Time Off... Such a Good Thing!!! Still Working on Blue!
I took time off this last week and missed church Sunday (at Southview) for the first time since last July. Actually it was the first time I missed church all together, since December 2006!
I took time off this last week and missed church Sunday (at Southview) for the first time since last July. Actually it was the first time I missed church all together, since December 2006!
This is part of Fred McKinnon's Sunday Setlist Group.
I've had an interesting talk with a friend from Knoxville who was surprised when I told him what my job was and what I believed was the role of the worship minister.
This is part of Fred McKinnon's Sunday Setlist Group.
Project Blue has been a work in progress for the last 20 years... yeah, well it's kinda like Mr. Holland's Opus, you spend a whole lifetime trying to get something done... but it always seems like something gets in the way... like people!!! :)
Ok, it's been a while and though I can say there's been a lot going on with church and home etc... really I've just been trying to work out the best way to do this blogging with purpose.
To say I'm a U2 fan is an understatement. I've followed them since I first saw the music video to "New Year's Day" played on TV back home in Australia on New Year's eve 1983. It's been a while since then and beyond a doubt I always enjoy a new release from them, mainly because I'm never really sure what to expect.
This CD is definitely different, yet it's still U2. Bono's vocals are so distinct, and the Edge's guitar even more so, but there are definitely some changes. I got a feeling that Brian Eno would have enjoyed producing this one. The music overall sounds like a maturer "Unforgettable Fire". You can really sense his influence, and not just with the ethereal sounds and "unusual" loops.
Unlike past releases there isn't a stand out power/chart topping song. No "Pride..." or "Where the Streets..." or "Beautiful Day" or "Vertigo"... but it makes it up with some very creative lyrics and some interesting sound arrangements.
I remember buying Peter Gabriel's "Up" CD a few years back and listening to the first song "Darkness" and thinking... "huh!". It made for a very strange way to open a CD. The way U2 have opened this CD with "No Line on the Horizon" gave me the exact same impression, and like "Darkness", it's really grown on me. Bono really stretches his vocals, more so than I think I've ever heard him do (it's a constant theme through out the CD... the passion that comes from his vocals is incredible). My favourite part of the song, is something that highlights the whole CD, the keys. I know the Edge has done a heap of work mixing keys and synths, but this is definitely all Eno...
I'm not sure why they went with "Get On Your Boots" as their first single, "Magnificent" would have been my choice. It has everything about the CD encapsulated into one song. You would almost call it a typical U2 song, if there is such a thing.
My favourite song by far on the CD is "Unknown Caller". Can't nail down what it is... the feel maybe? I love the Edge's guitar on it... the bass, the drums... it's just a well rounded song. Complex, yet simple. On the other end of the spectrum I really don't like "Get on Your Boots". I don't mind an artist experimenting, and I certainly don't mind diversity on a CD, but this kind of feels like "Discoteque" from "Pop", (not so much in the sound, but in the feel), in that it's almost like U2 are forcing the issue (or in this case, the sound). Another song that doesn't go down well, though I enjoyed the creative arrangements, is "Stand Up Comedy"... it really is a Jimi Hendrix rip off, and if there's one thing I like about U2 is their originality. You really lose it with this song. Of course they make it up with the next song "Fez - Being Born", though I'd like to know how much Gavin Friday influenced the sound. Either way, it's a great song and the simple keyboard part just makes it. Eno again?
Overall this is definitely a CD to get. It's not an easy listen, but if you are a fan of U2, this will not disappoint you.
Rating: 7/10
This is part of Fred McKinnon's Sunday Setlist Group.
Yes, I'm still alive!! It's been a while but with the move done and the slow emptying boxes, the place is beginning to look liveable!! :)
This past Sunday was good. Had a Baptism which is ALWAYS good!!! Pastor William had the enviable task of preaching on one of the most difficult subjects to preach on, the Trinity. He nailed it! Worship was good. We played what is a new song for us, "Wonderful Maker". We were a little tentative with it but over time I think we'll become more confident with it. I used to play it a while back while at LifeSong in Sacramento, playing the Jeremy Camp version (I love the female vocal in the chorus). This time we played the Chris Tomlin version and Rob (our drummer), on the initial version, played the cajon instead of the drums... sounded cool!
This is part of Fred McKinnon's Sunday Setlist Group.
This is part of Fred McKinnon's Sunday Setlist Group.
I still can't believe it's February!! Does anyone feels that things are just going a little too fast!!??? I've gone from preparing carols and the Christmas service to now preparing for Easter!!!
This last Sunday summed up a long week for me and I'm finding some things slipping through...especially the quality of the sound we produce during worship... not so much from the sound desk point of view but from the stage... Let me break it down:
- Though we definitely need a new sound system (especially speakers - it definitely has a detrimental impact on our sound output), vocally we're not maximising our effort... there's no "umph"... lack of confidence maybe?
- Musicians are more and more controlling their own volumes which is causing some frustrations with the sound team, who in turn lose control on the overall sound.
- Time... very few people are on time... very few, and it's frustrating!
I really need to nail it down.
The service overall went well though. God has His way of making it all work. Prasie be to Him. Here was the order:
This is part of Fred McKinnon's Sunday Setlist Group.
This Sunday was a peculiar one. For one thing we are wedged between weddings. This past Saturday and this one coming. It means clearing the stage of everything that may be in the way, from the drums to guitars, amps, keyboards, pedals, effects, cords etc. Then spend Saturday night getting everything put back together again in prep for Sunday morning.
Instead of pulling the keyboard back out again I thought it might be a good idea to use the grand piano we have. Wasn't a good idea. The sound just overwhelmed everything else. I guess I'm back to the keyboard from here on. The sound is nice, but there's just no way to control the volume on it!
Overall the service flowed well. We keep seeing high numbers, praise God. Here was the order:
What to play or what not to play? That is the question!
Choosing a song. The dilemma that can cause a headache each week to a worship leader is sometimes completely taken for granted by the congregation. It is not unusual for someone to question "your music selection" every week, and then offer their own "inspired" suggestions. I'm trying very hard (unsuccessfully) not to be sarcastic, but the truth is, it seems most people really don't know what a worship leader goes through to choose a song. I think there's this feeling that we run a worship jukebox loaded with our own preferred selections and each week we drop a coin in and whatever comes out is the song of the week. There is nothing further from the truth.
This is pretty much how I choose a song for worship:
Prayer... consternation (where do I start?)... more prayer... insight (ok, now I know where to start!)... prayer again... confusion (which direction do you want me to go with this Lord?)... back to prayer... struggle with selfishness (I'm human too)... more prayer... further insight (oh, that makes sense Lord)... prayer again... revelation (thank you Lord)...
That's about the right order for each song (sometimes done over and over again!). Not only is it a question for each song, it's a question about the worship service as a whole. There's not a day that goes by without thinking about the music or the general running of the service...
It's always a struggle and there are many strings pulling you in different directions. But the one direction you need to follow, the one string you should allow to pull you, is the Lord.
Worship leaders, what do you go through when it comes to organising and choosing songs for a worship service?
This is part of Fred McKinnon's Sunday Setlist Group.
Wow... what a Sunday! We started a new series and it went off... Being the youth minister as well, I get to teach the youth senior class after the service... and they were buzzing! This past Sunday I had combined the 11th & 12th graders with the 9 & 10th grader class with the intention of doing a small follow up on Pastor William's message. An hour later we were still at it!!!!
Worship was pretty powerful. Kind of lost myself a few times through it all (Bruce, our lead guitarist & Rob, our drummer, came up with a better way to play the chorus to "From the Inside Out"... of course I kept finding myself involuntarily going back to the old way...but it still came out awesome). Overall, the church was right in there with us glorify God.
Finding myself a little frustrated with the some of the worship team in that they don't seemed to do much practice on their own time. It seems like they are showing up without any real understanding of what we are about to do. How have you all dealt with this kind of problem (without turning it into a real problem)? I would love your thoughts.
Here was the order:
This is part of Fred McKinnon's Sunday Setlist Group.
I am so happy the new year is in... Last year felt like a big learning curve for me, and while I love to learn, the process can hurt just a little!
This past Sunday was a little unusual. I got really sick about 5 minutes before the service started. Couldn't make it up for the first song, the team held up strong though. The rest of the service was a bit of a hazy affair for me, between trying not to be sick and focusing on the job at hand. But you know as a leader, when you think you're losing control, God moves, the team steps up, the Spirit guides... and everything comes together. You need that reminder every once in a while!
Here was the list:
As a Minister of Youth & Worship I can say that most people I count as friends have asked me at one point or another:
"Rob, what do you really do? A Youth leader I get, but a Worship leader?"
And it's a valid question... what does a worship leader do? Do they just sing and play a guitar or piano? Simply answered... no!
The problem is that worship leading is so much more than just leading music. Music is just a part of the role and too many churches de-emphasize worship leading by relegating it to just that role. Not only that but many churches consider the role of the worship leader at the "volunteer level". That is, whoever they can find who can do it for free.
The Worship Leader does not lead the warm up act to the main event!
The Worship leader does not just lead music. Everything that goes on on a Sunday is part of Worship. The Sunday service is a microcosm of our lives:
Our relationship with God should entail all of the above on a daily basis. The Worship Leader's role is to make sure that all the above can be compressed into an hour on Sunday in a meaningful, Spirit lead, way. Areas of responsibility include:
...and that's really just the tip of it...
This part of Fred McKinnon's Sunday Setlist Group.
I have to say, I really had a lot of fun this past Sunday. It didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped but it was still great. There's always an expectation when you come to the end of the year, whether it be a sigh of relief, or a prayer of thanksgiving (definitely thanksgiving from my end!!!). The service kind of reflected that. It didn't stop our guest speaker, Mike Motafches, from delivering a challenging message though. Mike is a Fairfax County Police Detective and was the work partner of Vicky Arnel (if you don't know about Vicky you need to go here). He spoke of the importance of sharing your faith and the impact one person can truly have. I know that sounds a little worn, but read up on Vicky Arnel, that should put things into perspective.
Sound wise we were on the ball (as usual; we have a pretty rockin' sound crew!). We did experience what seemed to be a few energy spikes. I went in later in the afternoon just to make sure all was well with the sound booth. I couldn't find anything that may have caused the spikes, so it must have been a system wide problem. It happens I guess (and when it does it always seems to be on Sunday morning!!!).
We didn't get to practice during the week for the service, so we were relying on what we could do before the service. As always the band handled it quite well. I was going to play "Dancing Generation" to close the service, but felt led to play "Light the Fire" again. It just seemed the right note to end our service. It kinda put everything in perspective. Here's the list:
Got some quotes back regarding the upgrading of our sound system. Would still any iput you all may have!
This is part of Fred McKinnon's Sunday Setlist Group.
First of all, David Crisp got baptized this past Sunday. I was so happy, I can't even begin to tell you. He's a good kid and it was great to see him up there declaring his love for the Lord... You the man Dave!
Well, it was an interesting Sunday. It always is when I preach, but then I was trained by John Smulo & Mike Frost, and if anyone knows them two, you know that they don't like to leave a paper trail. So I'm not big on writing out sermons, and that can really be a detriment, except this time around! I spent a couple of weeks with a theme, an idea... wrote it all out... and then Friday came and the Spirit led me in a completely different direction! Which is ok... but it just reinforced my position of "what's the point of writing it out!!!??"
So Friday evening and Saturday I wrote it out and was ready to go Sunday morning... even got time in to put together a video!
Music wise we did pretty well, though we are struggling with having the confidence to sing out. It's funny... when I came to Southview, it was a church that was more traditional in it's musical style. Over the 2 years that I have been here now, we have shifted to a more contemporary approach... and that has hurt us a little when we need to gear it down to the traditional... especially Christmas Carols. We rock when it comes to playing contemporary worship songs but are hesitant with traditional songs, even ones well known like carols! We'll get there, and over the next few months I'll work on some styles that will us get more confident in singing out regardless of the style of music we play.
...And God is good, regardless of where we are at, He always covers the shortfalls.
Here was the list:
This part of Fred McKinnon's Sunday Setlist Group.
This was the first Sunday we went full with Christmas Carols. In all honesty, I really struggle with carols. One thing is to enjoy it on your own, for your own pleasure, but to do it at church on Sunday morning just doesn't sit right with me. Fred McKinnon wrote a good blog on this, and I guess I'm with him on it. Our senior pastor, William Attaway, made a good point that I'm still chewing on... In a nutshell, worship can be in many different forms, whether in the first person or in storytelling. Makes sense...
Service went well though we were definitely rough around the edges for the carols. We were pretty hesitant about coming in on the verses... and so it gave a very unsteady feel to the songs. We'll work more on that this week at practice.
Here's the order:
This is part of Fred McKinnon's Sunday Setlist Group.
It was a very interesting Sunday. I was the only male vocal and only guitar. It is a little different considering our average Sunday consists of at least 2 guitars and 3 male vocals (a portion of our team were away for the holiday weekend). It went well though. Rob, our drummer, stepped up and helped out, especially on "You are Worthy of My Praise".
Overall the sound is doing well (thanks solely to our sound team that, even though having lost a 24 channel board and being reduced to a 16 channel board, have kept us all up without any disruption to what we normally do on Sunday morning... and keeping a high quality of sound still going!). We're still streched though and would still love some feedback about potential sound equipment we need to consider.
It was also our last Sunday for the Habakkuk series. William blew the socks of it again, do yourself a favor and check the sermon.
Here was the order of service: