Do We Have Customers?
Oct 5, 2009 Communication
I have worked in churches for over 15 years now and I will have to say it is definitely a unique “business” to be in. In fact, I just described the problem. Is the church a business? We have bills to pay, employees to provide for, buildings to maintain. There is a budget, income and expenses.
If the church is a business then do we have customers? If so who are they? Are our customers those who are already in the pews and on the roster? The ones who are faithful in attendance and give to support our ministries. Are our “customers” those who are in our community un-connected to any church, or not even knowing who Jesus is?
Furthermore, should we gear our resources, worship services, communications, programs etc to those who are already here, or to those who are unreached? On one hand if you do not take care of those who are already in the church, supporting the church, then they may not stay and support. However are we really fulfilling our mission to make disciples if we do not expect, plan for, and actively pursue those who are un-churched, non-believers?
Or is even the right question to ask?
I’d love your thoughts…
Tags: Church, Communication, question, Resource, resources, Service, Thoughts, Win, work, Worship
Instrumental Reflection #7
Sep 19, 2009 Free Stuff, Instrumental Reflections
I have to admit it has been much harder than I originally thought to produce one of these reflections per week. I won’t get caught up but will try to be more reliable in the future.
This week I sat down in my office and flipped through the hymnal. I came across one of my favorite hymns “My Jesus I Love Thee.” I love leading contemporary worship but definitely miss some of the hymns I grew up singing week after week. I decided to just sit down and play what came to mind. This recording is pretty close to my original thoughts. Enjoy.
Click to listen. Right click and choose “Save as” or “save target as” to save to your computer.
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To listen click play!
Tags: choose, computer, contemporary worship, email, favorite hymns, hymnal, Instrumental, mp3, Music, Recording, reflections, sing, song, Songs, subscribe, Thoughts, Worship
Big Event for 6th Graders
Sep 16, 2009 events
This year I get another opportunity to lead worship for an amazing group of kids at a great weekend retreat. It’s called “The Big Event” and it’s our conference 6th grade retreat held November 6-8 at Lakeview Conference Center in Palestine Tx.
Please pray for me as I go, and for all those who will be coming. I am also looking forward to meeting Illusionist Jared Hall who will be there for the weekend.
Texas Conference Methodist Folk.. click here for all the info
Tags: 6th Grade, camp, Click, conference, Event, Lakeview, late, Methodist, retreat, Worship
Sunday Setlist 08/23/09
Aug 24, 2009 Worship Planning
This week was a great one at WMUMC. We had blessing of the backpacks so tons of kids in our service. We handed out keychains with a flashlight and a whistle during the children’s sermon.. All the kids kept blowing on the whistles. It was a little loud but fun to watch.
Our songs were:
Tell The World- Always a good one to start off with.
Wonder Of Your Love- This is one I wrote a few weeks ago and the band liked it immediately. I have included video above.
Mighty To Save- This is where I messed up. Kept the capo on from the previous song so our guitar player started in on the correct key of A. I came in in Bb oops… The cool thing was that once I came in, he went up a step and then the whole band played the who le band caught the mistake and played the entire song in Bb.
Child of God- Kerri did an awesome job singing this one.
Jesus Messiah- Amy led this and did great. I loved the harmony we had on this song and it was nice to get the chance to sing harmony every once in a while.
Oh I’d appreciate your thoughts on the “Wonder of Your Love” song. I like it, but I wrote it, so I’d love to get some other thoughts on it.
If you enjoyed this worship recap you can read more over on Sunday Setlists!
Tags: child of god, jesus messiah, New Song, song, Sunday Setlist, Worship
My Daily Photo 8/20/09
Aug 20, 2009 Photos and Backgrounds
Today’s photo was actually taken this past week when I led worship at St Marks UMC in Houston. It is of their chancel area.
My Daily Photo 07/23/09
Jul 22, 2009 Photos and Backgrounds
This past summer I spent 3 weeks leading worship at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine Tx. I have done this for about 12 years now. This sign is in front of the camp where I started.
– Post From My iPhone
Tags: blog, camp, conference, iphone, Methodist, photo, summer, Worship
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
The Songs I Sing
Jun 30, 2009 Worship Planning
I recently had the opportunity to be a guest worship leader at a church on a trip to Houston. We made the arrangements and I was to send them a list of the songs I would be using that morning. I chose several songs I thought would work and emailed those to them. A few days later I received a phone call. “Russell, these are great songs… we just don’t know most of them.” We then spent about 15 minutes trying to go back and forth and find out what songs they had that I knew, which ones I did that they knew etc.
I realized then that I know pretty well the songs that our home church does and are familiar with. I cannot however take for granted that other churches sing the same songs. And while I definitely love teaching new songs, I don’t want to introduce too many in a guest worship leader situation.
So here is what I decided. I will create a list of the songs I sing. Not necessarily those I do at my home church, but those that I generally use when I am leading either by guitar or piano at camps, retreats, and guest worship leader situations. This way when someone calls and asks me to lead worship, I can send them to the page, and they can at least let me know what songs their congregation is familiar with.
Click for the Songs I Sing
Refresh Workshop 2009
Jun 9, 2009 How To, Worship Planning
Are you a worship leader, or serve on a worship team? Do you live near or around the Houston area? Looking for free training for your self and your praise team? Check this out!
Sugar Land First United Methodist Church is pleased to present a series of free workshops designed to help local worship leaders and worship bands achieve their full potential. Led by Dr. Craig Gilbert, Director of Music Ministries and Worship Arts, all vocalists, worship leaders and instrumentalists can attend the workshop that fits their individual needs, or come the full six weeks for a complete in-depth look at playing, singing and leading worship. Each workshop addresses skills needed by everyone, from beginners who would like to start participating, to seasoned members who want to refresh their approach to worship music.
If you are in the area I strongly encourage you to check this out. You can register or get more information on the Refresh Website
Description in italics taken from Texas Conference Website… find out more by visiting the Texas Annual Conference website or following them on twitter @txconferenceumc
Tags: Craig Gilbert, Methodist, Refresh, Sugarland, Training, Worship, Worship Leading
Late Night of Praise and Worship
Jun 2, 2009 Worship Planning
A week ago I was part of a fun little concert. We decided to host a “Late Night of Praise and Worship” after the evening worship service at Annual Conference. The idea was to provide a venue for some worship leaders who write their own worship songs to share those. We gathered in The Loft at The Woodlands UMC, set up a sound system and then took turns sharing music. The evening started with David Davis who is worship leader at John Wesley UMC. He shared some tracks off his last release, The Light and the Grey, and also introduced us to some new tunes he had been working on. It was great to hear his music. Second Kerri Crocker sang some of her songs from her CD, Reason to Be. After that she also shared a new worship tune that she was working on. I got the crowd up and we sang “Lord Let Your Love” and then the title song from my Unfailing Love CD. I was disappointed at first because we were supposed to also hear from Shelly Wilson. She had been sick and was unable to sing. God had different plans for her, other than singing, because she brought a convicting message for the church. Finally Kerri came back up and we closed with “Breathe”
It was great to get an evening of music and worship shared among old and new friends. Special thanks to the Lonna Nunn, Anna Rhode and the North District of the UMC for sponsoring the event. Hopefully it will be one we can continue to do.
Tags: David Davis, Kerri Crocker, late, Methodist Church, night, praise, shelly wilson, UMC, Worship
