Searching for a Worship Home by Creator Magazine

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volume 34 - number 2 2012

searching for worship a home TM

a church musicianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bookshelf TM

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Volume 34 - Number 2

Worship Preferences

A Church Musician’s Bookshelf :

Front Page Bob Burroughs

Art and Theology Annette Bender

Feature

Searching For a Worship Home Glenn A Pickett

21 Spotlight on Martha Garmon Bob Burroughs TM

11 10 Ways to Make Visitors Welcome at Worship Glenn A Pickett

26 Select 20 Anthem Reviews Staff

The Power of Appetite Glenn W Harrell

Embracing Who We Are

TM Good Stuff

Reviews of New Materials Staff

17 Pat Little

Last Page

It’s Too Loud

Robert L Tauber

in this issue

uh oh...some of our authors have their “mad” on when it comes to aspects of finding a worship “home,” but they all have some important info...plus a spotlight interview with Martha Garmon, the Select 20, and more... 2012 | creatormagazine.com

by Bob Burroughs

front page

worship preferences

I am so sick and tired of hearing the term, “Worship Wars!” We have about run this one into the ground, don’t you think? I find the term as offensive as calling the music ministry the “war department” of the church. The term is about as passé as yesterday’s newspaper, and the Edsel. I think we should begin to use the term Worship Preferences, for that is what worship really is to most people – a preference.

Volume 34 - Number 2 2012 publisher Vernon Sanders editor Bob Burroughs

preference elsewhere. Parting shots are taken: “good riddance,” or “hope they will be happy now” or even “now that thorn in my side is finally gone!” How very sad – both for those that left and for those who stay. Basically, what happened is this: a worship preference was taken away and the end result is that one group “won” and the other “lost.” Really? Think about it this way:

If my preference in worship style is traditional, contemporary will probably not ever be my preference – and vice versa. Yet, we continually press our congregations to change their preference of worship style! Usually it goes this way: the church leadership decides, with little input from the congregation, to change the worship style. As a result, many leave to seek their worship TM

Worship Preference is a very personal experience. If one is a long time believer, having grown up with a longheld worship preference, changing worship preference is not something they will take lightly. At the same time, new believers, having little or no worship history may find the fast paced contemporary worship experience just right for them. It fits their worship preference and they probably won’t be switching preferences anytime soon!

continued on page 28...

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Worship preferences do not change because the pastor takes off his coat and tie, is very casual, and makes

computer engraving Geyser Ridge Associates printing coordinator Pete Moceri

I think we should begin to use the term Worship Preferences You may prefer Coke over Pepsi, basketball over football, mountains over the beach, blue over green, or hymns over choruses – but regardless of your preference, it is still a preference.

editorial board Christine Anderson Hugh Ballou Wendell Boertje Glenn P. Eernisse Allen Henderson Heather Hood Lloyd Larson Douglas Lawrence David Leestma William Lock Lura Milner Carl M. Peters, II Stephen Phifer Paul Satre Thomas Vozzella Edwin M. Willmington Paul Leddington Wright John Yarrington

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feature

searching

for a worship home by Glenn Pickett

three alarming worship trends uncovered in a

After twenty-five years of being the worship person in three different churches, I felt God calling me into a sustained effort to write more music and help train the next generation of worship leaders. So, after finishing a doctoral degree, I’m now teaching composition at California Baptist University in Riverside, California. With this move came the task of finding a new church home – not an easy thing for someone who has given almost his entire professional career to worship leadership. But we believed that Southern California was one of the loci of good, powerful Christian churches in America. Which... well, wasn’t our experience and that’s part of what this article is about. My career change was an opportunity to fulfill a long held desire of my wife’s – to worship together with her husband

search for a new church

as a “normal” couple. After twenty-five years of being married to me and my job with all of its drama surrounding the sopranos, solos, and seating charts, she was ready to make the move from a pew in the front to one near the back. In other words, our task was to find a church where we could attend and enthusiastically participate as lay – rather than lead worshippers. Would that be possible for someone like me? Is it possible for someone who has been working almost his entire professional life as a worship pastor to simply stand in the congregation without asking himself the question, “Why are they doing it that way?” Well, frankly, the answer to that question is “no.” But, I can positively inform you that we have indeed found a church where we can sing and worship together as a couple and feel some-

For those who lead worship!

TheWorshipRenewalCenter.com has resources and ideas to help you do worship ministry better 2012 | creatormagazine.com

what “normal,” even though being in a pew near the back of the room has not been normal for me. And it has not been an easy journey. I think that part of the reason that it hasn’t been easy is because the worship and theological culture of the type of church that we have been part of for our entire lives has changed. We’ve always served at churches that were not quite Presbyterian, but not very Baptist either. Two of them were associated with the Evangelical Free Church of America and another was an independent church, Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, California, the home of “Body Life,” the congregationcentered style of worship so popular in the 1970’s. So we began asking friends about where to find a similar kind of church in southern California. We thought that this would be a fairly easy task. After all our “shopping,” though, we are now driving a California freeway for thirty minutes in one direction in order to attend a church where we feel “normal.” So, is it me, or have all of these churches somehow changed? I think that the answer is “both.” Acknowledging the fact that it’s hard to step outside and observe one’s self, I do know from the music that’s on my iPod, to the art and food that I’ve come to enjoy, that I have indeed grown to appreciate a wider variety of what life has to offer as I’ve (ahem) matured in years. But, I am also very aware, as a former worship pastor, that the kind of churches that Julie and I have served for most of our lives have correspondingly changed. But have these changes been for the good? I am sorry to report that in my opinion, the answer is “no.”

Everybody Looks the Same After visiting four or five churches, we noticed a trend that held true irreTM

spective of the denomination (or lack thereof) of the church. Most of those present were anglos, aged between 20 and maybe 45 years of age. No children or older people seemed to be present in the services – and we heard from others that they used to be there. Changes in leadership and worship priorities had somehow forced the older people out. These churches also seem to agree with Jesus’ disciples before He reprimanded them to allow the children to come to Him, and in fact, to have a faith like theirs. In these churches, the children are segregated from the adults for the entire service in a different room. So, is there something wrong with this picture? Well, yes. Often, when I ask church leaders or attendees why they continue to present worship that seems to be driving seniors away, that excludes children from “adult” worship, the answer comes back in some kind of defense of church growth. Yet, the Bible speaks clearly that we should love one another: By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35 Is it possible to be segregated and have love for one another? One of the major themes of the epistles is that all believers in Jesus – whether Jew or Gentile – need to love one another. In Acts 6, the reason the office of deacons was created was to help people from two very different cultural groups learn to eat with one another fairly. Should not the church be the leader in showing our culture how to love? Shouldn’t we be relishing intergenerational contact? Loving one another means being together, especially in worship.

Nobody Seems to be Singing One of the major issues of the reformation was congregational singing. Leaders who purport to be followers

of reformed theology should be very concerned about the state of congregational singing in their churches. What we observed in our church search were some really, really great bands. People also stood for the entire time that the bands played. However, hardly anyone sang! Everyone – congregation, band, pastoral leadership – seemed to be oblivious to the band’s role to stimulate congregational singing. There’s a vulnerability and intimacy that is inherent in singing that these churches are losing with their excellent bands. In reality, technical aspects of the band’s presentation prevent the congregation from singing. Most of the bands we observed seemed to be trying to duplicate – or “cover” – the recording from which they learned the song. Among other things, they played each song in the same key as the recorded version. In so very many ways, Chris Tomlin’s music touches the hearts of believers of the 21st century in the same way that Ira Sankey or Fanny Crosby did in the past. However, worship leaders need to remember that most men are not fantastic tenors like Tomlin. Transposing congregational music into keys in which everyone can sing allows women and men to express themselves emotionally in church. (Remember, all of us have a break in our voice, between the chest and head voice. If the song’s range stays in, or is above that area for too long, most people simply give up.) For example, Matt Redman’s Blessed Be Your Name is a fantastic song, one that has brought great comfort to millions of believers, including myself. However, on his website, the recording heard there places the song in the key of “B.” That puts the chorus (You give and take away) on a D# for an extended amount of time, well above the vocal break for most men. And, men are not going to use their falsetto voice to reach those notes. Yet, if transposed down to the key of “G,” it rides the vocal break far more infrequently.

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transposing congregational music into keys in which everyone can sing allows women and men to express themselves But does it sound as “cool” as the Redman recording? Cooler! Hearing a congregation that numbers anywhere from 50 to 3000 people all singing their hearts out is extremely cool. And isn’t the purpose of the band is get the congregation to sing? Perhaps another reason that congregations aren’t singing is because worship leaders, after rehearsing hours to get a song just right, forget that the congregation only gets to experience that song once a week for 4-6 minutes. Unless a person grew up with a song or listens to Christian radio, they don’t know it! Leading people in worship means using songs that they know, even if they’re not our favorites. At the same time, gently, and with love and

intentionality, we need to teach them the new songs as the scriptures commands us to. The Psalms of Ascent were sung year after year by the Hebrews as they approached the heights of Jerusalem for the holidays, just like we sing those same carols year after year at Christmas. If we follow that example and repeat new music often enough, the congregation can learn it over the course of the year. It’s so easy to simply use the CCLI “top twenty-five” list as a guide for repertoire choice. It is also easy to look up from a music stand to see and observe what songs our congregations are actually singing (if they are). The letter to the Colossians admonishes them, and us, to be one body. A practi-

cal way to do that is follow Paul’s advice and sing all kinds of music – psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Older people benefit from singing not just the hymns, young people, not just the spiritual songs. The Bible calls for balance and variety in our choices of music that we sing to each other, old songs and new songs. If we’re serious about “loving one another,” should not we be willing to sing each other’s music?

Worship Services are Entirely too Predictable There is a great self-parodying YouTube video entitled Contemporvant (http:// youtu.be/pzqaITA3IO0) from North 2012 | creatormagazine.com

Dr. Glenn A. Pickett

believes that music is communication He teaches music composition at California Baptist University.

too many worship services seem to be put together from a template so that they are “good enough,” rather than good...

Scan the QR code to go directly to the Contemporvant video

Point Church in suburban Atlanta, that is instructive to watch. In all of the churches that we attended in our church search, we noticed again, that it didn’t matter what denomination the church was, the liturgy – yes, that’s what it is – was

exactly the same. It reminded me a bit of the “It” from Madeline L’Engle’s wonderful children’s book A Wrinkle in Time.

•

Opening Song, Announcements – led by a witty, well dressed woman

•

Three or four songs (led by a not so well dressed, 20 something young man)

•

The REALLY IMPORTANT announcement (led by a surprisingly older man)

•

Brief Prayer (Optional)

•

Offering/Offertory (the music is supposed to be congregational, but, as mentioned above, no one sings)

•

Sermon (with optional political barbs)

•

Closing song

•

CD recording played as postlude. (How do paid musicians get away without preparing something for this and the prelude?)

Here’s how it goes: •

CD recording played as prelude (I wonder if the church pays ASCAP or BMI for the rights to do this?)

for further reading • Worship: Religion or Relationship (Jim Altizer) Mar/Apr 93 • Fusion or Confusion? (Dan Wagner) Mar/Apr 93 • Whatever Happened to God-Sensitive Worship? (Edwin M Willmington) Nov/Dec 95 • Taste Wars – and How to End Them (Stephen D Lawton) Jan/Apr 96 • Congregational Participation – Drawing God’s People into Worship (Ron Man) May/Jun 96 • How Then Shall We Sing? (Robert W Bastian) Jan/Feb 97 • Eight Common Elements of Worship Renewal (Robert Webber) Nov/Dec 98 • Twelve Ways to Make Your Church More User-Friendly (Doug Lawrence) Mar/Apr 99 • Worship is Not a Matter of Taste (Marva Dawn) Nov/Dec 99 • Common Traits of Excellent Churches (Paul Wilkes) Mar/Apr 01 • Don’t Plan a Service – Create a Moment! (Doug Lawrence) Mar/Apr 07 You can find many of these articles individually and/or buy the Worship Articles Compliation CD for just $19.95 at creatormagazine.com. All articles are available by calling 800-777-6713.

volume 34 - number 2 | creatormagazine.com

When God created something, He kept at His work until He could say that “it was good.” He didn’t rest with a job half way done. He completed each step of the task and pronounced them good as He finished them. So we too, as imitators of God ought to strive to be able to say “it is good” before we rest from our work. Too many worship

10 Ways to Make Visitors Welcome at Worship • Use the Congregational handout as a Worship “program.” Most people like to know how the service is progressing. This is why at almost all public events, especially sporting events, programs are prepared and provided that include the names of the people who are participating in that event. A church that puts a “worship order” into the congregational handout helps the visitor who doesn’t know or trust the ropes. • Introduce yourself from the platform. So many times, church staff members assume that the people in attendance know who they are. Visitors don’t know you. Set the example of introducing yourself for your people and serve your visitors by having everyone who speaks from the platform introduce themselves. • Have the men dress well on the platform. Is there anywhere else in our society that men make public presentations in ripped jeans and a T-Shirt except in church and perhaps at certain rock concerts? Women in the churches that we visited still seem to understand that they gain credibility when they dress up for a presentation on the platform. The men at the churches we visited potentially lost respect in the eyes of many visitors, especially the older and educated ones, by being sloppy in their clothing and grooming. • Model diversity on the platform. A church demonstrates the kinds of people that she values by whom she puts on the platform. This is one of the strengths of using a choir – it adds diversity. Make visitors feel welcome by using people of all different ages and races up front. • Avoid political barbs and jabs from the platform. About half of all Americans lean Democrat and the other half Republican. When a leader makes a political wisecrack and winks and assumes that all present agree with him, his credibility is hurt with visitors for when he eventually does get around to preaching the Gospel. • Don’t exclusively use exclusive or new songs. A new status symbol for a church’s music program is the custom CD of new songs produced by the worship pastor and team. Singing and writing new songs is a good thing. But there can be too much of a good thing. If the majority of your music is original, and you’re depending upon repetition or in-house CDs to teach them to your people, your visitors will not be able to enter into your worship. • Lower your shields. Music stands raised to chest level, complete with stand lights, block communication between the singers and the congregation. Participants on the platform who know their music or presentation well enough can open the windows to the doors of souls through their eyes. Look at people, not your stand. • Put music notation in the bulletin. I am a very musical person. But when I am confronted with music that I don’t know in church and only lyrics are provided for me on projected slides, I find myself in a quandary. Should I wait long enough to get a feel for the song before I try to sing it, or should I simply stand there and wait for the next song and hope that I know it? On a recent visit to a church I felt brave and I decided to go for it and joined in before I really knew the song. Sure enough, I was embarrassed when I sang through a surprise rest. The church invented music notation. Let’s begin using it again. • Encourage congregational singing. In a sense, I am a Christian today because of my participation with fifty or so people back at a little church in New England who blew the roof off of the building with their enthusiastic, heartfelt singing. When a congregation sings well, it speaks of their trust for one another and their love for their Lord. • Love One Another. Love is a commitment, an act of the will that is followed by feelings of affection. Platform participants can model loving relationships that are obvious to those in the congregation from their glances and acknowledgement of each other while performing. On a deeper level, if a congregation avoids confrontation with itself to “keep the peace,” with older people meeting at separate times from the younger ones, tolerance may be present, but not love. Christians are called to love, not tolerance. As the old chorus says, your visitors will know you are Christians by your love. Glenn Pickett

services seem to be put together from a template so that they’re “good enough,” rather than “good.” So, how can a church get out of this worship rut? Well, that’s certainly been the subject of entire books, but for the purposes of this article, here are four easy adjustments that a church could make once a month that could really help a service not be so predictable. first sunday of the month

Celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Have people get out of their seats and come forward to a front table to receive the elements. Use ushers for those with disabilities.

��

�� 2012 | creatormagazine.com

Make a special effort to find someone whose life has been touched in a special way by God recently

second sunday of the month

Recite the Lord’s Prayer together. third sunday of the month

Have “Body life.” Make an effort to find someone whose life has been touched in a special way by God recently. Coach them on how to present their testimony to the congregation. Or, use an open microphone for prayer and praise and trust the Holy Spirit for what people are going to say. fourth sunday of the month

Recite the Nicene Creed together. This time tested document, written in 325, distills what we believe about our faith into one minute of recitation. If you’re unnecessarily worried about the “one Holy and catholic apostolic church,” phrase, teach your people that catholic doesn’t mean exclusively

volume 34 - number 2 | creatormagazine.com

“Roman,” just, universal. Plus, it helps remind your church that it is not alone, but part of a movement that spans the globe and is almost 2000 years old. Reading the scriptures together responsively, organizing services around the ancient; thoughtful, deep prepared times of prayer; and extended moments of silence can all help give forward motion to a service. Remember that God is the original creative being. All of us should always be asking Him to give us the discipline and ideas we need to be creative. It took us four months, but we found a church that we think reflects what we consider to be Biblical values in worship. It is diverse in age and they are trying to be with regard to race. Old people and young people, even children worship together. (The young children are dismissed to their classes after a well-prepared children’s message just before the sermon.) Tradition

is respected, but doesn’t seem to be considered to be a taskmaster. The congregation really sings. We sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with appropriate accompaniment for all. Leadership actually spends the resources to put notation in a worship guide for the songs that are not in the hymnal! Because choirs for all ages are offered at the church, much of the congregation reads music. The music – even the children’s choir songs – are related by topic to the sermon. That takes great organization and planning. Is it heaven? No, as Brennan Manning says, we’re all “ragamuffins” saved by grace. But, the church is trying. They’re putting time, resources and creative thought into a balanced, thoughtful worship service that they present to their community faithfully each week. We’re so very glad that we found them.

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thepower

by Glenn W. Harrell

worship

of appetite

our worship appetites may be unhealty

It’s not hard to develop unhealthy appetites. They appeal to the lowest common denominators in all of us – greed and selfishness. Once the substitutes for healthy are accepted, it can be very challenging to let them go and turn back to the real thing.

on the churches today would be to take His hands off and let them go right on doing what they are doing. We have been living on substitutes for so long that if a revival of worship did come, many of God’s people would probably see it as a threat to the Gospel!”

Contemporary A human tendency (appetite) towards entertainment, thrill and excitement

Warren Wiersbe, in his book Real Worship, says, “What will it take to motivate us to worship God? What will have to happen before we dismantle our shabby religious sideshows and build once again an altar to the Lord? The greatest judgment God could pass

There are three clear worship subgroups in view:

Each generation goes through their own version of all three of these subgroups. The recent Praise and Worship (Contemporary) movement has already shifted into the world of traditional. The ever shortening cyclical evolution of expression is being asked to “blend” with the next one emerging.

Traditional A human tendency (appetite) towards comfort, rigidity and exclusion.

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Blended A human tendency (appetite) for compromise, status quo and mediocrity

Each generation defines what is worshipful and meaningful to them, which is why words like Traditional, Contemporary and Blended have a stronger potential for divisiveness than simply defining preference of music style.

Worship Involves Contact

Deep gratitude translates into unsolicited adoration. God took the initiative I would never take. He loved me first, and this is the ultimate foundation for worship – God loved and loves sinful me. This love begets love. I worship with a desire to obey and please Him that I never knew before salvation. No more appeasing with a fear of rejection. I now want to obey and serve him out of love, not guilt and fear.

Worship happens when I am contact-full with God. Contact-fullness is the opposite of impersonal.

Worship Continues with a Maturing Relationship

Loving, wise, mature, biblically-minded leadership can assist churches through this ongoing human tendency. The result will be a multi-generational life experience of existence and worship. Each generation in the church has to care enough to share enough, and abiding in Christ makes this not only desirable but possible.

Why do I sometimes struggle with worshipping the way God wants to be worshipped? Because contact-fullness with God means I make myself vulnerable. I risk being “found-out.” I often resist being intimate and “touchy-feely.” I rather like staying undercover and being anonymous. I have to become a real person who doesn’t have all the answers. Being traditional, contemporary or blended is much less threatening than allowing God access and entrance to my life. There is a false security in joining one of these camps. This is why it will always be popular to settle for being merely religious and “a good person” as a substitute for relationship and worship. This is also why music can be mistakenly assigned a superior role to that of scripture, doctrine, and church historicity. Music has the unique capacity to assist us in avoiding truth. Music, taking on a dominant role in worship, ironically moves us deeper into an existence of avoidance. It’s like wanting to get to know someone and going to a movie as opposed to sitting down for conversation. Music can become a substitute for worship. When it does, it defeats the very instinct we want it to gratify. Yes, we make a lot of noise and say all the right words, but the connection may be more with the world in me than with God. I believe this is the “aching muscle pain” of the church today. It would be comical if it weren’t so sad, watching the church self-medicate.

Worship Begins with Love Worshipping God begins with the personal experience of being loved and accepted by God as I confess and accept His Son Jesus Christ.

Continuing to worship God is not possible without a maturing relationship with him through His Son Jesus Christ. Scripture makes it clear that there are new expectations God has for those who accept His Son. These expectations are delivered along with a new capacity and desire that he places in our hearts. In my visits to churches of all denominations, it is astonishing just how absent the scriptures are in what we call worship. I think it is because we so desperately want to define worship without them so that we can practice what we

call worship in spite of them. Worship is the development of inner spiritual character as opposed to the outer surface of tool and technique.

Worship Produces Life and Lifestyle Change Having a contact-full relationship with God, then, produces life and lifestyle change. We cannot worship/commune with God and not become more like His Son Jesus. It has been rightly said, “An empty wagon can make a lot of noise.” Real worship is not humanly generated excitement, goose bumps, or music of any style and volume. “Loud and exciting” can easily become a cover up that helps me to avoid contact-fullness with God. If entertaining services yields believers who become more like the Jesus of the Bible, Lord, let it happen. If intellectual prowess and performing the most difficult music imaginable produces the fruit of Christ- likeness, so be it. Be certain of this: People that show up for public worship who are ankle deep

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from the lack of private worship will not suddenly morph into mature worshippers. They will remain disruptive beggars on a spiritual welfare line waiting for yet another pep rally performance. A dominance of such individuals, left unchecked, will turn ministry inward narcissistically and create a retail shopper’s paradise of stylistic choices fresh from the world. And if their needs are not met, they will keep moving until they either become a Christian because they never were, grow up spiritually by allowing God to create Christ-likeness in them, or find yet another congregation with weak leadership to infest. Worship does not mysteriously happen when we have new digital mixers, wireless microphones, liturgy, hymns, choruses, great soloists, orchestras, a big video screen, and a tour-worthy praise band complete with subwoofers. Neither is worship preserved in a time warp called hymnody and “special music.” The absence of any kind of Christ-character is at the heart of all meaningless traditional, contemporary, and blended appetites. We copy the world, paint Jesus on it, and wonder why we come across pretentious and phony. Without contact-fullness, we confuse style with substance and transform our preferences into convictions and fight over them. We lock and load our liturgies as though they could save our very souls and dare anyone to change them. We easily worship our emotional experiences in services and become addicted to them. Like all addictions, they must get more and more exciting to please. Like a drug, only certain music, played a certain way is acceptable and we will fight for it. Our masks become the norm. Something dies inside of us and it is the very thing that is necessary for true worship. The alternative is to realize and experience the amazing, unconditional

volume 34 - number 2 | creatormagazine.com

love of God and His acceptance through Christ. When I do allow and invite His love, I am strangely comfortable in His presence. I step into a room with other believers for the purpose of worshipping together, and carry a willingness to be less than perfect. Regardless of how I am accepted by others, I can truly love them. I won’t insist that they be perfectly mature in their faith before I will dare be associated with them or their church because I no longer expect this of myself. If what I call worship does not produce honesty with contact-fullness in my relationship with God, as well as ever clearer resemblance to the Jesus of the Bible in my personal life (I say of the Bible because I can create my own designer Jesus), then I contend that my “worship” may well be foundationless and fruitless.

Where did we get the idea that the church was ever to be “popular?” A lessened appetite for honesty and integrity with God produces a pretentious deception that often disguises itself as “the latest and greatest” or “the classics are the best.” This stifled appetite opens the door to a tendency to copy-cat / rubber--stamp “ministry.”

Instead, we are demonstrating I have not been worshiping wars.

Hello Church. Worshiping God is not about music or style of any kind. It is about intimacy and contact-fullness with God. Revel in being different from the world with your music, furnishings, attitudes, belief, and actions. Be available, mature, and trustworthy when God wants to send needy people your way.

The western church is struggling with declining interest and attendance. Leadership flaws and failures abound. Perhaps it is because too many churches today are becoming the ultimate pleaser. They tell the world, “Oh, you don’t like our music? Please, whatever you like, tell us, we will do it.”

Perhaps your church is less than indigenous, authentic, and overtly loving, with a deep commitment to the integrity of the scriptures. Could it be that your appetite is adopting some unhealthy substitutes and creating a lot of disturbance? The first place to look is in the mirror. fine

We Are Not Having Worship Wars

worship

embracing by Pat Little

who we are Five months ago, the band I had been playing and leading worship with for the past five years decided to hang ‘em up. We collectively decided it was time for each of us to go in separate directions. In the aftermath of our extended stint serving as a house band at a church in San Diego, I decided to change scenery and mosey on back up to where my roots are on the Central Coast of California. Coming back, I was aware of the fact that for the first time in nearly ten years I would not have a consistent role of responsibility within an established ministry. And I needed it. My soul was tired, and places in my heart where strong desire and passion used to reside were now giving way to exhaustion and numbness. I was really looking forward to the freedom of a

every worshiper benefits when a church’s worship reflects who it is season where my only responsibility was the one that each of us bears – to be present with one another as a carrier of the Spirit of Jesus. I was also anticipating being a bit of a freelancer on Sunday mornings – to attend different faith communities where I have different relationships and be ministered to by what the Spirit’s unique activity and the unique expressions of Jesus’ body (His people). I was not going as an observer or a critic, simply to enjoy and be. Recently, a friend asked me over lunch what my observations have been during my wanderings. And I realized that in my explorations, I was surprised – when I thought about where I would want to attend during the week – that there wasn’t much in the way of worship variety.

I believe there are good and necessary reasons for this, and also some tragedies. We, as a church, are in a very serious business – the worship of God, the edification of His people, and the carrying out of His work in the world. I also believe it is imperative that we do the absolute best that we can to steward these responsibilities, to be “successful” with our aims. So learning from

this issue author contact Bob Burroughs ~ bobburroughs@mac.com Glenn W Harrell ~ wesleymusic@juno.com Pat Little ~ pat.little86@gmail.com Glenn Pickett ~ glennapickett@gmail.com

2012 | creatormagazine.com

one another is not only a great thing, it is necessary. We have much to offer one another! However, this desire to be successful in worship can often leave us vulnerable to measure our success with worldly barometers; where entrepreneurial values are justified in the name of “more people hearing the gospel,” effectively reducing the gospel to something we listen to. There are very real budgets that need to be met, and therefore offering plates that need to be filled.

worship leader can go get the newest Passion album and find some incredibly well-written songs by gifted leaders who have been trusted with the responsibility of writing music to equip the worldwide Church is a beautiful thing. And expressing praise through music in our vernacular is a gift and something I believe we need to embrace.

Pat Little is a lead worshiper, apprentice spiritual director, and lover of the local expressions of the communities of faith that make up the Church.

However, the question is, what is that vernacular?

For these reasons among others, I believe we as a church are great imitators. There is an awareness of what is going on elsewhere, and a desire to keep up to make sure we are keeping up, both with the world and with the other portions of the body for “relevance” sake.

I absolutely love the ministries of Hillsong, Bethel, and Passion, among others. Having been a member of different congregations, I’ve also had opportunities to sing songs that were birthed out of what was happening amongst us – reflections of how God was at work in our midst, both lyrically and musically.

Unfortunately, this pressure often falls heavily on the musical expression of a congregation. Globalization and increased connectivity have amazing benefits – the fact that a volunteer

And honestly, some of those songs might not have been as objectively good as a song from the outside, but they meant something because they were ours.

Now, that kind of thing requires dedication and time, and I realize that many volunteer worship leaders who work full-time jobs may simply not have the space to invest the amount of time and energy to be creating a congregation’s new song. So we are well-served by the Tomlins and Redmans of the world. But I believe there is fruit for those in our congregations if our local musicians and worship leaders stepped out in courage and made attempts at being a voice for our local contexts.

Listen 24/7...

www.creatorleadershipnetwork.com 18

volume 34 - number 2 | creatormagazine.com

I love attending the church where my dad is the pastor. Being a 26-year-old single male, I am in the demographic minority. However, I love going there because they know who they are and they embrace it. I will be greeted and loved on by a number of ladies who are old enough to be my grandma, and I need that. I need to be surrounded by people who are different than me. Some of the songs we sing will not be in the style that will be playing from my speakers as I drive

away from the parking lot. But that’s okay. And how beautiful to look up and see a choir made up of people I know and have relationships with, who are joyously giving of their time and talents for the sake of encouraging the congregation. The services are a reflection of who is there, in its diversity, and I love that. Jesus did not ask in His prayer in John 17 that we be endowed with the greatest musical ability in our Sunday

morning services so that we might prove to the world that we can do what they do, so that they might be drawn to come back next Sunday. He said, “I’m praying…for all of them to become one heart and mind—Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you…then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.” My prayer is that as we become one, we would become comfortable in our own skin; free to be the unique expressions of the body that He has created us to be. fine

the desire to be successful in worship can leave us vulnerable to measure our success by worldly barometers

Collegiate Apparel Oﬀers the Best... ®

2012 | creatormagazine.com

by Annette Bender

education

a church musician’s bookshelf

You want to learn more about how to do your ministry better, but you don’t have the ability to go to seminary. What can you do?

Brand, Hilary & Adrienne Chaplin. Art and soul; signposts for Christians in the arts. Piquant, 2001.

Luz, Manuel. Imagine That; Discovering Your Unique Role as a Christian Artist. Moody Publishers, 2009.

You can read all about it by assembling a bookshelf of valuable resources. The books on this list form a core collection in the areas of church growth and outreach. They are taken from an extensive collection assembled by a person with a career of more than forty years as a church musician and worship leader, and can be considered classics. Enjoy!

Bryans, Nena. Full Circle; a Proposal to the Church for an Arts Ministry. Schuyler Institute for Worship and the Arts, 1988.

Miles, Margaret R Image as Insight; Visual Understanding in Western Christianity and Secular Culture. Beacon Press, 1985.

Caemmerer, Richard R. Jr. Visual Art in the Life of the Church; Encouraging Creative Worship and Witness in the Congregation. Augsburg Publishing House, 1983.

Milgrom, Jo. Handmade Midrash. The Jewish Publication Society, 1992.

Adams, William Seth. Shaped By Images; One Who Presides. Church Publishing, 1995.

Drury, John. Painting the Word; Christian Pictures and their Meanings. Yale Univ. Press, 1999.

Art and Theology

Annette Bender recently retired from a position she loved – being a school librarian – and is an alto in her church choir.

Art, Creativity, and the Sacred; an Anthology in Religion and Art. Edited by Diane Appostolos-Cappadona. Crossroad, 1984.

Dyrness, William A. Visual Faith; Art, Theology, and Worship in Dialogue. Baker Book House Co., 2001.

Begbie, Jeremy. Voicing Creation’s Praise; Towards a Theology of the Arts. T&T Clark, 1991.

It Was Good Making Art to the Glory of God. Edited by Ned Bustard. Revised and expanded. Square Halo Books, 2006.

Best, Harold M. Unceasing Worship; Biblical Perspectives on Worship and the Arts. InterVarsity Press, 2003.

Kandinsky, Wassily. Concerning the Spiritual in Art. Translated and with an introduction by M.T.H. Sadler. Dover Publications, Inc., 1977.

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Noland, Rory. The Worshiping Artist; Equipping You and Your Ministry Team to Lead Others in Worship. Zondervan, 2007. Rogers, Peter, with an introduction by Jose Arguelles. A Painter’s Quest; Art as a Way of Revelation. Bear & Company, 1987. Turner, Steve. Imagine. A Vision for Christians in the Arts. InterVarsity Press, 2001. Veith, Gene Edward, Jr. State of the Arts; from Bezalel to Mapplethorpe. Crossway Books, 1991. Viladesau, Richard. Theology and the arts; Encountering God Through Music, Art and Rhetoric. Paulist Press, 2000. Walton, Janet. Art and Worship: a Vital Connection. M. Glazier, Inc., 1988. Yates, Wilson. The Arts in Theological Education; New Possibilities for Integration. Scholars Press, 1987. fine

by Bob Burroughs

spot light

ministry

Martha Garman

Director of Worship Trinity Lutheran Fremont, Nebraska Creator: Welcome to our “spotlight” Martha. Tell our readers a bit about your background. Where did you go to school, what was your college and/or graduate school major, and so forth? Martha Garmon: My bachelor’s degree was in Flute and Piano Performance from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. I received a Master’s in Church Music with a choral concentration from Concordia University in Wisconsin and a Doctor of Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Orange Park, Florida. TM

Creator: How long have you served at Trinity Lutheran, and are you full time or part-time? Martha Garmon: I was called here in April of 2010 as a full-time Director of Parish Music. It quickly became evident that my position encompassed much more than just music, and the title was changed to Director of Worship Arts. Creator: Where did you serve before you came to this church? Was there a sequence of events that led you to this church?

Martha Garmon: Over the years, I have served a number of churches as organist, choir accompanist, and choir director. I even started a band program at Zion Lutheran School in Walburg, Texas. My first called position was at Trinity Lutheran Church, Tyler, Texas, where I served as Director of Fine Arts and Technology.

How I came to Fremont is an interesting story. I am a native Texan and never dreamed of living anywhere else. However, I have learned that if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. When I was first commissioned

leadership network

creator celebrates every church musician and worship leader...

and the ministries of which they are a part. We regularly turn the spotlight on people involved in ministry in order to help inspire and provide ideas for others. If you would like to recommend someone for our spotlight let us know. 2012 | creatormagazine.com

into the ministry, my mentor gave me some advice. He said when asked if I was open to receiving a new call, unless there was a compelling reason to decline, my answer should be, “I will prayerfully consider wherever the Lord may lead me.” When I received the call to Fremont, my first inclination was to decline – there was too much snow in Nebraska for this Texas girl. However, remembering my mentor’s advice I agreed to consider the call and visit Fremont. My husband and I visited Fremont during one of the coldest and snowiest winters in years. The snow was piled higher than our rental car! I knew God couldn’t possibly send me to this frozen land. While in Fremont we were able to spend time in worship at Trinity. The text of the pastor’s message was Jeremiah 29:11, a very important verse in my life. I chalked it up to coincidence. However, while the pastor was reading the Scripture I heard, yes actually heard, a voice say, “It’s OK, I’m going to take care of everything.” I started to cry and when my husband asked me why, I told him “We’re moving to Fremont.” Creator: You serve a church that is in a place that must be beautiful, indeed! What is it like to minister in this city, perhaps so diverse and complicated -- and yet, I can imagine, somehow simple! Right? Martha Garmon: One of my favorite things about living in Fremont is the simplicity. I love sitting on my front porch swing and watching the rabbits and squirrels run around the lawn. It’s a great place to slow down and enjoy God’s creation. However, when I am looking for something more urban, Omaha is right down the road and has all the resources of a larger city. It’s a great balance. Creator: How large is the music and worship ministry program for which you are responsible? How large is the choir you direct? Does the church have a vital and active youth choir, children’s choir, instrumental program, and more? And, how many of these groups are in your area of responsibilities? Martha Garmon: In the area of music, Trinity has an Adult Choir, a Handbell Choir and a Contemporary Worship Team. I oversee all the groups and personally lead the Worship Team. We

volume 34 - number 2 | creatormagazine.com

have a number of instrumentalists that play for special services and we love to have the children from the Early Childhood Center and the Elementary School sing in our services. In addition to working with the musical groups, I also lead the Tech team that provides technical support to our worship services in audio and projection. I’m very excited about our newest ministry, PSST! It stands for Presenting Scripture – Speaking Truth. Our ministry is based on Isaiah 30:21: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘this is the way, walk in it.’” The purpose of PSST! is to present the Scriptures in our worship services in creative and artistic ways. Each week members of this group study and memorize the scripture passage that is the basis for the pastor’s message and present it in worship. We are always striving to hear that voice behind us showing us the way. Creator: I understand that you are a Commissioned Minister and Director of Parish Music for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. What are your responsibilities in this position and what makes it interesting to you? Martha Garmon: The Director of Parish Music is a designation given by the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod to synodically trained workers, who are commissioned to serve in the music ministry. When I first became a DPM, I was only involved in the musical aspects of worship, e.g. leading the musical ensembles, planning music, etc. In my current position at Trinity, I am directly responsible for planning all the worship services. I sit down weekly with both pastors to make sure that we are all on the same page. I also meet with a Worship Arts Committee that considers all aspects of worship including the visual elements such as the projection graphics and physical environment. With our new ministry, PSST!, I am adding dramatic elements to worship as well.

I love what I do because I love being creative. God gave me a passion for the arts and I am excited to use that gift to bring glory to him. Creator: Sounds like you are a busy lady! Tell us about your family. Are they involved with you in the music ministry of the church?

Martha Garmon: My husband, Stephan, is my biggest supporter and most valuable asset. God blessed me dearly when he brought Stephan into my life. Stephan has been in ministry in the past and understands what I do and what I need. He is always there to pitch in wherever needed. He currently directs the Adult Choir so I can accompany. He also works on the Tech team, plays bass in the Worship Team, and is a member of PSST! Stephan is an accomplished musician, having played professionally for many years. As a low brass specialist, he loves putting together brass ensembles to play for our special services.

Stephan and I have four children: Michelle is in Dallas,, Brandon and Leia are in Tyler, Texas, and Rachael is married to Drew and lives in Shreveport, Louisiana. We have one grandson, Holden and are expecting our second grandson, David. Creator: OK! I have two hard/difficult questions I would like to ask you. First, what is it like to be a female Minister of Music in your church and city? Tell our readers some of the highs, as well as the low points of your service as a woman, if you will be so kind? Martha Garmon: That’s an interesting question. Since women cannot be ordained in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, many people think that women are not respected in the ministry. I have only encountered one or two people who had issues with my gender; however, I have been very blessed to serve in churches and with pastors that respect my work in the ministry regardless of the fact that I am female. Creator: Now to question number 2: Do you have strong feelings about the direction of church music today, especially when it comes to the choral music that is being published for the church music market? Would you be willing to share your feelings with our readers? Martha Garmon: I would say my feeling regarding the choral music available closely parallels my feelings about contemporary music. There is a lot of great music out there, but there is also a lot of “not so great” music out there. One of my responsibilities is to sort out the great music.

I do have some requests for those who

for the study and renewal of worship

psalms’

Calvin institute of Christian Worship Psalms for All Seasons: A Complete Psalter for Worship The Biblical

spiritual vitality, rugged beauty, and enduring pastoral relevance continue to shape and nourish worshiping communities worldwide. This brand-new resource provides one of the largest collection of psalms for worship ever published. Includes all 150 psalms, most in multiple formats. For each psalm – ● its actual biblical text, with pointing for responsive reading or chanting ● from 1-15 resources, including metrical hymns, contemporary, global, chant, and responsorial settings ● a brief introduction, suggestions for use in worship, and more ● edited by Martin Tel, Joyce Borger, and John D. Witvliet Purchase at worship.calvin.edu

BrazosPress, Faith Alive Christian Resources, and Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (December 2011)

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I have been blessed to serve in churches and with pastors that respect my work in the ministry regardless of the fact that I am female write contemporary music. I would love to see more contemporary music written for the church year, especially Advent and Lent. Two other areas that need some attention would be Trinitarian music and music for congregational singing. As I said before, there is a lot of great music out there. We need more. Creator: Now to a lot easier question: what do you do for fun? Martha Garmon: I love to cook. I just finished a yearlong online cooking course that I thoroughly enjoyed. I also love ballroom dancing with Stephan. I’m looking forward to traveling more now that I have finished paying for the

educational expenses for my children and me. Creator: Do you attend music conferences workshops and reading sessions to keep yourself updated, fresh, and on the cutting edge? If so, tell us the kind of events you enjoy. Martha Garmon: I am always trying to stay “up” on current trends. Some trends work well in our worship, others don’t. I do try to attend a variety of conferences and workshops. We have both traditional and contemporary worship at Trinity. Each style requires different skill sets. The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod has a worship and music conference every three years

that I attend. I also enjoy attending the National Worship Leaders Conference to keep up on contemporary trends. In addition, I like to take those who volunteer in the music ministry to workshops whenever possible. Creator: What advice or tips would you provide our readers concerning the “art of music ministry?” In other words, how can the church musician/conductor/ singer/educator keep in tune with the ever-changing craft and art of church music? Or do you believe the art of music ministry is no longer an art? Martha Garmon: I believe now, more than ever, music and worship ministry is an art. We must continually stay fresh 2012 | creatormagazine.com

and relevant. If we ever stop learning, we stop growing. As I said in the last question, conferences are one way to keep learning. Reading magazines such as Creator and Worship Leader are another way to stay up to date. One of the best ways to stay sharp is to network with others in the ministry. Not only can our colleagues keep us up to date, they are also a great place to look for encouragement and support. I also believe we should always be challenging ourselves to learn something new. My background is in keyboards – piano and organ. This year we lost our guitar player when he went off to college, so I picked up a guitar and learned to play. It has given me a new perspective that will help me understand the guitarists I work with in the future. Creator: Do you have any strong feelings or thoughts concerning the ingredients that make a person an effective Worship Leader?

Martha Garmon: First and foremost – humility. We have to remember that none of this is about us. We are just here to point people to God. Not only do I answer to God, but also to my pastor. In the long run, he is the one who makes the final decision. I can’t let my ego get in the way. After humility comes transparency. I’m not perfect and I need to be able to admit that. If people think I’m faking it, then I can’t be effective. Others to add to the list include: flexibility, approachability, dependability, skill, and a total dependence on our Father in heaven. Creator: Would you please tell our readership the names of a couple of your personal heroes...those persons along the way who have meant a lot to you in your career, and musical or spiritual pilgrimage?

Martha Garmon: Stephan Garmon, the love of my life. Not many men would pick up their lives and follow their wife wherever God sent her.

Pastor Vic Willmann, my mentor and one of the wisest men I’ve ever known. He above all has taught me patience in ministry. He also taught me to take care of myself. If I don’t take some time

off, I burn out. I’m much more effective when I’m not worn out. The third person I would put in this list is Jeff Barker, professor of theatre at Northwestern College. He opened my

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eyes to the dramatic elements in the Bible and the life changing power of memorizing Scripture. Creator: If you could do anything you wanted to do, in this time, what would it be...or are you doing it now? Martha Garmon: I love what I’m doing now, but now that I have my doctorate, I’d love to teach worship and arts at the college level. Creator: What was your greatest accomplishment in the last three years? Martha Garmon: Finishing my thesis. Creator: What was your greatest struggle or disappointment in the last three years? Martha Garmon: Leaving Texas. Leaving my family behind was very difficult.

Creator: Could you give us the name, author, and publisher of the last book you have read and would recommend to us?

all the nights of worship at the NWLC last summer were amazing, especially getting to hear Casting Crowns, one of my favorites.

Martha Garmon: Anything written by the late Robert E. Webber. Every time I read a book of his, I find myself saying, “Yes, yes!”

Creator: What final thought would you like to leave with us?

Creator: What is the title and composer of the choral piece best received by your choir and congregation in 2011? Martha Garmon: Night of the Father’s Love, by Pepper Choplin. Creator: What was the last concert you attended and who were the performers? Martha Garmon: The last concert I attended was Paul Baloche at a worship team workshop in Iowa. Before that,

Martha Garmon: Above all, in everything we do, we must stop and listen for what God is saying to us. In Job 33:31 God says, “Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.” I pray that we are never too busy to listen for the voice of God. Creator: Thank you, Martha. May the Father continue to bless, encourage, and guide you in music ministry as you lead your people in the experience of worship. fine

I believe now, more than ever, that music and worship ministry is an art CreatorAd 2011_Layout 1 7/22/11 3:40 PM Page 1

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select twenty TM

codes

what it is Creator’s Select 20 has always featured the best new church choral music – 20 anthems that will serve most any ministry. We choose by using criteria which include the full spectrum of musical and worship styles. We draw from all publishers, traditions, and styles, regardless of our personal taste. On the actual review (see below to find the detailed reviews) we include a “worship-style bar-graph” to assist you in applying a S20 title to your ministry. The graph, and the “theme” graphic identifiers on the next page, are not used to “pigeonhole” music, but to help our readers in understanding style.

The left edge of the graph would be complex music which is less predictable, often incorporating mixed or no meter, and less familiar tonalities. Texts here focus on poetry or more abstract word painting. The graph’s center represents present-day anthems written in a traditional, non-pop, non-gospel style, with texts that are commonly scripture based and written in second or third person. The right extreme would be pop, gospel, and rock musical styles, commonly including chord symbols in the accompaniment. Texts will be less poetic, more straightforward, and primarily written in first and second person.

voicing

catalog number

composer

music sources

editor or arranger

lyricist and/or source

accompaniment information

usage

publisher imprint



highly recommended

The following are used at the end of each full review/comment: L End

read the full review online Creator has changed the way we list Select 20 titles. We now list important information for each Select 20 title here in the magazine, with complete reviews on our website at http://cmag.ws/2m. Our general rules for inclusion in each issue through the editorial selection process are as follows:

volume 34 - number 2 | creatormagazine.com

• No more than two titles by any composer, arranger, or publisher

length using (S)hort, (M)edium, and (L)ong dynamic level of the ending difficulty using (E)asy, (M)edium, and (D)ifficult

Advent

Easter

Palm Sunday

All Saints

General

Pentecost

Baptism

Good Friday Maundy Thursday

Praise

Benediction

Lent

Call to Prayer Prayer Response

Call to Worship

Lord’s Supper

Offering Stewardship

Christmas

Missions

Thanksgiving

• Copyright dated this year or last year Scan the QR code to the left of each title to be taken directly to the complete review. The graphic gives an indication of the anthem’s primary use in a worship service.

Shepherd’s Psalm

Holy Medley

A Covenant Prayer V: SATB (divisi ) #: HMC2290 E: Dan Forrest A: A Cappella U: Adult • Prayer, Ordination, General, Concert P: Hinshaw ©: 2012

Your Tender Love V: SATB #: TR8146 E: Jay Rouse A: Piano, opt. Orchestration; opt. Trax U U: Adult • Call to Worship, Call to Prayer, Lord’s Supper P: Alpha Praise ©: 2012

St. Teresa's Blessing V: SATB #: MSM-50-8918 C: Zebulon M. Highben A: flute U: Adult • Prayer, General P: MorningStar ©: 2012

All creation danced in answer V: SATB #: 7380 E: Austin Lovelace A: Keyboard U: Adult • General, Praise • Small Church P: ECS ©: 2011

This is My Father’s World V: SATB #: 279661 E: Richard A. Nichols A: Flute obbligato U: Adult • General P: Soundforth ©: 2011

Trust in the Lord V: SATB #: 978-0-8341-8220-2 C: Cindy Berry A: Piano U: Adult • General, Prayer Response P: Crystal Sea ©: 2012

I Shall See  V: SATB #: MSM-50-8092 C: Michael John Trotta A: A Cappella U: Adult • General, Concert P: MorningStar ©: 2012

scan the QR codes to the left of each title with your smartphone for the complete review, or go to http://cmag.ws/2m

V: SATB w/W.L.solo #: 6-34337-286990 E: Adam Lancaster A: Keyboard, opt. Orchestration; opt. Trax U: Adult • Prayer, Call to Worship P: Lifeway ©: 2012

In Times Like These  V: SATB w/ solo #: 6-34337-186290 E: Dave Williamson A: Keyboard, opt. Orchestration; opt. Trax U: Adult • Prayer Response, Praise P: Lifeway ©: 2012

New Time Gospel Signature Series volume two V: SATB #: PA8904 E: Jay Rouse A: Keyboard, opt. Orchestration; opt. Trax U: Adult • Praise, Concert P: Adoration ©: 2011

Holy, Mighty, Worthy! V: SATB #: 279588 E: Dan Forrest A: Piano; congregational part incl. U: Adult • Call to Worship, Praise P: Soundforth ©: 2011

The Perfect Wisdom of Our God V: SATB #: 978-0-8341-8215-8 E: Mary McDonald A: Keyboard U: Adult • General, Epiphany P: Crystal Sea ©: 2011

Introit for the New Day V: SATB #: 6861 C: Barrie Cabena A: opt. Keyboard U: Adult • Prayer, Call to Worhship P: ECS ©: 2011

Creator Alme Siderum V: SATB #: JG2405 C: Richard Burchard A: A Cappella U: Adult • Advent, General, Concert P: Gentry ©: 2011

2012 | creatormagazine.com

Simeon’s Song: The Nunc Dimittis

new stuff Yes, My Jesus

Carl Schalk Augsburg Fortress A collection of six paired motets, each pair based upon the Nunc Dimittis followed by musical meditations setting the poetry of Jill Pelaez Baumgaertner.

How Great Thou Art

good stuff

Loves Me Arranged by Lloyd Larson Hope ©: 2011 One of the favorite solos of all time gets a wonderful new setting by Lloyd Larson. This would be a useful piece to have around for that last minute request for a special service.

Things we think would be helpful resources for church musicians and worship leaders...

Shine on Us: Illuminating Hymns of Guidance and Strength for solo organ Arranged by Gilbert M Martin Lorenz ©: 2012 Six classic hymns in moderately difficult arrangements.

AXIOS Celebrating the Hymns of Greek

Orthodox America AXIOS Choir conducted by Cortlandt Bender AXIOS Music ©: 2011 This sumptuous recording is a labor of love to bring the sounds of Greek Orthodox choral music to disc. According to the producer, this is one of but two recordings of this repertoire, the other being one tune on an old Roger Wagner Chorale recording. The music is gorgeous, and clearly shares common ground with Russian sacred music. But this is different, and stands on its own as a repertoire to be explored more fully by American choirs.

Wonderful Words of Life for solo piano Arranged by Mark Hayes Lorenz ©: 2012 Three advanced arrangements celebrating the Scriptures.

worship preferences ...continued from page 6

sure the music is up-tempo and loud. “Loud” does not worship make! Many contemporary worship leaders are totally unaware that sometimes, more than half of the congregation is not singing. Why? Two reasons: (1) the leader and praise team are singing so loud that they cannot hear anyone but themselves. (2) New songs are introduced without any preparation. Most congregations don’t do “new” very well – with little forewarning. If a church family (note the word, “family” here) decides that the worship preference of the church is to be changed, then preparation, planning, and planning and preparation needs to be done – slowly and gently, making sure all are on board for this great and mighty change.

volume 34 - number 2 | creatormagazine.com

It may not seem “great and mighty” but believe it! It is! They may not ever say anything about it, but their worship preference has been changed big time and they will not forget it and many will not forgive it. So – let’s stop fighting the “Worship Wars” and begin to think “Worship Preferences.” And, as part of that process, let’s make a point to think of the congregation: their background, what has gone before that contributes to their shared history, and begin to take carefully thought out steps when desiring to change the worship preferences of the people! We fine will all be better off!

CONFUSED?

HELP IS HERE The Choir in Modern Worship is now available for immediate download at www.creatormagazine.com

Back Issue Article Compilation CDs 0991staf1 Choirs ARTICLES INCLUDE

· 101 Things Every Choirmember Should Know · Choir Renewal · Helps for the Active Singer · The Incarnational Work of the Adult Choir

0991staf2 Leadership

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· Becoming the Complete Church Musician · Dealing with Criticism · Identifying Tensions over Musical Style · The Church Musician as Transformational Leader

0991staf4 Small Church

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· Any Church Can, Regardless of Size · Drama in the Small Church · Music Search on a Small Budget · The Small Church Primer

0991staf3 Worship

ARTICLES INCLUDE

· A Theology of Worship · Don’t Plan a Service – Create a Moment · Eight Common Elements of Worship Renewal · The Worship Driven Church

Each compliation CD contains at least 40 articles (includes shipping)

Choir Articles CD is just $20 Leadership Articles CD is just $20 Small Church Articles CD is just $20 Get any two of the Choir Leadership and Small Church CDs for just $30 Worship Articles CD (60 Articles) is just $25 All 4 CDs are just $60 Order by phone 800-777-6713 Use your credit card Visit our website @ creatormagazine.com

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by Robert L. Tauber

last page

it’s too loud!

With fingers in her ears, a middle aged lady slips out of the sanctuary during worship. “It’s too loud” she says. “We’ll wait till the music is over. Or, “They still haven’t found the volume button.” Some other comments include: “Why can’t we sing a hymn once in a while?” Or: “I find it hard to sing along with the newer praise choruses.” Sound familiar? If these comments were relegated to a small minority of malcontents who find fault with everything, they could be ignored. But, the topic comes up regularly, in a variety of settings, from consistent, caring, church-goers, many of whom try valiantly to be accommodating with style and volume that is not

in choirs, played in the orchestra, lead hundreds of praise and worship events. At my stage of life I understand the need for flexibility and magnanimity when it comes to participation in any kind of social environment. When the grandkids come over, the volume increases, the menu varies, favorite chairs and TV preferences are forfeited. And we love it – at least for a time! And so should it be in the gatherings of the family of God – accommodation, appreciation and generosity. But, it needs to work both ways. In the circles we travel, piano, organ, strings, and brass have given way to the rhythmic and electronic sounds of

New and Old. Both have their place.

Rober L. Tauber is a Pastor in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

melody of songs with God honoring lyrics. Harmony impacts our souls with pleasing sounds to compliment the melody. Rhythm has its greatest impact upon our physical body. God made us that way! Culturally we vary. But my observation is, when predominant rhythm overrides the melody and harmony of Christian praise and worship, a physical sensation can result which closely resembles the anointing, but in reality misses a true spirit connection. We feel good, our emotions are impacted, but genuine, spiritual worship is lacking. So, is it “Out with the drums, guitars and keyboards?” Of course not. Simply consider the order of preeminence and volume each component of the band should have. And try not to forget the place melodious instrumentation has in the worship experience. In the interest of unity, listen, learn and participate in the new sounds as much as possible. Encourage sincerely and criticize carefully. New and old. Both have their place... just not so loud! fine TM

their personal preference. We travel enough to find similar expressions of concern in a wide variety of venues and locations.

keyboards, drums and guitars. I often find the rhythm instruments – generally drums and bass, overpowering the sound of melody and harmony.

Some churches have addressed the dilemma by arranging alternative services. Others have tried to blend the old and the new in their worship experience. But some have seemingly, unintentionally, alienated and marginalized a large segment of the worshipping community in the name of being contemporary.

While the voices of the worship team are heard with amplification, the sound of congregational voices blending together in melody and harmony is inaudible. When such is the case, the level of participation is negatively impacted.

I have been around church and camp meetings for over 70 years. I love all kinds of gospel music. We grew up with hymns and choruses. I have sung

volume 34 - number 2 | creatormagazine.com

We are a tri-partite being: spirit, soul and body. Music has three basic components: melody, harmony and rhythm. Each musical segment impacts certain components of our being. It seems our spirits are affected most by the

In each issue we give one church musician or worship leader a chance to have their say. There are no restrictions on topic here (other than the obvious ones of slander, libel, and silliness). If you’d like to contribute your thoughts email us at creator@creatormagazine.com.

The Newest Choral Releases from

Beckenhorst Press Spring 2012

We will send you one copy each of our 16 new Spring 2011 releases for just $5.00 to cover the cost of shipping and handling. Send your check with a copy of this ad to: Beckenhorst Press, Inc. 960 Old Henderson Road Columbus, Ohio 43220 Church__________________________________________________ Attention_________________________________________________ Street___________________________________________________ City_____________________________________________________ State______________________Zip___________________________ Payment must accompany all orders before they can be sent. www.beckenhorstpress.com phone: 614-451-6461

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