The David Crowder Band is hosting a Church Music Conference at Baylor University in Waco, TX, September 30-October 2. This is exciting on many levels. I’m pumped to see the name of a Friday breakout workshop: “A New Old Vision for Worship – Liturgical Spirituality for Post-Modern-Semi-Reformed-Hipsters.” Here’s what is truely exciting: more signs of the subversive growth of influence of the hymns movement are on the horizon. The David Crowder Band (for those who didn’t know) is THE name … Read More
The Cows in the Corn: Lessons in Worship Style Perspective
This funny and painful parable preaches more eloquently in a nutshell to the issue of traditional worship vs. contemporary worship, modern worship vs. classical worship, than I ever could. It’s all about perspective. Of course, it’s hyperbole. Only those who have truly wrestled with bridging the gap in the worship wars can truly appreciate both sides of this. **** An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city church. He came home and his wife … Read More
The Higher the Liturgy, the More Scripture is Heard
Yesterday’s post, “The Higher the Liturgy, the Lower the Preaching” was made as a generalization based on D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ observations of England 40 years ago and of mine in the present. Dissenting commenters made a good point, however…which I don’t believe is in contradiction with yesterday’s observation. Their comments can be summarized in an experience relayed to me by Don Sweeting–former pastoral mentor and colleague, and now President of Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. Don took a much needed … Read More
The Higher the Liturgy, the Lower the Preaching
It is fascinating that a book published in 1971 has so much relevance to very current trends in church worship right now. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ Preaching and Preachers (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971) was aimed at British churches (and, secondarily, US churches) who were discounting the importance of preaching in the life of the church. Lloyd-Jones makes several observations which are nearly graph-able in their correspondence. One such observation is noticing the correlation between the greater emphasis on formal liturgy and … Read More
The Big Picture of Indelible Grace: Kevin Twit and the Ryman Hymnsing
“Edible Grace…what?” That’s the type of reaction I get when I talk to mainstream evangelical worship leaders about the hymns movement and their golden boy, Indelible Grace. IG is a move back to substantive modern worship. Their M.O. is to combine modern folk and rock instrumentation with old hymn texts. Many people misunderstand “old hymns to new music” as throwing a contemporary beat and sound on a hymn…just think of all the forced, “contemporary” versions out there of “Great is … Read More
Family Worship and the Southern Baptist Convention
I grew up in the Southern Baptist tradition of Christianity, and I am perpetually thankful for and appreciative of the heritage of evangelical faith passed on to me there. Matt Boswell, a Texas worship leader I respect and admire, pointed me to this beautiful statement on family worship presented at the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in 2010. It certainly challenges me to up my game of worship leading in my own home. Here it is in complete form, but you … Read More
Young Attracted to Old in Worship
Check out this article on worship I recently wrote for the Layman online. It briefly discusses the resurgence of interest among evangelicals in ancient worship practices, liturgy, old hymns, historical connection, and theological depth. An excerpt: “Some have said that the recent fascination with returning to ancient worship tools and practices is a reaction to the historical rootlessness of our postmodern age. Others have said that current interest in liturgy and old hymns by churches’ younger generations is a result … Read More
Hillsong vs. Getty: A Contrast in Melody-Writing
Circulating through many of my favorite worship blogs is the distillation of Keith Getty’s presentation on songwriting at the National Worship Leaders Conference. It is getting widespread press for good reason—Getty’s insights are golden. With particular regards to melody-writing, Getty had to say: “To write strong melodies remember that folk melody has to be passed on orally (aurally). I try to write songs that can be sung with no written music. I imitate Irish folk melody, with a great deal … Read More
Worshiping at the iThrone of Apple
It’s interesting that Apple’s logo is a bitten piece of fruit. The first time that happened, the whole world fell apart. I’m not sure who originated the thought, but I’ve heard Tim Keller say many times, “Idolatry happens when good things become ultimate things.” I was passed on an article which made a lot of comparisons between the tech giant Apple and religion…particularly Christianity. Here are some highlights: “Apple products aren’t just consumer-friendly, sexy gadgets, but instruments of the divine.” … Read More
Worship as Taunting the Enemy
Doug Wilson shares some valuable insights about worship as warfare. He relates it to the Maori ritual “Haka,” a ceremony which involves taunting the enemy before battle. Wilson prophetically points out that we are quick to enjoy the benefits of worship without realizing that we are simultaneously called to war. “You enjoy the blood rush, and no blood shed.” I am reminded of the fact that when Satan was tempting Jesus in the wilderness, his primary objective was to redirect … Read More