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In Part 3 Ryan and I talk about the origins of his new cd and how it took shape, how Marc Ford, former guitarist for the Black Crowes, got involved in the project, Ryan teases on a possible tour with Chris Lizotte following Chris release of his latest record and finally I get to ask Ryan “What’s Next?” for corporate worship in his neck of the woods.

This is the final part of this interview series and I’d like to thank Ryan for taking the time to chat. I feel like I’ve made a friend and that truly is the best part of running this site, meeting so many other great people who are so talented. For those at LCC I’m hoping we can arrange Ryan to come visit and lead in some worship so stay tuned.

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This one question I am asking various worship leaders and pastors. The context is what’s next in corporate worship but beyond that no guidance has been given for appropriate response. Part 5 of this series is Christian City Church Worship Pastor Andy Bennett’s response.

Christian City Church in San Diego celebrated their 3yr anniversary this past Sunday night by recording a live worship album. Andy’s band House Red was on stage leading worship comprised completely of original songs. We’re blessed to have Andy take time and respond to this important question, here is his response.

1. It’s not about “The Gig”. It’s about God’s House. It’s about the fact that Jesus carried a cross for us, so we will praise Him and worship Him with everything we have. People are always surprised that none of our musicians and singers are paid. Many of our team members have been involved in large scale recording and performing projects, but Praise and Worship at church is totally different.

We are servants way before we’re musicians. Moses was faithful in ALL God’s house, not just the parts that he enjoyed. Its the same with people in praise and worship. Whatever we can do to make church the most mind-blowing place on planet earth. That’s what God’s house should be! A lot of worship teams are comprised of “hired guns” who just come in and play at church on a Sunday, whether or not they are members of that church (or any church for that matter). Jesus pointed out the difference between hirelings and sons. We are raising sons in our church, not bringing in hirelings. Its an honor to play on the platform in the house of God, not something you need to be paid to do. People will do a lot more for something they believe in than they will for a paycheck.

2. No Compromise on Excellence. How many times have I been in church and seen a dance, “drama”, mime, song, poem, “song of the Lord”, skit etc that is of such poor quality that I would not dare bring any of my friends to see for fear of them laughing and walking out?! We go to the movies and are rocked by special effects, brilliant acting and enthralling storylines. We pay to see artworks that are masterfully painted and sculpted. We go to the theatre and see extravagant singing, dancing and musicianship. Then we go to church and the shrill, off pitch wailing of the worship leader makes you cringe. You try and push through the barrage of noise to be able to worship God in the midst of the cacophony, but struggle to feel anything but frustration at the fact that the music is so off putting. But we excuse by saying, “Its for the Lord”, as if that’s an excuse for shabbiness. Or we say, “that was so anointed”, like there’s some indefinable (more like incomprehendable) reason for having someone who cannot hold a tune to save their life lead God’s people in His glorious worship.

We only allow people on stage who are able to contribute to a sound and atmosphere that is musically excellent. Just because someone is a volunteer doesn’t mean we can’t expect something big from them. After all, they’re not doing it for us, like some kind of favor. It’s our service to the One who has redeemed us by His very own blood. God only gave us his best. He didn’t look around heaven for a shabby old angel with a busted wing and send him down to do the dirty work. He showed us His extravagance by sending us His only beloved Son, perfect in every way. We can give nothing but the very best back to Him as His awesome church!

We are constantly verbalizing this culture in our church, so people end up serving where they have some kind of strength, wherever that may be.

The way the message is communicated often becomes a bigger message than the message itself. Shabby communication – unimportant message. Excellent communication – a message that’s worth hearing.

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This one question I am asking various worship leaders and pastors. The context is what’s next in corporate worship but beyond that no guidance has been given for appropriate response. For part 4 of this series I spoke with recording artist and worship leader John Mark McMillan.

John Mark is currently finishing recording on his follow-up album to “The Songs Inside the Sounds of Breaking Down” which is best known for the song “How He Loves.” John Mark has led worship across the country and for many large conferences including The Call. I spoke with him about his new album “The Medicine” and this audio portion of the interview is his response to “What’s Next?

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This one question I am asking various worship leaders and pastors. The context is what’s next in corporate worship but beyond that no guidance has been given for appropriate response. Part 3 of this series is Mars Hill Worship Pastor Joe Day’s response.

Joe Day is husband to Jentry, father to his 9-week-old twin daughters Brynn & Chloe, and is a worship pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA where he leads his band The Northern Conspiracy. By day he’s a designer at CrashShop.com and is known to destroy Otter Pops with astounding regularity. He can be found at:

• www.doxologist.org (which is in the blog roll)
• www.marshillchurch.org
• www.twitter.com/thejode
• www.virb.com/tnc

We’re blessed to have Joe respond to this important question and his response is below:

While I can’t really say with any authority what is next on a grand scale I can share what’s next at Mars Hill Church in Seattle.

Making Worshippers

This really is the essence of the gospel as it plays out in people’s lives. The reality is we were made to worship and we never cease worshipping. We worship Jesus or we worship things Jesus created (idolatry). Since we are fallen, it’s quite likely that we will not worship perfectly, rather from time to time, season to season idolatry will creep in.

What’s next? My prayer is simple: that Jesus will will be the sole occupant of the throne of our hearts. For us, idols are not generally statues of gold on a shelf, but idols are anything that occupies a seat of power in the throne room of our affections.

At Mars Hill, our idol has been indie cred and the result has been worship services that feel more like a rock show than a gathering to praise our Lord & savior Jesus Christ. What’s next for us is walking in repentance and recovering the joy of adoring Jesus individually and when gathered as the church in corporate worship.

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This one question I am asking various worship leaders and pastors. The context is what’s next in corporate worship but beyond that no guidance has been given for appropriate response. Our second installment is brought to you by Pastor Aaron Dailey of Life Connection Church in Phoenix AZ. I have the utmost respect, admiration and love for this man of God. Aaron is an amazing teacher and disciple of Christ and I’m honored to be under his leadership. He recently started blogging at www.aarondailey.net so check that out. Let’s see what he thinks is next….shall we?

Churches with massage chairs for seats so the “future saint“(we can not call them sinners) can come in and get a massage while a Barry White type “worship leader” leads music that is smooth and sexy. Instead of ushers we have waitresses that are walking around taking orders for various teas and the communicator whispers the message so as not to wake up those who are “meditating“. The key to all of this is only those who can pay the membership fee can come to the church service. As stupid as that sounds, if it happens I want a cut of the royalties for the idea.

We are living in a culture where church and worship has become self-centered and not Jesus centered. In efforts of raising up our attendance we have not called people to follow Christ or worship Him we have deceived people into thinking church and worship where about them and they where the most important piece of the church. The essence of worship is to exalt and glorify Jesus and that will call us to get out of our massage chairs, humble ourselves, pray, turn from our wicked ways, and then we will hear from heaven.

My prayer for what is next is a John the baptist generation who is wild and radical. Their breath is smelling of locusts and honey. They are discipling Jesus followers. They have a calling to prepare the way of the Lord and a cry of, “repent the kingdom of God is at hand.“

All you stanky breath people, this doesn’t give you permission to come to church without brushing your teeth.

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This one question I am asking various worship leaders and pastors. The context is what’s next in corporate worship but beyond that no guidance has been given for appropriate response. I’m excited to share in the coming weeks the wide ranging responses received.

Up first we have Scot Longyear, Lead Pastor of a community called eXchange which is part of Maryland Community Church where Scot serves as the Sr. Associate Pastor. Scot is also a worship leader and songwriter and currently has a worship cd entitled “Simple Worship” available on iTunes. He blogs at www.reson8.org which has been added to the blogroll. Here is Scot’s response to What’s Next?

What’s Next? We live like we sing.

I think God is getting tired of hearing our songs. I know I am getting tired of singing them. OK, maybe that is a bit harsh. Rephrase: I think God is tired of us singing on Sunday and living shallow on Monday.

Sunday: “Man, worship was good today. The kick drum was totally in my chest and that one song is anointed. Did you see everybody praisin’?”

Monday (same guy): “Man, my girlfriend and I always wake up late so I can never get to devotions. And don’t ask me to give any time or money, I don’t have either one to give. I might have some money if my idiot friend gave me the money he owes me. Yea, I know what God says about all this, but . . .”

If the church is only a good sing-along time with a rockin’ band, count me out. I want to be a part of a movement that changes the world. I want to live in community, follow Christ, and serve in his cause. When we do that, Sunday AND Monday rocks with worship like never before.

What’s next? A church that lives like it sings and sings like it lives. The result: All hell breaks lose. That’s my hope and prayer.

For a song along this thought, check out Orphan’s Blood.

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