Our Rising Sound » conference

Video: Chris Lizotte, Kirsten Ford and band performing “Love of God” (Live)

Kyle — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:58:00 +0000

This was recorded live at the Burn Bright conference here in Phoenix last year which I had the pleasure attending and blogging from. This was my favorite moment of the conference and really embodies what I still love about Vineyard worship. No pretense…none at all, just some great people, with some great talent laying their hearts out there in a beautiful and inspiring way.

And if I haven’t said it before, my friend Ryan Delmore has written here one of the best worship songs I’ve heard in the last 5 years or so. Doesn’t get much better than this tune, well done my friend. Chris, Mark, Kirsten and band killed it! Oh and James, yes you were layin down a mean bass

Event: ORS leading worship at Surge 1 day Conference

Kyle — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 21:22:59 +0000

My band (Our Rising Sound) will be leading worship for the SURGE Conference (1 day) at our home church Life Connection Church in Phoenix AZ on March 26th at 9am. There is no cost to attend. Here is a bit more about the conference.

What is Surge?

A couple years ago I was listening to an interview with a General in Iraq on NPR. He was asked to put into laymen’s terms what the “Surge in Iraq” was. He explained that when we went into Iraq we set up a couple mega-bases in the country. But the insurgency wasn’t happening around the mega-bases. It was happening out in the towns and villages and back alleys. So, the surge is a strategy to take the troops off of the mega-bases and sent out into the places where the battle is taking place.

I sat there in my car and thought, “This is such a great metaphor for what we have been dreaming about.” You see, me and three other pastors had been dreaming about a leadership training program that isn’t content with sending guys away for training. Rather, we wanted to see guys trained in their context, in their local church, sent out into the places where the battle is taking place.

That is what “Surge” is. It is an attempt to Surge the Valley with transformational leaders committed to living out the mission of God and committed to their local church.

Laboring for a Surge in Phoenix,

-Tyler Johnson on behalf of the Surge Leadership Team

Video: Holy and Anointed One…the gospel sings

Kyle — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:43:44 +0000

What’s struck me over the first 3 worship sets here at Burn Bright is the simplest gospel truths have incredible lasting power in songs. It doesn’t matter how old the song is, how many times it’s been sung, the gospel of Jesus is the greatest revelation there ever was or ever will be, so it makes sense that when it’s sung clearly, that it impacts us deeply and powerfully.

This was never clearer to me than when John Barnett’s “Holy and Anointed One” song was sung last night. This song is around 20yrs old, which is usually the grave yard for contemporary worship songs. We usually either sing songs written in the last 5-7 years or we go all the way back to the hymns. The in between is kind of the no mans land of worship. But this song beautifully sings a beautiful gospel truth, and the moment it was started the entire congregation joined passionately, singing:

Jesus, Jesus
Holy and anointed one, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus
Risen and exalted one, Jesus

Your name is like honey on my lips
Your spirit like water to my soul
Your word is a lamp unto my feet
Jesus I love you, I love you

Simple, yet transforming truth sung beautifully to our maker. Many of the songs we sing today, will fall away, maybe because the melodies are too complex or not catchy enough, but usually because the gospel isn’t communicated well. And since our worship is Holy Spirit empowered, not melody empowered, the gospel must be central to our songwriting. Watch and listen to how the congregation responds to this song.

Photos from Burn Bright Worship Conference

Kyle — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:23:36 +0000

For more photos see my Burn Bright Flickr set.

Burn Bright night of worship recap

Kyle — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 20:00:58 +0000

It’s been over a decade since I’ve been in a large Vineyard “mega-church”, the last time was back in the 90s Anaheim Vineyard glory days. I remembered how they looked but it had been much too long to remember how it felt with any sense of clarity. As Autumn in Repair took stage and began to play, the Vineyard worship atmosphere began to take shape. The early Vineyard songs were marked with a real sincere tenderness of heart and expression of love to God. They were just simple songs of love, in fact a popular Vineyard song even uses that as a lyric(Arms of Love).

As the night progressed I could tell that mark is still alive and well inside of Vineyard worship. It was refreshing to hear and it’s truly a unique part of Vineyard DNA that I’m encouraged to hear hasn’t been lost through the years.

Chris Lizotte, Marc Ford and band took over after Autumn In Repair finished their set and by that time the congregation seemed to be all filled in. Also good to see the old “Vineyard time” is still alive and well Chris’ band has this tricky way of sounding like a raw roots, blues/rock band, while also playing these beautiful arrangements you wouldn’t quite expect. I was blown away by how amazing their worship set sounded. Marc Ford on guitar is obviously incredible to hear, he plays just such tasteful stuff, while also playing technically genius stuff. But the songs….the songs were just amazing.

For me the night came together when Chris introduced and played “Love of God.” Chris intro’d it by sharing some of his journey and sharing, “It’s a beautiful thing to sing together the truth of the gospel as a family.” then leading us in singing a simple yet profound gospel truth. The culmination of that song being these beautiful vocals over this simple chorus and it was incredibly moving.

The night finished with Chris playing one of my favorite worship songs over the past few years, “I Will Trust You.” An incredibly powerful song sung from a place of trusting God in our trials and suffering. I was so blessed to hear Chris introduce the song by saying, we will experience suffering in our Christian life, it’s part of it…but God is good and we trust him. Getting people on that same page I think made singing that song together so much more powerful.

I was blessed to be part of this night. Vineyard Music did track this night, so it should be available sometime next year to purchase.

5 Free Tickets to Burn Bright worship conference in Phoenix

Kyle — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:56:32 +0000

UPDATE: All tickets have been taken

In my possession are 5 free tickets 2 free tickets to “Burn Bright: Worship and the Kingdom of God” worship conference here in Phoenix AZ Oct 21-23. I’m not going to say how I obtained these, but since possession is 9/10ths (or 2/3rds or something) of the law, I’m going to give them away before the Vineyard authorities stop me. Registration is $55 so this could save you quite a chunk of change. Make sure to find me during the conference and take me out for dinner as a thank you.

To win one of these tickets all you need to do is comment here and ask nicely (saying flattering things about myself or this blog will only improve your chances) and retweet this post (click retweet on the right). First come, first serve. Easy right? Make sure you don’t comment anonymously, I need to be able to contact you.

Speaker list includes: Eleanor Mumford (Vineyard UK), Dan Wilt (WorshipTraining.com), Brian Anderson (Pastor of Vineyard North in Phoenix)

Worship Leaders include: Casey Corum, Nigel Briggs, Chris Lizotte, Autumn in Repair, Matt Turrigiano and Anabeth Morgan

Burn Bright – Worship & the Kingdom of God (Video)

Kyle — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:45:07 +0000

A nice promo for the upcoming Vineyard worship conference that I will be attending and handling conference blogging duties for. I’ll be giving away 5 free passes for this conference here soon too, stay tuned.

Conference blogger duties for Vineyard’s “Burn Bright” worship conference

Kyle — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:35:00 +0000

So I’m going to be the conference blogger for Vineyard’s “Burn Bright” worship conference here in Phoenix AZ. I was honored VMG asked and I can’t wait to get started. It will be great to hang with some old Vineyard friends and see what’s happening lately inside of the Vineyard Church worship wise. It’s been some time since I’ve seen up close what God’s doing there so I’m excited to see it and share it.

I’ll be doing a lot of interviews, sharing music and the teaching, tweeting like a mad man, and as always, asking a lot of hard questions. I’ll be sharing a lot more about what’s planned as the event gets closer. Burn Bright is Thur. Oct 21 – Sat. Oct 23, only costs $45 for early registration and $55 after Oct 3rd. Compared to other worship conferences this is an incredible deal. Usually you can’t get the conference lanyard for $55. This conference isn’t just geared towards worship leaders, though some breakouts are more geared for leaders, so even if you aren’t a worship leader you should consider coming.

Speaker list includes: Eleanor Mumford (Vineyard UK), Dan Wilt (WorshipTraining.com), Brian Anderson (Pastor of Vineyard North in Phoenix)

Worship Leaders include: Casey Corum, Nigel Briggs, Chris Lizotte, Autumn in Repair, Matt Turrigiano and Anabeth Morgan

Go here for details on the conference and go here for conference registration.

Anthropology Men’s Conference at Life Connection Church

Kyle — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 00:12:56 +0000

My home church, Life Connection Church in Phoenix, AZ, is hosting a men’s conference this March 6-7 called Anthropology. We have Ryan Delmore from Vineyard Music and 5 Cities Vineyard coming in to lead us in worship throughout the conference as well as Sunday morning service. And we have Dr. Richard Hanner , professor at CFNI, as our featured guest speaker.

Here is the official conference description.

Anthropology is a gathering of men who desire to walk in maturity, responsibility and authority in Christ. We will confront the tough issues men face, soul ties, sex, addiction, and pornography and encourage and speak God’s truth in fatherhood and restoration. We desire to see men young and old know who God has created them to be and not surrender responsibility, but to be mature men, passionate after Christ, free from sin, bold and mature in their faith, leading their families as Christ intended.

You can get the entire conference schedule here as well as registration info. We also have a Facebook event for Anthropology, so if you aren’t already a fan of the Life Connection Church facebook page, get on it. I hope those of you men in the Phoenix are will come check it out, it’s going to be a blast.

Most uncomfortable worship ever: mutiny at The Call

Kyle — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:16:54 +0000

When I recently interviewed Chris Lizotte I asked him about his most positive memorable worship experience, but what wasn’t on the video was I also asked him about his worst or most embarrassing worship experience. Chris couldn’t think of any but bad memories were flooding my mind like church goers to Olive Garden after service. I mean I had so many to choose from it was really quite sad. But one stands out as hands down the absolute worst, most awkward, worship experience I’ve ever been a part of. Thankfully I wasn’t leading it, I just happened to be there.

In December of 2002 my wife and I along with some of our friends went to The Call/The One Thing Conference in Kansas City. Mike Pilavachi was scheduled to speak, I’d never heard him at the time but heard great things(which were all true) and I was really excited to hear Kevin Prosch lead worship. This was Kevin’s return to ministry after his much publicized sexual sin and divorce from his wife. One of the most painful, disappointing, frustrating periods I can remember as Kevin was someone I looked up to as a man of God. You’re probably thinking Kevin’s set was the experience I’m referring to, but you’d be wrong, his was amazing.

Waterdeep was scheduled to open the conference. I had heard a few tunes that I liked from them, didn’t matter though I was just excited to be among thousands of other people eager to praise Jesus. As the time was drawing near for the conference to kick off people were getting more and more impatient. Finally Waterdeep came out, everyone is ready to sing, jump, lift hands, people were pumped!

I don’t recognize the first song, in fact nobody does, it’s not really a worship song. Nobody is singing and everyone is just kind of looking around like, “this is weird“. We all just kind of hum along, still hopeful for some great worship. Song #2 comes along with the same kind of soft, meandering melody that is talking about their college days. What the heck is happening??? Now people are annoyed, I’m annoyed, this is a worship conference for heaven’s sake, probably a good idea to actually play some. Song #3 comes and they introduce it by saying something like, “this is a song we wrote about not having any money and some old car…” The crowd is visibly upset, I’m upset, this feels like a joke, like we’re getting punked. All of a sudden people in the front rows start yelling at the band, “PLAY WORSHIP!!!“. Lead singer of Waterdeep yells back in the mic, “THIS IS WORSHIP!!!” Oh nooo.

Now I have retarded tingles all over and I want to hide, I can’t look anyone in the face. There is a worship mutiny taking place, people are booing, there’s a full out revolt in the conference. I’ve never in my life experienced anything like this. And in the 6 years after this, I’ve never again experienced this or even heard of anything like this. I think finally after this exchange they played one song people knew and words were up so we got to sing a little acoustic worship song. God bless Waterdeep, they are good people and a good band and I’m sure if they haven’t blacked out this moment from their memory they’d agree it was not a good moment.

This was by far the most uncomfortable worship experience ever. I’d love to hear some of your stories. Feel free to change name and dates to protect the innocent. I didn’t change any but my story was 6 years ago and the statute of limitations is up. If your story involves me though, please change my name

Desiring God Conference: The Power of Words

Kyle — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:34:12 +0000

My pastor sent me the link to the upcoming Desiring God conference and I was blown away by the material. The full title is “The Power of Words and the Wonder of God.” The speaker list and topics are incredible.

Sinclair Ferguson – “The Tongue, the Bridle, and the Blessing: An exposition of James 3:1-12” This is going to be incredible. Some amazingly difficult scripture here.
Bob Kauflin – “Words of Wonder: What Happens When We Sing.” I love Bob Kauflin and have received so much encouragement from what he has to say. This session is going to be critical, foundational worship doctrine and man am I looking forward to it.
Mark Driscoll – “How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words.” Are you kidding me? Set aaaand spike! This will be intense, Driscoll will bring the heat on this topic. There will be a firestorm on You Tube if they release video of this sermon, guaranteed.
Daniel Taylor – “The Life-Shaping Power of Story: God’s and Ours.” Never heard of Daniel Taylor, but this will be a good songwriting session whether he realizes it or not.
Paul Tripp – “War of Words: Getting to the Heart for God’s Sake.” – This is going to challenge the heck out of me. I’m scared to be in this session actually.
John Piper – “Is There Christian Eloquence? Clear Words and the Wonder of the Cross.” I’ve never heard Piper preach in person, I’m incredibly excited to get there.

Another part of this conference that will be awesome are all the panel discussions. I loved the Q&A sessions at Mars Hill Continuous Worship conference and I expect some great discussion with these guys.

In a strange way I think this conference will shape, assist, speak into, clarify, instruct, guide my leadership in worship more than any other conference I’ve been to. Even though this isn’t particularly about worship. I don’t know if you’ve realized that I’ve been posting a lot on that topic in this blog but lyrics and truth mean a lot to me in worship. I need to do a better job at building a community of worshipers (as Bob would say) by not just leading a rocking set but singing truth that unifies our body, glorifies God and promotes wellness in our souls by singing hard truth.

If this promo video doesn’t get you pumped, there’s something wrong with you, go seek help.

Our Rising Sound » conference

Video: Chris Lizotte, Kirsten Ford and band performing “Love of God” (Live)

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Event: ORS leading worship at Surge 1 day Conference

What is Surge?

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Video: Holy and Anointed One…the gospel sings

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Photos from Burn Bright Worship Conference

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Burn Bright night of worship recap

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5 Free Tickets to Burn Bright worship conference in Phoenix

UPDATE: All tickets have been taken

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Burn Bright – Worship & the Kingdom of God (Video)

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Conference blogger duties for Vineyard’s “Burn Bright” worship conference

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Anthropology Men’s Conference at Life Connection Church

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Most uncomfortable worship ever: mutiny at The Call

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Desiring God Conference: The Power of Words

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