Read THIS from Russ Breimeier of ChristianityToday.com. It's an op-ed about the hype around American Idol.
My response was this: If you really really really wanna sing, you WOULD BE SINGING! I have a dozen friends at church that sing in our praise band/worship team/whatever we should call it. We have some great folks, and some great voices. Point is, they SING. They want to SING. If someone wanted to sing, they could get themselves involved. For some person to sing in the shower tone deaf as can be, and think they are gonna walk onto some stage somewhere and be discovered is crazy. If you wanna sing, then SING. In August of 2005 I volunteered myself as a guitar player at our church. Two days later I was rehearsing with them, and now I can claim to have been there since then, as the electric guitarist on stage. I work on it when I'm at home, I think about it when I'm in the car, and listen to music I don't know yet when I'm at work ( what did we do before MP3 players? ) If you are serious about an involvement in music ( career or not ) you should already be there, making your dream happen. The other side of this coin is maybe you weren't given those particular gifts, but whatever your gifts are, you should be serving God with them regardless.
Jimbo
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
If you really really wanna Worship
Check out Nate's personal blog. God has given him and Tricia a miracle baby, and they need your prayers DESPERATELY. Let's all see what an Awesome God can do. Please check out the link, and PRAY
Jim
Jim
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Our first Sunday Back
After we returned from Tulsa, I took a very informal survey: How did the college team do in our place? I got three "It was amazing/great/etc. . . " and three "glad you guys are back" ( out of six friends I polled) Interestingly enough, the line between the votes was also divided by testosterone and estrogen. I think this means that the women I asked all FELT like they were praising God during the service, whereas the men were uncomfortable with the change. I didn't hear it, but personally, I think the other guitar player (Craig) can play circles around me (and he's roughly half my age).
OK, so we're back, we've seen a lot of Rock 'n' Roll in churches in Tulsa, cool lighting ( some excessive), and we're PUMPED to get back to it. We didn't buy any new lights, but we paid more attention to the lighting in our church. Musically, no difference. Honestly, it's only been two days since Sunday, and I can only remember two of the five songs we played. "I am Free" by Ross Parsley, and "Knowing You" by ?????. "I am Free" is obviously recognizable by anyone that has heard the Newsboyz on the radio, so people can at least sing the hook on the chorus. I really can't remember the three songs we did before the Mission Minute and the Offeratory song. Oh Yeah, the offertory was in 'C' and we sang an accapella 'Amazing Grace" afterwards in the same key. ( " I am Free " was also moved down to C for range and continuity ).
Maybe I expected a little more Rockin' going on this past weekend, but people really didn't need it. We had a funeral for a beautiful ten week old baby this past Saturday at church, and maybe folks weren't ready for it.
Funny thing. We did the exact same song set the next service, and it wailed. We had fun, the smaller 3rd service crowd was engaged, and we had a good time. What was different?
Jimbo
OK, so we're back, we've seen a lot of Rock 'n' Roll in churches in Tulsa, cool lighting ( some excessive), and we're PUMPED to get back to it. We didn't buy any new lights, but we paid more attention to the lighting in our church. Musically, no difference. Honestly, it's only been two days since Sunday, and I can only remember two of the five songs we played. "I am Free" by Ross Parsley, and "Knowing You" by ?????. "I am Free" is obviously recognizable by anyone that has heard the Newsboyz on the radio, so people can at least sing the hook on the chorus. I really can't remember the three songs we did before the Mission Minute and the Offeratory song. Oh Yeah, the offertory was in 'C' and we sang an accapella 'Amazing Grace" afterwards in the same key. ( " I am Free " was also moved down to C for range and continuity ).
Maybe I expected a little more Rockin' going on this past weekend, but people really didn't need it. We had a funeral for a beautiful ten week old baby this past Saturday at church, and maybe folks weren't ready for it.
Funny thing. We did the exact same song set the next service, and it wailed. We had fun, the smaller 3rd service crowd was engaged, and we had a good time. What was different?
Jimbo
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Pleasing People or Pleasing God
Ok, so it's NOT about how we feel during worship, It's about how God feels. Do any of us know how God feels? Did we bother to ask him. As musicians/singers/leaders/whatever, what if we made it a part of our job to help people feel wonderful about God?
Would that be bad?
comments? mr.jamescox@yahoo.com
Jimbo
Would that be bad?
comments? mr.jamescox@yahoo.com
Jimbo
Friday, January 18, 2008
Four Churches in Tulsa OK
The praise/worship team* of South Haven Baptist Church took a road trip last weekend to Tulsa, OK, (three hours SW of Springfield, MO) to observe other churches, and how we can improve the worship experience for our congregation. We left early Saturday morning on 12 Jan 2008, arriving in Tulsa in time for lunch. We ate, went to our the home of our Music Pastor's younger sister, and discussed the intentions for the weekend. Following our meeting, it was time for Hotel check-in, and then off to the first two church services.
*we were missing our buddy Tambra, an amazing singer with an educated sound and a rock and roll style (recovering from foot surgery)
Saturday Night -
First up: Church on the Move. A Word of Faith church that is big big big, and doing very well in Tulsa. The presentation reminded me of a concert. Andy Chrisman ( formerly of 4Him ) is the worship pastor, and quite an accomplished singer. The lighting was strong on stage, and dim in the audience area, adding to the concert feel. A couple of roving cameras moved around the stage, along with two stationary video cameras in the audience area all rotated views on the screens. I personally liked the camera tight on the snare drum, as it made me pay more attention to the music as a whole, and not just the guitar. Lots of expensive lighting, a few trendy multicolored/multipatterned high-tech lights that didn't do me any real favors, but didn't bother me either. Again, I think I was supposed to feel like I was at a concert. I would sing at a Christ Tomlin concert, why not here? The only thing I really learned comparitively speaking, is that my wardrobe is not trendy enough ( and I'm actually ok with that ). Pastor George went out of his way to tell the congregation that if they didn't attend faithfully, or if someone attended a different church, they shouldn't expect the COTM folks to come help them with tree damage from the recent ice storm. Something came to mind about the God's kingdom being of more important focus than the COTM. If a church can't help out another, well. . . insert your own comment about missing the boat, etc. . . .
Next up: Lifechurch.tv in downtown Tulsa. One church, many locations. OK, they have ear plugs at the door, and I DIDN'T MIND A BIT. Dark inside, like a club, with lights and smoke/fog, and loud loud music. Still, I didn't mind. Definitely a seeker-sensitive way of doing church. The way I saw it, this crowd had their choice of a loud dark club with a less than wholesome environment, or a loud dark church with some amazing message for a way to spend Saturday night. I support them completely, and absolutely enjoyed the message/sermon . The pastor believes in smaller buildings that can be used four or five times each weekend. I hope this church spreads like wildfire in the 20 something crowd and continues to bless the Tulsa area.
Sunday:
Following the continental breakfast, we were off to Asbury United Methodist church for their 9.30 contemporary service. It was a big beautiful church, amazing architecture, perfect sound, bleached oak interior, lots of ceramic tile, just plain beautiful. Someone called in sick that morning, so a guitar player got drafted to lead the music for the service. He referred to the service as 'high energy' at least three times, and I'll have to give him credit. This was the highest energy contemporary service for SENIOR CITIZENS I had ever been to. He did have a nice tone from his guitar amp though. They had just added a new song to their worship service, Chris Tomlin's "Forever".
Next up The Church at Battle Creek . A baptist church ( but not by name ) meeting in an entire shopping mall. What was once store fronts was now information tables for the Sunday School classes meeting inside. The former movie theater was the Kid's Club area, and some store ( like a clothing store or something ) was the worship room. Dark, with cool lights and trusses, like a night club stage. This church is truly focused on the un-churched community, (as is lifechurch.tv) and they are succeeding. I was truly blessed to be a part of this service. The music was good, the preaching was beyond any expectation I had for the entire weekend.
When we got done, we had another meeting, and planned some changes for our own service. Some stage re-arranging is in the works, along with some new lighting ideas. We'll know if it works in about 18 hours or so ;-)
My buddy Tambra pointed out something, a quote by Rick Warren. Paraphrased "A mature Christian can worship to any kind of music". I know there is alot of talk about whether your music is pleasing people or pleasing God, now I'm thinking maybe we should please people to please our God, by offering/inviting those who don't yet have a relationship with the loving Savior, and encouraging them in their journey.
comments please mr.jamescox@yahoo.com any time.
Jimbo
II Chronicles 5:13
*we were missing our buddy Tambra, an amazing singer with an educated sound and a rock and roll style (recovering from foot surgery)
Saturday Night -
First up: Church on the Move. A Word of Faith church that is big big big, and doing very well in Tulsa. The presentation reminded me of a concert. Andy Chrisman ( formerly of 4Him ) is the worship pastor, and quite an accomplished singer. The lighting was strong on stage, and dim in the audience area, adding to the concert feel. A couple of roving cameras moved around the stage, along with two stationary video cameras in the audience area all rotated views on the screens. I personally liked the camera tight on the snare drum, as it made me pay more attention to the music as a whole, and not just the guitar. Lots of expensive lighting, a few trendy multicolored/multipatterned high-tech lights that didn't do me any real favors, but didn't bother me either. Again, I think I was supposed to feel like I was at a concert. I would sing at a Christ Tomlin concert, why not here? The only thing I really learned comparitively speaking, is that my wardrobe is not trendy enough ( and I'm actually ok with that ). Pastor George went out of his way to tell the congregation that if they didn't attend faithfully, or if someone attended a different church, they shouldn't expect the COTM folks to come help them with tree damage from the recent ice storm. Something came to mind about the God's kingdom being of more important focus than the COTM. If a church can't help out another, well. . . insert your own comment about missing the boat, etc. . . .
Next up: Lifechurch.tv in downtown Tulsa. One church, many locations. OK, they have ear plugs at the door, and I DIDN'T MIND A BIT. Dark inside, like a club, with lights and smoke/fog, and loud loud music. Still, I didn't mind. Definitely a seeker-sensitive way of doing church. The way I saw it, this crowd had their choice of a loud dark club with a less than wholesome environment, or a loud dark church with some amazing message for a way to spend Saturday night. I support them completely, and absolutely enjoyed the message/sermon . The pastor believes in smaller buildings that can be used four or five times each weekend. I hope this church spreads like wildfire in the 20 something crowd and continues to bless the Tulsa area.
Sunday:
Following the continental breakfast, we were off to Asbury United Methodist church for their 9.30 contemporary service. It was a big beautiful church, amazing architecture, perfect sound, bleached oak interior, lots of ceramic tile, just plain beautiful. Someone called in sick that morning, so a guitar player got drafted to lead the music for the service. He referred to the service as 'high energy' at least three times, and I'll have to give him credit. This was the highest energy contemporary service for SENIOR CITIZENS I had ever been to. He did have a nice tone from his guitar amp though. They had just added a new song to their worship service, Chris Tomlin's "Forever".
Next up The Church at Battle Creek . A baptist church ( but not by name ) meeting in an entire shopping mall. What was once store fronts was now information tables for the Sunday School classes meeting inside. The former movie theater was the Kid's Club area, and some store ( like a clothing store or something ) was the worship room. Dark, with cool lights and trusses, like a night club stage. This church is truly focused on the un-churched community, (as is lifechurch.tv) and they are succeeding. I was truly blessed to be a part of this service. The music was good, the preaching was beyond any expectation I had for the entire weekend.
When we got done, we had another meeting, and planned some changes for our own service. Some stage re-arranging is in the works, along with some new lighting ideas. We'll know if it works in about 18 hours or so ;-)
My buddy Tambra pointed out something, a quote by Rick Warren. Paraphrased "A mature Christian can worship to any kind of music". I know there is alot of talk about whether your music is pleasing people or pleasing God, now I'm thinking maybe we should please people to please our God, by offering/inviting those who don't yet have a relationship with the loving Savior, and encouraging them in their journey.
comments please mr.jamescox@yahoo.com any time.
Jimbo
II Chronicles 5:13
Saturday, January 5, 2008
FYI
When I started this blog, I thought 'The Worship Kitchen' was a pretty silly name, but easy to remember. Turns out there is an actual website http://www.worshipkitchen.com/
I'm not endorsing nor am I discouraging you from checking them out. I'll research it and let you know. Historically, I've been dissapointed with a few 'chart services' that are just an excuse for people with a music degree to clutter up great tunes with endless and mindless chord changes, IMO.
Check them out and let me know what YOU think
JC
I'm not endorsing nor am I discouraging you from checking them out. I'll research it and let you know. Historically, I've been dissapointed with a few 'chart services' that are just an excuse for people with a music degree to clutter up great tunes with endless and mindless chord changes, IMO.
Check them out and let me know what YOU think
JC
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Serving God December 30th
We had a fill-in for Worship Leader, and it totally worked. We rehearsed less, practiced less before church, and worried less. We had less to talk about, less to focus on, and we just let our music express how we felt about God. We cut one song and still went a little long. Somewhere along the way, one of my normal guitar solos got left out, and nobody minded ( not even me ). Instead of the usual Sunday morning stress, we (the band) had Sunday morning WORSHIP. We got to feel the music, and think about God during the music. If we can do it this way once in a while, maybe we can survive the other weekends when it's so much work. . . .
Thanks Scott
Jimbo
Thanks Scott
Jimbo
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