Words of Encouragement
Dec 1, 2009 Devotions and Thoughts
When I was in college I was part of a ministry leadership team for a student ministry group. Each week we had a memory verse that we had to memorize and recite at our weekly meeting. These scriptures, ingrained in my head, have been helpful in different situations to offer comfort and encouragement.
Here is one I recited often over the past two weeks through our move to a new house.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”
~ Philippians 4:6-7
Tags: Christmas, College, encouragement, help, house, Music, Nothing But Nets, peace, Prayer, Request, scripture, Team
What Should I Sing?
Jul 10, 2009 How To, Worship Planning, Youth Worship
When I am a guest worship leader at a camp, or retreat, one of the hardest things I deal with is figuring out what songs I should sing. This seems like a small thing, but I can’t help but think, “Are they going to know these songs?” or “What songs mean the most to them?”
Here are three ideas about how to choose songs in that situation:
1. Talk to leaders and participants ahead of time if possible. When you first are contacted about leading worship, ask about what songs they use. Find out if they use hymns or worship songs, gospel, cutting edge, emerging? Ask what the worship service is like at their church or churches? Do they have a band, or is it more acoustic? This doesn’t mean you have to change your style, but this information can help you to choose songs that are more representative for the group.
2. Have a suggestion box- The first time I tried this I was skeptical about it. I was leading worship for a college work camp and the program director put out a suggestion box in the back. She told the group that if they had any suggestions for worship to put them in and we would try to accommodate them. It turned out working great. The song suggestions they had let me know what they were familiar with, and by their choices told me what they were needing to hear. We were able to use most of the songs, many of which I was already planning on anyway. Some of them were ones I did not know, but learned, and not only used there, but have used many times since and have become a regular part of my repertoire.
3. Well I don’t have a third one.. what would you suggest?
Tags: band, camp, choose, Church, College, guest, help, How To, Music, question, retreat, Service, sing, song, Songs, work, Worship, Worship Leader
I Need Your Suggestions- College UM Army Songs
May 14, 2009 Worship Planning
Next week comes one of my favorite weeks of the year. I have been asked again to lead music for College UM ARMY. During this week teams of college students, from all over, spend a week working on houses in the Houston area. This will be at least the fourth time I have had the privilege to participate in this wonderful work camp.
Last year we did something new that I thought worked really well. We set out a box and just asked for participants to send in their song requests for us to use in worship. Having 150 people participating there was no way we would be able to do all the songs requested but it gave me a good list of ideas to use.
I was surprised last year at the requests. They were for mostly “older” songs.. This year I am not sure what to expect so I am hoping we can start the process early by getting some suggestions from you. If you were going to lead worship for a group of college students for a week what songs or types of songs would you suggest?
