Theology of Technology: Insta-Art
Put it in the microwave, it’s faster. Don’t do dial-up, get broadband…no, no, better yet, now we have wireless and the latest fiber-optic Internet. Why? Because it’s faster. Google is pitching it, we’re clicking it, and every technology is promising it. There’s a fascinating theology taking over the world, and that principle is speed. Never mind the studies that prove fast-food is killing us, phones are infecting us, or...
The Desert
For the last several years whenever my family has more than a few days of consecutive vacation time we tend to flee to the deserts of Utah, soaking in the magic of places like Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and my all time favorite: Moab. The beauty of these arid spaces boggles my mind. I love the vast stretches of openness, unmarred by massed humanity, strip malls and suburbs. I admire the extreme essence of the...
Worship is the Goal of Missions
As worship leaders, our lives and leadership must reflect the gravity of unreached peoples. John Piper says, “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.” As those who have been commissioned to help lead people in worship, this must break our hearts. Worship leaders are a part of God’s story: we tell the story in song and in prayer. We are a part of the going and sending of the church. The Need for Missions Say among the nations,...
Worship in the Home Pt. 1
A new series from WMC and GCP. Following our Worship Leader Starts @ home. Today we’re beginning a series on what it means to worship and follow Christ in our homes. When I read material written on modern “Worship-Topics” these days, I find 80% of material is primarily framed and formulated for the context of the gathered church in a “building” or “organized service” of some sort. It is also framed around the idea of “Worship...
Song Writing and Creative Writing Contests
We want to include your talents in our upcoming projects in partnership with the likes of those in Nashville Studios, and L.A. and beyond: We know that we’ve had some super creative people visit our site in the past week. We want to take this opportunity to turn your attention to our creative writing and song writing projects that we are currently hosting between The Worship Ministry Catalyst and Garden City. For more...
Responsorial Psalm 30: I Will Praise You, Lord, for You Have Rescued Me
Responsorial Psalm 30:I will praise you, Lord, for You have rescued me. http://www.worshipministrycatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Rescue-Response-Psalm-30_Jeremy-Mayfield_081215.mp3 Here’s a 3-tiered set of notes to whet your Psalm-singin’ whistle and (hopefully) help you resonate more deeply with this ancient, sacred song: Historical It’s estimated that David penned anywhere from 73-85 of the 150 Psalms. Psalm...
Isaac Wardell and JBruMay on Music and Culture
The Worship Ministry Catalyst in partnership with Garden City is proud to present Gospel Song Records and Isaac Wardell. Gospel Song Records is announcing their partnership with Bifrost Arts. Lead by Isaac Wardell, the music collective has released four full-length records and hosted numerous national worship conferences. Since its start in 2007, the continuing ambition for the group is to challenge and equip music leaders to...
Responsorial Psalm 118: This Is the Day the Lord Has Made!
Let me begin by saying, “Buckle your seat belts–the holiday season is officially upon us.” While it’s easy to be immediately sucked into Christmas plans, gifts and decorations, Thanksgiving is a holiday that I choose to engage in, even if it has a smaller bling factor. Thanksgiving centers us in reflection and gratefulness. The Psalms, specially Psalm 118, offer practical words and actions we can use to...
What is Greatness?
I don’t know about you, but when I gaze into the heavens, and when I survey the earth and the nature therein, I’m brought to my knees in awe at the wonders of God’s artistry! No human can deny that there is an awe and majesty to our universe. It’s simply dumbfounding. Sadly, however, I have to confess that my response to such encounters with beauty, and the realizations that follow, do not always lead me to a...
The Purpose of Christian Change and What it Means for Worship Leaders
We all know the cliché that change is the only constant—yet, it’s pretty much human nature to struggle when we are hit with change, right? One would expect Christians to be more receptive to change simply because our very faith is built upon the concept of change—the old giving way to the new. Remember how our Lord famously declared, “Behold, I am making ALL things new” (Revelation 21:5), how about that! But when we speak about change...
Getting Hired as a Worship Pastor – Part 2
Ask the average church goer what a worship pastor does during the week and you’ll likely get answers like, “play guitar”, “drink coffee”, “pray all day”, “work on his hair”, or for most people “I have no idea, doesn’t he have a real job somewhere else?”. And while a couple of those may occasionally apply, reality is more complex and less sexy. In this series we’re identifying areas of craft that aspiring worship pastors and leaders...
Every Sunday is Easter
It’s the stuff of church staffer dreams. The parking lot is jammed, teams of coffee-amped volunteers are bustling, the band is running through that great new song, and very soon, crowds of regulars, guests, and returners will begin pouring through the doors. It’s Easter Sunday, a full house, and the energy is intoxicating. In almost every church across the country, Easter brings more of what we all want most – people. That’s...
Ancient to Modern: Tenebrae
As we approach the Easter season, I wanted to bring an often unknown but very powerful type of service to your attention. Practiced since medieval times, the Tenebrae service can be a powerful expression and meditation on Christ’s sacrifice. The Tenebrae service takes place during Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. Though this service is usually practiced by more Liturgical denominations, I believe it can easily be adapted to work in any...
4 Good Practices to prepare for Easter—the death of death itself
It’s the resurrection that established and demonstrated once for all the identity, power and mission of Christ… that He is the Son of God that He has the power to lay down His life and rise again (John 10:18) that He will save us from sin, death and hell It’s also a massive event of hope for all humanity—that when we put our trust in Him, we will rise like Him one day, right? Okay, let’s pause here and ask a simple...
It’s A Man’s World, Even In Worship Music
Here’s how it happens for me. I hear the most AMAZING new song and I can’t wait to put it in the rotation for worship. The words are moving, the music is tugging at my soul…this song is PERFECT! Then I start to sing along. It’s too low for me. *sigh* (Can I get an Amen, ladies?) I’m just going to go ahead and say it. The majority of worship songs are sung by men. And I completely get it. The majority of worship leaders ARE men....
Getting Hired as a Worship Pastor – Part 1
For many of us in the worship industry, our entrance into ministry was anything but conventional. As the position has evolved over time, so has the skill set and experience we’re expected to bring to the table. Gone are the days of needing an MDiv with a musical pedagogy sidecar (yea, look that up, I had to). Today it’s more common to see churches hiring musical artists with good theology rather than theologians who fancy music. ...
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At WMC, in partnership with GCP, we want to encourage, equip, and celebrate believers using their gifts creatively to support the worship and mission of the local church.Kingdom Courses
Music With a Twist
