worship. church. theology. culture.

This week in Adventures with Sunday Setlists and the Blog Carnival (sponsored by Fred McKinnon) Cherry Creek Pres. Worships AGAIN! *ahem!* 1 – All People That On Earth Do Dwell  –  William Kethe, 1561 / Zac Hicks, 2009 This new hymns arrangement contains an emphasis on the audience physically responding to the worship with the claps of their hands. I find that it is always scant to find a group of people actually clapping. The arrangement is a simple pop tune … Read More

THE HYMNS MOVEMENT IS ALIVE AND WELL In attending the Calvin Symposium on Christian Worship my goals were evenly divided between two objectives: (1) to gain wisdom from the conference’s plenary and breakout sessions; (2) to network with many like-minded worship leaders who approach worship from much of the same line of thinking that I do.  On both fronts, mission accomplished. I have to admit that I didn’t see a large representation of young, “cutting edge” worship leaders at the … Read More

THE IMPORTANCE OF AFFIRMING BAPTISM Both for personal reasons (I have 4 children that I want to raise in the fear of the Lord) and for professional reasons (I’m in a church that is trying to be extremely intentional on how we bring up our kids in the faith), I took a seminar with Christian Reformed Church pastor and professor, Dr. Howard Vanderwell, entitled, “Affirming and Remembering our Baptisms.”  I sense a deficiency on my part in leading our flock … Read More

Another setlist post! Check Fred McKinnon’s Blog Carnival for details!   1 – Indescribable  –  Laura Story, 2004Indescribable is a shock and awe song. Everything in the song is geared to a sense of childish wonder, while humbling us in raising His Name in song. The music floats lightly with the occasional “Oh-my-goodness-that’s-so-amazing” moment marked by the striking of chords and cymbals.   2 – Shout to the Lord  – Darlene Zshech, 1993This song is a pledge, a rededication to … Read More

A NEW RESPECT FOR THE MUSIC OF KEITH & KRISTYN GETTY Several years ago, after first hearing “In Christ Alone,” I became a fan of the Gettys.  However, I regressed from paying attention to their work in subsequent years.  Since then, they’ve come out with a follow up album to In Christ Alone, called Awaken the Dawn.  When Awaken the Dawn first came out, I listened to samples and, not without appreciation, did not choose to buy it or pay … Read More

RESPONSE TO DAN SCHUTTE ON SONGWRITING Last week, I attended one of the best worship conferences that is offered in the United States—the Calvin Symposium on Christian Worship.  It’s a multi-faceted, biblical, and ecumenical gathering, well-rounded with learning from the pragmatic to philosophical. One of the great breakout sessions I was able to attend was “Modern Songs for Worship: Conversations with Five Composers.”  Each composer had something different to bring to the table, and I benefited from their insights and … Read More

This week in Sunday Setlists (Fred McKinnon’s Blog Carnival), we return with another recap on last Sunday’s service (shocker, huh?). Anyway, here we go:   1. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing  –  Robert Robinson, 1758 / John Wyeth’s Repository of Sacred Music, 1813This song speaks directly to God. It’s a prayer of praise, thanksgiving and self-giving. My favorite line is “Bind my wandering heart to The// Prone to wander Lord I feel it//Prone to leave the God I love//Here’s … Read More

photo courtesty of Paul Adams (www.pauladamsphoto.com)When Ascent began 1.5 years ago, it was a dream attempted.  In a nutshell, my under-the-surface goal was to experiment with the edge of modern worship and see if the hymns movement and other liturgical elements could find a place there without compromising what makes modern worship beautiful and powerful.  I wanted us to grow in being able to do the modern worship thing well–lights, audio, film, experiential, hands-on elements and ministry, and visuals–while proving … Read More

“Honor your father and your mother.” That phrase appears 8 times in Scripture–Exodus 20:2; Deuteronomy 5:16; Matthew 15:4; Matthew 19:19; Mark 7:10; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Ephesians 6:2. That phrase appears in the best summary of moral code ever written: The Ten Commandments That phrase prophetically speaks against American obsession with youthfulness/youth culture and marginalization of one’s elders Today, I want to worship God by honoring my mother on an appropriate day to do so.  My mom was raised in … Read More

Our church has embarked on year two of a fabulous five-year goal–read through the Bible each year.  Last year, we worked with Zondervan for a very successful Bible in 90 Days sprint through Scripture.  This year, as one of my colleagues puts it, we’re reading the Bible oven-style rather than microwave-style.  We’re reading through the One Year Bible, and using the helpful online resource, the One Year Bible Blog.  At the same time, Cherry Creek Presbyterian is a church committed … Read More