Worship tools kits by Integrity Music Review

 

I Have been ordering the Vertical Music Worship Tools for the past two years now and I thought I’d like to share what I think about the tool kit for any worship leaders out there thinking about it. Recent issues (which come quarterly) have been Hillsong’s “This Is Our God”, Parachute Band’s “Technicolor”, Brian Doerksen’s “It’s Time”, and Hillsong’s “Worship Edition” Integrity is good about getting different styles from very edgy to moderate level styles. Each Kit comes mailed in a box and contains one songbook which has lead sheets with notes, lead sheets with only chords, and just words for singers (all can be copied legally for your size band), A Listening CD (Stereo), Instructional DVDs for instruments, and Accompaniment CD for performer without a praise band which has been helpful for me lately. Each kit cost $32.95 and is well worth the money for all you get. For more information on Integrity Music click here.

A word on worship (part 2)

The battle over worship style preference creates nightmares for some worship leaders, but I look at the problem with a challenge that can work together. For example, today at Bayshore Baptist was amazing! The morning service was primarily contemporary style with the hymn “O Worship The King” in the middle of the set. The evening service was an evening of strictly southern gospel style music led by the adult praise choir. I had so many compliments from all ages on the various music of the day. It was even funny to observe the elderly members clapping their hands and singing out on the new stuff!

How do you properly structure a worship service?

When I plan a service I try as much to stick with a general theme (Holy Spirit, Names of God, Repentance\Salvation) that ties in best with the sermons series or message for the day. The most important part of the structure in my opinion is what I call the “transition set” this is a part in the service where the music might turn from fast to more worshipful\emotional feeling. It is best to pick a transition song first and plan the other songs around that central theme song. I also like to repeat the chorus or tag section at the very end of the whole set. The video below shows my opener song “Let the Praises Ring” and transistion songs “Famous One” and “Your Name” 

A song not too many protestants know, yet need to

I used to work for a funeral home and had the opportunity\duty to attend many Catholic Burial Masses. Almost every time, a certain song was song to memorialize the deceased. The title is “On Eagle’s Wings” and was written by the Catholic Priest Michael Joncas. To learn more about him click here. This song intrigued me every time I heard and I stumbled across a choir arrangement the other day in my music library. I’m enjoying learning the song and I want to share a very beautiful song that not too many non-catholics know about. I hope you are inspired and raised up high on eagles’ wings!

a word on worship

As a worship leader I am faced many times with the problem of “Contemporary -vs- Traditional” battle. Many churches have adopted either or and some have utilized a blended atmosphere. I prefer leading a blended setting for a few reasons. First, I enjoy all types of worship music because I know that God enjoys us worshipping him whether to drums and guitars, or pipe organs. using a blended worship order allows me to tweak the styles according to a congregation. My church in the past has been strictly traditional hymns and a few praise chorus (from the 80’s) Over the past few years, I have slowly transitioned the worship to a more modern style. I was able to accomplish this by singing hymns in a contemporary setting using worship tracks and guitars. Once the congregation got used to hearing drums and guitars, I introduced newer worship songs that are heard on the radio today. With the exception of a few, they have been well received. If I new I was going to lead worship for a primarily older audience, I can add a few more hymns in the mix with a worship song or two. If the audience is younger I could use mostly worship songs with a hymn thrown in somewhere. Blended worship works for the behalf of the Worship Leader in a church that is needing to reach all age groups. Everyone enjoys singing with everyone even though the styles might not be their preference all the time. It’s all about glorifying Christ in our hearts, not the music we sing.

Worship at Bayshore Baptist Church

Worship at Bayshore Baptist is led with me as leader, a worship choir, piano, keyboards, organ, and guitar. I have been recently using Lifeway Worship Tracks to help out with the lacking musicians (drums, rhythm guitar, bass guitar, strings, horns, etc.). Our worship, as mentioned above, is blended with an emphasis on contemporary music as our community around us is younger now. Our praise choir sings special music numbers as well as cantatas and production throughout the year. Bayshore Baptist Church offers an evening service as well that is blended with an emphasis on traditional hymns due to the age demographic that attends. Bayshore Baptist Church uses the help of modern worship technology to assist in a vibrant atmosphere. Words to the music are displayed on a screen and videos are also played throughout the service. Below is an example of a worship service at Bayshore Baptist Church.

Below is a typical evening service with hymns, yet modernizing them a bit with a guitar.

 

 

 

 

A lot of work to be done

The last few days at church have been absolutely, well…crazy. Crazy can be good though. Over the last few months I have been trying my best at becoming a new father, hold down the ministry at a church with no pastor and investing my extra time and effort in the Cafe as their ministry partner. I have had to step down from that position to focus more time on my church because at this stage in its life it needs all the extra time Jessica and I have, without getting burnt out of course. For the “Snowbirds” members at Bayshore Baptist, let me fill you in on what’s happened since you left for the summer.

Wednesday Night Fellowship Meal – instead of cancelling it during the summer months, we’ve kept it going.

Sunday Morning Breakfast – from 9:00 a.m. till 9:30 a.m. you can come and get a real breakfast for absolutely free! Each week, a different Sunday School class brings the food for others to enjoy.

Friday Morning Coffee Hour - every friday there is something to do here now! From 9:00am-10:00am you can enjoy an hour of relaxed fellowship and drink coffee\juice and munch on little goodies. We have had a great time just talking about our weeks and various other topics that come about.

FAITH FARM – Kim, Michelle and the youth have been working very hard to remodel the kid’s room in the Education Building!

Sunday School – All classes are meeting in the Education Building now! This eliminates some people having to meet in the Sanctuary while the worship service is waiting to start and the class that met in the fellowship hall now won’t be interfered with by the Breakfast.

Properties – There have been some changes and more to come on the property. Church work days have been a huge success lately with a turnout averaging 8-10 workers. The pews in the sanctuary will soon be expanded to give a little more leg room and plenty of space for people to exit and enter without “rubbing up” on each other! The two AC units in the Education Building are in the process of being replaced as we speak.

Worship Ministry – The worship at church has been wonderful lately as newer and more modern songs have been introduced. The choir and a few friends will be performing a Gospel Sing and Concert on August 30th. Yeehaw!

Youth Ministry - We just got back from Camp and we are fired up about serving. We are also thinking ahead about going out of the country on a mission trip (possibly the Dominican Republic)

Children’s Ministry - FAITH FARM is starting soon!!!!!! On August 23rd, We have a guest speaker coming to discuss the opportunity of a kid’s ministry at the elementary school just down the road from us!

Church Strategic Planning Opportunity – On August 20th, Jim Rabinet from the Florida Baptist Convention will be here for an introductory meeting about Vision planning and outreach focuses of the church. I am looking forward to this as well as our Interim Pastor Charlie who coordinated the meeting.

Well that’s what’s going to keep me busy for now (at least at church…home is a different story)