The Article That Got Me In Trouble (L)

[thephnxman]

might mean "justice department", touching on hillary!

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Originalist

Please explain what "JD" means. Thanks.

He or she is one of the people who posted a comment on the link you gave.

[Jermyn Davidson]

What did I say or do now???

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Scott Pitta

I like the article. Repetitive lyrics or repeated chorus singing shuts my mouth.

The very worst part of Sunday morning is when the worship leader stops singing to exhort the congregation. During those times, I wish a trap door behind the pulpit would open and the worship leader would disappear.

I'd like to have that trap door when I hear, "For the next 30 seconds, let's worship God."

What does that mean? One Mississippi, two Mississippi..... LOL!

[TJJJ]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I'd like to have that trap door when I hear, "For the next 30 seconds, let's worship God."

What does that mean? One Mississippi, two Mississippi..... LOL!

Yeah, you're like......

Just what have we been doing for the last 15 to 20 minutes?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by TJJJ

Yeah, you're like......

Just what have we been doing for the last 15 to 20 minutes?

Thank you!!!

[Originalist]

After I posted the article, several of my friends began to comment. Some totally agreed while others partially agreed with the author's views. But this one friend who is the "praise team leader" at a church I attended for 17 years came after me personally just for posting it. To her, I am "bitter and rebellious" for agreeing with the author and that this was also proof that I have "issues" to deal with. Of course she refused to dialog, express where specifically she felt the author was wrong, or to acknowledge that my other friends at least partially agreed with the article. It was rather amusing having this brainwashed "company gal" tell me I have issues.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

What did I say or do now???

[n david]

It has been one year. After a little over 15 years of being a worship leader, I "retired" at the beginning of last year.

The majority of WLs are sincere and want to use their gift for God. I've met and known dozens of WLs from UPCI, PAW, Non-Denom and Indie churches who struggle with how to lead the congregation to worship.

When I was growing up, there was no "praise team." There was certainly no large band with a front singer in pegged skinny jeans and boots. In the church my father pastored, there was a man - in his 60s - who led songs. He didn't have a great voice. It was gravely and raspy, and sometimes he didn't even sing. Almost every time, though, he had tears running down his cheeks as he worshipped God in a way I spent every service those 15+ years trying to model.

Years have passed and now there are so many workshops and conferences for WLs, which have caused WLs to lose focus on what matters.

The church is filled with commercialism - from the pre-service videos to the final prayer. There are multiplied dozens of companies just for WLs alone, not to mention products for membership, ministry, teaching, preaching, music, finances, etc.

Being a WL, there were products for audio and video, processors and video backgrounds with text overlays; group messaging/contact; products that stream live set lists - lyrics and chords to singers/musicians - and include messaging systems for everyone to text to each other.

It's hard not to get caught up in the commercialization.

It's also not an easy thing to do, although, I believe it's become more complicated than it needs to be.

[Esaias]

How about this?

If you want to sing a song, stand up and sing the song. If you have a 'word from God', stand up and give it. If you want to 'worship God' then get busy and worship God. And if you just can't do that without some 'leader' or 'praise band' then you are probably not pentecostal.