Worship Team

        The worship team is set apart in certain ways. To serve God is something that all people can, and must do. To close off the worship team would be unethical. The worship team is always open for everyone. This makes the worship band different than other bands.
        I feel that it is important to include people. Worshiping is something everyone should be able to participate in. I am glad that the worship team is so inclusive because I can take part in it now. It is a very positive thing to take part in. I definitely observe how the worship team is set apart.

Why Aren't We Singing

        Why aren't we singing? "There has been a shift of cultur," he stated, people don't sing as much now days. Singing to God is giving a gift to him. People often don't realize the importance of this. A common cause to stop people from singing is when people don't know the song. He also described how much of the church has embraced a performance style. Certain devices deliver a performance to us. It is hard to sing, or contribute to the music when one does not have any of these devices. Psalms states how we should praise the Lord. That is what we should do.

        I feel like people don't sing as much because modern culture puts more pressure on people to meet certain standards. Many people feel that their voices may not be good enough, and thus do not sing. Self consciousness is a likely contributer to the apparent lack of people singing. I often hold back from singing because I feel like I am not a good singer. This may or may not be true, regardless I should praise God.

Living in our element

         We all have gifts. The video talked about actually using these gifts for God. We need to become inspired to use these gifts. God can use us in many awesome ways. It is important that we are grounded in Christ.
        I feel that I do have very many gifts to use. I often feel convicted that I am not using my gifts enough. The video also talked about being rooted in faith. I feel that I need to be more rooted in my faith.

David Crowder

Edward Vertin
Mr Coates
Worship, Period 3A
12 October 2016
David Crowder
David Crowder is an artist whom plays in the David Crowder Band. David Crowder has written many songs, of which are all well known, and enjoyed by thousands across the world. David Crowder has a unique history, and has served God very much in his life. In my opinion, David Crowder is in my opinion a solid artist whom has served God very much in his life. David Crowder has provided us with some amazing Christian music, and is a talented artist, whom maintains a Christ like attitude.
Davide crowder has written many well known songs. One of my favorite songs by David crowder is Hears My Heart Lord. This song is very slow, and heavy. Another great song is After All(Holy). A song with a positive tone. Crowder has a wide array of songs in which are all well written.
The David Crowder Band started at Baylor University. David Crowder realized that almost half the students there were not Christian. David Crowder was raised in Texas with two siblings. David was a Christian his whole life. David Crowder is a good example of how a college student can make a big difference.
I have personally met David Crowder before. David was a very nice man. I believe that David is a good example in how he has dedicated his life to serving God. I believe that David Crowder is also a very good musician. David crowders combination of excellent music, and Godly attitude very effectively spread Gods word.
David Crowder has written very good songs, with heart, and meaning. David has a background of service to God, and care for fellow students. I believe David Crowder is a very good artist. I hope to listen to him more in the future.

Don't insult God.

        It is important to know what one is doing while worshipping. God wants us to worship him, not ourselves. One way to not worship ourselves is to be humble, if we aren't humble we can insult God. It is also good to know what a song is about, in order to know its meaning while playing it. Worship is a beautiful thing, that should be done with the right intentions.
        I feel that this speaks to me on a new level. I don't always fully understand the songs I play. It is important that I understand what I am playing in order to feel a full connection with God. I need to become more humble, I am not very prideful, but humility is something I need to improve at. God is the purpose of life, and I should think about this while worshipping.

Humility

Worship is about God. We need to always remember that it is about him, not us. Worship is an act of service, that should be taken as such. When we play, and think about ourselves, it ruins the purpose. God wants humble servants.

I am not always as humble as I should be. It is easy to think about how we look, and sound. In the future, I can put more effort into thinking about God. The good thing is that God forgives no matter what. In the end, we are worshiping by being humble.

Chapter 29

Sometimes it is nessesary to go out of our comfort zone. It can be very effective to minister in certain circumstances were we go out of our comfort zone. Sometimes we have to leave our comfort zone in order to effectively minister.

I often feel compelled to leave my comfort zone. I need to leave my comfort zone more often in order to grow, and increase my ministry. I often don't leave my comfort zone when I should. I now know were I can grow.

Chapter 26

We should be spiritually prepared. If we aren't, we will not be effective. If we are, we will be very good leaders. We should always make sure to be spiritually in touch.

I need to be more spiritually prepared. I often am not enough prepared spiritually as I should be.

Chapter 15

        If there are problems within the team, that is a problem. We all need to get along. This is very important because we need to serve as one. Gid doesent want us to have problems within our teams.

        I need to make sure I am always respectful. I don not want to contribute to problems within the team. I should always try to help if I see an opportunity.

Chapter 14

        As a worship leader, there are many responsibilities. One of the upmost is to have genuine care for the congregation. To lead them in worship is a service, and to genuinely serve, one must care for whoever they are serving. This chapter really reminded me of this. Caring is important.
        I see this chapter a a reminder of who I am supposed to be, a child of God. I often forget the purpose of what we are doing, and focus on what I am playing. It is important not to do this. God loves us, so we should others. Overall this was a good chapter.

Chapter 13

        As worship leaders we need to set good priorities. This is very important because our goals decide our future. Our priorities should always reflect what God wants for us. Family, and God should come before desires, and earthly things. This chapter did a good job covering priorities. 

        I have many priorities. I know that school is very important, but so is God, yet I enjoy excersizing, and nutrition. I have to find balance in my life to live as a child of God. This chapter helped me understand priorities in my life. 

Chapter 12

        This chapter talked about working on our gifts. We should continue to improve our musical skills because it will improve the quality of worship. Furthering our skills is a service to God. It's very important to do this.

        I often forget to daily practice my guitar. I should practice more than I do. I feel that if I did this I would do a better job on the worship set. This is a truth I should practice more.

Chapter 11

        This chapter is about being an example. It is important to be a leader on, and off of the stage. This chapter really struck on the fact that sometimes worship leaders aren't always leaders. People often look to worship leaders to be examples. We should all be examples.

This chapter really made sense to me. Sometimes I feel I can do a better job of being a good example.  
I often try to be a good example. I look to other worship leaders sometimes for examples also. Overall, this was a good chapter.

Chapter 10

        Disclipline was a main focus of this chapter. As worship leaders we have to take time to read the bible. Praying is also very important for worship leaders to do. Keeping disappointed is extremely important for worship leaders to do.

       This applies to me in the way that I need to read the bible inside, and out of this class. I sometimes lack discipline as a worship band member. “it is the Discipline of prayer that brings us into the deepest and highest work of the human spirit.” -Richard foster

Chapter 9

        This chapter covered a very important topic. It talked about not thinking about our positions as worship leaders. Sometimes we may get prideful, which is wrong. Se vans of God should be humble. This chapter made a lot of sense to me.

        As a member of a couple worship teams I may sometimes think about my position as an electric guitarist. I need to realize how worship is a group effort to praise God. We all should be trying humbly glorifying God when we worship. All in all it's important to not think about our position.

Chapter 8

        This chapter talks about spiritual maturity. As worship leaders, it is are responsibility to be spiritually mature. There is a lot of people who are skilled musicians, but who aren't spiritually mature. To really be worshipping God, and not just playing instruments, we must be spiritually mature. God loves us, and wants to know us.

       I feel I have room for improvement in my spiritual maturity. There is always room to improve. Sometimes when I am playing, I become distracted. I become nervous, and forget why I am playing. I also sometimes forget to pray first. Generally I should focus more on the spiritual aspect of worship.