.001-07:00

Thanks for reminding us of the importance of what our songs are teaching. It's often said that songs can be more effective vehicles for truth-delivery than sermons! (We must not despise the fact that God has ordained preaching, not singing, as the means by which people are saved - see Romans 10) Your post reminded me of a chapter in a John Witvliet book called Worship Seeking Understanding titled "Soul Food for the People of God." In it, Witvliet compares the choice of songs for a congregation to our diets. Like the maxim "we are what we eat" he says "we are what we sing." Going even further, he says "What more soul-shaping force can we imagine than the songs we sing?"

He gives us seven dimensions of this metaphor:

Congregational song is a means of spiritual nourishment.

A great couple of quotes from this heading are "Consider the prominent spiritual disease of sentimentality: religious experience as candy-coated happiness and bliss. If we feed our souls a steady diet of musical candy, we will have little spiritual protein to sustain us." and "[Music] is more than a shell for the text. The music we sing shapes the affections of our souls. It gives emotional content to the text."

This nourishment comes to us through patterns and habits of reception: We all have a discernable liturgical-musical diet

Witvliet discusses variety in our services and not overwhelming our people with constant innovation but forming routines and habits and identifying those that already exist.

Just like eating is more than an event, singing is more than simply "an event."

Just like the point of a business lunch is the business deal, so the point of singing is to worship God. Worship, he says, does not exist for the sake of music. He also refers to the community aspect of singing.

Liturgical and Musical taste/etiquette

In this section Witvliet compares singing to cultivating an appreciation for a wide variety of foods. We should seek to become worship music connoisseurs, not intolerant, selfish wielders of our favorite kind of music regardless of how it affects the spiritual state of the church or is conducive to worship.

The nature of those we are serving makes all the difference for how we cook

Witvliet teaches that we should prepare music for a wide variety of people. I would add that it should be for our people. Those who plan worship should have an eye toward the particular edification of the people in their specific local churches. When I'm planning I routinely make choices based on the lives and predilections of specific people.

Music is powerfully uniting

Just like food is powerful at uniting and creating community, so is the music of a church

Liturgical music as spiritual chef

"Congregational music requires a cantor (song leader), church musician, a chief facilitator, and an enlivener." "A good cantor always helps us have good encounters with new things and comfortable experiences with well-loved things."

A closing thought from Witvliet

In the last section of this chapter he says " the church needs most is discerning, prayerful, joyous people who treat their work as worship planners and leaders as a holy, pastoral calling." AMEN!

Re: Grace Gathering, 5/21/06 (David)

2006-06-08T20:11:00.000-07:00

Kevin,

Thanks for posting your service orders. I hope that it will help readers think critically about how they plan their own services. One way in which we differ in our planning is how you structure your service into groups or functions. For example, you give each song or group of songs a section heading like "Songs of Meditation." While I might have the function of songs in mind when I plan, I like to leave this out b/c service items can fulfill multiple functions, which can change based on how the Spirit is moving on our hearts and minds as the service goes along. Another reason I don't add functions to items is that my people don't have a service order. We use the overhead projector and most people seem to feel comfortable just following along. We do make a music/lyric booklet available for those that want it, so those that need that sense of security that comes from knowing what's next can satisfy their desire.

The opening song is a great choice. It presents God's character and asks for help worshipping Him. I often use a great hymn that describes God and our approach to Him as our first song. A great next step is to confess our sin, which you accomplish with a read prayer. I will use either the worship leader's prayer, a time of silence or a song (and sometimes an instrumental verse during a song) to accomplish this. I think it's very important that we regularly come before God as repentant sinners - this is sorely lacking in today's worship services by and large.

The next two songs represent songs that I wouldn't use in congregational worship, at least here at Redeemer. Thy Mercy, while being a great text and catchy tune, suffers from what I call "disjointed prosody." That is, the verses actually sing differently from one another rhythmically, making it very difficult to learn unless you have listened to the recording many times or have sung it many times. Goodgame's tune to Wesley's hymn has always seemed disjointed with the lyrics to me. I get the sense that I'm sitting on a country fence swinging my legs in the breeze while I sing "I have long withstood His grace, long provoked Him to His face." Maybe it's just me, or maybe it's because I wrote another tune to that hymn in '99 which is much different.

So thanks again for leading your people in worship with thought and care and giving them God's Word and songs full of God's Word. When there is so much truth in our services I find the job of leading worship much easier - all I need to do is emphasize and point out various aspects of the truth that are affecting me, modeling how to respond to all this truth, and believers respond in true worship!

Re: Key Worship Convictions of Grace Church (David)

2006-06-08T20:10:00.000-07:00

Kevin,

Thanks for thinking so deeply about your church's approach to worship and identifying key goals. For many of these I can simply say "amen," and for the others I'll try to add something meaningful below.

Theological Richness: Songs should not only be doctrinally true, but theologically rich. Preference will be shown to modern hymns, and shallow, repetitive songs will be avoided.

I wouldn't write off shallow, repetitive songs completely. I occasionally use very simple songs (but don't repeat them too many times) particularly for those who can't fully grasp the complex theological ideas in the larger songs, like children or mentally slow adults.

Historical Connection: The great hymns of the faith should be sung, either with their original tunes or with modern revisions of them, allowing today’s worshippers to be connected to their brothers and sisters of the past and their depth of expression.

I completely agree that we need to connect our people to the past and give them a sense of the history of worship songs, particularly for congregations that haven't grown up with a hymn background. And I think it's important that they learn the original tunes to some of the best hymns.

Indigenous Style: The “feel” of worship music should suit the place in which the church is found, allowing the people of that community to give appropriate voice to their praises.

I normally call this identifying the local church's stylistic center. I believe that we should seek to be ever expanding the stylistic center of the styles of music people can connect with. That expansion should happen slowly in most cases, and can greatly benefit God's people as it helps them to have a broad palette of musical ideas that they enjoy. As Harold Best says, "the mature believer is easily edified." If we stick to the same style of music each week we'll box our people's musical tastes into a small corner of comfort and when they worship anywhere else around the world (or even around the corner) they may have a hard time being edified by the music.

Liturgical Flow: The structure of the worship gathering should have a certain flow, ushering people through the gospel to the throne of God. To say the gathering is liturgical speaks more of the thought put into the service than the feel produced by it.

I want to clarify what I think you are saying. A structure in itself doesn't usher people through the gospel to the throne of God. Structure refers to how the service is put together, readings followed by songs, etc. When I speak of flow I first speak about the flow of truth - what the worshipper should be thinking and doing with truth as they move from item to item in a service. This should be our primary concern, how items in the service relate to one another. Then we can speak about more mechanical things like when it sit/stand, how many songs in a row to sing, etc. Too many worship planners get caught up in the mechanics and think that the right physical structure, lights, seating, etc. will create worship or "take us to the throne." I normally avoid connecting the throne room of God with an intensity of worship or emotion. We enter the throne room of God not by the depth of our passion, but by faith in our union with Christ. And when we first "draw near to the throne" (Heb. 4:16) then we will find mercy and grace (our response).

Multi-Generational Appeal: A diversity of songs should be sung that appeal to all of God’s saints, not just a certain age group. However, a congregational “center” should be ascertained, enabling for an indigenous expression of worship by the bulk of the congregation.

I want to point out that groups of people who have different musical heart languages are often not defined by generations. We have young people who don't like pop music, and older people who don't like traditional music. It's more about the background and learned associations that people have developed over their life. Sometimes the hymn vs. chorus gets stereotyped as old vs. young Christians.

Corporate Emphasis: Believers should be encouraged to worship God primarily as a corporate body, not as individuals, during the weekly corporate worship gathering. This will affect songs chosen (preference for “we” songs over those “I”) and prayers uttered (“God, forgive us,” over “God, forgive me.”), as well as numerous other aspects of the meeting.

In the corporate gathering, there is a sense in which when we sing "I love you" we are also saying "We love you." I'm not sure that simply using the plural pronouns will help believers to see themselves as worshipping with the community. Additionally, using personal pronouns can sometimes help people appropriate the response they are singing and help them make it "their own." The psalms show us this balance of first person vs. second person.

Grace Gathering: 6.04.06

2006-06-06T14:54:00.000-07:00

Grace Church of Columbia - Grace Gathering
Sunday, June 4th, 2006 10:00 am

Call to Worship
Isaiah 40:21-26

Opening Song
The Glories of Calvary Grace Church (Steve & Vikki Cook)

Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon
Silent Prayer of Confession
And Can It Be? (v. 4, read)

Song of Prayer
Lift Up Thy Bleeding Hand (Cecil Alexander, Andrew Osenga)

Confession of Our Common Faith
The Eternal Purposes of God (Bethlehem Elder Affirmation) God’s Eternal Purpose and Election
We believe that God, from all eternity, in order to display the full extent of His glory for the eternal and ever-increasing enjoyment of all who love Him, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His will, freely and unchangeably ordain and foreknow whatever comes to pass.
We believe that God upholds and governs all things – from galaxies to subatomic particles, from the forces of nature to the movements of nations, and from the public plans of politicians to the secret acts of solitary persons – all in accord with His eternal, all-wise purposes to glorify Himself, yet in such a way that He never sins, nor ever condemns a person unjustly; but that His ordaining and governing all things is compatible with the moral accountability of all persons created in His image.
We believe that God’s election is an unconditional act of free grace which was given through His Son Christ Jesus before the world began. By this act God chose, before the foundation of the world, those who would be delivered from bondage to sin and brought to repentance and saving faith in His Son Christ Jesus.

Song of Thanksgiving
Father, Long Before Creation (Francis Jones, Andrew Osenga)

Song of Prayer
One Pure and Holy Passion (Mark Altrogge)

Scripture Reading
Exodus 14:30-15:21

Song of Prayer
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Robert Robinson)

Offering
Offering Prayer
Receiving the Offering
Lift Up Thy Bleeding Hand (Cecil Alexander, Andrew Osenga)

Message
Grace Church at One Year: Grabbing On and Not Letting Go of the Rope

Lord's Supper
Invitation to the Table of our Lord
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us (Stuart Townend)
Serving the Bread and the Cup
The Bread and the Cup

Community Life
Announcements
Sharing and Praying

Song of Thanksgiving
See What A Morning (Resurrection Hymn) (Stuart Townend, Keith Getty)

Benediction
Benediction: Exodus
Now may the God that rescued His people Israel in the Exodus and has saved us, His new Israel, through the New Exodus in Christ, make us a people who will profoundly experience and passionately proclaim the freedom of our Lord's grace here in our great city. Amen.

I'm Still Alive, If Only a Little Distracted

2006-06-05T19:28:00.000-07:00

Hey brothers, I apologize for my failure to post for awhile. I've been a little distracted by some big changes. You know this, but our readers don't--On June 1, I officially began as pastor of Northbrook Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. My first Sunday preaching will be June 11 (this coming Sunday). I'd appreciate you prayers during this busy summer as I begin a new ministry, look to sell and buy a house, and as Jenny gives birth to our third child in August.

Teaching Doctrine Through Song

2006-06-02T06:31:00.000-07:00

There was a heretic in church history who taught that Christ was a created being. He spread his error through song. The children would skip through the city streets singing, "There once was was when he was not."

I was reminded of the power of song to teach (and defend) right doctrine yesterday when I received this e-mail regarding my text, He is Altogether Lovely:

Mr. Schumacher,
I just wanted to encourage you to keep writing. Just the other day I was talking with 2 Morman missionary girls about the deity of Christ and how the person they call "Jesus Christ" is not at all the Jesus Christ of the Holy Scriptures . The words you penned (scripture shining through song) quickly came to mind and aided me as I proclaimed to them the deity of Christ. After a short conversation, they insisted that they could no longer stay and talk about this any longer as scripture clearly revealed Christ's deity. All that said, I just wanted to say thank you for your service to the kingdom.

Grace Gathering: 5/28/06

2006-06-01T21:03:00.000-07:00

Grace Church of Columbia - Grace Gathering
Sunday, May 28th, 2006 10:00 am

Call to Worship
Psalm 96

Opening Song
And Can it Be? (Scott Roley/Charles Wesley)

Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon
Confession of Sin 2.2.68 from The Worship Sourcebook
Leader: God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
God's People: But we have defiled our hearts with idols of our own choosing, doubting thatGod will keep his Word and his promises. We continually compromise the truth by trying to find meaning and security in our jobs, our friends, our pleasures, our projects—but not in God.
Leader: Lord, please show us your mercy.
God's People: Lord, have mercy upon us in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
1 John 1:9

Songs of Worship
I Will Glory in My Redeemer (Steve & Vikki Cook)
Better is One Day (Matt Redman)

Confession of Our Common Faith
Westminster Shorter Catechism Q37 & 38
Leader: Q. 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
God's People: A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united in Christ, do rest in their graves, till the resurrection.
Leader: Q. 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
God's People: A. At the resurrection, believers, being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.

Song of Prayer
Give Us Clean Hands (Charlie Hall)

Scripture Reading
Hebrews 10:1-25

Song of Meditation
The Gospel Song (Drew Jones and Bob Kauflin)

Offering
Offering Prayer
Give Us Clean Hands (instrumental)

Message: Matthew 5:8
Lord's Supper
Invitation to the Table of our Lord
Jesus, Cast a Look On Me (John Berridge, Matthew Perryman Jones)
The Bread and the Cup

Community Life
Announcements
Sharing and Praying

Song of Thanksgiving
How Great Thou Art (Stuart K. Hine)

Benediction
Jude 24-25

Key Worship Convictions of Grace Church

2006-05-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

I put this together sometime ago, when I was sharing my vision for worship with Luke. Tell me what you think. I would love to read documents of some of you out there that have tried to do a similar thing.

Key Worship Music Convictions: Grace Church of Columbia

God-Centered Orientation: The service in general, and the songs in particular, should point people to God, not self.

Gospel Focus: The service and songs should remind participants of the gospel—that they are sinners saved by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Theological Richness: Songs should not only be doctrinally true, but theologically rich. Preference will be shown to modern hymns, and shallow, repetitive songs will be avoided.

Historical Connection: The great hymns of the faith should be sung, either with their original tunes or with modern revisions of them, allowing today’s worshippers to be connected to their brothers and sisters of the past and their depth of expression.

Modern Expression: The best of today’s worship songs should also be used, allowing for modern expression of ancient truths, while still preferring God-centered, gospel-focused, and theologically rich songs.

Indigenous Style: The “feel” of worship music should suit the place in which the church is found, allowing the people of that community to give appropriate voice to their praises.

Liturgical Flow: The structure of the worship gathering should have a certain flow, ushering people through the gospel to the throne of God. To say the gathering is liturgical speaks more of the thought put into the service than the feel produced by it.

Diverse Instrumentation and Involvement: Diverse instruments and different believers (ethnically, generationally, etc.) should be utilized to lead all the saints in praise, while keeping a stylistic “center” to the gathering.

Participative Nature: The goal of worship music is to engage and lead the saints in worship. Therefore, arranging, playing, and mixing of music that encourages a performance-spectator mentality will be avoided. The voices in a worship gathering should be the main instruments.

God-Glorifying Excellence: The music leader and team will strive to lead in such a way that God is glorified, and that the saints will not be distracted either by their mastery or by their inability. This will be accomplished partially through weekly rehearsals.

Musical Beauty: God-glorifying lyrics must be matched with fitting, beautiful music that images the beauty of the Creator God who invented music.

Non-Negotiable Importance: As singing is commanded throughout the Bible and serves as the most supreme voice of amazing truths, its importance must be taught and modeled by church leadership. “I don’t like to sing” is an unacceptable statement for a believer of Christ.

Lifestyle Understanding: Worship encompasses all of life—certainly more than Sunday morning, and especially the Sunday singing time. Singing is just one aspect of a worship service, and calling it “worship” confuses the people of God.

Gifted Leadership: As the song leader sets the tone for the gathering of God’s people, he must be a gifted musician, passionate worshipper, and loving servant who can plan and lead God-glorifying singing times.

Elder Involvement: The final responsibility for the songs sung during the worship gathering falls to the elders, so they must be involved closely with the planning of services. They must not completely delegate this responsibility due to the critical teaching component of corporate singing.

Believer Orientation: Singing in corporate worship gatherings should be geared to facilitate the worship of believers, not appeal to “seekers.” Worship can only be truly done by believers in Christ.

Multi-Generational Appeal: A diversity of songs should be sung that appeal to all of God’s saints, not just a certain age group. However, a congregational “center” should be ascertained, enabling for an indigenous expression of worship by the bulk of the congregation.

Multiple Settings: Small groups, family devotions, and youth groups, just to name a few, are other venues that should encourage musical worship.

Corporate Emphasis: Believers should be encouraged to worship God primarily as a corporate body, not as individuals, during the weekly corporate worship gathering. This will affect songs chosen (preference for “we” songs over those “I”) and prayers uttered (“God, forgive us,” over “God, forgive me.”), as well as numerous other aspects of the meeting.

Passionate Expression: Christians must be taught to desire strong affections in worship. Hypocritical, heartless singing is to be avoided, while heartfelt passion is to be pursued.

Loving Deference: Church members must put the desires of others above themselves, not fighting to see that their musical preferences are honored as best.

Unified Praise: The unity of the local body must be pursued in worship gatherings. This is achieved, first of all, by having all the believers gathered in one room, with one voice. Multiple worship gatherings, and multiple, different-styled worship gatherings will be avoided.

Grace Gathering: 5/21/06

2006-05-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

I suggested recently to David and Eric that we begin posting our Sunday "orders of service" to promote discussion and provide ideas. Here is ours for tomorrow:

Grace Church of Columbia: Grace Gathering
Sunday, May 21st, 2006, 10:00 a.m.

Call to Worship/Welcome/Announcements: Lamentations 3:21-26

Opening Song: Jesus, Everlasting King (Isaac Watts, Matthew Smith)

Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon: Confession of Sin 2.2.68 from The Worship Sourcebook
Leader: God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
God's People: But we have often presided as harsh judges over the lives of others. We have been quick to place blame on anything or anyone but ourselves. We have avoided obligations to care for or to help people in need.
Leader: Lord, please show us your mercy.
God's People: Lord, have mercy upon us in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Titus 3:4-7

Songs of Meditation: Thy Mercy My God Is The Theme Of My Song (John Stocker, Sandra McCracken)
Only Hope (Charles Wesley, Randall Goodgame)

Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-17

Song of Prayer: Be Thou My Vision (Eleanor Hull)

Offering
Corporate Prayer: 4.4.17 from The Worship Sourcebook
Lord Jesus, you are our living head. Teach us to be your body here on earth—your hands, your feet, your eyes, and your compassionate heart. Lord, send the impulses of your love into the sinews of this church. May your will and thoughts direct us. Let your hands, through our hands, supply food for our neighbors’ hunger. Let them hear your voice as we visit and talk with them. Let children come to us and sit in our laps, as they sat in yours. Without you as our head, Lord, we are lifeless. We wait for your power, your Word, your instruction. Fill us with your life and love, Jesus. Amen.

Message: Matthew 5:7

Lord's Supper
Invitation to the Table of our Lord
In Christ Alone (Stuart Townend and Keith Getty)
The Bread and the Cup

Pastoral Prayer
Sharing and Praying

Song of Sending: Take to the World (Aaron Tate)

Sending: Sending 9.1.21 from The Worship Sourcebook
As you have been fed at this table, go to feed the hungry. As you have been set free, go to set free the imprisoned. As you have received, give. As you have heard, proclaim. And the blessing that you have received from Father, Son, and Holy Spiritbe always with you. Amen.

Singing to Jesus or My Prom Date: David

2006-05-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

Kevin said “So, brotherhood, what do you think is the impact (good or bad) of groups like MercyMe?” First off let me say that I don’t know any Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) “stars” personally. I don’t know their character, their commitments, or even if they are genuine believers. But I do have an opinion about the public face I see of these stars. Interviews I’ve heard on the radio or read in magazines often grieve me. The Lord has given these men and women a platform to share about the character of God, His mercy to them, and most importantly the gospel to a lost and dying world. Instead, what I normally hear is what their favorite foods are, what the last movie they watched was, why they shaved their head, why they choose the clothes they do, etc. And the article on MercyMe shows the increased trend to make references to Jesus more veiled to draw people in who might not know right away that they are listening to music whose supposed aim is to glorify the Lord. What I see of how CCM musicians compose themselves on the stage also grieves me. Again, I don’t know their character and would love to talk with them about such issues, but the way music performances are often given reminds me all too much of secular rock concerts which glorify the musicians.

The danger in making lyrics to the Lord just like secular love songs is that it cheapens the love we have for the Lord. Sure, we love the Lord like a wife/husband (oh, how using the world girlfriend grieves me!), but so much more deeply. These relationships are only a picture of the kind of love the Lord offers us.

Let me leave you with a graphic illustration of how this trend has affected modern worship songs. For a recent song team social gathering I had I gave everyone this test. Indicate whether you think each lyric excerpt is from a secular love song or a worship song. Then look at the answers at the bottom and score your result. For fun I gave extra credit if people knew the songwriter of the secular songs.

A
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call
He hears me when I call
B
Look into my heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all - I would sacrifice
…
There's no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All the time - all the way
C
Hold me close
Let your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to your side
D
I have climbed snow peaked mountains
I have swam in oceans blue
But there's nothing that
Compares to you
I've seen fields adorned with flowers
Gazed at open skies of blue
But there's nothing that compares to you
E
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
F
In the secret, in the quiet place
In the stillness you are there
In the secret, in the quiet hour I wait only for you
Cause, I want to know you more
I want to know you more
I want to hear your voice
I want to know you more
I want to touch you
I want to see your face
I want to know you more
G
Over the mountains and the sea
Your river runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart
And let the Healer set me free
J
My love
There's only you in my life
The only thing that's right
My first love
You're every breath I take
You're every step I make
I
I see your face
In the sky
Breathe your love
In the air
Hear your voice
Through the night
'Cause no one compares
Your smile is warm
Like the sun
Your eyes shine bright
Like the moon
I'll spell your name
With the stars
'Cause no one compares
To you
J
In the darkness
I feel your warm embrace
Your whispers
They calm my fears
My heart melts within me
Knowing that you are near
You are near
I long to feel your touch
You are near
I'm thirsting for your love
You are near
K
Everywhere I look I see your face
Your love has captured me
Oh my God this love how can it be
L
Oh a love like this
Can never be defined
A love like this
With heart and soul and mind
Those precious times I'm with you
Are more tender than a kiss
M
'Cause you're everywhere to me
And when I close my eyes it's you I see
You're everything I know
That makes me believe
I'm not alone
N
Draw me close to you, never let me go.
I lay it all down again, to hear you say that I'm your friend.
You are my desire, no one else will do.
No one else can take your place, to feel the warmth of your embrace.
Help me find the way, bring me back to you.
You're all I want. You're all I've ever needed.
You're all I want. Help me know you are near.
O
You make me happy
Make me feel so good
You make me happy
Make me feel so good
With the things you do for me

Answers to Find the Worship Song
A. “He Knows My Name” by Tommy Walker (Worship, CCLI #57)
B. “Everything I Do” by Bryan Adams (Secular)
C. “The Power of Your Love” by Geoff Bullock (Worship, CCLI #48)
D. “No Other One Like You” by Jared Ming (Worship)
E. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley (Secular)
F. “In the Secret” by Andy Park (Worship, CCLI #33)
G. “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever” by Martin Smith (Worship, CCLI #23)
H. “Endless Love” by Mariah Carey (Secular)
I. “No One Compares To You” by Gentry Wheat and Jayme Thompson (Worship)
J. “You Are Near” by Jason Mitchener and Liane Kuchmy (Worship)
K. “Every Move I Make” by David Ruis (Worship, CCLI #31)
L. “A Love Like This” by Joy Woodruff (Worship)
M. “Everywhere” by Michelle Branch (Secular)
N. “Draw Me Close” by Kelly Carpenter (Worship, CCLI #18)
O. “Happy” by Brandy (Secular)

Stuck in a Rut: David

2006-05-05T09:53:00.000-07:00

I wanted to add a couple things to this idea of clinging to traditions. Ferguson refers to tradition both in terms of our words and our activities. I find it amusing that churches who often consider themselves non-liturgical (not following a liturgy or specific service order rooted in tradition) and free from stuffy traditions of the past quickly manufacture their own new liturgy. Many worship leaders essentially pray the same thing using the same 10 words between songs or at certain points in the service. Over time Christians can develop their own mannerisms, way of speaking, way of using words, and ways of doing mundane things like driving. I’m not kidding. I have witnessed the affects of a church that developed their own complete sub-culture that was totally disconnected from the culture around them. And you know what? People were repelled from Christ because they felt they wouldn’t be accepted unless they started wearing a tie and using certain words in their speech.

His exhortation to make sure we aren’t clinging to meaningless tradition in our words hits home to me most in our practice of public (and private) prayer. I have prayed with brothers and sisters in Christ and many times felt like the whole thing was a meaningless puzzle of deep-sounding catch phrases picked up along the Christian way. And I catch myself doing this as well. When our prayers, preaching, or even God-talk is different from the way we speak in the rest of our lives we are giving the impression that there is a magical tradition or code of speech that gives us deeper access to the Lord. God sees and tests the heart, and prizes sincerity above supposedly eloquent words. Not to say that we shouldn’t strive for well-articulated, scriptural, and deep prayers, but let’s take heed that we aren’t simply trying to impress our fellow believers by the way be speak or act.

"God is my girlfriend" or Reflection of the Psalms?: David

2006-05-05T09:35:00.000-07:00

Sorry that it has taken so long to post a response to this! Hopefully the previous article from Sam Storms won’t be too far out of the minds of Doxologue readers. Chuck Colson’s original article can be found here, and the response by Sam Storms can be found here.

First, it seems apparent to me that Colson’s demeanor both in his writing and in his own description of how he responded to a worship leader is not Christ-like. The very first sentence in his article is a sweeping generalization that he can’t stand any contemporary worship music or worship leaders. He also declares that “Draw Me Close” has zero theologically content – a statement that can’t be true and is inflammatory. Colson’s defiant shout against the worship leader because he didn’t like the kind of singing that was going on does not display the humility and love of Christ. If the song or leader was leading people into unbiblical ideas about God or leading them into sinful behavior I could see justifying this kind of public retaliation.

Colson says “I'm convinced that much of the music being written for the church today reflects an unfortunate trend—slipping across the line from worship to entertainment.” I believe that He is drawing a misleading connection between a song and a spirit of entertainment. It’s not the song in and of itself that is “worshipful” (an adjective that I think is very unhelpful but use here to continue Colson’s contrast between worship and entertainment) or “entertainment-ful.” He goes on to describe certain musical instruments and the volume (which I completely agree with) of how contemporary worship music is played. This demonstrates that what makes a song entertainment is how it is presented and used. How the worship leader and team approach their craft is of utmost importance whatever the style or instrumentation of music is. I could just as easily level the charge against more classically oriented worship formats that the leading style tends to give the impression of still, cold formality.

On to Sam Storms’ response to Chuck. I agree with both of them with their concern for the increasing trend towards anti-intellectualism and lack of in-depth teaching both in songs and in sermons happening in the church today. I disagree with Sam’s suspicion that

Many who express their disdain for contemporary Christian worship do so less out of theological conviction or from an objection to its alleged aesthetical shortcomings and more from a discomfort with the way in which such songs call for and facilitate personal engagement with God. I love traditional hymns. But many of them, for lack of a better way of putting it, enable the soul to "keep God at arm's length." One can sing "about" God with theological precision and yet never engage the heart (see Mt. 15:8-9). There is a particular style of Christian music that never requires a person to honestly open their heart to God's presence and encounter him in a truly vulnerable and honest way

This statement is fraught with problems, in my opinion. First, from my experience, theological conviction and objection to alleged aesthetical shortcomings are the most common reasons people give for opposition to contemporary worship music. And there is some validity in those arguments. Contemporary worship music is often theologically vague (which can be as hurtful as theologically wrong) and the melodies and musicianship of songs are often very poor. When Storms says that many hymns enable to soul to “keep God at arm’s length” I have to scratch my head and wonder which ones! I have a deep background in knowing and using historic hymns. Sure, the language is often more formal, but if pastors and worship leaders model how to engage with these truths by explaining them in natural language, they become amazingly meaningful and facilitate deep heart responses to the Lord. Here are a few examples of hymns that express personal love and response to theological truths:

And Can It Be That I Should Gain? (by Charles Wesley)
Verse 4:
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray-
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Breath On Me, Breath of God (Edwin Hatch)
Verse 3:
Breathe on me, breath of God,
'Till I am wholly thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.

Come, Thou Almighty King (Charles Wesley)
Verse 1:
Come, Thou almighty King,
Help us Thy Name to sing, help us to praise!
Father all glorious, o'er all victorious,
Come and reign over us, Ancient of Days!

Fairest Lord Jesus (Joseph Seiss)
Verse 1:
Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul's glory, joy and crown.

It Is Well with My Soul (Horatio Spafford)
Verse 3:
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

My Jesus, I Love Thee (William Featherston)
Verse 3:
I'll love You in life,
I will love You in death,
And praise You as long as You lend me each breath;
And say, when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved You, my Jesus, it's now.

When Storms says that “there is a particular style of Christian music that never requires a person to honestly open their heart to God's presence and encounter him in a truly vulnerable and honest way” he is revealing that he believes this barrier to opening our heart to God’s presence is simply the musical style. I believe that this is disastrous and even idolatrous. In fact, to make matters worse, when Christians believe that contemporary worship songs allow them to express their heart to God but don’t give any reasons behind why they should love and adore God, there is nothing to separate their worship from the worship of the world. At music concerts around the world adoring fans are worshipping with passion, just not worshipping Christ. And the “intimacy” of the music aids them in their worship! Christian worship has specific theological content that we need to be constantly reminded of because we are so forgetful due to sin’s deceitfulness.

Having said all of this, I want to make it clear that I do believe music can either help or hinder the engagement of our hearts with the truth we are singing about. That’s the whole reason why I write new music to historic hymns. The tunes used for many of these hymns, in my opinion (and the opinion of many others) make it more difficult to engage with the lyrics. For many of us modern musical styles and instruments express more of our “heart language” than simple, four part, rhythmically static melodies do. The amazing variety in modern musical styles gives a broader palette for songwriters and “worship bands” to draw from to support the truths we sing about.

I am also not opposed to using more simple songs in congregational worship (though I doubt I’ll be using Draw Me Close any time soon). Kevin and others have already pointed out that we can invest meaning in these songs as worship leaders by our exhortation and by the context of the worship service around the song. I will choose these songs when I know they are meaningful to some in the congregation (for various reasons) and also for those who are young in the faith or of diminished mental capacity such as adults of low intelligence or children. Most of our songs contain a depth of truth that would be difficult for these people to fully follow, while simple statements of love and adoration are more approachable. I think it wise to plan for the whole spectrum of Christian maturity and intellect in our entire services, including our sermons. As far as possible from my human planning perspective, I want there to be something in the service that will particularly edify each person there, whatever their maturity, intelligence, or musical background.

Together for the Gospel!

2006-04-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

I just returned this weekend from hands-down the best conference I have ever attended. What a fabulous 3 days.

1) As a church planter, the conference was incredibly encouraging. I left encouraged to keep plugging away, keep trusting God's promise to build His Church His way.

2) I was greatly encouraged by the unity present at the conference across denominational lines. There was true brotherhood around the gospel without the "lowest common denominator" feel of other non-denominational events I have attended. The understanding of the gospel and of God and His Church was so marvelous that I felt more at home than had I been at a meeting of my own denomination.

3) It was a wonderful opportunity to see old friends and catch up with them. Nice to chat with you, David and Eric.

4) The worship through music was AMAZING. Bob Kauflin, if you read this, your song selection and humble leadership were greatly appreciated. It was a remarkable experience to sing such God-centered songs with 3000 passionate men. A preview of heaven, for sure, although the sopranos and altos there will round things out nicely. :)

Now I can't wait to head up to Minneapolis in September for the Desiring God National Conference!

Singing to Jesus or My Prom Date?

2006-04-30T15:38:00.000-07:00

The New York Times recently featured a story about a popular CCM/worship band. The article has interesting things to say about the state of Christian music and the evangelical subculture.

Read the article here.

Read Dick Staub's comments here.

Martin Luther: Pastor-Musician

2006-04-21T18:23:00.000-07:00

Gene Edward Veith reviews the 4-CD set, Martin Luther: Hymns, Ballads, Chants, Truth. This is one of my favorite "worship albums." It offers a great look at a pastor who loved for the church to worship God in song. It features every work ascribed to Luther. The songs are interspersed with quotes from Luther on the topic of worship.

Stuck in a Rut?

2006-04-21T06:40:00.000-07:00

Good post, Eric. Sometimes I think some of our churches are like pre-Vatican II Catholic ones. Everybody is talking in a completely different language. Nobody but the dudes up front know what is going on.

On the other hand, a lot of evangelicalism today is so completely disconnected from history. This is one thing that I think we can learn from the emerging church. Young people today don't just want relevance; they want historical connectedness. They want a big story to which they can tie themselves.

So, let's not overreact, Reformed community, and act like any pursuit of relevance amounts to selling out.

Stuck in the Rut...Stuck in the Rut...Stuck in the Rut...Stuck in the Rut...Stuck in the Rut...Stuck in the Rut...Stuck in the Rut...

2006-04-19T18:33:00.000-07:00

Does this quote apply to our congregational gatherings?

Sometimes we Christians are not very wise, as Jesus seems to have realised (see Lk. 16:8). On occasion we get stuck in the rut of a tradition that it is not in itself biblical. We fail to recognise that the words we use or the precise activities in which we engage are no longer appropriate. Instead of showing the contemporary relevance of the gospel, we veil that relevance and strip it of its power.

By our actions, we are really conveying an unspoken message that the gospel belongs to a past generation, or is permanently enshrined in some ancient tradition. But Christ and the gospel are always contemporary. We need to see to it that we live, speak, act, and witness in ways that are appropriate to him and to our time.

Sinclair Ferguson, The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World, page 156 (emphasis and odd Scottish spellings are the author's).

Family Worship Book Details

2006-04-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

Eric,

We're not yet in the position where we could make them available outside of the church, but at some point I hope to put together a website that will have the contents available. Anyone interested can contact me and I can send them a PDF that they can print out double sided to make their own booklet.

Here is where the contents from from:
Family Readings: The Revised Common Lectionary
Catechism Questions: A Catechism for Boys and Girls by Carey Publications (though I'm doing some editing on this, so you can use another catechism like the Baptist Catechism)
Memory Verse: I'm choosing it to go along with the catechism questions
Daily Readings: From Back to the Bible
Hymn: I choose one to go along with the catechism questions and memory verse if possible. I suggest that people learn the tunes from CyberHymnal.org. Here are the 52 hymns that I identified as those I felt families would do well to learn together (we'll probably cycle the same ones again next year unless I make some changes). Keep in mind that the list was prepared with a view towards children being able to participate in singing. The numbers are from the Trinity Hymnal 1990 edition, our hymnal.

#032 Great is Thy Faithfulness
#038 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
#044 How Great Thou Art
#055 To God Be the Glory
#092 A Mighty Fortress is Our God
#094 How Firm a Foundation
#100 Holy, Holy, Holy
#111 This is My Father's World
#119 I Sing the Almighty Power of God
#164 O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
#170 Fairest Lord Jesus
#173 Praise Him! Praise Him!
#189 Jesus Loves Me, This I Know
#195 Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come
#203 Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
#204 Away in a Manger
#208 O Come, All Ye Faithful
#210 Silent Night! Holy Night!
#247 O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
#252 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
#254 Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed
#276 Up from the Grave He Arose
#277 Christ the Lord is Risen Today
#295 Crown Him with Many Crowns
#301 Join All the Glorious Names
#307 Nothing but the Blood
#308 Jesus Paid It All
#455 And Can It Be That I Should Gain
#457 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
#460 Amazing Grace
#499 Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
#501 Just As I Am, without One Plea
#521 My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
#562 All to Jesus I Surrender
#571 Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
#585 Take My Life, and Let It Be
#599 Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us
#600 He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought!
#629 What a Friend We Have in Jesus
#642 Be Thou My Vision
#648 My Jesus, I Love Thee
#672 Trust and Obey
#676 Day by Day and with Each Passing Moment
#679 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
#688 Have Thine Own Way, Lord!
#691 It Is Well with My Soul
#693 Blessed Assurance
#697 Wonderful Words of Life
#701 Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It!
#731 The Doxology
#735 Gloria Patri
#--- Victory in Jesus

Screwtape on Worship

2006-04-18T06:56:00.000-07:00

Bob Kauflin has posted today a great letter from "Tapescrew" to "Woodworm." This is a play off of C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters. This short letter gives much truth about the problems in modern worship.

Family Worship Book

2006-04-17T17:49:00.000-07:00

Great thoughts, David, on family worship! I appreciate the emphasis on "moment-by-moment" worship. I do think we do a sort of spiritual damage when we stress God to our children at certain times and ignore Him the rest of the time. This only teaches our children that God is someone to give part of your life to, rather than your all and everything.

How can a reader get a copy of your "family worship book"?

More Thoughts on Family Worship

2006-04-17T17:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks for pointing out Jim Hamilton’s comments on family worship, Eric. I especially liked the way he explained doing various God-focused tasks with the kids at various times throughout the day.

When I reflect on my own experiences with family worship, I am reminded how often I fall into the thinking that once I’ve done certain “spiritual” tasks with the family (and my wife), I have effectively led them in family worship (or put another way, I have checked off my spiritual headship box for the day). We do the same thing with our private worship (a.k.a quiet times or devotions) and corporate worship when we assume that a great time with the Lord in the morning is like a can of spinach to Popeye – it gives us the spiritual power we need to make it to the next meeting. In one sense this is true, that these times of worship are refreshing and reinvigorating, but in another it is not. God tells us that worship is bigger than just special times where we focus our attention on the Lord. Romans 12 begins:

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Then Paul goes on to explain what he means by presenting our bodies as our service of worship by exhorting the church to be devoted to loving one another and living holy lives (set apart).

In 1 Thessalonians 5 God says “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” and in Colossians 3:17: “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

These passages show us that Christian worship is larger than just separate, special meetings; rather, it is something that can and should happen all day long. If we want to grow in our obedience to be worshippers of God we will meditate long on how to “pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks.” Sometimes I fear that families who are dedicated to nightly devotions are in fact doing more harm than good in teaching their children to be worshippers of God when the rest of their lives are devoid of God-ward comments and instructions.

At the same time we must be careful not to neglect these “special” times of focused attention on the Lord, privately, as a family, and as a church body. Hebrews 10:24-25 says:

Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Gathered worship is the highlight of my week. Oh, if we would only take family worship as seriously as gathered worship. Imagine the transformation that would take place if our families were as committed to regularly family worship as they are to corporate worship! The world tells us that we need “quality” time together and defines this as fathers playing catch with their sons or mothers baking cookies together. Though we are often tempted to think otherwise, family worship should be our ideal quality time.

You may be thinking that this family worship business is only for parents with children living at home. Wrong. Families begin with marriage, and couples can engage in “family worship” together. I would even suggest that Christians living together (like singles) have some kind of devotional time together.

I’d like to take this time to share some additional thoughts about what to do for family worship. At our church, Redeemer Bible Church, where I serve as the director of worship ministries, I’ve created what I call a “family worship book.” Here’s an excerpt from the preface:

This book is not intended to dictate everything that you do for family worship. There are many other wonderful materials available; in fact, so many that it can become difficult to choose what to do. Look at this book as the foundation of your spiritual training upon which you want to continue building.

For each week, the book has 4-6 short “family readings” that tie in together, 2-3 catechism questions, a memory verse, a historic hymn to work on, and daily readings (for those old enough to read through the bible in a year). The book was born out of the observation that many fathers don’t lead their families in worship because they don’t know what to do and don’t have or take the time to plan ahead of time what readings or songs they will do together.

So let me encourage you again to commit yourselves to family worship. Fathers and husbands, this means both having a plan to regularly gather for worship and having the spiritual insight and sensitivity to demonstrate how to respond to God moment by moment. Let’s show our family that being with the Lord is a true joy, not just an obligation, and let’s demonstrate that both during regular gatherings and by regularly drawing our children’s attention to the Lord as we “walk by the way.” (Deuteronomy 6:7)

Sunday Morning Peep Shows

2006-04-15T06:44:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year again when seasonal candy reminds what our songs, prayers, sermons and services must not be!

Brothers, don't let your worship service be a Sunday morning peep show!

Serving Assorted Preferences and Future Generations in Our Songwriting: Kevin's Quick Response

2006-04-14T06:58:00.000-07:00

An observation and follow-up question:

In our efforts to give authentic voices to the praises of modern people, we have, I think rightly, attempted to write modern worship songs. However, it often seems to me that much of the "modern" music really isn't that modern. This is possibly because it's written by more mature saints (a good thing), but the tunes often sound like they're microwaved from the previous decade.

Is it worth the effort to write "modern" worship songs?
How can we give voice to modern man without becoming obsessed with being "hip?"
How do we balance being culturally relevant with being historically connected? Or are either important at all?

Serving Assorted Preferences and Future Generations in Our Songwriting

2006-04-12T19:20:00.000-07:00

On Worship Matters, Bob Kauflin posts Reviewing Awesome God Children's CD Reviews. Near the end, he quotes one reviewer's critique of their musical style:

While it is true that there are many different 'tastes' in music, I cannot but think that there are some elements of the way an instrument is played that accentuate the fleshly nature of our fallen self. What do I mean? Well it is fairly obvious that romantic music is designed to create a certain 'mood' in the listener. Other music such as heavy metal causes the listener to feel intensely powerful and invincible.

Bob posts his reply:

Our understanding of how music works in worshipping God is probably more similar than you'd think. We, too, never want the music to overpower the lyrics, but rather serve them. Probably the main area we see things differently is what music "causes" us to do. Music moves us emotionally, but there is a powerful associative effect that can be trained and/or changed. Heavy music doesn't automatically cause someone to "feel intensely powerful and invincible," although that kind of music is often used to voice those attitudes.

I like Bob's last line, "that kind of music is often used to voice those attitudes." That is a good summary of how I feel the music should serve the text. Music should allow us to express the attitude of the text. When I sing Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” I do feel invincible, as I should. The song text teaches me that because of who God is for me in Christ and his Kingdom, I can let everything go and yet suffer no ultimate harm. I should feel invincible, because my God is a mighty fortress and I am in Him. That “feeling” is the proper result of this right theological perception. The tune must help me express that “feeling.” In this case, a “soft” tune would do violence to the text. Luther’s tune complements his text so that, by the end of the fourth verse, I am ready to charge into hell exclaiming, “Do your worst! God has willed his truth to triumph through me; His kingdom is forever!”

Luther’s tune was not designed mindlessly, as notes thrown on a page simply so a text could be sung in obedience to the command to sing. The tune was “designed to create a certain ‘mood’ in the listener.” Is this wrong? No, it is absolutely right. It is right, because mood created by the tune is appropriate to the mood demanded by the text.

Would it ever be wrong to use music to create a mood? Certainly. It would be wrong when there is no substance to the text. If the “mood” is all there is, with no understood theological truth producing the mood in our souls, then it would be wrong. It would also be wrong if the “mood” affirmed something theologically false or celebrated something sinful. (For example, the heavy metal classic “Highway to Hell” makes the listener feel invincible as they celebrate the fact that they are on a highway to hell. Certainly, this is not how our depravity should make us feel.) Bob goes on in his response to write:

Having said that, we aren't married to a particular style, and encourage singing songs in different ways, to reinforce the principle that there is no music that God prefers above all others. Rather, it's our job to use music wisely and responsibly, and to find ways to glorify God in various genres, rather than just a few.

He concludes:

We have no illusions that we’ll ever produce a project that will be acceptable to every musical preference or theological perspective. But in the mean time, we’ll continue to seek to write and promote music that will serve churches and parents in proclaiming the glories of God and the Savior to future generations.

I appreciate these comments. I think it is healthy to vary in our styles and to “encourage singing songs in different ways.” I also appreciate the desire to “serve churches and parents in proclaiming the glories of God and the Savior to future generations.” I think it is important to write for the coming generations, as well as for our own.

One of ways that I like to “encourage singings songs in different ways” and to serve future generations is by writing texts in standard meters. I have a heart for “traditional churches” and for my own generation. They often like different styles. Yet, they should be embracing the same God and the same theology. I would like them to sing (at least some of) the same texts.

Writing in standard meters allows for singing of texts in a variety of styles. This way, David may compose a modern tune (and sometimes make needed metrical adjustments), yet a more “traditional” church can chose a well-known tune of appropriate meter to set it to, if they so prefer.

I’m not proposing that all songs should be written in meter. I’ve written in irregular meter and will continue to do so. Some of my favorite songs are in irregular meter. Yet, I wonder if some quality texts are so tied to their contemporary tunes that the text will be lost when the tune goes out of style. I believe the church would profit from more metered songs. Might disciplining ourselves with meter not only result in more texts that are poetically artistic but also help to preserve them for the coming generations? Might such discipline make our texts more useful to the assortment of musical tastes in the body of Christ?

On Covenants and Those Who Sing Them

2006-04-10T07:53:00.000-07:00

This is a previous post from my blog. Brothers, any other thoughts about singing covenants? What about other ways to utilize them in worship gatherings?

At Grace Church, we see the great value in, not only holding to a confession of faith, but also giving ourselves to a church covenant.

Mark Dever, in his great new book (with Paul Alexander), The Deliberate Church, says this about church covenants:

As mentioned before, a church covenant answers the question, How do we commit to living together? The form of the covenant is the way we express our commitment. The content of the covenant is the way we understand our commitment. Our church here in Washington, D.C., was founded with such a covenant, and the original still hangs framed in our main meeting hall, complete with the original signatures from 1878.

Requiring people to sign a church covenant lets them know that they will be expected not only to believe the statement of faith, but to live it. It also lets them know how they will be expected to live it out-- i.e., in clear ways that build up the corporate body and enhance the corporate testimony of the church in the community. Implementing a church covenant helps to correct the misperception that members can live in either isolated individualism or unrepented sin and still be members in good standing. It provides a biblical standard of behavior for members, notifying them of what it means to be a member of the local church, and reminding them of the obligations that membership entails for our lifestyles and interactions with each other. Church covenants make membership meaningful because they clarify the spiritual and relational commitments that membership signifies. Clarifying the commitments of membership promotes the health of the local church because it keeps nominalism at bay and keeps us accountable to growing in real Christian piety. And the more we grow in true Christian holiness and love, the more evidence we have that we are indeed His disciples (Dever and Alexander, 62).

Very well put! In agreeing to a church covenant, we agree to "be the church" one to another in a certain fashion. It propels us toward being the type of community of faith that draws people to the love of Christ. It gives us a standard to which we can hold one another, expecting the loving discipline of the church when we go astray. We could say that confessions of faith guard the church's doctrine, while church covenants guard the church's practice (although there is obvious overlap between the two). More and more churches across America are returning to this wise, old practice of using church covenants. Grace Church is one of them.

To sign a covenant, however, and then forget it is obviously not to be preferred. Dever advocates in his book that churches regularly read their covenant vows to one another. He suggests reading the covenant when the body gathers to take the Lord's Supper. Probably about a year ago, however, I had another idea.

Rich Mullins once spoke of the power of great hymns. He said in an interview, something like, "How many of Wesley's sermons can you name? But if I asked you to list some of Wesley's hymns, you could probably name many!" He went on to argue for the enduring benefit of great, well-written hymns.

Why are hymns so powerful? I say, because, first, they help us emotionally respond to deep, theological concepts. We can read great truths, and that is good. But to sing those truths is greater. Hymns enable to us to connect our heads and hearts. They help us to exult in those truths. They assist us in reveling in the truths of the gospel. Great hymns can help us engage our hearts, and not just our minds, in worship.

Second, hymns help us remember great truths. Singing rich theological concepts helps cement them in our brains. Coupling great words with great music can result in great retention. This is why I am so delighted that our son Hadley is already singing songs like "Amazing Grace" and "Holy, Holy, Holy." As he begins to understand those concepts, I want him to remember them, and then eventually sing them with deep praise for the Lord.

What does this have to do with church covenants? Perhaps about a year ago, I approached a good friend, Eric Schumacher, about composing a church covenant in verse form that could be sung by our congregation. How great it would be, I thought, to have a covenant, composed in verse form and wedded with great music, indelibly written upon our hearts!

Eric accepted my request, and I am delighted. The pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Keokuk, Iowa, he is not only a gifted preacher, but a gifted hymnwriter. I am amazed at the way God has gifted him in taking great truths and putting them in verse form.

Recently Eric began collaborating with another friend of mine, David Ward, who hosts ReformedPraise.org. I encourage you to check out their first piece together, "There Is No Greater Portrait." In addition, Eric has numerous hymns posted at CyberHymnal.org. Please pray for Eric, asking God to use him greatly in giving His church great hymns.

Below is "Covenant Song." I told Eric recently that, as a sinner, I'm simultaneously excited and bummed. I love the song! However, it's so good that I know we won't be the only church to use it. Of course, that's selfish, and I want many local churches to benefit from this great work. I can just be happy enough knowing that we were the first to use it! A great benefit of the song is that it can be song to a great Indelible Grace tune, "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken," by Kevin Twit.

Brought by God the Holy Spirit to trust Jesus Christ the Son,
We, the church of God the Father, as his people join as one.
Having been, our faith professing, baptized in the Triune name,
We, in joy and holy earnest, do this covenant now proclaim.

We will work with love and patience for the Spirit’s bond of peace.
As we pray, we will endeavor to see holiness increase.
We will warn, exhort, encourage, as occasion may require.
We will seek to love each other, ever quick to reconcile.

We will not forsake assembling, nor neglect to serve in prayer.
We will seek to teach the gospel to those God puts in our care.
We will bear each other’s burdens and in sorrow share our tears.
We will celebrate God’s blessings, sharing in each other’s cheer.

We will strive to walk in newness, free from worldly lust and sin,
As proclaimed in our immersion, “Dead with Christ and raised with Him!”
We, our presence, gifts and service, do to this church now commit.
We will keep her faith and practice; to her discipline submit.

Should the Lord be pleased to move us, we will seek to quickly find
An assembly of like doctrine with a covenant of like kind.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus with God’s love upon us fall;
May the Spirit’s sweet communion be forever with us all.

Amen.

May God the Father write these words of covenant commitment to one another on our hearts, Grace Church!

"God is my girlfriend" or Reflection of the Psalms?: Kevin

2006-04-06T19:39:00.000-07:00

Although it's doubtful I'll be using "Draw Me Close to You" in the near future (we use tons of Indelible Grace, Getty, and Sovereign Grace), I think it's dangerous to make the kind of statements Colson makes. First, how dare we have requirements for song lyrics that the Psalmist himself couldn't stack up to! Second, to make mention of specific songs, in the manner Colson did, by no means reflects the love of Christ that should bind His people together.

Simplistic proclamations deeming some songs as shallow and some not are not helpful. Regarding simple love songs, often the how is as important as the what. If we're stringing together scores of sentimental, shallow songs to form a complete worship service, that's not wise. Imagine if you just talked in sappy, baby speech to your wife all the time. Using a simple song in the context of several theologically rich songs, however, can be quite moving. For example, Chris Tomlin's "How Great Is Our God" is a simple, yet God-centered, song. Placed at the end of a song service, perhaps following "How Great Thou Art," results in a moving, fitting response to God's greatness.

Colson is right that much of evangelicalism sings baby talk to God in her songs. He is wrong to say that there is never an appropriate time to express simple praise to our Lord.

"God is my girlfriend" or Reflection of the Psalms?

2006-04-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

What do you think of Sam Storms' response to Chuck Colson?

Great Thoughts on Family Worship

2006-04-05T18:54:00.000-07:00

Families are part of the local church. Don't miss Jim Hamilton's humble and practical remarks on family worship.

Kevin, You Ruined My Plan!!!

2006-04-05T18:51:00.000-07:00

So, Kevin...I guess #5 on your list rules out building the entire service around a drawing where one lucky guest wins a new car?

Unbelievers in Easter Gatherings: Kevin

2006-04-05T15:14:00.000-07:00

Eric raised a great question. How should we consider unbelieving guests as we plan our Easter gatherings? Here are five fairly obvious thoughts:

1) As Eric stated, we should be proclaiming the gospel and Christ's resurrection all the time.
2) It is wise, however, to particularly celebrate Christ's Resurrection at this point in the church calendar.
3) Nothing is better for a believer than seeing Christ's people worship Him with joy. We could do no more loving a thing than worship God so passionately in our meeting that he falls down saying, "God is really among you!" (1 Cor. 14:25). That is truly "seeker-sensitive."
4) However, we should not pretend that unbelievers will not be among us. We must seize this wonderful opportunity to proclaim the gospel simply and clearly during our Easter meeting, praying for the Spirit's work in their lives. We truly have a "captive audience" that comes perhaps once a year.
5) We must not do this in a way, however, that deprives the gathering body from celebrating Christ's resurrection. The purpose of our gatherings is to do just that-- gather as God's people to praise Him corporately. A meeting solely concerned with the seeker can forget the purpose of the meeting-- to encourage the saints in the gospel and enable them to praise God for that good news. That, too, is an opportunity we do not want to miss.

Good/Friday and Easter Songs: Kevin

2006-04-05T15:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I started this discussion, so perhaps I should answer my own question:

Good Friday Songs (taken from our Good Friday gathering song list):
Thy Mercy My God is the Theme of My Song (Indelible Grace)
There is a Fountain Filled with Blood
Beautiful, Scandalous Night (great tune by Daugherty, Hindalong-- "the Choir")
Who Is This So Weak and Helpless? (Indelible Grace)
Sacred Head, Now Wounded
How Deep the Father's Love for Us (Townend)
The Power of the Cross (Getty/Townend)
O Come and Mourn with Me Awhile (Indelible Grace)
Lift Up They Bleeding Hand (Indelible Grace)

(as you can tell we love the IGrace stuff! we may add a few more in here, as well)

Easter Songs (gathering not planned; incomplete list)
See What a Morning (Getty)
Christ the Lord is Risen Today (Wesley)
Beautiful Savior (Townend) (line: "you're the risen One; heaven's Champion")
Jesus Is Lord (Getty)
In Christ Alone (Getty)
He Is Risen (Schumacher)

I am very encouraged about the increasing quality of great Easter hymns! Soli deo gloria!

Good Friday, Easter, Suggestions, Etc.

2006-04-04T06:09:00.000-07:00

David covered a lot of quality songs for Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.

My comment: Should we be singing anything special for Good Friday and Easter? After all, if our focus is not on the cross and resurrection every Sunday, we've got other things to worry about than these two days.

That said, I do believe it is wise to account for an unusual amount of unbelievers in attendance on Easter morning. I think it is wise to preach directly and simply on the Gospel, as opposed to preaching on its applications and implications (as we might do most Sundays as we move through books). This is always good for believers and unbelievers alike.

I want to highly recommend the songs from David's CD Cross-Centered Worship. I plan to review this on An Infant in a Cradle in the future. For now, let me say that I have been listening to this CD for a few months now and every listen brings fresh blessings. I look forward to singing more of these songs and hope others will do so as well. The "cross-centeredness" in Cross-Centered Worship makes them more than applicable for Good Friday and Easter.

He Is Risen!

2006-04-04T06:02:00.000-07:00

A Resurrection Sunday song suggestion.

Unbelievers at Easter Worship

2006-04-03T18:51:00.000-07:00

Easter is normally the most highly attended service of the year with many nominal believers (sometimes called Christmas/Easter Christians or CREasters for short) present. Are there any ways that we should take this into account as we plan our worship services for Easter? Those on the doxologue would all agree that worship is for believers, not unbelievers, but in what ways can we explicitly reach out to and acknowledge unbelievers that would not violate this biblical principle and take us into the realm of “seeker sensitive?”

Easter/Good Friday Songs: David

2006-04-03T18:08:00.000-07:00

Part of the reason it has taken a week to answer this is that I haven't started planning these services yet! (I normally plan services 5-10 days ahead)

We just introduced See, What a Morning by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty this past Sunday so that we can sing it as a congregation on Easter Sunday. Another song that I almost always use for Sunday is Christ the Lord is Risen Today by Charles Wesley. A song that we are singing this coming Sunday is Up From the Grave He Arose by Robert Lowry. This is a particularly good one for including kids - it's one of our children's favorite Easter songs. We will probably use The Power of the Cross and/or In Christ Alone by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty as well.

For Good Friday I will definitely use O Sacred Head, Now Wounded by Bernard of Clairvaux (1153) which I consider the quintessential Good Friday hymn. After noticing that Bernard is referred to by his town a smart songteam member suggested that I start signing my songs "David of Minnetonka." We may use The Power of the Cross by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty and leave out the verse describing the resurrection. There is No Greater Portrait by myself and Eric Schumacher, Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed by Isaac Watts and Bob Kauflin and How Deep the Father's Love for Us by Staurt Townend, and O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus by Samuel Francis might be used.

We have a fledgling choir that will sing Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs on Good Friday and And the Glory of the Lord / Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah as well.

I hope that helps! I pray for wisdom as worship leaders begin planning congregational worship for these important worship services.

Easter/Good Friday Songs?

2006-03-28T21:03:00.000-08:00

Let me keep this going. Each of us will soon be planning Good Friday and Easter services soon. What, in your opinion, are the top songs our churches should be doing for each meeting?

Top New Songs: Kevin

2006-03-28T20:50:00.000-08:00

One thing great about starting a church is that you can set the "tempo" from the beginning. This applies also to worship music. Most of the songs we have sung have been new to our group. Here are a few of them (by the way, if all of you out there were using WorshipOrganizer, you could easily pull up a list of all the songs you have done; you're welcome, David!):

Indelible Grace
And Can It Be? (great upbeat remake of the original)
Arise, My Soul, Arise (an upbeat song that allows the congregation to preach the gospel at herself!)
Father, Long Before Creation (my favorite off of Indelible Grace IV; my 2-year old can belt this one out!)
I Boast No More (popularized by Caedmon's Call and actually on McCracken's latest)
Jesus, Everlasting King (powerful, powerful upbeat tune exalting Christ)
Jesus, I Come (super summary of the gospel)
O Come and Mourn With Me Awhile (perfect Lenten tune)

Assorted Other
The Glories of Calvary (great gospel-focused song)
The Gospel Song (gospel simply put; we've used it much during communion)
How Great Is Our God (quality modern song by Tomlin)
Indescribable (great modern hymn popularized by Tomlin)
The Power of the Cross (amazing modern hymn by Getty/Townend)
This Fathomless Love (one of Sovereign Grace's finest; all about the gospel)
Beautiful Savior (great modern hymn by Stuart Townend)

As you can see, Luke and I have used a heavy dose of Indelible Grace tunes, interspersed with other great ones we can find. We are so encouraged by the wonderful, God-centered music being produced right now.

Top New Songs

2006-03-27T14:12:00.000-08:00

I keep a detailed list of all of the new songs I have either introduced or plan to introduce. Since I have been at Redeemer (almost 7 months now), I have taught the congregation the following songs:

Baptism Hymn, an unpublished song from Reformed Praise
In My Heart by Sovereign Grace Music (Eric Grover), see the album King of Grace
A Debtor to Mercy by Sovereign Grace Music (Bob Kauflin), see the album Upward
It's All of Grace by Reformed Praise, see the album Cross-Centered Worship
Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting from Christ Community Church in Franklin, TN (David Hampton), see the album Re:Awakening
The Gospel Song (Drew Jones and Bob Kauflin) and The Glories of Calvary (Steve and Vikki Cook) from Sovereign Grace Ministries, see the album Songs for the Cross-Centered Life
Surrender All and Always Forgiven from Sovereign Grace Ministries, see the album Worship God Live
Beautiful Savior by Stuart Townend, see the album Beautiful Saviour
What Wondrous Cause and There Is No Greater Portrait from Reformed Praise

The choice of which songs to introduce is normally based on the song's theme in relation to the rest of the worship service. I also take into consideration the style and tempo of the recent new songs and try to present them in an order that brings musical variety.

It might be helpful to also note that we present new songs by singing them as "special music" on Sunday morning (the congregation only listens as the song team sings and plays), sing it with the congregation on Wednesday night at prayer meeting, then the following Sunday sing it with everyone. I normally try to present no more than 2 songs a month (we have learned 13 songs in 7 months). In each service I also use traditional hymns that many in our congregation know (this history of our church is very hymn-based) but many newcomers or believers from other churches would see as "new songs." For those songs we always have plenty of people singing who know the song well and can help those around them learn as they sing.

One more thing - I find it imperative, especially since we have a large group of older people who read music well and grew up following notes on a page rather than learning songs just by ear, to put sheet music in front of the congregation if they want it. In addition to an overhead presentation of the lyrics, we make a number of handouts with lyrics, readings, and sheet music for a few songs (those that might not be as well known or new songs) available.

Top New Songs?

2006-03-23T21:04:00.000-08:00

Brothers, what new hymns are you using in your church (not including your own)? What songwriters are really blessing you as of late?

Neglected Themes: Kevin's Response

2006-03-23T20:58:00.000-08:00

Neglected song themes? How about...

Eschatology (last things)?
Pneumatology (Holy Spirit)?
The Fatherhood of God? (think of all the great truths there)
Ecclesiology (so many great things that could be said about the church and what she is to be)

Lastly... the gospel! I was downloading some song samples from a well-known praise and worship writer the other day, and I was astounded as to how little they spoke of Jesus and the cross. They seemed to be directed upward to "God knows where"-- some generic deity to whom even Oprah could sing.

On Weekly Communion - Kevin's Response to David

2006-03-23T20:37:00.000-08:00

Since the Reformation, the church has noted two characteristics of a true church-- first, the right preaching of the word of God, and, second, the right administration of the sacraments or ordinances. In addition to everything else I said below, it would seem to me that, in our desire to be a healthy church, we would seek to practice with great frequency and much care, as it seems the early church did, both (preaching and ordinances) in church gatherings. Baptism, of course, is the entry rite of the church, the "front door," and will be practiced only as frequently as the Lord blesses. The ongoing ordinance of the Lord's Supper, however, along with preaching, should be practiced as often as the saints gather for corporate worship.

I do believe there is latitude in the churches for disagreement about frequency. David, I agree that quarterly is far too infrequent. However, I don't think monthly practice goes quite far enough. It seems wisest to celebrate the Lord's Supper, along with hearing the preached word, on a weekly basis.

Neglected Themes - Lament

2006-03-23T19:27:00.000-08:00

I am not fond of those who can do nothing but criticize the church and bemoan her condition. We should celebrate church that God purchased with the blood of his Son to be his Bride. Many great hymns have taken a cue from Scripture and have sung the praises of the city of God (e.g. Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken). May we continue to write such songs.

Yet, one does not need to read the songs of the Bible for too long before discovering the lament. There was a time when God's people could not sing but sat down and wept due to the state of the city of God and her people (see Psalm 137, Lamentations or many of the prophets). There are times when it is appropriate to lament the condition of the church, especially when those who claim the name of Christ forsake his truth and his ways for those of the world (see Revelation 2-3).

This text is my attempt at a lament. Like many of the laments in the Psalms, it begins with a description of the church's condition. It transitions with the question of what will happen to her? Though a change is not seen, the song ends with the hope that the Lord has preserved a remnant and is building his church, over which the gates of hell shall not prevail. Hope is ultimately not found in what we will do, but in God unleashing his Spirit and his Word to cure her ills. (These are the two themes David rightly suggested we have more songs on.)

For Her We Weep, For Her We Wail

For her we weep, for her we wail
A church that sleeps when foes assail
And speaks of peace while sin prevails.
Come now, O Lord, Your church revive!

Her eyes are blind, her ears are deaf.
Though she claims life, she lies in death.
Come Lord to fill her with Your breath!
Come now, O Lord, Your church revive!

Zion with Babel intertwines.
She staggers drunk with harlot wines.
Come Lord and with Your fire refine!
Come now, O Lord, Your church revive!

Shall wheat be overrun by tares?
Shall Your great cause end in despair?
No! For a remnant You've prepared!
Come now, O Lord, Your church revive!

By grace, Your remnant does remain
To preach Your Word and sing Your fame
Until Your church revives again.
Come now, O Lord, Your church revive!

Though she be fainting, sick and pale,
The gates of hell cannot prevail!
You build Your church; she cannot fail!
Come now, O Lord, Your church revive!

Lord, if our cry and plea are heard,
Unleash Your Spirit, loose Your Word!
Apart from these, there is no cure!
Come now, O Lord, Your church revive!

Text: (c) Eric Schumacher (1976- )
Tune: QUEBEC, Charles W. Everest (1814-1877)

Prayer is Worship Too

2006-03-23T11:05:00.000-08:00

Thanks for reminding us that worship is broader than music. Far too many believers associate worship with music and how music moves them. You can see this unhealthy connection in phrases like "we had a great time of worship before the message," or "that song was really worshipful." (That last one really gets me - I've even seen that adjective used at the top of sheet music to describe to "feel" of the song).

When I teach on worship I normally divide it into 4 areas: gathered or public, family (if you are not living alone), private, and all-of-life. The all-of-life category is normally the most eye-openeing for people. Many often assume that worship must be a conscious routine of stopping the day, praying, singing, meditating, etc. But according to the Lord we should worship Him all day long.

"pray without ceasing"- 1 Thess 5:17
"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." - Col 3:17

We can actually worship God while brushing our teeth, as long as we do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him. God is more concerned with the disposition of our heart when it comes to worship than what we are actually doing:

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
- Psalm 51:16-17

Let's desire to be a people who worship God with each breath as we offer up to Him thanksgiving in each circumstance, remembering that He is a loving and merciful Father who works each detail for our good and His glory.

Neglected Song Themes - Two Suggestions

2006-03-23T11:01:00.000-08:00

Here are two themes that I believe need more modern songs addressing:

The Word of God (particularly addressing the centrality of its place in worship and pleas for the Lord to transform us by it)
The role of the Holy Spirit (asking Him to fill and empower us and to quicken our hearts to love God more passionately in worship)

On Weekly Communion - David's Response

2006-03-23T10:58:00.000-08:00

Kevin, I would agree with your advice especially for a new church seeking to establish the centrality and priority of the cross in worship, but would not go so far as to say that I would recommend all churches having weekly communion. As you wrote, none of the reasons you give are biblically normative (I’m not sure I even agree that Acts 2:42-47 is a direct reference to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper). While I agree that communion is a participatory act, so are many other types of activities like responsive scripture readings, singing, or private prayers. All of these things can be expressions of unity with Christ and with one another, albeit not the penultimate expression of unity with Christ. While I agree that it gives us a regular time of commemoration (which is the purpose for the Lord’s Table) I believe that every service of worship should remember the work of Jesus and the cross. We should have “cross-centered worship.” (shamelessly borrowing from the title of my CD!) And I agree that our churches need a weekly time for examination and confession, but that can be accomplished by other means as well. I’m not suggesting that other things take the place of communion, but that we don’t need communion to accomplish many of the goals and priorities of covenant life you set forth.

On the other side of the coin are churches that practice communion quarterly or less. I believe that this is too infrequent. Imagine if you had a “special time” or date with your wife only quarterly. Most of us (especially those with small kids) manage to get out on dates once of twice a month. Since my wife and I regularly communicate and commune with each other throughout the week at various times, we don’t feel like we are dying to make it to our next date. Rather, the date is a deeper expression of communion that has already been taking place. I feel the same way about celebrating the Lord’s Table. We celebrate monthly and I never feel like I haven’t regarded the cross, fellowship, unity, or reconciliation enough in between meetings. The communion service serves as the deeper expression of the things that are already taking place week in and week out.

At Redeemer there are four practical reasons for having communion once a month. First, we explicitly state that in order to take communion participants must be baptized believers (or intending to be baptized shortly). First, we have communion at a special evening service and normally people that come out to an evening service are either known by us or are more “serious” about worship (I know that is a generalization, but a true one) and more likely to be true believers. Second, we celebrate after having a “love feast,” a church-wide meal like New Testament believers had. This would be impractical each week. Third, we have mandatory small groups that Sunday evenings which would prevent us from celebrating the Lord’s Table weekly. I believe that the goals of the small group ministry outweigh the benefits of having weekly communion. Fourth, by having a special service dedicated to the Lord’s Table, we can spend more time on it. We have a testimony, a meditation on scripture that is about communion, and a sweet time of singing cross-centered songs.

I hope those thoughts are helpful. Our Lord’s Table services are always a great joy for myself and our church family.

Prayer is Worship Too

2006-03-22T19:55:00.000-08:00

I'll admit it. I did it. The blog is only a day or two old and I've already begun to think of "worship in the local church" as primarily dealing with music. I imagine that I'm not the only pastor prone to thinking this way. It is a shame. We prepare the preaching and the songs and assume worship is covered.

Bob Kauflin's post Watts' on Prayer reminded me that public prayer is an important aspect of God-centered worship in the local church. It is the first in a series of Isaac Watts' teaching on the ministry of prayer. Should be a series worth following. (Mr. Kauflin notes that the issue of public prayer will be addressed at this year’s WorshipGod06 conference.)

May the Lord help us to take seriously the matter of praying before his people!

Neglected Song Themes - The Persecuted Church

2006-03-22T19:21:00.000-08:00

When taking Hymnology class in seminary, Dr. Crookshank challenged us to write hymns on themes that are neglected in most hymnals. Since the role of suffering has always been on my heart, I decided to begin composing hymns on the subject. This was the impetus behind Songs for Suffering Saints.

Beginning this evening, I plan to post a hymn a day on a neglected topic that, while neglected by hymnody (at least, in my humble opinion), has biblical president for being to topic of the church's song. Tonight's hymn is on the persecuted church. To follow will be hymns on suffering (in general), lament over the condition of God's church, and hell.

Over at An Infant in a Cradle, I've been blogging on the arrest of Abdul Rahman (see here and here) and events such as North Korean Freedom Week. With the persecuted church weighing heavy on my mind, I want to sing about it. The second verse of this simple hymn has been on my mind.

Let Me Be a Blessing

Let me be a blessing
To my suff’ring friends,
Sharing in their burdens
Even to the end.
In the midst of trials
And their darkest fears,
Let me be a comfort,
Sharing in their tears.

Since we are one body,
Let me not neglect
To stand with the Christians
Whom the world rejects.
As they are ill-treated,
Wearing martyrs’ chains,
In my pray’r and fasting
Let me share their pain.

From the truths of Scripture
Let me learn to paint
Hope-inspiring portraits
For the suff’ring saint.
Let me point the suff’rer
To the glorious day
When our tears and anguish
Shall be swept away.

Text: © Eric Schumacher (b. 1976)
Suggested Tune: WYE VALLEY (abridged), James Mountain (1844-1933)

For another example of a hymn for the persecuted church, see For Your Sake All Day Long.

Kevin and David, what themes and topics do you think we need more songs on?

More On Weekly Communion: Kevin's Response

2006-03-22T06:49:00.000-08:00

Regarding how to transition to weekly communion, I don't have any easy answers. I have the benefit of working in church planting, where we can begin with that pattern. First, I would say that we must teach, and second, we must be patient. I do think that some gradual approach might work. For example, if a church is currently taking the Supper quarterly, the leadership could move it to monthly, and then could gradually celebrate it more often until it eventually is practiced weekly.

Sovereign Grace Worship Conference

2006-03-22T05:34:00.000-08:00

I have attended this conference every year (that it has been offered) since some time around 2001 or so. Very often those with reformed convictions also hold to the cessasion of the revelatory gifts of the Holy Spirit (this is probably the case for those on the doxologue, but I'm not sure). It has been my observation that many cessasionists unfairly link these revelatory gifts (like tongues speaking) with emotional, transcendent, and even mystical experiences of worship. It's almost like there is a fear of letting that "charismatic" stuff in the door. While I would have recognized the command to worship God with an emotional response I did little to pursue it both in my private and public worship. Once I found out about how Sovereign Grace was doing the same thing that I was by modernizing historic hymns, I got to know Bob Kauflin, the host of the conference. Once I attended worship at Covenant Life Church and the worship conference that year my view of passionate, biblical worship was expanded an hundred fold. Since then the conferences have served to stoke my vision for how to have and lead passionate worship in a way that makes God the focus. It is also a wonderful time of worship in itself since there will probably be over a thousand pastors and worship leaders present. I highly recommend anyone attending that can.

Here's is an excerpt from their site about this year's focus:

Throughout Scripture a distinguishing mark of God's people has been His presence, especially during corporate worship. But how are we to understand God's presence? If God is everywhere, why does He tell us to seek His presence continually (Psalm. 105:4)? What part do God's Word and His Spirit play in making God's presence known to us? What part do feelings play, if any, in being aware of God's presence?

Links: Sovereign Grace Ministries
The Sovereign Grace Worship Conference '06

On Weekly Communion - Eric's Response

2006-03-21T21:04:00.000-08:00

I like your thoughts on weekly Lord's Supper. I think the benefits far outweigh the potential dangers. Besides, I think the dangers are there regardless of frequency.

I have a question for you on application: How might pastors/congregations implement this without 'upsetting the apple cart' too much, especially for congregations that take the Lord's Supper only quarterly or monthly?

Dr. Crookshank on John A. Broadus as Hymnologist

2006-03-21T20:40:00.001-08:00

Dr. Esther R. Crookshank was my hymnology professor in seminary. Had I not taken her class, it is likely that I would not be writing hymn texts today. She had a tremendous impact on my desire to write hymns and to write them well (which I'm still working on). Her faculty address, "The Minister and His Hymnbook: John A. Broadus as Hymnologist", is both challenging and edifying. A must listen for pastors, in my opinion.

On Weekly Communion

2006-03-21T20:40:00.000-08:00

Sometime back I posted this on my blog. Brothers, give me your thoughts:

For Professor Stam's "The Worshipping Church" class at Southern Seminary, I had to write a paper arguing for or against weekly communion. Below are my arguments.

“Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup…” My advice for a new church would be simple. I’d say with enthusiasm, “Absolutely begin with weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper!” I will give more specific advice in my conclusion as to how a church might best go about it, but I will first give some advantages I see, followed by some disadvantages.

First, weekly observance of the Lord’s supper seems biblical. True, there is not a command given in Scripture regarding the frequency of the ordinance. But it could be argued that weekly observance is biblically normative. Key texts in Acts regarding early church practice seem to indicate that early Christians partook of the Supper weekly, if not daily (Acts 2:42-47; 20:7-12). In addition, early Christian writings such as the Didache and the words of Justin (see WQOTW, 5-6-03) indicate that early fellowships of believers partook of the ordinance more regularly than modern churches. Calvin, as is well known, was convinced that weekly communion was to be preferred, but he was never allowed to fully practice it. True, none of this really proves anything apart from clear biblical injunction, but it does indicate that weekly observance is permissible and perhaps advisable.

Second, the practice is a weekly time of participation. It is an expression of unity with Christ and with one another (1 Cor 10:16-17). We who are of the body of Christ partake of the body of Christ. This weekly time of participation gives us an opportunity for us to renew our covenant vows with God and his people. In addition, the table serves to separate believers from those not a part of the fellowship, marking the church off as those redeemed by what the elements represent. Gathering weekly around the table reminds us of this unity we have in Christ.

Third, weekly observance gives us a regular time of commemoration. Christ has told us to partake of the cup and the bread in remembrance of him (1 Corinthians 11:25-26). In our hurried lives, a reminder each week of Christ and his work for us is much needed. A personal and corporate reminder each Sunday of Christ’s sacrifice would go far in helping believers and their churches regain focus and purpose.

Fourth, partaking of the ordinance more regularly serves as a much-needed proclamation. Typically we think of proclamation as being tied to the sermon, but in 1 Corinthians 11:26, Paul states that the Lord’s supper serves to “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (NASV). Here I think we can learn much from our friends from the Reformed tradition and their strong tie between the preached word and the sacraments. It seems helpful, as they do, to see the Lord’s supper as a sign and seal of God’s grace, as complementing the truth of the preached gospel. As Frame puts it, the fellowship around the table is a “visible word,” a sign that serves as a weekly visual for us, proclaiming Christ’s death and his coming return (Frame, 96). In our television highlight, radio sound-byte culture, such a “sign” is sorely needed. As a “seal” of God’s grace, the celebration at the Lord’s table grants us assurance that the truths preached are real and apply to us. In addition, weekly observance of communion would serve to focus the singing, preaching, and praying on what is ultimately important. And this would benefit not only believers, but seekers as well; Hustad rightly notes that a benefit of the ordinance is that “it can present the core of the gospel in less than five minutes” (Hustad, 240). Believers and certainly unbelievers need to hear this proclamation.

Fifth, our churches need a weekly time for examination. 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 speaks of the necessity for us to personally examine ourselves for sins against God and our brothers and sisters before communion, so that we will partake of the ordinance in a worthy manner. God desires that we confess those sins before participating. The ordinance itself then displays visually the forgiveness for those sins by the objective work of Christ on the cross. In addition, Paul also speaks in the same passage of the discipline of the Lord against those not “discerning the body” (1 Cor 11:29, 32). The regular observance of the Supper presents an opportunity for church leadership to execute discipline in order to prevent sinners from eating and drinking judgment upon themselves. The Lord’s Table has historically been associated with church discipline and it provides a way to call members to repentance and to protect the purity of the church for the glory of God. We need such a weekly opportunity for examination.

Sixth, weekly fellowship around the Lord’s table gives his people nourishment (John 6:48-59). Although I can’t begin to explain it, I do tend to agree with the Reformed understanding of the “spiritual presence.” In some way, I believe that we do eat and drink of Christ gathered around the table—not in a literal way as the Catholics and Lutherans teach—but in a spiritual way. If we truly feast on Jesus when we partake of the body and blood, why would we not do it as often as possible?

Let me turn now to examining some potential disadvantages. First, some maintain that the ordinance, through weekly practice, can become routine, or perhaps become an empty ritual. That is, of course, a valid concern. But, when examining the other regularly repeatable aspects of a worship service delineated in Scripture (in other words, omitting baptism), why is the Lord’s Supper singled out in this manner? Why do we not pray and sing and preach weekly due to similar fears? In addition, why was this not a concern of the early church that likely practiced the ordinance daily? And why doesn’t Paul, in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 present monthly or quarterly observance as a solution to the problem? It seems that the problem is not with the ordinance. It’s with us, the church.

Second, others state that weekly observance is dangerous in that many might partake in an “unworthy manner,” not “discerning the body” (1 Cor 11:27, 29). Again the gravity of such a possibility should alarm us. However, that seems like a problem with our hearts. It seems like a problem of poor teaching, of poor “fencing of the table.” We must examine ourselves carefully each Sunday. Our elders must encourage each of us to properly partake. They must exclude people from the table if necessary.

Third, some argue that such a practice would be impractical. We must, however, if we desire to benefit from some of the advantages delineated above, choose to change our priorities. Many large churches partake of the Supper weekly. Thousands of churches do so across America each Sunday. Machines are available today to speed up the process, if help is absolutely necessary, but most churches seem to have an excess of unutilized human resources ready to perform such a ministry.

Let me close with four short words of advice to a new church beginning with weekly observance of the Lord’s supper. First, consider putting the celebration of the table at the end of the service, as the climax of worship and as a response to the preached word. The service can serve to focus and ready the hearts of the congregation, seizing the advantages and preventing the disadvantages presented above. Second, consider “shaking things up” regularly to avoid ritualism. Sing songs during the distribution of the elements some weeks. Have silence on others. Simply put, be creative in how you celebrate communion. Keep your people guessing, and perhaps some of the dangers of a “routine” can be avoided. Third, teach regularly on the meaning and significance of the Lord’s supper from the pulpit to impart understanding and remove misconceptions regarding the ordinance. Fourth, and finally, carefully explain the ordinance and “fence the table” each week. Don’t assume people already know what you’ll say. Don’t fear being repetitive. It is the Lord’s table. In view of the advantages listed above, I do advocate weekly observance of this beautiful visual picture of Christ’s work.

Institute for Christian Worship Lectures

2006-03-21T20:25:00.000-08:00

The Institute for Christian Worship at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has its lectures available online. I remember being particularly impressed with Timothy Dudley-Smith when he was on campus during my seminary days. His lecture, "Words for Worship," is available on the site.

David's Doxo-biography

2006-03-21T20:16:00.000-08:00

I grew up attending a very wide variety of churches. As far as I can remember, we attended small churches, larger churches, Presbyterian churches, a house church, an Episcopal church, a Baptist church (not sure if it was Southern Baptist), a charismatic church, a Methodist church, and a Bible church. The Episcopal church was very formal in its approach to worship (in architecture, dress, and music) but unfortunately was not evangelical. We started attending there when I was probably around 11 and I have many memories of elaborate liturgies, processions, amazing organ music, and even liturgical dance. Undoubtedly my knowledge of many great hymns of the faith came from this church, even though I didn’t learn the gospel there. I was saved when I was 12 at the ministry of a summer camp where I was attracted to the gospel lived out in the lives of my college-aged counselors. We had daily devotions (camp-wide!) and sang songs to guitars strumming around a campfire – songs like “I Love You, Lord,” “This Little Light of Mine,” “Leaning on the Lord’s Side,” etc. (I’m not sure if the old “standard” Lord, I Lift Your Name on High was around yet – this was the late eighties). I came to know the Lord in the midst of these simple songs set to simple music with simple musicians and simple harmonies, and something in the simplicity attracted me to it rather than the elaborate music that seemed so far beyond me back at my Episcopal church. Within a few years my parents allowed me to start going to my “own” church, a local bible church (where Chip Stam was the worship pastor!). I was attracted firstly to the fact that Jesus was actually talked about and God’s word was explained, desired, and taught in great detail. We sang a variety of songs, including some that I had learned at camp, and the style of the music was more like what I had come to love at camp.

As I got older I began to write songs and lead worship, but wasn’t turned on to the need to think deeply about what I was both singing and choosing for others to sing. I began to sense a disconnect between the in-depth preaching of God’s Word and the shallowness of most modern worship songs. But this disconnect took many years to come into focus. In college I played the guitar and piano for Campus Crusade and I’m not sure we EVER sang a song that was older than 30 years! Old for us was Seek Ye First.

In college I started leading worship at a local church, the same church we stayed at for about 9 years until we went to seminary in Louisville. We used older hymns, but they were difficult for me to play and I didn’t have a talented group of musicians to help me arrange them in a style that I knew or could play, so we actually had a separate “hymn team.” Some time around 1999 I started exploring taking theologically rich hymns (there are tens of thousands of them) that have all but been forgotten and setting them in a more contemporary worship music style. The result was an instant success and eventually became reformedpraise.org.

Some time around 2001? I ran across a song sampler by a group called PDI and was delighted to find some more songs like what I was writing – old, reformed hymns set to modern music. I didn’t know anything like that existed and I wrote a letter to their director Bob Kauflin expressing my thanks for finding out about them and sharing some of my songs. Bob has been the best example to me of the philosophy and mechanics of leading worship. I still go to their worship conferences (they are not called Sovereign Grace Ministries). During the three to four years before I went to Southern Seminary, I slowly found out about movements like Indelible Grace, songs like How Deep the Father’s Love and In Christ Alone, and Knowing You. The Lord slowly helped me become more concerned with the truth in the songs and how that truth would steer people to the Lord in worship than simply the “hook.” At Southern I continued to be exposed to a wide variety of songs, styles, and songwriters. I even got to meet many of them!

At Redeemer Bible Church I strive to make the truth the main emphasis by how I plan the services and how I lead them. I am firmly convinced that the more I highlight Jesus by the lyrics, exhortations, and prayers that we offer, the more people will be drawn to Him in worship. Our stylistic center is modern worship songs but I try to make the circle of stylistic variety pretty large. We regularly do very traditional hymn arrangements, rock songs like Blessed Be Your Name and The Glories of Calvary, folky arrangements, jazz/blues, and even gospel. I start with the readings and songs, THEN ask myself which style of music would best serve the text that morning in a way that will be accessible and desirable to people. So far Sundays have been an absolute joy for myself and many of our brethren and I look forward to learning and growing as a worship planner for years to come!

The Effectiveness of Traditional Hymn Tunes: Eric's Response 1

2006-03-21T19:21:00.000-08:00

Thanks, David, for sharing this email. It is thought provoking as it touches on a number of important issues, issues that I think will strike at the heart of Doxologue.

First of all, I would like to acknowledge how important loving yet critical feedback is to our theological and spiritual formation. Proverbs 27:6 states, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” I would rather have a friend who wounds me to my face in love and then praises me behind my back than an enemy who does the opposite. I hope that Doxologue is more than a blog of mutual backslapping. I hope it is a place where we can lovingly disagree as we seek the glory of God in the good of the church. Friction is necessary when “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17). I know that the critical feedback of both of you has only served to improve my hymns (and my humility).

"The Critic" writes (throughout I'll quote him in italics):

I love the old tunes and find them easy to sing and rich in melody.

It is important to acknowledge that many do love the ‘old tunes’ and find great enjoyment in singing them. It is also important to acknowledge that many do not. Much of this, I think, has to do with our background. The other day, as we were driving out of town, my son asked to sing “To God Be the Glory.” He loves to sing this hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” My wife commented, “Don’t you think it is strange that our son doesn’t know any contemporary music?” (Now, that is not quite entirely true. He does know some ‘contemporary music.’ He loves Sovereign Grace Kids’ Awesome God CD. He also loves to listen to “daddy’s music”—Caedmon’s Call, Indelible Grace, Sandra McCracken, etc.) What I realized was this—he loves the ‘old hymns’ because he has been taught the ‘old hymns.’ We tend to love that to which we are accustomed. Those who do not have a background in the ‘old hymns’ may not find them so easy to sing. In fact, even I (raised in a liturgical Lutheran church) find many ‘old hymns’ difficult to sing (as I do with many modern tunes).

Referring to ‘old tunes’ raises another issue: What is an ‘old tune’? Kevin alluded to this. Some fight for the ‘old ones’ when referring to songs copyrighted in the 1980’s by the Gaithers. When I arrived at the church I currently pastor, I made mention of my love for old hymns. Some of the members told me, “We love the old hymns too!” So, as I picked songs for our congregational worship, desiring to reflect the community gathered, I chose what I considered to be ‘old hymns,’ songs I grew up singing in the Lutheran church. The response I received was, “Why are we singing so many new hymns?” What was ‘old’ to me (pre-1800’s) was ‘new’ to them. What was ‘old’ to them (mostly late 1800’s and early 1900’s gospel-songs) was ‘new’ to me. In fact on one occasion, during a ‘pick-your-favorite hymn-sing,’ I commented that I wasn’t familiar with a particular hymn. Someone replied, “Oh, that’s an old one!” I replied, “If the author died in the 1900’s, then the song isn’t old!”

I realized then that the term ‘old’ means more than “having been in existence for a long time.” Webster also defines ‘old’ as “familiar or known from the past.” If we use ‘old’ to mean ‘familiar,’ then what is old to one will not necessarily be old to another. Perhaps familiarity and preference in a culture has more to do with a tune’s usefulness than some care to admit.

I have never found them to hinder my worship because the content is the focus.

I think this statement makes some unfair implications, even if unintentionally. It seems to imply that those who find traditional tunes a hindrance do so because they are not focusing on the content. This is unfair to assume, I think, because it seems that any style of music that is unfamiliar to us will be a distraction, regardless of the strength of the text. Personally, I can recall sitting in worship services at churches and conferences and being very distracted by the music simply because I was unfamiliar with it or it was a style not suitable to me. I had to work hard at focusing on the text to worship, but the music did not help. (By the way, I should add that this has happened with both traditional and contemporary tunes.)

The one word that came to my attention here is "feel.” Corporate singing is the worship of believers to the truth of God's Word and His character. Feelings cannot be trusted and should not be a focus of worship.

Who is suggesting that feelings should be the focus of worship? I think that we would all agree that God is the center of worship. However, as we shall see, what ‘feelings’ have to do with worship is at the center of this discussion.

Today's music is sung to ellicit "feelings" and get people stirred up to a point of hypersuggestiveness to where they cannot reason.

In any theological disagreement, it is important that we not impute motives or make sweeping generalizations. This statement does both. Is all of today’s music sung to elicit feelings and promote a “hypersuggestiveness” that is hostile to reason? All of it? Really? What about “Worthy of Worship” (The Baptist Hymnal, #3)? Were it not for the composer’s birth date and the 1988 copyright, I think the average congregational singer would have a hard time distinguishing it as ‘newer’ than some tunes written hundreds of years before. It would seem strange to state that simply because it was written today it is sung to stir people to “hypersuggestiveness,” even though it sounds “old.”

Perhaps the Critic is referring to a certain style of today’s music. If so, the burden is on his shoulders to prove that “stirring people to the point of hypersuggestiveness to where they cannot reason” is the motive. Without offering such proof, this accusation is irresponsible and baseless. I have a strong suspicion that David’s motive at Reformed Praise is not to promote “hypersuggestiveness.” Besides, “old tunes” can be (and have been) used in a way that would bypass reason to get to the feeling, just as some do with “new tunes.”

We should be responding appropriately to God and His Word in humility and praise.

Amen! And, Amen! But, what does it mean to respond appropriately? What does “humility and praise” look like? What sort of picture does the Scripture paint of such worship? See below.

When we sing at our church we encourage our congregation to "think" about what they are singing and understand who God is.

I think an emphasis on “thoughtful worship” and “understanding who God is” has motivated the movement that is setting old texts to contemporary tunes (e.g. David Ward (Reformed Praise), Kevin Twit (Indelible Grace), Bob Kauflin (Sovereign Grace)). This movement is not an escape from reason, but an attempt to express with proper affections the product of careful, biblical thought.

Yes, sometimes it does bring tears to my eyes when I think of who He is and what He's done for me, however, I don't get worked up and get caught up in feelings or emotion.

What if this never happened? If my wife were to tell me that she never had a single emotional feeling for me but constantly thought correct thoughts about me, I would not be comforted. I do not feel loved when my wife acknowledges who I am with her lips while her heart is far from me. That is why feeling is significant.

Why is FEELING significant? I cannot find Biblical support for the triumph of the emotions over the mind. While some make the case that the heart is the center of response to God, that in the hebrew paradigm first means the MIND.

Here is another baseless accusation and sweeping generalization. Who is arguing for the “triumph of emotions over the mind?” No one that I know of, certainly not at Reformed Praise. Rather, I see many arguing that the truth, if spiritually discerned, should produce in us appropriate affections.

Feelings are very important in biblical worship. In fact, they are commanded in the Scripture. Here is a small sampling from the Psalms with the appropriate “feelings” highlighted:

Psalm 42:4 how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise
Psalm 47:1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
Psalm 95:2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Psalm 107:22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
Psalm 118:15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous
Psalm 63:5 my mouth will praise you with joyful lips
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD
Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Psalm 4:7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.
Psalm 9:2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Notice that the Psalms do not say, "Make a theologically correct thought with your mind." Of course, theologically correct thoughts are important! My point is, we are commanded to have joy and gladness! Obviously, “feelings” are very important in worship. In fact, the Lord curses his people for serving him without feelings. Deuteronomy 28:45-48 records,

All these curses shall come upon you and pursue you and overtake you till you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that he commanded you. They shall be a sign and a wonder against you and your offspring forever. Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, and lacking everything. And he will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he has destroyed you.

Notice that their condemnation does not come for a simple failure to serve, but for a failure to serve “with joyfulness and gladness of heart.” If our “feelings” are only “sometimes,” we ought to tremble at the thought of the “rest of the times.”

Perhaps “heart” does carry first the meaning of “the mind” in the Hebrew paradigm. Even so, these Hebrew scriptures demonstrate that “heart” does not end with the mind. We do begin with the mind, with truth revealed. But, we pray that the Holy Spirit applies it to our souls in such a way that we become “glad and exult” in the Lord (Psalm 9:2).

Reformedpraise.org goes on to say:
The modern worship styles (and there are many) offer a new arena to make these hymn texts come alive to new generations. When these classic and biblical texts are wed to contemporary tunes, the result is a truly powerful worship experience that enables God's truth to settle deep in our hearts and minds.

Before the critic’s response, it is important to notice what Reformed Praise is saying here. Modern worship styles make the text come alive. The text! It would seem that David’s goal is to help the truth come alive, certainly not to circumvent truth in the pursuit of mindless emotion.

And the response: The danger here is that we are capitulating to the culture and giving them what they want, which isn't true worship.

This, as with some other comments, appears to be an accusation or, at least, an imputation of motive. I don’t think David is saying that we “capitulate to the culture and give them what they want.” If he were, he certainly wouldn’t choose song texts that speak of our depraved condition and dependence upon free grace bought through the bloody sacrifice of the God-man who claims authority over our lives and is the exclusive means of salvation for any and all.

All David is saying, I think, is that times and cultures change and with them musical preference. If it is “capitulating to the culture” to write a new tune, then what tunes do we use? Certainly not anything written after biblical times! And, if it is “capitulating to the culture” to write a new tune, then what of writing new texts?

Why does our worship have to be an "experience" for it to be powerful?

Webster defines “experience” as “the act of living through an event or events; personal involvement in or observation of events as they occur.” With that in mind, worship needs to be an “experience” for it to be powerful, because you must be present for it to be worship! Perhaps the critic is operating with a different definition of “experience.”

If we go down this road then the next thing is to change the Word so that it is more "relevant" to todays culture. God forbid!!!

This is the “slippery slope” argument misapplied. What we do with musical styles and what we do with the inspired Word of God have little to do with each other. If David is doing anything at Reformed Praise, he is seeking to preserve and pass along truth, not change it. Reformed Praise is only an attempt to make the ever-relevant Word accessible today through song styles that fit the culture, in the same way we translate the Word into foreign tongues so that it can be read and understood.

I think the critic is rightly concerned about the dangers of emotionalism. I think he is wrongly seeing it behind every modern tune. There certainly are and will continue to be people who see emotional manipulation as an effective worship tool, but not everyone. The baby ought not to be thrown out with the bathwater.

Kevin's Doxa-biography

2006-03-21T15:04:00.000-08:00

I grew up in and out of church in Drexel, Missouri. When our family was there, I recollect hearing the big American hymns most of you out there have heard of. However, my memory fails me as to which ones I actually learned.

In college at the University of Missouri, I began to be exposed to the praise and worship movement. While a part of a campus ministry in the early nineties, we sang a wide variety of praise choruses. It was during my senior year that I picked up the guitar again (had been burned out from playing for my sister in country music shows as a child, believe it or not) and began learning worship songs.

Following college, I did an internship with a campus ministry in Springfield, Missouri. There I became exposed to more praise and worship songs. I simultaneously became involved in a local church. Over the course of 7 years, I led worship with the campus ministry and played in the church worship band, largely doing praise and worship choruses interspersed with a few widely known traditional hymns.

I moved to Louisville in 2001 to attend Southern Seminary. There I became involved in Clifton Baptist Church, where Carl "Chip" Stam is the worship leader. I also took his "Worshipping Church" class. Chip turned me on to...

1) Modern, rich hymns: yes, people are writing God-centered songs today
2) Old, great hymns: yes, many of those old songs are actually good
3) Thoughtful service planning: no, the word "liturgy" is not a bad word

Thanks to my time at Clifton and with Chip, now I plan, by God's grace, worship gatherings that reflect the gospel of Christ in their very format. I default primarily to theologically rich hymns, modern or ancient. I love Indelible Grace, Sovereign Grace, Keith Getty, Stuart Townend, etc. I have taken this new appreciation gleaned from Clifton, have wedded it to my experience in worship teams, and have ended up with a worship style that is perhaps best deemed "God-centered with an edge." I have written probably 20 worship songs. I only think perhaps 2 of them are worth sharing.

However, my study in the sphere of worship is fairly extensive. It is, along with ecclesiology, my key interest area. I have preached sermon series on the topic. I have read countless books and articles about worship. In addition, I still participate in leading worship from time to time, and I plan to continue participating in our church's team, even while serving as preaching elder.

One man I look to as an example, other than Chip, is Mark Altrogge-- a senior pastor who also is used by the Lord to give the church God-centered, gospel-focused worship music. I hope to dabble in songwriting as a pastor, as well. Soli deo gloria!

Doxa-biographies? (originally posted by Eric)

2006-03-21T15:02:00.000-08:00

When I took Hymnology in seminary, our first required paper was a 'hymnological biography.' We were to write about the hymnological influences in our life to that point. Might this be a good idea for us? What sort of worship environments were we raised in--church, home, private? What were the songs, styles, etc. that shaped? How have these been a help or hindrance toward God-centered worship?

The Effectiveness of Traditional Hymn Tunes: Kevin's Response 1

2006-03-21T15:00:00.000-08:00

David, I certainly agree with your statements at ReformedPraise.org and disagree with your critic for the following reasons:

1) There seems to be an unhelpful division in the writer's mind between thinking and feeling in worship. Many in the Reformed camp today have overreacted against the praise and worship movement, saying that feelings are irrelevant (this is similar to many in the church reacting to our society's "I fell out of love" point of view by responding with "love is a choice"). The author says, "Corporate singing is the worship of believers to the truth of God's Word and His character." What, then, is "worship?" Is it informing God of truths about himself? It it simply an intellectual exercise for us? Or is worship, by definition, an expression of emotion? I say it is. And I stand with Jonathan Edwards, among others, in saying this. Our church, in our bi-weekly "Brew and Books (by dead guys)," had the opportunity to read through parts of Edwards' Religious Affections, where he argues that religion devoid of affections for God or for others is no religion at all. Do we dumb down our lyrics and sing 7-11 choruses endlessly (7 words, 11 times)? No. We sing God-centered, gospel-focused songs, longing for deep emotion that corresponds to those deep truths. If we don't have deep emotions, or at least long for deep emotions, we're not only not worshipping, we're dishonoring the Lord. Let's get our minds and hearts together.

2) The writer says that he "loves the old tunes." Great. Some of us don't. I prefer the new (like Reformed Praise and Indelible Grace). They enable younger generations to use classic, God-centered lyrics to worship Him. Why is it ok to find delight in the old tunes (many of which were added to lyrics after the fact, similar to what we're discussing) and not the new tunes? The goofy thing about worship style disputes is that we're often using terms like "contemporary" and "traditional" when the songs argued for (by traditionalists) are their "contemporary" songs of long ago. It cracks me up when I hear people arguing for hymns, when they're really arguing for Gaither choruses-- songs that are about 20-30 years old. They're arguing for using yesterday's "contemporary" songs today. At Grace Church, we'll certainly often use the old, original tunes for great hymns. But we'll put many of those songs to new tunes, as well. If the lyrics are strong and the tunes fits those lyrics (a matter of opinion decided by a local congregation), then isn't that enough? Why should I be held captive to someone else's nostalgia? May God make me willing to allow generations that follow me to express their praise to God in their own manner and not in mine.

3) It baffles me to think that we don't want our worship to be relevant (is that what he's saying?). Again, we've reacted against the megachurch, seeker-sensitive movement. Last week, in our Wednesday night small group, we studied the terms propitiation and expiation. Christ absorbed the wrath of God and He put away our sins. Now there isn't anything seeker-friendly about that, for sure. It was no shallow, light-hearted Bible study. However, my strong desire was for our church to see the relevance of those two polysyllabic, theological terms! There is a difference between selling out and watering down and compromising things from faithfully teaching biblical truth, laboring to make it relevant and applicable to the lives of people. My heart's desire is that, at Grace Church, we sing deep truths about God, from the heart, in a way that engages people. I want people to leave each meeting fully aware of the relevance of the gospel and of God. Of course, we certainly must keep in mind that believers are by nature hostile to both. But that does not prevent us from pleading with our members for the relevance of God's truth, and praying that God would open the eyes of unbelievers to also love that truth. I say that our worship must be relevant. David, I say, "Keep up the good work!"

The Effectiveness of Traditional Hymn Tunes

2006-03-21T14:57:00.000-08:00

From time to time I receive critical feedback about what I am doing over at Reformed Praise and thought that I would share a recent email that is thought-provoking. I haven't responded to the author yet, so perhaps your comments might help me craft a deft reply.

On the homepage of reformedpraise.org it states:

Hymns have long been a rich source of deep lyrics, but many traditional tunes used to sing these hymns hinder rather than help believers feel what they are singing.

The response:

I lovingly disagree with this point. I love the old tunes and find them easy to sing and rich in melody. I have never found them to hinder my worship because the content is the focus. The one word that came to my attention here is "feel". Corporate singing is the worship of believers to the truth of God's Word and His character. Feelings cannot be trusted and should not be a focus of worship. Today's music is sung to ellicit "feelings" and get people stirred up to a point of hypersuggestiveness to where they cannot reason. We should be responding appropriately to God and His Word in humility and praise.
When we sing at our church we encourage our congregation to "think" about what they are singing and understand who God is. Yes, sometimes it does bring tears to my eyes when I think of who He is and what He's done for me, however, I don't get worked up and get caught up in feelings or emotion. Why is FEELING significant? I cannot find Biblical support for the triumph of the emotions over the mind. While some make the case that the heart is the center of response to God, that in the hebrew paradigm first means the MIND.

Reformedpraise.org goes on to say:

The modern worship styles (and there are many) offer a new arena to make these hymn texts come alive to new generations. When these classic and biblical texts are wed to contemporary tunes, the result is a truly powerful worship experience that enables God's truth to settle deep in our hearts and minds.

And the response:

The danger here is that we are capitulating to the culture and giving them what they want, which isn't true worship. Why does our worship have to be an "experience" for it to be powerful? If we go down this road then the next thing is to change the Word so that it is more "relevant" to todays culture. God forbid!!!

I hope this helps us think through the issues of style, tradition, emotions and their proper role, and making truth central to Christian worship.

Worship Organizer Worth A Look

2006-03-21T14:55:00.000-08:00

My resident worship dude, Luke Daugherty, and I have enjoyed greatly planning our worship services using WorshipOrganizer. Check out this super program here. My friend David Ward created it. I guarantee it will make your planning more efficient and accessible.

Welcome to the Doxologue!

2006-03-21T14:48:00.000-08:00

Greetings in the name of Christ! A new team has hit the blogosphere. In this blog, entitled Doxalogue, a small group of men who are passionate about seeing God glorified in the local church will converse about God-centered worship. Check back regularly.