Carlos has a mission [...]]]> This past week I was at a conference in Dallas called Catlyst. One of the breakout labs had to Carlos Whitaker (artist, pastor, thinker, experience architect), Michael Gungor (singer/songwriter), and Amena Brown (poet) talking about thoughts on worship.

• Amena Brown (poet)
• Carlos Whittaker (artist, pastor, thinker, experience architect)
• Michael Gungor (singer/songwriter)

Carlos has a mission to ”disturb and disrupt career Christians so they see the face of Jesus is a fresh way.” He’s not what suburbia Christiandom is used to — and in my book that’s a good thing.  People tend to judge by the outward appearance — including me.  If you met Carlos in the airport, you’d most likely think twice about taking a seat next to him.

Carlos mentioned, “The green room is the anti-worship room.”  He encourage people to get off stage and out of the green room into peoples lives.

Carlos also said his wife asked him, “Where’s the guy I see leading worship on Sunday at home with our kids?”  Ouch.  That’s a good question.  Are we worshipping the same off stage as we do on stage?  I don’t.  Why don’t I?

Finally, Carlos mentioned in the Monday evaluation meeting after the weekend of worship, are we asking, when did God show up this last Sunday?  This is a great question to ask. Personally I tend to ask all of the technical production questions. But the bottom line question is did God show up in our lives? Did we allow him to do that? Did we see God’s face. Are our lives changed because of it?

Side note: This is the first time I was in a corporate worship environment with Carlos on stage.  He’s high energy.  When I say high energy — I mean AMPED.  Running.  Fist pumps.  Spinning.  I started to judge his motives for his, um, “worship dancing” — I stopped myself and asked, “Why are you asking these questions.  God is present here with me — waiting for me to worship Him. And I’m instead choosing to ask — is that guy for real?”  Shame on me.  David danced and didn’t care.  This is Carlos.  That’s how he worships — and he’s answerable to God, just like I am.  In the end, I can choose what I’ll do in the moment — worship or judge or ______.  Once I personally dealt with the judging issues in my head, I didn’t see Carlos — I saw someone giving it all to Jesus in one moment — and not concerned about what white-bread guys like me are thinking.  As long as how we worship does not become an idol for you, me or Carlos, I’m all in.  God forgive me for not seeing You through Carlos.

Amena Brown made a startling true statement. She said, “Stage work is the same as scrubbing the toilets – it’s serving.”  While you and I know this in our heads, it’s another thing to grab a toothbrush and to start scrubbing toilets and saying it’s the same thing. Her statement was a good reminder that serving the serving. Unlike real estate — location, size, and appearance does not matter.

I appreciated Amena’s humble, and fun, personality.  She’s legit on stage.  I don’t typically connect with poets on stage — but I connected to God through Amena.

Michael Gungor was asked how he writes songs. He made an interesting statement. He said he writes songs with real people in mind, instead of a nameless or faceless things.  Now, when I listen to the music he’s written — it’s apparent.  By the way, I am beginning to like his music more and more — it’s different than the popular music, it’s creative, and it causes me to think.

All three had a discussion about worship and singing.  One of them mentioned “Singing will inspire worship.” It’s the difference between a singalong and worship.  Singing can happen without worship.  Worship can happen without singing.  But singing, typically leads to worship — if you let it.  The decision is in the hands of each worshipper.

Michael asked, “Are we creating out of the noise in our lives, or out of the silence?”  Michael went on to talk about how he took a full day to be silent — and that it took a long time to have the “noise” stop rattling in his head/body.

Here were my take aways:

• Quit being judgmental of people’s appearance.
• Singing does not equal worship.
• Am I willing to scrub the toilet?
• Start asking if God showed up.
• Do I need to be more disturbed with where I’m at spiritually?

Why do we do the things we do? If you think about it, we do things for a variety of motives and reasons.  To put food on the table.  To have fun.  To make others like us.  To [fill in the blank].

Why do successful people do what they do? Take [...]]]>

Adam Young

Why do we do the things we do? If you think about it, we do things for a variety of motives and reasons.  To put food on the table.  To have fun.  To make others like us.  To [fill in the blank].

Why do successful people do what they do? Take Owl City for example. If you don’t know who Owl City is, it’s an American electronica musical project by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Adam Young.  It’s big.  Really big.  Owl City spawned the quadruple-platinum hit single and the album with “Firefly” was certified Platinum in the United States in April 2010.  You might not be a fan, but millions of others are.

So why does Adam Young do what he does? Listen to what he said about why he spent the last 4 months in a studio.

— and my prayer since day one of this roller coaster ride stands true: that my Savior use the blood, sweat and tears of this humble servant to do His will in whatever context or capacity He deems suitable. For that is what this is all about. Not fame, not fortune, not a guy trying to sound cool writing about “his awesome new record” in a blog on the internet… but merely a dreamer lost in the pursuit of excellence, virtue, honor and high standards.

Street date in August. I can’t wait for you to hear it.

Glory to God.

via Owl City Blog.

So what about us — why do we do what we do? Because we need to put food on the table?  Because it’s fun?  Because people will know who we are?  Other reasons?

God, help us to make You the biggest reason why we do anything.

Let me share a story with you.

When people ask if I give guitar lessons, my standard answer is “…not unless you are willing to mow my lawn or pay $20 for 1/2 hour lesson.”  Even then, I’m reluctant to give lessons.  I’ve always felt teachers who teach ought [...]]]> Are you a student of Jesus?

Let me share a story with you.

When people ask if I give guitar lessons, my standard answer is “…not unless you are willing to mow my lawn or pay $20 for 1/2 hour lesson.”  Even then, I’m reluctant to give lessons.  I’ve always felt teachers who teach ought to teach regularly (to be a good teacher) — or don’t teach at all.  So last year Andrew Helt, a 13 year old, asked about guitar lessons — and I gave him my pitch.  What happened?  I had an allergy free summer without mowing the lawn, and he got guitar lessons.  I’m positive I got the better end of the deal.

Andrew isn’t your typical student when it comes to guitar lessons. He didn’t rely on me to teach him — he only relied on me to guide him.  Most guitar students pay of for a lesson, only to sit in front of the teacher and practice in front of them.  The rest of the week — well, the guitar is usually collecting dust or the student does the minimum required.  It’s just the way it is.

But the best students take initiative and are proactive. These  students don’t wait for the teacher to give the next lesson.  Students who takes action end up going further in the long run.  Andrew did just this.  He took the same guidance every other guitar player gets from teachers in the world — but took it further.  He didn’t come asking what he should work on next — he brought some ideas to the table.  He spent the time.  He did more than the teacher was guiding him to do.

Fast forward 10 months and check out the video from this past weekend when Andrew played an underscore to a scripture meditation in our worship environment.  Remember, this is a result of Andrew’s work — not mine or anyone else’s.

Video courtesy of Carrie Davidson

Remember, growing as a student (of Jesus) relies on willingness the student. The student has to WANT to learn and grow.  It’s the same way with the Christian life, Jesus is willing to teach us as students.  He’s even given us a written guide — the Bible.  But we have to WANT it.

What about us?  If we are students of Christ, are we willing to take it to the next level? Or are we waiting or relying on someone/something else?

Rehearsals for worship environments get a bad rap. Can you blame [...]]]> Recently, there was someone at TBC who came to rehearsal — even though they weren’t leading worship that weekend. It’s only happened a handful of times in the 15 years I’ve been doing this. So I took notice. That got me thinking about rehearsals.

Rehearsals for worship environments get a bad rap. Can you blame people? They usually start late. There’s usually a 30 second prayer to start rehearsal — the last of a spiritual emphasis. The sound check takes 1/4 of the entire rehearsal time. Instructions are given, but no action or follow through is taken. Then the dreaded rehearsal goes 45 minutes longer than it’s supposed to.

Additionally, rehearsals are usually attended with unhealthy perspectives. Sometimes people use rehearsals to learn the music for the very first time (instead of re-hearing the music as a “rehear”sal suggests. Others grudgingly attend rehearsals to sing in a more select group, because that’s “the rule.” Others rehearse simply because that’s what’s expected. Most people, I suspect, come to rehearsal so they know what’s going to happen and to be prepared.

Rehearsing for a worship environment ought to a great experience, shouldn’t it? Maybe even one of the best experiences? Rehearsing ought to be more than about just the details. A rehearsal should be about relationships. After all, isn’t that why we are rehearsing in the first place (vertical relationship with God)?

Here are three important reminders about why we rehearse.

1. Rehearsals are about relationships, not music. When we arrive at our deathbed, it won’t be about that cool lick you played or that awesome song we sang. It will be about people and God at that point. We’d want our loved ones at our deathbed, not our collection of gear. Rehearsing isn’t about music or gear — it’s about using these things as tools to connect others with God and with each other.
2. Rehearsals are about contributing, not consuming. It’s about helping others, not just helping yourself. Rehearsals should be about what I can give — instead of what am I getting out of this. In other words, are we being a consumer or a contributor outside of the music aspect of rehearsal? Rehearsals are full of un-diva-like people — because the divas are in it for themselves.
3. Rehearsals are about being prepared for what God wants to do in the future. Life is a rehearsal for eternity — isn’t it? If we care about what God wants tomorrow — we take prepared action today. Otherwise, it’s simply going through the motions, putting in time, going through a dreaded life with no end result in mind. God cares about those who are spending time on His vision today. While Jesus was on earth, He was rehearsing with His disciples. It was a present preparedness for a future strategy. I don’t know about you, but I want to be a part of something God will do in the future — don’t you?

The next time you rehearse, think about it. It’s about relationships, being a contributor, and being a part of what God will do in the future.

So where [...]]]> This past weekend at TBC, our 2nd hour worship gathering came to a screeching halt before it even got started. There were two minutes consisting of a very awkward pause and silence. Nervous laughter ensued.  What was going on? They were waiting on me to arrive on stage to start the first song.

So where was I? Here’s the story. My oldest son needed to use the bathroom right before the service. And I was hungry — so I went with him to grab a donut while I waited for him to come back. Then my daughter met me in the lobby — telling me about her new dress. As my oldest son exits the bathroom, I hear someone tell me in the lobby, “They’re waiting for you.” I told my son and daughter to go find grandma and sit with her — and I dashed backstage.

Bottom line, I wasn’t distracted by earth shattering stuff. It wasn’t anything more than waiting for my son to return from the bathroom, talking with my daughter about her new dress, and cramming my face with a pastry. Worship didn’t start because they were waiting for someone to follow.  What would have happened if I never came out?! What if I was taking care of “more important” matters at the time?

Why is it that we are conditioned to follow a leader in worship — or in any situation for that matter?
Listen — God is waiting for us to worship Him at any moment. The question is — what’s stopping you and I from worshipping Him right now?

Let’s not keep God waiting this week. Engage. Think about Him. Set your mind on His Word. Take action on His priorities. Put away the things that so easily distract us. Stop trying to fulfill the stomach with human desires. Cease the petty and nonsense chat. Don’t wait for someone else to follow Christ first. No one is responsible for stopping your worship — not even a late worship leader. Worship Him now. He’s waiting.

It comes down to how the church (people) and its pastors function in their roles. You see, empowering volunteers and developing leaders are highly valued. [...]]]>

Where's Bryan go?

From time to time, people ask, “Where have you been? You haven’t been leading worship lately. Is everything OK?” Not only is it OK, it’s on purpose. And here’s why…

It comes down to how the church (people) and its pastors function in their roles. You see, empowering volunteers and developing leaders are highly valued. Some churches hire a front man for a band. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. Sometimes churches need exactly this situation. Other churches hire a worship coordinator, someone who administrates the worship environment. And again there is no problem with this. It’s not wrong, it simply is different than how we do it. I’d like to think we are more in the middle…which sheds light on why you don’t see me every week as the leader on stage.

I’m a talent broker of sorts. A talent broker’s role is to find, assemble, and delpoy talent for a set purpose. I discover talent in others (find it). I assemble and organize the talent in such a way that it’s effective (the administrative part). Then I deploy the talent (allowing YOU to serve). This is all done for one of the greatest purposes on earth…to meet people where they are and move them closer to God.

Listen, in many ways, this makes sense. Here are three reasons to elude worship leading on stage.

1. Variety Brings Broader Connections: People are wired differently. You and I aren’t the same. The more qualified people who can lead worship, the better rate of connectivity over time. It’s the velcro factor that we’re after.
2. Avoiding Personality Driven Worship: Having one worship leader may bring consistency and quality to a higher level quickly. In some situations this is not really needed, but the only way (a church plant for example). However, worship may take on the personality of this single leader in the long term. Worship could become more personality driven. If something were to ever happen to this one leader, it’s more difficult for a group of worshipers to compensate.
3. Unpaid Staff Minister, Paid Staff Equip: In other words my role is to set up the bowling pins, so that you can knock them down. Having an environment where a pastor is serving in the equipping role is valued more than a pastor who is doing the ministering. This doesn’t mean that I get out of the serving role as a minister, but it does mean that that is not my primary focus. My primary focus is to get others to serve, not set myself up to be the only one serving in the leadership role.

There are obviously some disadvantages to this method. We have to fight for consistency. It takes more time to create a worship environment with others than just one person. We’ll probably make more mistakes along the way. It takes a little longer to do it this way. But in my book, the advantages are greater than the short term cons that can be overcome.

The bottom line is when new people come to TBC and they cannot figure out who the paid worship leading guy is - it’s a win. It may lead to more focus on God (our ultimate purpose) than focus on the one leading them in worship of God.