One of the things that I have never been able to understand is why preaching pastors and church worship staffs do not collaborate more in worship planning. For most churches the worship service is that koine experience–the hub of the wheel, the common life–that holds a church together. The weekly pattern of worship is transformational in people’s lives. I have always found it to be a great joy to spend time with the creative folks who craft the worship music, visual arts, and other elements for worship.
I’m looking forward to a day-long seminar on this topic at Elmbrook in which we will hear from Dr. Scot McKnight from North Park University in Chicago, and others on “Spirit and Truth: Preaching and Creativity in Worship Today.” If you have a hand in your church’s worship or preaching ministry, you are invited. It will be Tuesday, June 29, from 9:00am to 4:15pm. [more]
I have just one suggestion. When considering worship ministry, PLEASE PAY ATTENTION to the volume of the music. My family had to leave our church, and haven’t found another one yet, due to music being TOO LOUD. One church we contacted actually told us we should just stay home and listen to sermons on the computer! We were shocked!! What happened to community worship? Are worship leaders so caught up in providing the ‘latest and greatest’ trends of the church that a worship pastor actually recommends a family staying home? If the music is at or above 85 dB, permanent hearing loss occurs – this shouldn’t be happening in churches. Worship music isn’t suppose to be a rock concert (a.k.a. LOUD) but rather a time of worshipping God. The music should be supportive not primary.