Faith FEED Jun 2014

FaithFE

D

E

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Is your worship hardcore?

Praise Why men aren’t too engaged during praise and worship

Exploring the monster that is Hillsong

Innovative worship leaders

Faith FE

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Chief Editor Linda Pintus Assistance Editor Chase Robins Rebecca Hines Editorial Staff Tim Robinson Stephen Crawley Contributors Stephanie White Jason Hunt Production Jamiel Cotman Lance Cummins Will Doniker Connect FaithFEEDMag@gmail.com Promote 808-419-7583

Sections Faith

24

News

47

Men

37

Review

10

Lifestyle

31

Contents We take you deep into the operations of the great Hillsong

24

ministry.

What is the mystery behind the ministry growth of Hillsong?

Hardcore Worship

I

n the ancient Jewish

temples, there were primarily three parts. A layout of which, leads many today to what it takes to get into Gods presence. I call this, “Hardcore Worship�. Or worship that goes further than just surface level praise and adoration, to an in depth stillness that honors Gods person.

Layer one, - The outer courts The outer courts was where people came to have their needs met. Whether it was healing for their body or a blessing for their child.

Strategy: When you come before God, make your requests

known for two reasons. One, you have needs. But more importantly, you want to get beyond your needs, and into His presence. That’s hard to do when you’re focused on you. Cast those cares at the outer court before you proceed.

Layer two, - The inner courts The inner courts are where typical religious activity would take place. This would include giving of offerings, tithes, and sacrifices.

Strategy: Praise in and of itself is an offering [Heb 13:15]. Also,

don’t confine giving financial offerings to being at church. Bring your monies to be donated before the LORD and pray over it during this special time.

Layer three, - The holy of holies Here is where I’m convinced hardcore worship lives. In the Holy of holies, only priests are allowed. Behind the veil, they are in a room with fresh unleavened bread, symbolizing Gods Word, and finally nobody is talking. They simply soak up the presence of God. Strategy: Listen. During praise you speak. During worship He speaks.

When we worship God, we move beyond merely getting our needs met, beyond religious activity and into actual exchange with Him as a person.

When you do it right, you can engage in awesome praise and

I

worship at any time.

The Monster Of

F

or years, the world has been blessed by the

sweet aromas of praise offered by, not a group, but a movement of believers who wish to give God glory. The movements name? It’s Hillsong.

A

nd yes, Hillsong is a

by Brians father. They started

church, but today we

Hillsong Church, with an initial

recognize that it’s

congregation of 45 in 1990.

become much, much more. It’s

After having moved to a new

a household brand of musical

location, the beautiful Hills

praise, anointing the

Centre, they developed the

smartphones and playlists of

renowned Hillsong Conference.

Christians around the globe. But

“The vision and heartbeat has

how did it get so big?

never changed. The conference exists to 'champion the cause of

Brian and Bobbie Houston

the local church' and make

moved from New Zealand in

[God's] name known around the

1978 and joined the Sydney Christian Life Centre pastored

earth.” says Brian.

But it’s not so much what they’re singing, it’s what they’re saying

Business Hillsong produces music

churches well beyond their

through its label, Hillsong Music

network. You can call them a

Australia, having released a

trendsetter.

whopping 40 albums, many of

Culture

which have gone platinum.

Songs such as "Power of Your Love" by Geoff Bullock and "Shout to the Lord" by Darlene Zschech are sung in churches worldwide. Hillsong's most successful albums, the Live Album Series, lead by Darlene Zschech and Reuben Morgan, have all achieved gold status.

And this alone, has become one of the leading factors of both its popularity, and impact,-praise and worship. Hillsong is looked to for praise and worship melodies, formats and songs by

“But its not so much what they’re singing, its what they’re saying” says Will Coleman, longtime Hillsong lover. “It’s not music ministry. It’s just ministry, and it happens to be musical” he continues. The word, “Hillsong” has become somewhat of an audio logo.

Something that, when we hear, we immediately associate it with the feeling, the music, the sound and the culture we experience at a concert we’ve attended or album purchase Continued on page 20

Hillsong: Network of Churches, ministries and

Christian themed organizations both for and not for profit.

Headquarters: Sydney, Australia Branches: Australia, London, Mascow, South

Africa, New York, France, Stockhom, Germany, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Los Angels Brands: Hillsong Music, Hillsong Young and Free,

Hillsong Sisterhood, Hillsong City Care, Hillsong Kids, Hillsong Leadership College Online: www.hillsong.com

Hillsong concert. Sydney Australia

Hillsong is looked to for praise and worship melodies, formats and songs by churches well beyond their network. You can call them a trendsetter.

Above: Album collection by Hillsong; Below: Hillsong artist

Top: Hillsong concert; Bottom: Hillsong band

Continued from page 14

says Sarah Boeing. “There commitment to praise and worship has allowed God to move on their behalf and develop the organization around the world” she spouts during our review.

About that organization developing throughout the world, we’ve found that its very much fixated in Sydney, Australia. Hillsong Kids runs children's programs during major conferences and events. During the Hillsong Conference there is "Kidsong" and during the Colour Your World Women's Conference there is "Colour Kids".

Hillsong’s commitment to praise and worship has allowed God to move on their behalf and develop the organization around the world.

Hillsong Kids have adopted two

to have "United Nights" when all

mascots, Max and Melody. The

age groups come together. This

popularity of Hillsong Music has

is where the name of the youth

allowed Hillsong Kids to release

ministry, Hillsong United, came

seven albums to date: Jesus Is

from.

My Superhero (2004), Super Strong God (2005), Supernatural (2006), Tell the World (2007), Follow You (2008), Ultimate Kids Collection (2009) and Crazy Noise

(Hillsong album) (2011). “Not too many youth groups are producing much of anything, let alone bestselling albums” says an addicted parent whose name

And then there is the women’s group, ‘Hillsong Sisterhood’ hosted by co pastor Bobbie Houston. They initiated the annual Colour Your World Women's Conference, which has become the Australian Christian Churches women's conference and brings together women from many different denominations across the world.

we didn’t get [sorry Linda]. I rush to get my kids to youth church each Sunday. After a revival at the 1998 summer camp, the youth ministry began

Finally you have Hillsong City Care (formerly Hillsong Emerge) a non-profit organization that aims to bring "social justice" to the people of Sydney. Hillsong

Christianity is in keeping with mainstream Pentecostalism, teaching that homosexuality is City Care (formerly Hillsong Emerge) is a non-profit organisation that aims to bring "social justice" to the people of Sydney. Hillsong City Care runs several courses through the LIFE (Living in Freedom and Excellence) and SAFE (Sexual Abuse, Freedom and Education)

unnatural, and opposing embryonic stem cell research and abortion on the basis that human life commences at conception. Hillsong has also declared support for Creationism and Intelligent Design and believes this should be taught in schools.

programs that aim to help and educate people.

But no matter what else they’re doing, we all can admit

Politics Hillsong's stand on many topical issues in contemporary

that Hillsong is a lesson in ministry development, and the power of having a praise centered culture.

The Heart of

A worshipper is passionate about God. They are stuck on God – they won’t wander away from Him; they are abiding in Christ

Stephanie White

We need to receive from Christ before we can praise. Praise is a fruit; it is a result.

A

A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true [genuine] worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers.

John 4:23 AMP s Christians, we are to

A worshipper is in love with God

worship the Lord. We are to be true

and we know that a person only

worshippers – worshippers who are

loves Him because He first loved

full of truth or full of the Word. What is a true worshipper? By the original definition, a worshipper is someone

them [1 John 4:19]; hence, a true worshipper knows that God is

who adores God. This means that a

totally in love with them. They are

worshipper is passionate about

intimately acquainted with His love

God. They are stuck on God – they

because they are filling

won’t wander away from Him; they

themselves with the truth of the

are abiding in Christ – for them to live is Christ.

Word.

Worship is a Spiritual action with a Spiritual source – God!

God is merciful; because of this, I can offer my body as a living sacrifice. Offering has to do with counting on Christ, depending on Him, and seeing yourself in Him.

What is a true worshipper?

By the original definition, a worshipper is someone who adores God.

True worshippers – those who are full of truth (the Word) – know that worship is Spiritual.

God is merciful; because of this, I can A worshipper worships. What is worship? In Romans chapter twelve, verse one, we see the word “worship.”

This word is translated from a word that is defined as ministration of God. What this means is that worship is Biblically defined as being cared for by

God, supported by God, aided by God, assisted by God, and nurtured

offer my body as a living sacrifice.

“Offer” means to stand beside and it comes from a word that means to

abide. Offering has to do with counting on Christ, depending on Him, and seeing yourself in Him. For us to offer our bodies is for us to abide in Christ and connect ourselves to Him. True worshippers – those who

by God. God cares for, supports, aids,

are full of truth (the Word) – know that

assists, and nurtures us through His

worship is Spiritual. They are getting

Word. As we fill ourselves with the

the care, support, aid, assistance, and

Word we experience His ministration

nurture of God because they are

or worship. Worship is a Spiritual

abiding in the Word. They know that

action with a Spiritual source – God!

we cannot offer God worship – they know that worship is His gift to us!

A true worshipper is consumed by God and their lives display it.

Through Jesus we praise God – it is a Spiritual action; therefore, we cannot accomplish praise apart from

Hebrews 13:15 NIV Through

Christ. We need to receive from Christ

Jesus, therefore, let us continually

before we can praise. Praise is a fruit;

offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the

it is a result. It is the result of

fruit of lips that confess His name.

confessing or acknowledging His name – and His name is the Word of God (Revelation 19:13). A true worshipper receives everything they need from the Word of God and they live a life of praise.

As we fill ourselves with the Word we experience His ministration or worship.

Worship is a Spiritual action with a Spiritual source – God!

Stephanie White is a wife, a mother, a Bible teacher, and an author.

She has authored four books and co-authored four devotionals to-date.

Her website is designed to help share the Good News of God’s Word: www.heavenonearthforme.com

Will Doniker

Creative

Praise

M

ost of today’s praise and worship songs take

upon itself one of two melodies.

1) Yester-year These are ol hymnals about the goodness of the LORD and all He’s done. Very classic. Very traditional.

Extremely beautiful.

2) Christian rock These tend to be more modern, mimicking today’s rock music. Music is like a sweet love letter to Jesus or from Jesus about love. Excellent to get the service ripe for the word.

But is that it? Sure, I like Christian rock [and attend concerts regularly] and used to lead a Baptist choir singing yester-year hymnals. But God doesn’t want us confined to anything, when it comes to expressing our devotion to Him.

Wordless Mark Davenport “Why limit it to music?” Mark believes that most praise and worship should be without music, without motion, without thought. “I just enjoy lifting my hands in total praise and acknowledgment of Him.” My guess however is that it goes far beyond the mere lifting of hands and extends into standing, dancing and motion that acknowledges God too. “Yea, but I’m not into that” says Mark.

“Not too big on dancing. But I do move. I do ball my fist, and give a shout motion from time to time.” Ha-ha. That’s close enough Mark!

Poetic

Rhythm &Praise is about showing us how God works in

Jessica Ore

reality

“I write” says a young Jessica Ore who is only 15 years old. But before you think she’s talking secular, she endeavors to be a Christian song writer someday. “I see what it does for me, and want to inspire others” she continues. Her lyrics?

I see what praise does for me and I want to share that with others.

God of grace. Receive my praise/ I live forever to seek your face/ King of fate. Hold me close/ Let me since your Holy Ghost/ R&P Jade Billups “R&P is about showing us how God works in reality” says a beautiful Jade.

What is it? Rhythm and Praise. “Life isn’t always flowers and pop-cicles.

Praise shouldn’t be either. Mixing in the challenges and trails, in addition to how God brought you out has to become a part of it”.

Hip Hop Terrance Jones “One of the biggest forms of praise and worship that will appeal to young men is Hip Hop.” Says youth leader Terrance Jones. “Hip Hop just talks about the streets, urban life and possibly seeing a better day, why can’t praise?” he demands.

Selah.

Imagine a church where we implement real creativity into praise.

Men

Diary

A Psalmist of

Jason Hunt

H

ave you ever noticed how, well,

uppity most praise and worship songs are? If you listen to some of the lyrics, it sounds like we’re all supposed to have iced tea with Jesus, get wrapped in his arms, and fly off into the sunset under his shadow. There was once a praiser, who didn’t worship anything like that.

He would praise God amidst great difficulty and actually included those trails in his lyrics.

His name was David.

I

’d like to walk you through what a modern day

David would praise like, as he logs his day in his diary.

8:45 A.M.

No. No. I’m going to praise Him in the car. Not going to let my schedule stop my praise. “I praise you Jesus!!!”

Jason Hunt

Worship Weapons Worship Weapons Worship Weapons Worship Weapons Worship Weapons Worship Weapons What if I told you that worship isn't about feeling fuzzy and finding your feminine side?

What if I showed you men in the bible who used it as a weapon, just as someone today would use a grenade or shot gun? I can!

Joshua 5 When Joshua was by Jericho, he looked and saw a man facing him with a sword drawn.

Joshua asked, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” The man said, “Neither. But as a captain in the LORDS army have I come.

J

oshua wants to take enemy territory for Gods’

people. But just when he arrives, he gets a sword drawn on him by someone he doesn’t know. This man is actually an angel, and a ranking captain in Gods army. To help Joshua, he offers a winning strategy, that doesn’t require any natural weapons.

When you make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people must shout with a loud noise, and the wall of the city will fall flat.

The rams horn, the trumpet, and the shout, were all praise and worship tools. The scripture says Joshua commanded Gods’ people to, “…shout for the LORD has

given you the city” and the wall came crumbling down!

Like Joshua, when you have faith in praise as a weapon, you will integrate its use into every battle life brings.

When you do, confidently expect it to be just as, or even more effective than any firearm, grenade or missile!

Joshua wants to take enemy territory for Gods’ people. But just when he arrives, he gets a sword drawn on him by someone he doesn’t know. This man is actually an angel, and a ranking captain in Gods army.

News Uncle Reece is an artist that goes hard in the faith for worship

I

n content and in concept, Bold is

turned up to another level. This album

“I Can’t Help Myself” featuring Jor’dan Armstrong.

is far from being just one note as it

Uncle Reece also shows the

contains multiple styles of Gospel

depth of his song writing skills on Bold.

music. Of course, you’ve got your

Reece breaks down how the glory of

urban gospel songs like the previously

The Lord is displayed through all that

mentioned “Until I Pass Out” and the

we see in the head-nodder “Creation”.

very catchy second single

His beautiful chorus writing flows so well with the music of this track. .

If you love singing, then

This album is a complete serving

you’re going to like this

for those desiring more than just a slice

album because almost

from Uncle Reece. If you love singing,

every song makes you

then you’re going to like this album

want to sing along with

because almost every song makes you

them

want to sing along with them. Musically, the flow from song to song does a great job of keeping your attention and rides a groove perfect for playing in your car or playing around the house while you’re doing work or entertaining guests. Its just an excellent album. The only gripe, if you could even call it that, was adjusting to the new version of “He Died And Rose.”

Uncle Reece is a unique artist, and in a day and age where more and more artists are beginning to stray

well with the music of this track.

Another song in this vein worth noting is “Joseph, Job, & David”, a song with verses from the viewpoint of each legendary biblical character. If you’re trying to figure what this song could be like, imagine if these biblical figures wrote rap verses to God thankful for what He has done in their lives.

away from staying true to their form of art , I loved seeing Uncle Reece be himself and thrive while doing so. I highly recommend that you pick up

Bold and add it to your music collection ASAP.

c

hurch Clothes the two album series released

by Christian rap artist Lacrae spurred much controversy. With its cornerstone single ‘Church Clothes’ lauding lyrics like this:

That’s backwards and I lack words/ For these actors called pastors/ All these folks is hypocrites/ That’s why I aint at church/

Before bursting out of the church doors on his video. While critics say he is disrespecting the modern church and gospel message, Lacrae and many supporters defend his position. He assures fans that the song was written in the third-person and was voicing a non-Christian's view of the Church, while also pointing out that the song just as much exposes the hypocrisy of none Christians who don’t attend: Smoking weed, getting drunk/ Keep the heat in my trunk/ Maybe I can save the world/ But this porn on my laptop Got me stuck/

Is sure to make believers feel

But most Christians have no clue

somewhat at east regarding the

how to engage culture in politics,

songs harsh criticism. In a blog

science, economics, TV, music or

post designed to clarify his stance,

art. We tend to leave people to their

Lecrae wrote: "[Christians] limit

own devices there." Rapzilla

spirituality to salvation and

supported this stance, with Chris

sanctification. As long as we are

Lassiter saying "I pray that the

well versed in personal piety and

Christian Hip-Hop community

individual salvation, we think we're

would have such a vision for the

good.

glory of God in music, production, videography, lyricism, etc., that anyone that wanted to experience

Top: Lacrae staring at you. Bottom: Rocking church clothes

Top: Lacrae teaching the kingdom at Liberty University.

Bottom: Church Clothes Album Cover

Continued from page 52

, videography, lyricism, etc., that anyone that wanted to experience Hip-Hop at its highest art form would have to come to the Christians."

"[Christians] limit spirituality to salvation and sanctification. As long as we are well versed in personal piety and individual salvation, we think we're good. But most Christians have no clue how to engage culture in politics, science, economics, TV, music or art.

We tend to leave people to their own devices there.�

If you’re a guy, typically, the only time you want to sing and dance is if you’ve had a few drinks and have a woman nearby.

Stephen Crawley

Singing, Dancing, And Why Men Hate Praise And Worship

E

Well, I have a little thing that I’m convinced has kept men from church ver heard of the 80/20

rule? It goes, 20% of people make 80% of the world’s wealth. 20% of

throughout the ages. And that little thing is this: 20% of praise and worship is

members, do 80% of a church’s

masculine and the other 80%

work. 20% of what’s outside of

feminine.

your marriage often distracts you from the 80% you have in it. On and on, it’s the idea that a little thing can have a big impact. Or so they say.

Most of the praise and worship men experience in today’s churches are feminine.

Masculine

Femenine

Most of what we call praise and worship, can be likened to girl music.

Think of the lyrics:

Wrap me in your arms Into your arms/ I'm drawing near again To dwell with you/ It's my only heart's desire/ It's my only heart's desire/ All I can do/ Is fall on my knees and cry/ Cleanse me with fire/ And purify my heart/ Draw me close/ Closer than before/ Closer than I've ever been/ Wrap me in your arms, oh God./

Who are we kidding here? Singing itself, is often viewed as feminine? Most of today’s singers follow the 80/20 rule. 80% are women and 20% are men.

Biblical Praise and Worship Was Masculine

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord, saying, I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider or its chariot has He thrown into the sea.

2

The Lord is my Strength and my Song, and He has become my Salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. 3

The Lord is a Man of War; the Lord is His name.

4

Pharaoh’s chariots and his host has He cast into the sea; his chosen captains also are sunk in the Red Sea. Exodus 15

In the bible, praise and worship was deeply masculine. There, the praise leaders were men.

The lyrics often referred to God as “ mighty in

battle”, “triumphant and victorious” . He was more of a leader than a lover. More of a warrior than a whiner.

David had countless battles that he gave details of in his songs. They weren’t so luvy-duvy like the praise and worship in today’s churches:

However, most of the praise and worship men experienced in scripture was deeply masculine.

Psalm 136 7

To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: 12

With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.

13

To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: 15

But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

17

To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 18

And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 19

Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: 20

And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: 23

Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Again, 80% of the praise and worship in scripture follows this theme. Its more about God keeping us in battle, warring on our behalf and us fighting for His cause, than it is about holding hands with Jesus and crying at the altar.

I’m convinced, once men return to masculine praise in this way, we’re going to see a huge revival of men in the church. And that leads me to the 20%.

You see, for a guy, he gets that intimacy with God, after he fights for God. But when we take all of the battle stuff out of the lyrics, he sees it as sappy and unreal, and his bs [bad stuff] meter goes off!

Guys are born protectors [Prov 7:7] and today’s praise genre in church activates that in them. It makes them feel something is wrong, so they back away.

In either case, any football player will tell

you, men who fight adversity together, bond. God is no exception, men who go through something with God, reach the place of intimacy with Him just the same.

And that has to be reflected in our music.

Make praise and worship real in your life, by being honest before God about things that are happening to you. But don’t stop there, lift your hands and shout that are happening to you. But don’t stop there, lift your hands and shout specifically how you’re expecting him to bring you out.

David engaged in a very masculine praise, speaking of victory in battle, not this soft stuff we here today.

David had countless battles that he gave details of in his songs. They weren’t so luvy-duvy like the praise and worship in today’s churches

Last Page

Psalms 8:2

KJV

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

Children, in their simplicity and candid honesty, can often be a lot wiser than their elders.