Worship Leader Magazine Volume 30 Number 2

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FEATURES

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Losing My Religion Chap Clark

Shame that Heals + Shame that Destroys Andrew Comiskey Mark Foreman Lucas Cortazio

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Higher Learning Guide

WORSHIP LEADER MAGAZINE VOL. 30, NO. 2

LE AD ER SHI P

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More Than Music Embrace—and Defeat—the Shame

By Reggie Kidd

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Team Dynamics Leading with shame vs.

Leading with Empathy

By Rich Kirkpatrick MUSI C

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Lost & Missing Sung Prayers What is Shame?

By Josh Lavender

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ENCO UR AGEMENT

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Letters with Love We Are Loved

By Pastor William McDowell

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STARTE D 6

LOSING MY

religion B Y

C H A P

C L A R K

We love our church. We’ve made great friends there, and it used to give us that boost every week. But lately it’s become less a part of our lives. Our friends left a long time ago! The songs and sermons are fine, but it all feels so, well, stale. I’m not sure what happened, but church just doesn’t seem to matter as much as it used to.

48-YEAR-OLD LIFELONG CHRISTIAN FATHER

L

ong before the pandemic, and even before the

seek out authentic expressions of faith? Will they want

social and cultural explosions of 2020 were

what they had, or at least thought they had? These

observably simmering, most honest churches

are the questions that worship leaders, pastors, and

started to take notice that somehow we find ourselves

church leaders are asking, and have been fearing, for

in the midst of a spiritual sea change. People of all ages

months. Will they “come back?”

have been slipping out of the pews. As youth ministry leaders continue to ring the bell for the increase of disconnected and disaffected young people walking away from institutional expressions of church, the oft ignored, but hardly secret, reality is we are not just “losing kids,” but in every demographic, people are seeming to disappear. And this was happening even before March 2020, when COVID took us all down.

There is a still deeper question at play here, and it is harder to pin down. What has contributed to so many wandering away from church? That leads to, of course, how has the “online church” affected a desire for an organized faith and loyalty to a given church community? Of course, many will and have come enthusiastically back, ready to connect and worship and serve. But what about everybody else? My middle-

What will happen now as we slowly eek our way back

aged friend, consistently invested for years, seems to

into the “normal” routine of people’s lives? Will people

reflect a “been there, done that” response that is not

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uncommon. While there is evidence that many seem to be more “religious” than ever, it is as if somehow many have decided that what the church says and does simply no longer connects like it once did.

Why do so many wander?

01

Disillusionment with people and/or with God

02

Hurt by someone associated with faith, or perception of what faith should be

03

Frustration with church leaders (or “Christians” in general)

THE FAMILY AT WORSHIP. 04

They preach about community, we sing that we’re all in this together, but these are just words that don’t line up with my life. I have been looking for real friendship, and during Covid I realized that what we had was not what I needed. I’m rethinking everything.

I’m not done with Jesus, but I think I’m done with my church.

A 38-YEAR-OLD TEACHER NOW LOOKING FOR THE “RIGHT” CHURCH

It would be easy to write off such a sentiment as unsatisfied church hopping—looking for a deeper sense of connection, but it still coming down to liking one style of worship or

Lifestyle change leading to a lack of interest (e.g. going to college, new hobby)

Among these, it is noteworthy that none specifically has to do with faith per se. Each reason, in its own way, is more about people than it is about faith. Certainly, there are those on a journey where tenets or expectations of faith prompt them to move in a different direction. But for many people who leave their faith home, the reasons have more to do with others—what they wanted, needed, experienced, or received from others—than it has to do with theology or beliefs.1

preaching over another.

Even in that case, it may not be that faith itself is necessarily lost, but that it is rather a quest for something more, or deeper.

When it comes to faith, everyone has their own unique story to tell. Some may tell someone what they are going through; others may not even know themselves. There are lots of studies about why people leave the church, and the reasons tend to fall into one of four general categories:

1

What can we do?

What is our response to those we know are slipping away from our community and church family? Is it to try to convince them to come back? To let them know that they are loved and valued, in the hopes that they will come around?

As a pastoral team, we have thought and prayed long and hard on behalf of people who were once involved and active in their faith and church life and have backed away, for whatever reason. One knee-

In 2017 Lifeway Research survey of 18-to-20-year-olds who attended church in high school. Two-thirds said they did not attend for at least a year since then, but not because they have “lost their faith,” but rather due to struggles with people or social aspects of the church. https://lifewayresearch.com/2019/01/15/most-teenagers-drop-out-of-church-as-young-adults/

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jerk reaction has been to want to chase after them,

Before he said this, Jesus “loved” this wealthy young

to convince them that God loves them and so do we.

man (Mark 10:21), out of compassion for the sincerity

Our next response has been to look in the mirror and

of the man’s quest. This man had been taught his

ask what it is that we could do better or differently: be

whole life that faith was about receiving a reward, so

more direct with social issues (or, in some cases, less

he naturally wanted to do something to make sure. As

direct with social issues!); give greater attention to

it turned out, he could not see that the “treasure” he

worship creativity, new playlists, even more hymns; or

longed for was right before him. He allowed himself

work harder at more “contextual” or narrative/story-

to be so handcuffed by his wealth, and likely every-

oriented sermons. Without question, when it comes

thing that his life had been built upon, that he could

to what we do as a fellowship, we in leadership must

not see that the answer to his question was the One

always engage in this kind of self-reflective work.

he asked. “Follow me” was the defining call.

But, at the end of the day, the reasons why most

Of course, in context Jesus was not

people actually leave have little to do with what we

speaking only about money,

do, even if that’s what they say or blast on Face-

but also about the choice

book or Instagram. Somehow, they have lost confi-

we must all make when it

dence in who we are, especially when it comes to

comes to biblical faith.

giving us access to their souls. Especially in the frag-

A lifelong Christian,

mented and isolated world we have been living in,

an elder yet, told me

people are looking for a safe place to be loyal to those

last week, “These

who love them and with whom they trust enough to

last few years I’ve

deeply engage. To be involved in a church fellowship

begun to under-

is, after all, a major time, social, financial, and heart

stand that I have

commitment. The larger the church—the broader

to be all in.” That is

the programmatic menu—the easier it is to bounce

the consistent call

from one mini-community to another or just hide in

of Jesus and His

the shadows. But to really be invested—to be known

kingdom. “I am what

and know, loved and love—takes an even more costly

I love,” writes James K.

commitment and risk.

A. Smith, and he goes on to ask, “What does this have

The Call of God’s Church Jesus heard this. He said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have

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to do with church?” His answer?

“You worship what you love.” 2 Our role in helping others find their way to a new or renewed faith is to offer the invitation of Jesus to “follow Him.” We have one message, and it is not “Come to church!” As Paul told the Colossian

and give to the poor, and you will have

church, “He is the one we proclaim” (Col 1:28). For

treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’

for whatever reason, here are three specific ways we

LUKE 18:22

experiencing Christ.

anyone who may have wandered away from faith, can invite them into the “treasure” of knowing and

James K. A. Smith, You Are What You Love, Brazos, 2016, xi, xii.

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1. MAKE IT ABOUT JESUS. We focus on the church, the worship, the programs,

3. PARTICIPATE TOGETHER IN GOD’S KINGDOM REIGN.

or even the preaching to draw someone back to God’s

As we pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done

household, when the only draw that will transform and ultimately satisfy is the presence of Christ’s Spirit.

What we should do is point to Jesus—His sacrifice, work, and mission. We don’t diminish or ignore that faith is indeed risky, yet the gift is the treasure we ultimately seek. When Jesus is lifted up, and the call to follow Him is clear and central, He will speak (John 12:32).

on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10), we affirm together that our vocation, individually and collectively, is to walk alongside of Him as the kingdom is brought to all of creation. From the ember sparked through gathering in Christ’s name and Spirit-led community, a flame is waiting to be set free. In too many churches, faith has become a spectator sport of enjoying, experiencing, comparing, evaluating, and critiquing. What we do as followers of Christ is put our

2. MAKE IT ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT OVER THE PRODUCTION.

hearts and minds right so that the Spirit may ignite and release each believer in the joy of walking with and serving Jesus Christ on behalf of the kingdom.

What stirs us to faith? Of course, we are sometimes emotionally drawn in by music and prayers and words.

But what encourages and reinforces a faith that is laser-focused on Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3; 28:30-31)? The warmth and safety of a group of people who have asked and answered the question, “Whom do I love?” To sing together songs that remind us of our redemption. To sigh and listen to one another as we settle into the arms of our Savior in prayer. To receive God’s Word as a family who has

The lost, the wanderer, the confused, the ignored— each one, regardless of circumstances or hope—are invited to find their life in the risk of knowing, loving, and following Jesus Christ. The great joy of walking, and leading, God’s people in and through the gathering of fellow followers is that we have this treasure in “jars of clay,” and we all are witnesses to the reason and source of our hope. May we be the kind of authentic, single-minded, abandoned children who trust Jesus enough to invite all comers to join us.

abandoned all to hear and respond in trust. This is who we are. This is Whom we proclaim.

BY

C H A P

C L A R K

Chap Clark, PhD, is Lead Pastor at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA and President of ParenTeen, Inc. For 21 years Chap was professor of Practical Theology and Youth, Family, and Culture at Fuller Seminary and has authored/co-authored 25 books, including the awardwinning books Hurt 2.0: Inside the World of Today's Teenagers, Sticky Faith, and Adoptive Church (Baker Academic, 2018). Chap and Dee live in Newport Beach, California and have three grown children and three granddaughters.

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SHAME T H AT HEALS

SHAME T H AT D E ST R OYS

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S H A M E T H AT HEALS

S H A M E T H AT D E ST R OYS

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hame is conveyed by the eyes, a critical gaze

way he looked at her. His eyes conveyed bad shame—a

like daggers that can divide sensitive souls. I

gaze fueled by the traditions of men rather than the

recall such scrutiny during a summer camp

will of God. She smartly refused to come under him.

when my peers chided me as I awkwardly mopped

She did so by the “living water” imparted through

the lunchroom floor. (They awaited dismissal as I

Jesus’ gaze.

worked off discipline for being late to the table.) A counselor saw my plight and accompanied me, mopin-hand, to finish the job. Just looking into his caring eyes sustained me amid the glare of deriding ones.

My sensitive, peer-rejected self soured into samesex attraction, later “coming out” into all-thingsqueer in 1970’s Los Angeles. Unhappy with who I was becoming, I ventured out with some “Jesus-people”

He became Jesus to me. His face mediated mercy, the

friends to a large hippie church where the pastor, post-

antidote to bad shame. I can only imagine the sinful

service, looked at me with disgust. (I was a seeker,

woman in Luke 7:36-50 who kept her eyes fixed on

still evidently a slave to disorder.) I could not return

Jesus as the Pharisee looked at her critically. (If you

there. He personified a thousand male faces I wanted

recall, she crashed the dinner party to thank Jesus.)

to avoid. Under that exposure, I buckled, divided

A scorned woman, her judge kept her down by the

within, and wanted to isolate from everyone.

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Months later, my brother Joel, now as “born-again” as

Like the sinful woman in Luke 7, I have learned how

he had been a bully, reached out to me with authentic

to discipline my inner gaze upon Him, to give Him

concern, the first time he came close to me with kind-

supremacy over shame. I forgive shamers, and He

ness. That invited my conversion more powerfully than

invites me when necessary to experience good shame

a sermon. My mom, soon after, and upon hearing my

through His eyes of love. I open to the light of His

“coming out” story, responded with merciful tears:

merciful members and receive strength in weakness.

“I’ve known a lot of ‘gay’ people, Andy; their lives

I am not mainly a victim, but first a sinner lost without

were limited, and I’ve always wanted more for you…

merciful Jesus. I who have been forgiven of much love

Why don’t you look into this Jesus who is helping

Him much (Luke 7:47).

your brother a lot?”

Her tears awakened me to something other than familiar “bad” shame. It was good shame. “Out-butnot-quite-proud,” I felt like something was wrong—not just others’ bullying, but something shameful about how I was offering myself to guys. I dehumanized them, and vice-versa.

I said “yes” to Jesus and began to attend a small earthy church near me; I learned how to worship this good Man who looked at me kindly. In love, He invited my repentance. He exchanged my filth for His forgiveness. And He freed me for fellowship within which I chose to live in the light. To this day I choose the light of fellowship as the antidote to still familiar idols. I still sing love songs to Him from my grateful, stillbeing-healed heart. His flow of “living water” primes me to give Him back all the love I have. Sweet simple songs of adoration say that better than anything else.

Worship sends demons to flight.

BY

A N D R E W

C O M I S K E Y

Andrew Comiskey (M.Div.) has worked extensively with the healing of the sexually and relationally broken. He is the Founding Director of Desert Stream/Living Waters Ministries, a multifaceted outreach to the broken. Andrew’s ministry grows both out of his own commitment to overcome homosexuality and his experience as a husband to Annette, father of four children and grandfather to five grandkids. He is author of Pursuing Sexual Wholeness (Creation House), Strength in Weakness (InterVarsity Press), Naked Surrender: Coming Home To Our True Sexuality (InterVarsity Press) and the Living Waters healing program. Andrew serves at St. Thomas More Parish in Kansas City, Missouri.

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S H A M E T H AT HEALS

S H A M E T H AT D E ST R OYS

A SHAME-FREE ZONE B Y

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he usher handed me a bulletin and asked, “What

different than the others. Shame causes us to feel

kind of Bible are you carrying?” I went blank

self-conscious and embarrassed. We hide, realizing

as I looked down at the black book in my hand

it’s not safe to be authentic—the “real me.”

that I had just pulled off my parents’ shelf to carry into church so I would religiously fit in. I squirmed and hesitantly responded, “I don’t know, just a Bible Bible.” He mockingly laughed and said, “Let me see that thing.” After looking it over, he handed it back saying, “That’s the Reversed Slandered Version (referring to Revised Standard Version). Now go get a real Bible, the King James Version.” Instantly, I felt like I was in Junior High being mocked by a bully for the shoes I was wearing. That unbearable feeling was all too familiar—shame.

We discover our shame as a child when someone first makes fun of us. We soon realize that the world, even our home, is not a safe place. It makes fun of people who are too tall or short, too quiet or loud, wear glasses or have freckles, or have skin color

We are not only victims but perpetrators of shame.

It’s the source of bragging and acting as if we’re smarter, better looking, or just more together. We pose, put down, groom and dress, and even speak hoping to be accepted or better than others. Essentially, like actors we perform. All the social games we play are built on shame.

Shame entered at the dawn of the world. Through the temptation of snake we did not become like God, as it promised. Rather, we discovered who we are not.

Without God we feel undressed—inadequate—and we’ve been hiding ever since. Like fly-paper, shame inescapably sticks to all of us.

A shameless world would have no pride, no pretending, no hiding, no clicks, no gossip or slander,

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and no false imaging behind our beauty, brains, or

How does Jesus deal with our shame? The closing

bucks. A shameless world is an honest, innocent,

of John’s Gospel portrays Jesus cooking fish on the

grateful, childlike, and authentic world.

shore of Galilee. Peter without his cloak, but covered

Jesus told the woman at the well that He was seeking true worshipers. Not pretenders, comparers, actors, or posers. As true worshipers we bring our true selves—the good, the bad, and the ugly. No fig leaves.

in his shame, is good for nothing now but fishing. He shamefully denied his Lord, his God, his best friend, three times! His life is dulled, muted, and colorless with his failure. Suddenly he hears John cry out, “It’s the Lord!” Without thought Peter grabs his cloak of dignity and dives into the water to swim to Jesus.

On shore Jesus has the fire going with fish cooking.

Jesus’ eyes welcome Peter without a word but Peter’s

As true worshipers we bring our true selves—the good, the bad, and the ugly.

head is bowed in shame. After a few bites and greetings for the others, Jesus nods to Peter in that old familiar way and they take a walk alone. Peter thinks, “Oh, here it comes and I deserve it. Jesus is going to shame me.”

Instead, Jesus asks Peter the same question in three different ways followed by “get back to work.” When Jesus asks, “Do you love me?” the third time, it dawns

John 12 describes a dinner gathering that is inter-

on Peter what Jesus is doing. It’s not the change of

rupted by Mary, who bursts into a room of men to

Greek verbs for love that hit him—that was common.

pour costly perfume on Jesus and to wipe His feet

It’s the fact that Jesus asked him a third time, cancel-

with her hair, only to be shamed by Judas and others

ling his three denials. He is both confronting Peter

who said the “right thing” to do would have been to

gently and reinstating Peter without using shame.

sell the fragrance and give it to the poor. The “oughts” and “shoulds” of religious judging are the killers of true worship.

The church of Jesus is the shame-free zone. It’s a place where the tool of the devil, and the result of the fall, aren’t necessary tools for Jesus. Rather, as the worship begins we see Jesus on the shore cooking fish.

BY

M A R K

FO R E M A N

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S H A M E T H AT HEALS

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FINDING PEACE I N T I M E S O F PA N I C

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’m very comfortable being in tough situations and

tions at the same time with high-level leaders at our

hard situations that require me to perform. I’m an

church. We were talking through some of the transi-

athlete and a competitor at heart. That’s been my

tions, and again, I felt like I had no ground to stand

life since I was a little kid and I kind of love those high-

on. I felt like I had lost my place in the organization

pressure situations.

and was fighting for control, which is my biggest idol.

When the pandemic hit, I kind of welcomed it right away. It was a challenge, so I said, “let’s go, we’ve got work to do.” That mode kicked in right away and we just started running. The pandemic brought so much change all around so quickly, and change is something I usually embrace and seek even. It really fuels my soul and who I am. But four or five weeks into the pandemic, things shifted so quickly, and personally in my job here at Community, I felt that I had no ground to stand on for the first time. That was hard.

I remember the Sunday morning [my wife] Evelyn and I were hosting online services like we did several times in the last twelve months. I was talking to people online, but I was also in four different text conversa-

I probably didn’t understand that until this episode, but control is my biggest idol and I was trying to control this situation in each of those conversations.

I remember sending a text to my lead pastor that was probably the most honest I’ve ever been with him. Looking back now, I wish it wasn’t through text, but I sent it and we were into it. I remember sitting in the living room, sending that text, then getting up and getting this feeling in my gut that wasn’t good.

It started rising, and I walked into the kitchen and told Evelyn, “there’s something wrong with me. I’m not okay.”

My hands and feet started shaking, my lips contracted and went numb, and I started crying. I had never

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experienced anything

He kept me. He held me

like that and I had no idea

and other people held me.

what was happening.

The enemy was trying to attack me by saying, “you need to be in control,” but then so quickly I heard this voice saying, “shame on you for trying to control everything,” and it broke me down. It was two hours

...but the beautiful thing is that, while I was being attacked by external forces and internal forces, God met me there and He kept me.

of being on the ground, kneeling and praying to

Very quickly, in the course of two to three hours, I experienced something I had never experienced before, but I also experienced healing through that. I felt like the idol of control in me was dying.

It’s not dead yet, it still speaks and has a voice inside me, but it’s a much

God to keep my family and my wife because I felt like I

smaller voice now after what I went through. I had no

was dying. Evelyn was praying over me and I’m telling

other choice but to surrender and say, “God, first of

her, “babe, you’re gonna be okay and the kids are

all, I don’t ever want to experience that again. So if

gonna be okay,” because I really thought I was dying.

surrender is how I don’t experience that anymore, I will

At some point, our executive pastor and his wife came over and sat with us. After a couple hours, I was able to sit up, still feeling those symptoms, but at that point, the fear of dying kind of left and I knew I was going to be okay. My mind was racing and I was trying to figure out what happened and why it happened. I called my doctor immediately and was like, “walk me through this because I don’t understand,” and he was like, “yeah, I think that’s a panic attack.”

I think a couple of things were happening—I felt like I was being attacked by the enemy, but also by myself.

I think I was self-sabotaging a little by believing I needed to be in control of everything, but the beautiful thing is that, while I was being attacked by external forces and internal forces, God met me there and

surrender. I don’t want to control anything anymore.

Here, You control it.” We’ve written songs about surrender, but it’s one thing to say it and another thing to live it out. I felt like God met me with grace and said, “I know you’re not completely surrendered yet, son. But I have grace for you. So don’t stay there— walk with Me. Let’s continue to walk this journey of surrender.” I feel like I was attacked beforehand and after by shame, but quickly met God’s grace. If grace is there, shame has no place.

A couple of days later, I was sitting in that same spot, and I started to have the same feelings. This is something that’s still a mystery to me and Evelyn, but this was in a completely different setting where we were praying, singing and worshipping. My hands and feet

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and lips started shaking again, the very same symp-

My prayer is that, if you’re reading this, you would

toms, but this time it was completely peaceful. The

know that there is hope for healing in the here and

only way I know how to explain it is that whatever the

now. God is redeeming all things. And if He doesn’t

enemy tries to use for destruction, God goes, “Look,

decide to heal you right now, there are baby steps

I can use it for peace as well.” To be able to have that

toward healing that happen through community. Find

in the span of two days was really glorious.

people around you that see you and see your struggle

I’ll be very honest: when other people talk about panic attacks, if you haven’t lived it, you have no idea. I try to be as understanding as possible, but honestly, before that, I was like, “just deal with it. God’s got you,

and validate your struggle. If that’s something you’re struggling with, find people around you and have conversations about it. I don’t know what my journey with this looks like moving forward, but I know there is healing, and most of it comes through people.

God is redeeming all things. And if He doesn’t decide to heal you right now, there are baby steps toward healing that happen through community. you’re strong, you can do it.” I never truly understood

I think to experience God’s healing grace is always

how crippling anxiety and panic attacks can be. I just

multi-faceted. Something the enemy used to try to

had that one, so I can’t imagine how people live with

kill me, God has redeemed in many different ways.

having those types of attacks on a daily basis.

The really cool thing is that now I can talk about this

It was helpful to me in understanding what other

with other people and can share what happened with

people go through on a daily basis and finding

me. I have to be careful because I just had that one

empathy for them. I was able to actually see people

episode, so I don’t want to be like, “yeah, I’m a person

that go through that and I feel like I’m at least a little

that struggles with anxiety.” That’s not really who I

better equip to deal with those situations now. My

am and since then, nothing major has happened and

heart breaks for people that have gone through this

I hope it stays that way. But it gives me an in now to

their entire lives and are still struggling with it. There’s

have that conversation with some folks, and we’ve

hope and healing for that. Sometimes God decides to

been able to do that already. I hope we can continue

heal us now in a moment, and sometimes He doesn’t.

to do that in a very sobering way.

BY

LU C A S

C O R TA Z I O

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COMMUNITY

HOUSE AD NWLC 2021

R EG I S TE R

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NASHVILLE, TN J U LY

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2021

A UNIQUE EVENT THAT BRINGS TOGETHER MUSICIANS AND SONGWRITERS, MOVERS AND SHAKERS, THEOLOGIANS AND SCHOLARS ACROSS THE WORLDWIDE WORSHIP COMMUNITY FOR ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL AND INFORMATIVE GATHERINGS.

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22 The Robert E. Webber

Institute for Worship Studies

Jacksonville, Florida 24 Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee 26 Cedarville University

Cedarville, Ohio 28 Baylor University

Waco, Texas 30 Grace Christian University

Grand Rapids, Michigan

higher learning

32 Southwestern Baptist

Theological Seminary

Fort Worth, Texas

G U I D E

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he context of leading worship in a congregational setting is multifaceted and filled with historical and biblical significance. Beyond that, there are people involved: people coming from all walks of life with every imaginable concern and distinctive worldview. And worship is where these things are acknowledged and woven together to create a multi-harmonious sound of sung prayer and worship to the One God who can unite all hearts. Certainly, leading this beautiful and complex concert of voices requires skill. The following pages are here to help you discover your next step in worship leadership proficiency and theological development. Here you will find some of the top schools available­— an opportunity to make your growth a priority to effect lasting change in your worshiping community.

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EDUCATION

At a glance.

ROBERT E. WEBBER INSTITUTE FOR WORSHIP STUDIES

LOCATION Jacksonville, Florida

DEADLINES May 1 for June | Nov. 15 for Jan.

DEGREE PROGRAMS OFFERED Master of Worship Studies Doctor of Worship Studies

TUITION MWS: $393/Credit hour DWS: $437/Credit hour

CONTACT www.iws.edu admissions@iws.edu 1.800.282.2977

WHY IWS? A primary key to reading the entire biblical narrative is this: God is calling His creation to right worship. Right worship leads to the rightly ordered life, family, Church, community and culture. Right worship stands at the very core of the Christian faith; therefore, learning to worship God aright is a critical educational endeavor.

ABOUT THIS SCHOOL The Institute for Worship Studies (IWS) is dedicated to the highest quality graduate education in the biblical, theological, historical, cultural, and missional foundations of Christian worship. Church leaders from multiple denominations take academically grounded, highly applicable courses rooted in the biblical narrative, drawing on the rich treasures of Christian history, and committed to glorifying God in multiple cultural contexts. IWS has a Christ-centered, ancientfuture theological posture, delivered in a low-residency educational approach focused on building an intentional learning community.

IWS offers two award-winning accredited degree programs: Master of Worship Studies and Doctor of Worship Studies.

The IWS educational approach is designed to fit the student’s schedule and budget. The result is an applicable and stimulating education that prepares Christians intellectually and spiritually to participate in the renewal of the Church through God-honoring worship. Each course at IWS has an applied emphasis, so students make a direct impact on their ministry contexts. Studying with a superior faculty of scholars, students come from across the country and the globe. The IWS community impacts tens of millions of people each week in worship renewal.

IWS Professor Dr. Reggie Kidd states, “IWS has provided me a community which gathers for rigorous theological study, handson training, and personal reflection. We get changed, and I think it’s part of how God intends to change the Church.” Dr. Laura Story, GRAMMY Award Winner and IWS Alumna and Trustee, remarks, “I can’t think of any other school that is doing what IWS is doing. I love the different denominations and cultures coming together as worship leaders, learning to worship the Triune God with excellence.”

Class cohorts start twice each year in the first week of January or fourth week of June. For info on any changes due to COVID, please contact the Admissions Office.

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EDUCATION

At a glance.

TREVECCA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

LOCATION Nashville, Tennessee

WEBSITE www.trevecca.edu/music

ABOUT THIS SCHOOL

WHY TREVECCA?

Trevecca is a private, Christian, liberal arts institution in the heart of Music City, USA. Trevecca prides itself in creating mentoring relationships between faculty and students and connecting students to the thriving music culture and business in Nashville in the context of an authentic Christian community. We offer undergrad degrees in both music and worship as well as graduate degrees in worship. Trevecca also offers degree programs in Theory and Composition, Music Education, Performance, Commercial Music, Songwriting, and Music Technology.

Our location in Nashville allows our students to work with some of the best professors and teachers in the country. Our programs also include a balance of learning in the three main areas that students need to be successful in their careers as worship leaders: knowledge (theological, musical, leadership), skill (vocal, arranging, leading), and values. The professors at Trevecca are employed to help you grow in these areas, but more than that, they desire to help mentor you as you transition from being a student to a practitioner.

WHY SHOULD A WORSHIP LEADER CONTINUE LEARNING? Worship leaders are those who are called to be lead worshipers. Engaging in and learning about music, a theology of worship, and the spiritual disciplines are ways for those who have been called to fulfill that calling in a faithful way. At Trevecca, we believe our calling is to help students fulfill their calling.

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EDUCATION

At a glance.

CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY

LOCATION Cedarville, OH

WEBSITE

www.cedarville.edu/WorshipLeader

ABOUT THIS SCHOOL

WHY CEDARVILLE?

The purpose statement of the Worship Program at Cedarville University is "Equipping Worshipers to Serve," and that informs everything we do. We offer a residential Bachelor of Arts in Worship degree designed to help prepare students who are interested in careers in worship leadership and related fields.

Our values make us unique:

Our graduate study options include:

• 36-hour Master of Arts in Worship & Theology degree • 12-hour Graduate Certificate in Worship Leadership Both programs are fully online and can be completed in as little as one year. These programs are available to anyone with a bachelor’s degree in any field.

Musical Emphasis We value a core musical background for all worship students.

We value contemporary music as the voice of our culture and will equip students to be musically and methodologically relevant in the "real world." Students study contemporary music theory and will study contemporary music in the private studio.

Theological Foundation We value a strong theological foundation, grounded in biblical truth for all worship students. The Bible minor and required Bible classes in the field of worship will emphasize a biblical foundation for worship ministry.

Interdisciplinary Nature We value interdisciplinary study in fields related to worship ministry. We value each student developing God-given talents and interests, resulting in an individualized degree tailored for each student.

WHY SHOULD A WORSHIP LEADER CONTINUE LEARNING? A worship leader should continue learning because "worship" is about God, and we will never fully know God personally until our faith becomes sight. That is why theology is so important for the worship leader: We must strive to know the object of our worship. The second half of "worship leader" is "leader," and we should also continue to grow and develop our leadership skills.

Our school is known for producing quality graduates who love Jesus and are well-equipped to serve the church and parachurch organizations. Our graduates are in high demand, as many pastors and leaders know our program and the quality of our graduates.

Our graduate placement rate is effectively 100% for students who desire to go into worship ministry and are willing to relocate to where the open positions are.

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EDUCATION

At a glance.

B AY L O R U N I V E R S I T Y

LOCATION Waco, TX

WEBSITE

www.baylor.edu/ccms

ABOUT THIS SCHOOL Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution.

The university provides a vibrant campus community for more than 19,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship.

Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.

WHY SHOULD A WORSHIP LEADER CONTINUE LEARNING? Church music is an ever-changing landscape. Our program’s desire is to equip leaders with the skills needed to succeed by focusing not only on the present, but also on how the past shapes the future of the Church. Although deeply rooted in tradition, Baylor offers an atmosphere of innovation and imagination. Students in Baylor’s church music program will have the

opportunity to develop a personal worship philosophy, engage in thought-provoking discussion, and receive practical music and ministry-related training. Baylor values what you bring to the table and provides opportunities for growth, reflection, and formation.

WHY BAYLOR? Only at Baylor can you study church music within a nationally ranked school of music, root for NCAA Division I national champions, and interact with a student population of more than 19,000. Baylor is not a cookie-cutter environment; it inspires you to discover the minister that God is calling you to be. Here, you can develop world-class skills and a God-sized heart. Through endowed lecture series, students interact with leading church musicians who are blazing new trails. They engage with high profile worship leaders at the annual Alleluia Conference and Worship Lab in an environment designed to equip and inspire church musicians. Baylor students also work with professors who are leading the way in church music research and practice. While on campus, students can participate in the many ensembles Baylor has to offer: seven choirs, three wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, the Golden Wave Marching Band, two orchestras, an early music ensemble, and a handbell ensemble, among others.

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EDUCATION

At a glance.

GRACE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

LOCATION Wyoming, MI

WEBSITE

www.gracechristian.edu

ABOUT THIS SCHOOL Grace Christian University has guided students for over 80 years as they have uniquely prepared for their passionate purpose. Our campus, located in Grand Rapids, MI, is home to our Music, Worship, and Technology program. New iMac labs, updated studios, and Baker Chapel provide extensive options for your area of interest, while biblical teaching ensures a firm foundation for your future.

Whether unpracticed or accomplished in the field of worship arts, current knowledge is necessary for success. Individualized study, performance opportunities, and talented faculty await you at Grace's MWT offering. Visit us at www.gracechristian.edu and schedule your personal visit to our studios today.

WHY SHOULD A WORSHIP LEADER CONTINUE LEARNING? Grace Christian University understands the necessity of worship for followers of Christ. Those pursuing this passion must be uniquely prepared in the many aspects of a changing field. The expansion of our worship arts department to our Music, Worship, and Technology degree has created a way for anyone feeling called to the field of worship arts to be completely prepared in both artistry and acumen. The biblical coursework each student completes provides a firm foundation for a lifelong career in the field of worship arts.

A comprehensive program consisting of valuable skills across many career paths is a significant advantage of the Music, Worship, and Technology program at Grace Christian University. Musicianship is of course a key component, but our graduates also develop skills in team leadership, congregational communication, and personal marketing. Incorporated in coursework are audio and video editing, live sound fundamentals, music theory, and songwriting. Graduates have gone on to receive recording contracts, become professional musicians, entered graduate study programs, and obtain worship leader positions.

Affordability should be a key factor for any worship leader seeking to expand their knowledge and increase marketability. Because of this, Grace offers numerous scholarships in addition to their already affordable tuition. Recently recognized as the #1 most affordable private college in Michigan, our goal is to work with you to make your unique path possible. New equipment, one-on-one study, multiple practice rooms and studios, and our campus chapel provide many options for you to grow your talents and receive personal instruction. Whether just entering this career or a seasoned professional, our study options will support God's call as you become prepared to serve Christ in church and society.

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EDUCATION SOUTHWESTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

At a glance.

LIVE YOUR CALLING AS A WORSHIP LEADER As a worship leader, you are called to serve with both biblical depth and musical excellence. And at Southwestern Seminary, your calling is our passion. Our School of Church Music and Worship celebrates its centennial anniversary this year, and after a century of equipping worship leaders, we are well prepared to answer the question, “What does ministry look like now?”

LOCATION Fort Worth, TX

WEBSITE

www.swbts.edu/scmw

Here, ministry doesn’t wait until graduation. Our students benefit from deep theological training and hands-on ministry experience, and our faculty will walk alongside you as you grow as a musician and as a minister of the gospel. Our biblically faithful, musically excellent, and ministry driven curriculum includes a broad range of degrees and concentrations in practical ministry, theological studies, and musical performance.

For example, students will have access to the Master of Arts in Worship Leadership (available as a fully online degree), and the newly designed Master of Music in Worship Leadership. Students beginning their higher education journey can even pursue the Bachelor of Music in Worship Studies, which includes a robust course of study in worship, theology, and general studies.

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M O R E

M U S I C

3 4

DY N A M I C S

3 7

T H A N

T E A M

LEADERSHIP.

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LEADERSHI

LEADERSHIP

O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

MORE THAN MUSIC

EMBRACE & DEFEAT

THE SHAME

T

his Holy Week prayer from the Book of Common Prayer points us to the

cross, “an instrument of shameful death,” that God made “the means of life.”

The shamefulness of Christ’s death on the cross lay, in the first place, in the fact that Jesus had been spurned by his own nation, and then had been turned over to pagan Romans for a degrading non-Jewish execution. Deprived even of the benefit of a “good” Jewish stoning or even a “dignified” Roman beheading, Jesus was given over to what Scripture had always thought of as a repugnant, cursed death for infidels: hanging on a tree (see Deuteronomy 21:23).

The humiliation of Christ’s execution lay, in the second place, in the fact that Jesus, according to Roman custom, would have been cruci-

A Meditation for a Pandemic-tinged Holy Week

fied naked. Victims of what Cicero called “the unlucky tree” were stripped, and then nailed or tied to crosses prominently displayed in public places.

Even into the 4th century, Christians in Jerusalem would remember “the nakedness of Christ on the cross, who in his nakedness ‘disarmed the principalities and powers, and openly triumphed over them on the tree’” (Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, Mystagogy 2). The marvel is that such shame worked such grace, such rejection effected such fellow-

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K I D D

ship, and such a curse won such blessing.

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Crushed but Not Defeated We were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

2 CORINTHIANS 1:8B-9

You can see Christ’s triumph in Paul’s life, when he talks about being “unbearably crushed” and having “received the sentence of death,” yet relying on “God who raises the dead.”

You can see that same triumph in the likes of the 72-year-old Italian priest, Don Giuseppe Berardelli, who, stricken with the coronavirus in the early days of the pandemic, maintained his greeting to everyone, “Pace e bene,” and then when it came time for him to go on a ventilator, insisted it go to another. “Pace e bene,” indeed: the eternal “peace and well-being” Jesus has secured through his death and resurrection.

The events of the past year have left all of us, I think, feeling naked, weak, and vulnerable. We’ve all been living with a walking “sentence of death.” Even if our own “sentence of death” has taken a lesser form, all of us, I’m pretty sure, have known others—relatives, friends, fellow workers, parishioners—who’ve been taken in this pandemic.

I pray that you and I can continue to bring a hope-tinged grace and beauty to the ugliness of the day. I pray that you and I, like the Apostle Paul and Father Berardelli, will discover the glory of Christ’s cross, and count our own share in its “shame and loss” as something gladly to be borne. I pray that the hope of resurrection on Easter morning gives each of us a sense that the way of the cross truly is the way of life and peace.

BY

D R .

R E G G I E

K I D D

Dr. Reggie Kidd joined Reformed Theological Seminary in 1990 and served as Professor of New Testament. Dr. Kidd is an ordained priest in The Episcopal Church and has served as a pastor and elder at multiple churches.

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WATC H

V I D E O

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LEADERSHIP

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

1 PETER 4:16 (NIV)

T

eamwork requires trusting our teammates. In worship ministry, we rely on the production team, our musicians, our pastor, and many others in the chain. When something during service breaks

down, it can be devastating to people on your team. No one feels good about being the link in the chain that breaks. It’s even worse when

T E A M DY N A M I C S

people on your team begin to question their beliefs or their place in the church. Today, many worship leaders have been put in a tough spot, as worship services are the visible loss of the church’s face during the pandemic. Pastors suffer the stress of church members with differing viewpoints. Either they call their pastor names because the pastor shut down worship services or because they are not doing enough.

Such is the environment of leading a team in 2021. When there are the everyday challenges to attend to compounded with a pandemic and social unrest, the formula is ripe for shame to walk on the scene.

Shame is that feeling that we are wrong, not the issues. We are to blame. Shame is present. Either we feel shame, or we project it onto others. Even worse, we lead unaware of it.

LEADING WITH SHAME VS. LEADING WITH empathy WE CAN BLAME OR WE CAN NAME

Shame is the enemy of teamwork and can lead to abuse.

All team members can be made to feel the painful emotion of shame.

For instance, when things are not going well, leaders often use shame to put others into place. If a team member is late to rehearsal, shaming makes it more about a person being bad versus an issue to address.

We, as leaders, are tempted to offend and leverage shame to get

B Y

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K I R K PAT R I C K

our way. But, shame is an enemy of community and a hindrance to healthy teamwork. Stop shame at the gate. For one, by definition, shame is an attack on a person’s sense of worth. The more we blame and shame, the more we wound. This is why ultimately, shame is the enemy of teamwork.

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Empathy is the antidote to shame and friend to accountability.

Empathy defeats shame. The key is to seek to think outside of ourselves.

For instance, shame and guilt are two different things. In an article in Scientific American, psychologist Annette Kämmerer said, “When we feel guilty, we turn our gaze outward and seek strategies to reverse the harm we have done. When we feel ashamed, we turn our attention inward, focusing mainly on the emotions roiling within us and attending less to what is going on around us.” It is one thing to feel bad for things we can fix–such as the issue of showing up late. It is another to impose shame, which aims to create scapegoats. Empathy, then, is our antidote to shame and a friend to accountability. We can make things about things, not about the worth or value of people.

Our identity in Christ is hidden by shame, but praise reawakens us to who we are.

Shame masks our true identity. When Peter talks about not being ashamed, it isn’t because things look pretty. Peter leads us to worship Jesus because we bear His name! It is no surprise that we suffer as Christians. What is surprising is that we would allow the difficulties we face, whether from the world or our people, to diminish the worth we have. And, when leading others, we know that even in the middle of our bad behavior,

Love covers a multitude of sins.

1 PETER 4:8, NIV

BY R I C H K I R K PAT R I C K Rich is the author of The Six Hats of the Worship Leader, writer for several ministry publications, and leads worship with A Beautiful Liturgy.

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MUSIC. LO S T

&

M I S S I N G

S U N G

P R AY E R S

WO R S H I P

R A DA R

S O N G W R I T I N G

Q & A

4 0 4 3 4 5

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MUSIC L O S T + M I S S I N G S U N G P R AY E R S

WHAT IS SHAME? W

hen I think of shame, I think of dropping a tray in a school cafeteria with everyone watching and laughing. Or falling off of a platform while leading worship (it actually happens

more than you would think). I once heard a pastor speak on shame and he cleverly illustrated it by showing pictures of dogs who had wreaked havoc on couches and toilet paper. Afraid to look their owners in the eyes, shame was all over their faces.

B Y

J O S H

L AV E N D E R

According to Brené Brown, a researcher at the University of Houston, shame is an “intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging.” Brené’s work is so unique and interesting that, with over 50 million views, she has one of the top five most viewed TED talks in the world called, “The Power of Vulnerability.” In this talk she says that all people experience shame but that no one wants to talk about it.

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Shame is often a complex and heavy topic, but biblical writers didn’t shy away from writing about it. Instead, they regularly shared their own experiences of deep shame. In Psalm 32:3-4, David describes the discomfort of keeping his own sin hidden, saying:

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.

The next verse reminds us of God’s response when sin is brought into the light of his love:

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah PSALM 32:5

For songwriters who want to join David and others in writing about shame. Here are some things that would be helpful to remember:

01

Shame comes from different places but tells the same lie

Shame could come from a situation where we felt humiliated. It could come from knowing we’ve done something wrong—guilt—and believing that makes us unworthy of love and belonging. Shame might also come from something that someone else has done to us that causes us to think we are unlovable. When writing about shame, remember that people experience shame for different reasons. But whatever reason shame shows its ugly head, it always tells the same lie—that we are unworthy of love, connection, or belonging. This is one of the very lies that Jesus laid down his life to disprove and silence forever.

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02

Shame hates vulnerability, transparency, and community

Just like David when his bones were wasting away and his strength was BY

J O S H

L AV E N D E R

Josh is a Worship Director at Trinity Church Indianapolis. He is the co-founder of Wesleyan Worship Project and Awaken Worship Collective. He is a composer, artist, author and Song Discovery Alum.

dried up, shame does its best work when we are isolated, silent, and have all our defenses up. Since shame is based on the lie that something makes us unworthy of love or belonging, it loses its power in the presence of loving community.

03

Jesus wants to take away our shame

The cross stands as an everlasting monument that God loves all people and wants every one of us to find belonging in his family. We see the shame-melting love of God in the person of Jesus. Worship begins and ends pointing to Jesus as the answer.

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MUSIC WORSHIP RADAR

Jordan

SMITH

WATC H

V I D E O

SMITH

Jordan Smith joins us to talk about how his win on NBC’s The Voice launched his career, what it was like to share his faith on a national stage, how the last few years of making music led him to his current partnership with Provident, the inspiration behind his new single “Great You Are,” and his encouragement for worship leaders.

W I T H

C A I T L I N

L A S S I T E R

Caitlin Lassiter is a worship leader, writer and college student with a passion for worship ministry in the church. She is currently studying worship and journalism at Trevecca Nazarene University and lives in Nashville, TN.

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SO N GWR ITI N G

SONGWRITING Q&A

Q & A //

W IT H

M AT T

R E D M A N

Q U E S T I O N

He’s one of the most well-known and respected songwriters and worship leaders in the world.

And now, Matt Redman is sharing his hard-won wisdom with you! Read along as Matt helps tackle the intricacies of compelling songwriting and shares insight on maximizing your effectiveness as a leader within smaller contexts.

How do you create a natural flow and feeling of the lyrics without over-simplifying phrases and losing some of what you hope to communicate through the song?

MICHAELA GIENGER

Michaela, thanks so much for this—I love questions about the process of songwriting. It can be so powerful and profound to see the fruit of a song in people’s lives. But I also love the front end of the process too—the creating and crafting of the song.

The band U2 said that sometimes songwriting is like a playground, and at other times it’s more like a boxing ring. I can really relate to that. There are times when everything is so enjoyable, and the song is flowing so freely, that it just feels like “play.” And at other times— and this is maybe more often the case— it’s like a boxing ring; there’s a sense of contending and fighting for the song to come into being. It’s a wrestle. And I think what your question gets into is that “wrestle”—how to write a song that has substance and weight, but at the same time isn’t overly complicated.

There’s no way to cover this whole topic in length here, but I would answer your question by drawing on C.S. Lewis’ thoughts about the three kinds of language we use when we talk about faith: Theological, Poetic, and Ordinary. Essentially, when we write a worship song, there’s a dance between these three different types of language going on in our lyrics. You mention having songs feel “simple.”

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MUSIC

That’s the Ordinary category of language—putting ideas and themes into words that sit quickly and easily with people, so nothing about them feels alien. Then there’s the Theological category—the substance of the song, that as you rightly point out must never become lost, diluted, or oversimplified. And lastly there’s the Poetic category—for we’re not writing an essay, but we are singing about

SONGWRITING Q&A

beautiful truth, so we always want to do so in a beautiful way.

I don’t know if I have much else to add for now, except to say that to find the balance between these three distinct ways of speaking will be part of the “wrestle” in the worship songwriting process. At times we’ll realize the song has become too cerebral and lacks emotion, punch, or poetry—and we’ll need to wrestle it back to a place where it still conveys heart. At other times—and perhaps this is more typical in our day—the song might convey some kind of passion, but somehow lacks substance and weight, and we will need to wrestle it back into a more theological place.

...to find the balance between these three distinct ways of speaking will be part of the “wrestle” in the worship songwriting process.

One of my favorite worship songs of all time is “The Servant King,” written by my friend Graham Kendrick. I have never met a lyric writer who contends so much for the words in his songs. He wants each line to matter. You can tell that from so much of his work—where there’s verse upon verse of biblical, inspiring, congregational lyrics, containing a brilliant balance of the Theological, the Poetic, and the Ordinary. I asked Graham one time how he came across a certain line he’d written within the song “The Servant King,” because to me it was one of the finest worship lyrics I’d ever come across: “Hands that flung stars into space, to cruel nails surrendered.”

I was expecting him to tell me it came to him in a vivid heavenly dream, or some such wonderfully spiritual moment. He told me quite the opposite—that actually this lyric was the last one in the song to arrive, and it came about after a lot of writing and re-writing. He told me some of the very best inspiration comes to him via perspiration, and that sometimes we have to dig through a whole lot of dirt before we get to the diamond. Those words have encouraged me to this day, and I encourage us all to get into that mindset—one where we don’t just catch song lyrics like butterflies in a net if they happen to come past us, but instead we contend for them by praying, perspiring and pouring out our hearts and minds in an act of worship.

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S O N G

D I S COV E RY

E XI STS

S O N G S

T H AT

N E E DS

TO

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PR OV I D E

R E S O U R C E S

A D D R E SS

O F

S U B M I T

T H E

T H E

C H U R C H .

YO U R

S O N G

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S P E A K I N G LO O K

B AC K

4 9 5 1

TECH + GEAR.

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MUSIC T E C H N I C A L LY S P E A K I N G

Technically Speaking.

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N E E D -T O - K N OW

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T R A D E

Kent Morris lends his insight to uncover and evaluate the latest technological products and developments you need to know.

P

atterson is an energetic, resourceful audio tech based in Ivory Coast. We met when I was in his country to set up and run a large outdoor sound

system for the government, and he was assigned as my assistant. As with most things in Africa, the sheer size of the continent meant challenges came into play at every turn from logistics to power, equipment to labor. For anyone accustomed to first-world efficiency,

Reaching Out to a Disillusioned World

Africa offers a blunt reminder of the privilege afforded to a select portion of the tech industry working in relative splendor, while most of the world has to achieve success with far fewer resources at hand.

For his part, Patterson was, as is common in Ivory Coast, congenial and eager to move the project forward despite the obstacles we faced. To him,

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MUSIC

transport trucks stuck in the mud, subpar

pointed the element directly into the monitor’s horn.

cabling, and power generators built during

Naturally, a loud squeal ensued and all eyes turned

the Jimmy Carter administration were just part

toward me as I scrambled to stop the hideous noise.

of the process, not show-stopping events. His T E C H N I C A L LY S P E A K I N G

perspective, I realized, was the key element to our success. My contribution as systems engineer and director was important, but his was vital. It never occurred to Patterson to be dismayed or disillusioned, for he knew we would find a way to have the rig up and running for the event. And, he was right.

Though it lasted but a moment, the feedback was all I could consider the next day. Distraught, I sought out my mentor, Bill Thrasher, who told me, “You did all within your capability to provide a seamless audio experience. Now, God knew from the dawn of time that centuries into the future you would be at that mixing console when a person would point a mic at a monitor, physics would take over, and feedback would occur. God had all those eons to prevent that feedback but chose not to, so, if He’s not worried about it, you shouldn’t be either.”

God had all those eons to prevent that feedback but chose not to, so, if He’s not worried about it, you shouldn’t be either.

Events do not follow a linear or logical path. When something amiss arises, it’s usually negative. Worship leaders never reduce the number of vocalists just before service starts, and pastors never subtract slides from their presentation as they are walking to the platform. To expect otherwise is to risk disappointment at every turn. On the other hand, assuming the worst leads directly to bitterness and burnout.

The best path forward is to prepare for last minute

Changing Our Perspective

adjustments and to carry an attitude of calm confi-

Perspective plays an outsized role in determining

In 2021, no one is certain of anything, meaning our

success. I recall being a young tech involved with a

natural tech ability to assuage situations is vital to

massive evangelistic event and being assigned to run

connecting with disillusioned believers and non-

sound in a small breakout room. Intent on performing

believers alike. Techs are used to things going wrong

well, I focused on getting every detail right, though

and tend to find ways to resolve, or at least mitigate,

the room only seated a few hundred people. After an

the issue. When this idea is applied to people, we can

hour of success, the speaker inadvertently lowered the

make a real difference in their lives by showing them

mic while reaching for a water bottle on the stage and

the sky is not falling and things are not nearly as bad

dence.

as they appear.

BY

K E N T

M O R R I S

40-year veteran of the AVL arena driven by passion for excellence tempered by the knowledge digital is a temporary state.

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A LOOK BACK B Y

J O H N

I

M C J U N K I N

think it’s safe to say that most of us look back on

doozie! One of the silver linings to emerge from

2020 with less-than-fond memories. We faced

this season is that many churches who formerly

coronavirus, natural disasters, and other strug-

had no capacity to live-stream services have now

gles—but all the same, we grew as a result. First Peter

developed that capacity. And many churches who

1:6-7 says,

had limited capacity to do so have now become more advanced in that endeavor. Plenty of new

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now

audio technology has emerged despite the chal-

for a little while you may have had to

that were introduced in the last year. They all

suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuine-

lenges. We’re going to take a look at 10 products have one common thread: they’re useful to us in worship audio.

First up are CODA Audio’s N-APS and N-SUB loud-

ness of your faith—of greater worth than

speakers. The N-APS speakers are right in the middle

gold, which perishes even though refined

compact (two 6.5-inch drivers), and they feature the

by fire—may result in praise, glory, and

ground between line array and point-source—they’re ability to be deployed whichever way suits your needs.

honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Indeed, He promised us He would strengthen us through difficult seasons. And this one has been a

51

They can be configured in 60°, 90°, 120°, or asym-

of his mics. The PR-37 features a 1.5-inch dynamic

metrical horizontal coverage patterns, which makes

element, and that solid build quality helps to reduce

them even more versatile. CODA’s N-SUB subwoofer

handling noise. It’s published frequency range is

is intended for pairing with N-APS speakers, and

40Hz-18kHz, and due to Heil mics’ excellent low-end

delivers low-end down to 30Hz at astonishing SPL

capacity, my PR-35 ends up in numerous applica-

levels as high as 139dB. CODA’s new speakers offer

tions requiring good low-end response. I’m sure the

exceptionally high fidelity at exceptionally high SPL’s,

PR-37 is no different. I’m hoping to get an ear on one

in a broad and versatile array of configurations —very

sometime soon.

much worth your consideration.

An excellent accessory for the Heil mic would be

I was pleased to find an Allen & Heath Avantis upon

Shure’s new AD3 Axient Digital Plug-On wireless

my return to front of house once my church cautiously

transmitter. This high-quality unit facilitates trans-

resumed in-person services late last summer. The

mission to Shure’s AD4D and AD4Q Axient receivers

Avantis offers 64 channels and 42 buses, and operates at 96kHz—a nice (and clearly audible) improvement over our previous FOH console. The mixer features two giant touchscreens, and the workflow is as smooth and intuitive as any I’ve ever seen.

for excellent wireless fidelity and other benefits like encryption. Automatic input staging optimizes gain settings, and the transmitter features a patentpending locking mechanism to ensure it will remain attached to the mic. It provides phantom power for condenser mics, and uses either AA or Shure’s own rechargeable batteries. This is an excellent choice if Plug-in style processing feels (and sounds) like the

the vocalist loves a particular non-wireless mic and

genuine article, particularly in the case of the avail-

wants to keep using it.

able upgrades to vintage processors approximating the classic analog sounds of yesteryear. Wet/dry controls facilitate parallel operation in many of these processors. I LOVE this console!

Mackie has upped the in-ear monitor game with three new offerings: the MP-320, MP-360, and MP-460.

Prior to these introductions, they only offered one

Bob Heil is one of the early pioneers in the domain of live sound, and his products continue to help us do it well. He has added another offering to his stable of excellent hand-held vocal mics, the supercardioid PR-37. As the owner of a PR-35 myself, I am aware of the rock-solid build quality and excellent fidelity and two-driver IEMs, so the additional drivers are welcome for the purpose of increasing the fidelity of the signal. The MP-320 uses three traditional dynamic drivers, and the MP-360 and MP-460 use three and four balanced armature drivers, respectively. All three

52

offer full bandwidth frequency response, and include

a compressor, among other things. It is essentially

high-quality cables, which are detachable—a feature

a high-end (think Neve, SSL, or API) channel strip

that is very important to me. They ship with a hard

modified for use in live sound. This product will suit

case and multiple ear tips so they can be customized

and thrill top-tier worship vocalists. I plan on test-

to fit anyone.

driving one soon.

Radial Engineering has introduced a new 2-channel

In both of my mixing

acoustic instrument preamp—the PZ Pro. Of course,

roles at church (FOH

a regular DI will get your acoustic guitar signal into the

and livestream), I defi-

mixer, but as we all know, it’s probably not going to

nitely want a great pair of

sound stunning. The PZ Pro offers some processing

headphones at the ready

to improve that signal and gives our FOH engineer

for isolated listening.

something better to work with. Each channel features

AKG has introduced the

a 3-band equalizer, piezo booster for low-output

K361 and K371 models,

pickups, and an assignable FX loop with a wet/dry

each with its own corresponding bluetoothenabled version (K361BT and K371BT, respectively). AKG headphones have been revered for decades, and with good reason—they’re excellent.

These new units feature eye-popping bandwidth (15Hz-28kHz for the 361 and 5Hz-40kHz for the 371), a large 50mm driver, and the practicality of a detachable cable. Considering here are many third-party

control for maybe a little reverb. Channel 2 offers an

bluetooth transmitters available, I would strongly

XLR input and phantom power, begging you to plug

consider setting up a wireless headphone system for

in a mic for coffee-shop worship—another application

both of my church mixing roles just to avoid the limita-

in which that FX loop would come in handy—with a

tions of a cabled system, and even if not, I’ll consider

little ‘verb on the vocal. I predict this will be a popular

these new AKG headphones either way.

product for Radial.

Among beyerdynamic’s

Legendary Audio’s Gold Channel is borne of a similar

new offerings are a couple

idea—vastly improving the quality of a live signal

of microphones—specifi-

to sound more studio-like. Created by the minds

cally, the TG D70 and TG

of Billy Stull and [Rupert Neve collaborator] Kevin

I51. The former is a mic

Burgin, the Gold Channel is to vocalists what the

specifically intended for

pedalboard is to worship guitarists. This boutique

kick drum, and the latter

device features a high-quality tube mic preamp, HPF,

is intended for use with

three-band sweepable EQ, two FX loop circuits, and

virtually any instrument— equally likely to end up on electric guitar cabinets or snares and toms. The TG D70 represents a modern refinement of beyerdynamic’s legendary M-88 microphone—popular for use on drums for years. It features an elastic suspension system—important for use in the loud and seismic environment of the drum kit— and it’s also hypercardioid so as to focus as exclusively on the kick drum as possible. The TG I51 is a

53

reasonably-priced cardioid instrument mic that can

are preferable. On the floor, its output is angled at 55°,

go even beyond drums and guitars to capture horns

and its dispersion pattern is 90° by 90°. It features

and the like.

substantial built-in digital signal processing, and four

Finally, Electro-Voice has introduced the PXM12MP—a 12-inch self-powered coaxial floor-wedge monitor. IEMs have become all the rage, but there are still plenty of applications for which monitor speakers

presets make setup much easier. EV chose Class-D amplification to keep weight down, and the whole package weighs in at just under 30lb. The published frequency response is 64Hz-20kHz, and as the manufacturer points out, the speaker can be used for other applications—fills, delay speakers, or even main PA for small venues. Definitely a useful speaker and worthy of consideration.

Hopefully if all goes well, we’ll look back on 2021 as the year when the world recovered and everything got better. And we’ll continue to worship the Lord no matter what—with great new gear from great manufacturers. Prayers up!

BY

J O H N

M C J U N K I N

John is the chief engineer and staff producer in the recording studio operated by the Center for Worship Arts at Grand Canyon University.

He mixes both front of house and broadcast at his family's home church, Antioch Community Church, in Chandler, Arizona.

54

ENCOURAGEMENT. INTRO TO ENCOURAGEMENT

L E T T E R S

W I T H

LOV E

5 6

55

ENCOURAGEMENT LETTERS WITH LOVE

W E

A R E

L OV E D B Y

PA S T O R

W I L L I A M

M C D O W E L L

W

e often sing about it. We hear messages about it. We place it on t-shirts and even read about it. What is it? The love of God. We sometimes refer to Scripture as a love letter

from God. Perhaps the most well known and often quoted verse in Scripture is John 3:16,

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

JOHN 3:16 ESV

The verse that follows it goes on to show us how much we are loved by God.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. JOHN 3:17 ESV

Together we see love and purpose. Most Christians can quote these verses easily, yet when it comes to living the reality of them, some are tripped up. How does someone who says they believe these verses end up living a life of shame? The written answer seems simple and trite. They don’t know or understand how much they are loved by God.

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ENCOURAGEMENT

Certainly the true depth and breadth of the love of God is beyond human explanation. It’s actually hard to fathom. In Romans, Paul writes, "When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners" (Rom 5:6-8 NLT).

Thinking about the love of God while praying for the church in his letter to the Ephesians, Paul wrote this, "And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how

DEVOTIONAL

long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God" (Eph 3:18-19 NLT).

He knew that the love of God is truly beyond human comprehension or understanding, so his prayer for them was that they experience it.

The love of God can’t be explained; it must be experienced.

God Demonstrates His Love for Us The love of God is demonstrative particularly in view of Christ and what He has done for all. You and I are included in “all,” and yet somehow some of us still deal with shame. Perhaps we need to reframe how we see the demonstrative nature of the love of God. When Adam and Eve sinned, their response to sin was shame. They hid themselves as if they actually could hide from God. David wrote,

I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from You. To You the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to You. PSALM 139:11-12 NLT

It is impossible to hide from God. Like Adam and Eve who sewed fig leaves together to hide their nakedness, we also try to hide from each other. Our folly, like theirs, is that somehow we think we can also hide from God. They thought they needed to, and we at times adopt the same mindset. It was perhaps incomprehensible to them that the perfect and holy God would still want relationship with them. That is exactly what He wanted then and still wants with you

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ENCOURAGEMENT

and me now. Whenever we stumble, we can fall prey to shame and as a result almost expect condemnation.

What is shame? It is an emotion caused by a guilty conscience. It is seen as something that brings a reproach. It is a real emotion, place, and state of consciousness that unfortunately many professing believers struggle with. The writer of Hebrews deals with it head on when talking about Christ and what He has done for us on the cross and in His resurrection. “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By His death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into

DEVOTIONAL

the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water” (Heb 10:19-22 NLT). Our guilty consciences, the source of shame, have been cleansed by the blood of Christ. This allows us not to run from God, but to Him boldly, in worship and prayer. Without the burden of shame, we are invited into intimate relationship with our Father.

Leave Behind Rejection and Embrace Discipline Let’s be honest, we read the Scripture, and even what I’m writing now as I quote the Scriptures, and some of us still have trouble letting go. We preach, lead worship, sing, play an instrument, pray, worship, lead meetings, and go through everyday life with a filter, lens, or invisible cloak of shame. How is it that we do so?

Is it possible that there is a misappropriation of God’s divine activity in your life? Is it possible that you are mistaking conviction for condemnation, especially considering that the expectation of a guilty conscience is punishment? Is it possible that you are mistaking divine discipline as rejection? The writer of Hebrews brings out a beautiful truth for us: “And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you

Without the burden of shame, we are invited into intimate relationship with our Father.

as His children? He said, ‘My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child.’ As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers

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ENCOURAGEMENT

disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in His holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful!

But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way” (Heb 12:5-11 NLT).

You are expecting rejection because that’s what shame makes you believe. However, God loves us too much to leave us alone. We shouldn’t be afraid, but rather we should be encouraged by divine discipline, which is the confronting of our sin, because it is proof that we are loved. It is proof that we are His children. It is yet another demonstration of the love of God which Paul said can’t be fully

DEVOTIONAL

understood but rather experienced.

Would you pray this with me? “Father thank you for the sacrifice of Christ who shed blood on the cross to cleanse me of my sin and my guilty conscience. Help me to walk out the freedom from shame daily and to truly experience Your love which is beyond my understanding. In Jesus name, Amen!”

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor William McDowell

BY

PA S TO R

W I L L I A M

M C D OW E L L

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VOL 30 NO 1

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