Familiarity Leads to Presence

The first time I led worship in an Anglican service, I was glued to the printed liturgy - I didn’t know the order and did not understand the rhythms and movement of the gathering. Anytime I have been asked to play or sing at a wedding, I stare at the program as if I am looking at a flight tracker in the airport - as though each element will be changed and updated in real time.

When I am unfamiliar or uncertain, I find it very difficult to be present to the Lord, present to His people, and present to what He might be doing in this moment.

I wonder if you might feel the same. When the order of our service and liturgy change weekly, when we add in something outside of the normal rhythms of our gathering, and when we are unfamiliar with the music, it becomes increasingly difficult to be present to anything other than simply executing whatever right before you.

But when we are familiar, we are freed to be present. When our minds know a melody, when our fingers find the chords without looking, our eyes can be lifted to the people, rather than the paper. Our hearts can be attentive because they are still rather than churning.

So why not find more regular rhythms in your gathering if it means you can listen and speak from a greater degree of presence to the Lord and His people? Why not spend a little bit more time learning and internalizing that song before introducing it to the congregation? Why not spend a little longer lingering - a little longer rehearsing, a little longer being present?

"I Can't Worship": Worship Leader Edition

“I can’t worship…” If you’ve been leading worship for any length of time, you have probably heard that statement. But perhaps, you too have felt the same way. There are endless lists floating through my mind as I am leading worship - am I distracted? There are endless realities (and alternate realities) floating through my heart as I am leading - am I worn down, frustrated, hurt, steeling myself? Airtight theology is good, but it is of little use if we are not transformed by its presence in our lives. We can believe and teach that all of life is worship, and still struggle to ‘enter in’ to worship in this moment as we lead.

But what do we do in this moment when we are leading but in fact do not feel that we are able to worship?

Pray. Ask that God would unite your heart to fear his name (Psalm 86:11).

Think of the throne room of heaven. Day and night the saints and angels and living creatures never stop singing, saying, and shouting - the holiness, glory, and worth of God. This present reality will be an eternal reality for all who are in Christ. View the temporal in light of the eternal.

Think of my brothers and sisters around the world. We are a part of a diverse, global body of believers stretching through generations into eternity. We are caught up in a story larger than this moment, and many of our brothers and sisters face real and acute danger from their families, friends, neighbors, and governments for gathering with the people of God or professing faith in Christ at all. May the perseverance of the saints fuel your own perseverance.

Think of someone else worshiping. One of my youth pastors told a story about how when he would struggle to fully enter into worship, he would think of a specific family member (who expressed outright hostility toward faith in Christ) face down, arms raised in worship… The reality is this will one day be the posture of all people (Philippians 2), but does it stir your heart, does it fan the flame of wonder in you when you consider enemies becoming worshipers?

It is all normal. It is normal that some days our worship flows freely and easily - from a heart and cup that overflows. It is normal that some days our worship is labored and mismatched to the worth of the One whom we worship. Worship is costly, and Christ is worth the cost - press on.

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When you don’t feel like serving.

When others don’t feel like serving.

Serving.

Tuesday Refocus: August 15

“Lament will not allow us to revert to the easy answers.” - Soong Chan-Rah

Our church has been studying the Gospel of Mark this year. Throughout the book we see glimpses of the humanity of Jesus grieved over sin and death. Jesus weeps, groans, and sighs as he encounters the brokenness wrought by sin in the world and on people made in the image of God.

We are so quick to avoid pain and suffering. We numb, distract, ignore, and brush past the brokenness of the world. And when we are left without option we even use Scripture to shield ourselves: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Of course this passage is true. But isn’t it interesting that Jesus never settles for Bible bandaids? We see in Scripture that he enters into the suffering of others, even though he knows he will heal, restore, and reconcile people. Jesus - though fully God and fully man - gives voice to the pain of the world, and people.

People are limited in our ability to heal, but by entering into the suffering of others (rather than avoiding, or Bible-bandaiding) we can give presence and peace that glimpses Christ for others. And as we enter in, we can celebrate that Christ has come to enter into the suffering of the world by taking our sin upon Himself at the cross (1 Peter 2:24). And we can look with hope, longing, and expectation to the day where he will return to wipe every tear, and set all things right (Rev 21:1-4).

Jesus, give us the courage to enter into the suffering of the world. In Your name we pray, amen.

With,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: May 30

“You will never have time for prayer; you must make time.” - Richard Foster

How easily our prayers become repeated phrased before a meal. Things we say under our breath as we feel anxiety rise up within us. But what is prayer is more than words we mindlessly utter, and more about presence with and to the One who is present everywhere, all the time?

Can we still and quiet our mind, so that like Jacob we may say, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it (Gen 28:16).’ Or what if like Samuel, our prayers were less about speaking and more about listening to the One who speaks - ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears (1 Sam 3:9).’

In speaking, silence, and presence - our prayers are to be unceasing (1 These 5:17). May we make time for speaking, make space for silence, and become aware of the presence of the Lord in this day.

Lord, draw near and speak, for we desire to listen. Lord, incline your ear, for we desire to confess. Lord, let the morning bring us word of your unfailing love. In Christ’s name, amen.

Amen,

AB

Worship Leaders And Presence

The music really ushered me into the presence of God this morning.” I’ve heard it said, and I’m sure I’ve said it myself. Does this sound familiar to you? Certainly, as musicians, there is an affection that we experience for the Lord as we play or listen to music. It speaks to something of the transcendent life for which we have all been created. But the truth is there is no combination of chords that usher us into the presence of God. There is no perfect set list, no skill level of musicianship, and no flawlessly executed liturgy which ushers us into the presence of God. Because there is only one who ushers us into the presence of God - the God-man, Christ Jesus. For followers of Jesus, there is no moment where we do not stand in the presence of God because we stand in Christ who is before the Father in this moment making intercession for us (Romans 8:34).

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…” 1 Timothy 2:5

There is no place in all of creation where God is not present. But as followers of Jesus, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we carry the presence of God with us everywhere we go. When the people of God gather to worship, God is present and enthroned upon the praises of His people. As we open the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit is present and active, lifting our eyes to behold the beauty of Jesus.

We may sense God’s manifest presence in a unique way as we gather, sin, and expectantly wait for God to speak to us through His Word - but God is no more present in these moments than he is as our people get ready for work the next day, fight with their spouse, take their kids to school, and go to sleep at night.

Nothing ushers us into the presence of God or the throne room of grace apart from the God-man, Christ Jesus. And nothing can separate us from the presence of God. So when people tell you that something you did ushered them into the presence of God, remind them - and yourself - it is only Jesus who has done that.

J. Ryan Lister is a clear and helpful writer. If you are looking for more resources when it comes to learning and studying about the Presence of God, I found this short article very helpful.

July 26: Tuesday Refocus

“By my calm courage, people shall this day recognize that I’ve been with Jesus.” - E. Stanley Jones

Each of us is worried and troubled about many things (Luke 10:41). But each of us can choose the good portion, the one necessary thing - to be with Jesus (Luke 10:42).  It is in being with Jesus that the troubles of the world are choked by the presence and provision of God. It is in beholding His glory that we are transformed from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18).

A transformed heart leads to a transformed life. A life continually resting in the presence of Christ, is a life of rest, peace, and blessing to others. May it be so for you today.

Lord, may we rest in who you are and what you have done. May our lives be transformed from the inside out, bringing rest, peace, and blessing to others. In Christ’s name, amen.

Resting,

AB

May 10: Tuesday Refocus

“It is normal to feel restless as a child, lonely as a teenager, and frustrated by lack of intimacy as an adult; after all, we live insatiable desires of every kind, none of which will ever find complete fulfillment this side of eternity.”  - Ronald Rolheiser

Our desires are deep. And every desire is an arrow pointing toward the true longing and desire of every heart: a desire for God Himself. He is the source of every desire, and the One who has only to open His hand to “…satisfy the desire of every living thing (Psalm 145:16).” Our earthly desire should stir in us a desire to be awakened and satisfied with the likeness of God (Psalm 17:15).

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26

Lord, may we be satisfied now, and always with You, and You alone. Amen.

Satisfied,

AB

November 9: Tuesday Refocus

'[Prayer] is an earnest and familiar talking with God.' — John Knox

Something about prayer always seems mysterious - even to the most deeply discipled among us.  The disciples of Jesus felt this was an area that they too needed His coaching (Luke 11:1-13).

Most people probably assume that prayer is mainly intercessory prayer.  Praying to God, that He would move on behalf of myself or another.  Lord, please give me what I want kind of requests.  Although this is certainly one form of prayer, if we are to pray without ceasing as the Scriptures instruct (1 Thess 5:17), then our prayers must be more than wishlists.  

The Psalms are the prayer book for God’s people.  We see intercession and petition in the Psalms of course, but we also see that prayer is a posture of heart, a rhythm of life, and shaped around the contours of every day.

‘…pour out your heart before Him…’ (Ps 62:8)

‘O Lord, all my longing is before You…’ (Ps 38:9)

‘For God alone, my soul waits in silence…’ (Ps 62:1)

‘I will meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways.’ (Ps 119:15)

‘With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of Your righteousness, Yours alone.’ (Ps 71:16)

For prayer to be an earnest and familiar talking with God, we must continue to posture our hearts toward communion, union, and relationship with God.  

Open hands, 

open hearts, 

open ears.  

Speak Lord, your servant is listening… All the amens.

Amen,

AB

Leading From The Congregation

One of the things I say most frequently to my team: we lead more off of the platform than on the platform.

For me, there are at least three things that I am trying to help my team understand with this language, first, that each member is a worship leader. Whether they are a musician, vocalist, sound person, running lyrics or lights, or the person who has assembled the set list and is leading the congregation verbally - each person is a worship leader. Second, it matters what we do, where we are, and how we are responding after we step off a platform, out from behind our instruments, and the way we engage in the rest of the gathering. And third, that each team member carries the responsibility of worship leader even on weekends where we are not serving on the platform.


Here are some considerations when it comes to leading worship from the congregation:

Presence.

This means after we serve on the platform, we go and sit through the sermon as a member of the congregation. That our presence is visible not just during ‘our part,’ but that we are identifying ourselves, and being identified, as sheep - not just as shepherds. Our presence in the gathering matters not only on the weekends where we serve up front, but also during those weeks where we are not. My personal conviction is that our team should be primarily made up of people who call this specific congregation their home church, and therefore would be attending this home church even if they were not serving on the team. If team members are only present at church on weekends that they are serving, it would beg the question, why?

Posture

As a follower of Jesus, and as a worship leader I want to be fully integrated. I do not want to have a ‘stage-self’ and an ‘off-stage-self.’ If I see myself as a worship leader, as someone who is carrying the culture of the team in a visible role, or among the people, there should be no division in the way that I posture myself, and respond leading up front or in the congregation. If you raise your hands on the platform, raise your hands in the congregation.

Engagement

What we do in subtle and significant ways communicates what we value. If musicians ‘do their job,’ walk off the stage to back stage, a backroom, or a coffee shop - what does that communicate to the congregation? If we are to be leaders - servant leaders specifically - we must model what is important and valuable for our people, by being engaged in the life of the church outside of our role, responsibility, and jobs. Sit in the sermon, pursue new people, be connected to community, listen, learn, grow, and then pour out from a place of being deeply rooted as a member - not just of the worship team - but of your church.

Another way that you as a leader can encourage your team to lead from the congregation, is providing new music that you will be introducing to the entire team - perhaps even elders, and ministry leaders, so that when you introduce a new song, it is not just the musicians serving that particular week that will know the music, but those people who can also lead from the congregation. We have a responsibility to equip and lift the eyes of our team to the significance of their role - not just in it’s forward facing nature, but in ways they can lead and shape the culture from the congregation as well.

June 22: Tuesday Refocus

“O Lord and Master of my life, keep me from the spirit of indifference and discouragement, lust of power and idle chatter.  Instead, grant to me, Your servant, the spirit of wholeness of being, humble-mindedness, patience, and love.  O Lord and King, Grant me the grace to be aware of my sins and not to judge my brother and sister, for you are blessed, now and ever and forever.  Amen.”  - Prayer of St Ephrem the Syrian

Isn’t it tempting to fill our prayers with the things we hope God will do?  Rather than to seek God’s face, and in silence, entrust ourselves to who He is having us become?  If prayerlessness reveals pride, filling all our prayers with many words reveals how far our hearts are from real relationship with God (Matt 6:7).

‘I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word, I hope; my soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.’ Ps 130:5-6

Amen,

AB

Learning To Lead During COVID-19

Leading worship can be complex in the best of times. And every one of us has been navigating a new level of complexity with COVID-19. Learning how to plan, prepare, and lead worship to a camera, or with a handful of faces in the room can feel foreign and uncomfortable.

I continue to learn about myself, the Church, and what it means to lead people in worship of God through song during this stretch of continued uncertainty. Here are four things I’ve had to remind myself in this season:

Our responsibility has not changed…

Leading corporate worship is giving people voice, language, words, and space to bring their full selves to God. To be reminded of who He is, what He’s done, what He is doing, and who we are in light of His character. To lead well, but must first be led by the Holy Spirit - sensitive and obedient to the ways in which He is moving in the hearts and lives of the people we lead, in our city, state, nation, and world.

Lead from the secret place…

Something about leading worship in an empty room felt familiar to me - it was the secret place. Those early days of learning to worship, learning to lead, learning songs, and enjoying simple presence with and before God. I believe that it is possible to lead worship in this present moment, from a heart that was cultivated in the sweet, simple, secret place of prayer and worship.

Be aware of the need…

Singing around a television feels as foreign to church members as leading worship to a camera feels to those of us leading in song. And life, in general, feels unstable, scary, and overwhelming. One of the ways I think we can best serve our people in this season is anchoring them in Scripture and prayer. Read scripture together, pray together, give people space to be present to God, point them to the Rock that is higher than I (Psalm 61:2).

Press in…

Do not give in to the temptation to be half-hearted, or simply move through the motions. Do not let discouragement, anxiety, or disillusionment birth apathy. Continue to bring your full self to God, and to the work of leading and serving His people.

What are you learning about leading during COVID?