Worship Matters

Two months ago I invited people to send in videos based on one of the songs from our most recent kids’ album, To Be Like Jesus. The best video would receive a $250 Amazon.com gift card.

We narrowed it down to two finalists. The first, Gotta Wait, is from Jonathan Ruth. The second, To Be Like Jesus, is from the Cannon family. I need your help to pick the winner.

To vote, watch both videos and leave a comment letting us know which one you like best (one vote per person). Feel free to elaborate on why you’re casting your vote. If you have kids, you may want to find out which video is their favorite.

The video with the most comments as of 11:59 PM Thursday, Feb. 11 will get the gift card. Thanks for your help!

VIDEO #1

VIDEO #2

Paul Baloche’s song, “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” has been sung by millions of Christians throughout the world. It’s a song based on Ephesians 1, asking God to open our spiritual eyes that we might know him better.

But I wonder if those of us who lead congregational worship shouldn’t be asking God to open our physical eyes, too.

Why do leaders close their eyes so often? Not just for a few moments, but for 5, 10, even 15 minutes. I’ve seen leaders and vocalists keep their eyes shut from the first note we sing to the final “Amen” of the closing prayer.

There are definitely some good reasons to close our eyes. We want to shut out distractions. We want to focus completely on the words we’re singing. Our hearts are deeply moved by God’s mercy and we respond in humble adoration.

But are those the reasons we usually have in mind when we close our eyes? Are we even thinking about what we’re doing? Or why we’re doing it?

Maybe you’re like me. Maybe you find yourself closing your eyes when you lead for one or more of these not-so-good reasons.

• we want to look spiritual
• we think the Holy Spirit likes closed eyes more than opened eyes
• we don’t want to look at the faces of people who seem apathetic, concerned, confused, or angry about what we’re doing
• we’re battling fear of man and the easiest thing to do is just pretend that no one else is around
• we don’t want to see who walks out of the room
• we’re discouraged by the dwindling number of people showing up on Sundays
• we’re imagining that this is our own personal encounter with God
• we don’t remember the words to the next verse
• we can’t think of anything better to do

Not to mention that worship leaders who shut their eyes sometimes look more like they’re in pain than in God’s presence.

Corporate worship has a horizontal aspect that glorifies God. We’re to teach and admonish one another while we sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Col. 3:16). We’re to “strive to excel in building up the church” (1 Cor. 14:12). At the same time we’re singing with gratitude in our hearts to God and very aware that he’s present with us. Both directions — horizontal and vertical — are important to consider if we want to benefit fully from our time together.

That’s why I’ve come to think that more often than not, it’s better for me to keep my eyes open when I’m leading people in singing God’s praise. It’s not that I don’t ever close my eyes. I do. It’s just that in recent years I’m becoming more aware of the good reasons to keep them my eyes open:

• I can see how people are responding (or not responding) and adjust what I’m doing accordingly
• It’s easier for me to communicate to people how the truths we’re singing are affecting me when I look at them
• My heart is encouraged when I see people who seem to be genuinely engaging with God
• I can share the joy in Christ I’m experiencing by looking at the other musicians
• I can communicate directions more clearly to the team
• I’m more aware of what’s happening around me
• I can see what I’m playing on the piano
• I can read the lyrics to the song

Don’t hear what I’m not saying. There are plenty of legitimate reasons to close our eyes when we’re singing songs of praise to God. I just don’t think Scripture says that has to be our default.

To put things in perspective, having our spiritual eyes opened is far more important than having our physical eyes opened.

But maybe it would help us and those we lead if we did a little more of the second.

Welcome to a full month of ridiculously low prices on Sovereign Grace music and books. We call it our February sale.

For the past two years during the month of February, we reduced the prices of all the resources we produce. The response has been overwhelming. So we decided to repeat the lunacy. Here’s the deal:

From February 1–28, at the Sovereign Grace store, you’ll find these rock bottom prices:

• all CDs produced by Sovereign Grace Music (including Sons & Daughters, To Be LIke Jesus, Together for the Gospel Live, Psalms, Awesome God, In a Little While, Valley of Vision, and more): $6 each
• All Sovereign Grace album downloads - $5 each
• Sovereign Grace Worship Songbook Set (3 vols.) - $60 for the set
• Sovereign Grace books (including Worship Matters, Worldliness, Humility, and Living the Cross Centered Life): $7 or less each
• all books in our Pursuit of Godliness series (Why Small Groups, This Great Salvation, and others): $4 each

But wait…there’s more!

During February, orders from the continental US (library rate) will continue to be free on orders of $15 or more. But all international orders will receive a discount of 50% on USPS First Class International shipping.

Why the crazy sale? Well, we figure that most people continue to be affected by the economic crisis. We want to do whatever we can to make it easier for you to benefit from what we produce. We want to serve churches and individuals by providing biblically informed, gospel-centered resources at a low cost. And we’d really like to give it all away, but then we wouldn’t be able to produce any more resources…

So we offer the February sale. Go wild.

And we won’t mind if you spread the word.

One of the drums I will never tire of beating is this: All biblical worship is rooted in and made possible by the cross of Christ. In my experience, the contemporary church (and any church, for that matter) is always in danger of neglecting the gospel in its songs. I said it this way in my book, Worship Matters:

The gospel is not merely one of many possible themes we can touch on as we come to worship God. It is the central and foundational theme. All our worship originates and is brought into focus at the cross of Jesus Christ.

Glorying in Jesus Christ means glorying in his cross. That doesn’t mean looking at some icon or two pieces of wood nailed together. Nor does it imply that every song we sing has the word cross in it. It has little to do with church gatherings that are more like a funeral than a celebration.

The cross stands for all that was accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God. It focuses on his substitutionary death at Calvary but includes everything that gave meaning to that act. His preexistent state in glory. His incarnation. His life of perfect obedience. His suffering. His resurrection. His ascension. His present intercession and reign in glory. His triumphant return.

I will always plead that worship pastors lead gospel-centered worship that is characterized by:

• an awareness that the cross/gospel should be referenced somewhere in the time of singing.
• viewing the gospel as our primary motivation for praising God.
• helping people understand that only Jesus enables us to approach God - not music, musicians, worship leaders, or particular worship songs.
• encouraging congregations to be most enthusiastic about the theme the Bible is the most enthusiastic about - the Lamb of God who was slain.

When the Gospel Loses Its Power
But over the years I’ve seen learned that this vital truth can be misapplied. We can practice gospel-centered corporate worship in a way that is more obligatory than faith-filled. What once magnified the glory of Christ becomes lifeless repetition. My friend, Jon Payne, shared some thoughts with me on this topic that I found helpful. He pointed out that a formulaic approach to gospel-centered worship can lead to some of the following problems:

• thinking every song should be exclusively about justification, boldness before the throne, or our sins being completely forgiven.
• thinking every song list should climax with a “gospel” song.
• an inability to reference or articulate uniquely other aspects of the gospel - adoption, reconciliation, union with Christ, etc.
• a scarcity of other themes in our songs such as the wisdom of God, the eternity of God, the power of God, the incarnation, the kingship of Christ, heaven.
• worshiping a doctrine rather than allowing that doctrine to lead us to a living Savior. We are not “crowning the gospel with many crowns.”

Leading gospel-centered worship in a faithless way can lead to some bad fruit:

• The gospel and the Savior lose glory in the eyes of bored worshipers.
• People develop a limited view of God and his attributes.
• People don’t learn how to apply the gospel to other areas of life/Biblical themes.
• The gospel becomes a crude, repetitive statement of facts rather than a lens through which we view all of life.
• We think an explicit reference to the gospel makes our worship acceptable, rather than trust in a crucified and risen Savior.
• Rather than expecting to encounter God because of the gospel people come expecting to repeat faithless facts.

It’s our responsibility as leaders to make sure, as the Puritans said, that we always “labor to be affected by the cross.” The gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest news the world has ever heard and our singing should show it.

What have you done to make sure that singing about Christ’s redemptive work on the cross never becomes rote?

In a previous post I talked about the Sovereign Grace songwriting retreat and where our songs come from. While we’d love to simply produce songs that are being written by writers in their local churches, we’re trying to steward our songwriting resources in a way we think will better serve the church at large. So we talk and pray about what gaps exist in the modern worship song repertoire, or what topics we think might serve our churches and the church at large. That means our albums are more intentional and thematic. We also asked our Sovereign Grace Music Facebook fans for their thoughts and got some great ideas.

So here are some of the albums we’ve been writing songs for, and the albums you’ll be able to listen to Lord willing, in the coming year. All titles are tentative.

1. Alli en la Cruz (May 2010) - This will be our first “non-translated” Spanish worship CD, Alli en la Cruz, featuring the songs and vocals of Mauricio Velarde, a member of Iglesia Gracia Soberana de Gaithersburg

2. Walking with the Wise (June 2010) - a project for kids 6 years old and up based on themes from Proverbs (similar to our last kid’s album, To Be Like Jesus, based on the fruit of the Spirit). Since we don’t assume that all kids who’ll be singing these songs will be Christians, our emphasis will be on proclaiming truths rather than expressing personal experience. We’ll also be weaving our need for a Savior into many of the songs.

3. The Gathering (Nov. 2010) -an album of songs that follow the flow of a “gospel liturgy” (see Christ Centered Worship by Bryan Chappell) that has been around for centuries and is reflected in the Old Testament sacrificial system as well as numerous New Testament passages. The songs can be used as stand alones, or as part of an entire meeting. Potential topics include songs that can be used for call to worship, adoration, confession, assurance of pardon, thanksgiving, intercession, a creed, preparation to hear the Word, baptism, the Lord’s supper, and dismissal. This album will stretch us in terms of themes and also enable us to highlight how the gospel should shape and inform our entire meeting.

4. Risen (Feb. 2011) - songs that focus on the resurrection of Jesus and its implications for our lives. We’ll probably touch on themes related to the second coming as well. Can’t wait to see how this one turns out.

5. Jesus is Able (release date TBD) - This will be a black gospel project, to be released some time this year. The pieces for that are still falling together, although we’re making progress. It will be a mix of previously written Sovereign Grace songs and some new ones. Our goal is to provide the church with more congregational songs that combine gospel-centered theology with soulful passion. This is a project we’ve been thinking about for a couple years now for a number of reasons. We want to serve the African-Americans already in our churches, as well as contribute to more biblically substantive congregational songs in the black gospel genre.

I know I’m going out on a limb mentioning these albums before they even exist. But I’m trusting that God will enable us to produce everything He wants us to. And in the mean time, if you wanted to pray for us, that would be great.

Whatever you believe about the timing of the return of Christ, orthodox Christians all agree on one thing: Jesus is coming back.

Scripture tells us that when Jesus finally returns, all wrongs will be made right, the unrighteous will be judged, and those who have trusted in Christ will enter into the immediate presence of God in the new heavens and new earth. God promises that there will be no more sin, no more tears, no more death, and no more pain (2Thess. 2:8; Phil. 3:20-21; Rev. 21:4). And “when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

With those kinds of promises, you’d expect that we’d be thinking about the return of Christ a lot more often than we do. But we don’t. We get caught up in the details of life, weighed down by the effects of sin, and distracted by the empty promises of the world. We think more about the stock market than the second coming. We anticipate a new season of 24 or American Idol more than the return of Christ. We act as though Jesus coming back is far enough away that it shouldn’t seriously affect our lives now. And we’re the poorer for it.

In 2 Tim. 4:8, Paul says that Christians are those who “have loved his appearing.” He tells Titus that we are “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” And Peter says that we should be setting our hope “fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

One of the ways we do that is by singing about Christ’s return. Just recently, I received an email from a worship leader asking for songs that referenced the return of Christ. Here’s a list a group of my friends and I came up with.

CONTEMPORARY SONGS (more or less)
Because of You (Paul Oakley) - celebrative song about what it will be like in heaven and the fact that it will all be made possible by Jesus. “No more pain, no more sadness, no more suffering, no more tears, no more sin…”
Beautiful Savior (Stuart Townend) - “I long to be where the praise is never ending.”
Hallelujah, We Will Sing (Tommy Walker) - joyful 6/8 song celebrating Christ’s return. “On that white horse He’ll ride, With blazing eyes of fire, He’ll judge and make things right, Turn all the dark to light”
Soon (Brooke Fraser) - Beautiful song. “Soon and very soon my King is coming, robed in righteousness and crowned with love”
Sing to the King (Billy Foote) - Rejoicing in Christ’s final victory over Satan. “Sing to the King who is coming to reign”
Hail to the King (Larry Hampton) - We eagerly await the coming of the day…
Soon and Very Soon (old spiritual)
Heaven is our Home (Kathryn Scott) - “No more sin and no more shame, we are going where the streets are made of gold.”
Almighty (Paul Baloche) - “You will judge the nations, You’ll reward Your servants, both the great and small.” I reviewed this song in a previous post.
O For That Day (Ryan Foglesong) - “O for that day when our journey is ended, all of our hope found in heaven’s reward.” John Martin of Enfield is generously giving the MP3 of this song away, as well as the lead sheet. You can also download the guitar chart in E.
There is a Day (Phatfish) -  Powerful song describing Christ’s return, filled with Scripture. “We will meet him in the air and then we will be like him.” I could do without the “oh yeah…”
How Long (Stuart Townend) - One of the most powerful songs of intercession that I’m aware of. “But I know a day is coming when the deaf will hear his voice, when the blind will see their Savior and the lame will leap for joy.”
I Will Rise (Chris Tomlin) - Simple tune, powerful words that focus on our  union with Christ in his resurrection. “I will rise when he calls my name, no more sorrow, no more pain.”
There is a Higher Throne (Keith and Kristyn Getty) - Stately hymn that lifts our eyes to see the unchanging throne of God. “Before the Son we’ll stand, made faultless through the Lamb; believing hearts find promised grace, salvation comes.”

SOVEREIGN GRACE SONGS
Lord Jesus, Come (Adam Sacks) - “Oh Lord, hurry the day when our faith shall be sight.”
In A Little While (Mark Altrogge) - “And we will see your face with our own eyes.”
Hail the Risen King - (Stephen Altrogge) - Upbeat celebration of the risen King who is returning. “You’re coming, returning for those whose hearts are yearning…”
He is Jesus (Stephen Altrogge) - A 3/4 anthem that celebrates the glories of Christ. “There’s a glorious Lord returning and all will bow to Him alone.”
Worthy (Dave Brown) - “The multitude you bought with Your blood will gather before Your throne and humbly proclaim, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain forevermore.”
God Over All (Devon Kauflin) - “And on that day when you come back to claim your own…”
I Will Glory in My Redeemer (Steve & Vikki Cook) - “When he calls me it will be paradise his face forever to behold.”
Glorious and Mighty (Todd Twining, Joel Sczebel, Bob Kauflin) - “Majesty, we’ll sing with creation when You come again in the clouds.”
Prepared a Place (Doug Plank) -  ”Father in the moment when Your Son shall split the skies, and myriads of angels acclaim him with their cries, by grace I will be able to join the jubilee…”

HYMNS
Come Thou Fount - “On that day when free from sinning I shall see thy lovely face…” (chart available here)
It Is Well - “And Lord haste the day when our faith shall  be sight…”
My Hope is Built - “When he shall come with trumpet sound…”
How Great Thou Art - “When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation…”
Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending (Wesley/Cennick) - can also be sung to the tune of “Regent Square”)
I Stand Amazed in the Presence - “When with the ransomed in glory his face I at last shall see…”

I know I’m just scratching the surface here. Let us know what songs you’ve used to help your church treasure and anticipate the return of our glorious Savior.

UPDATE: I’ve added to the list above to include many of the suggestions in the comments section.

Each summer my church holds an event for 6-10 year olds called Summer Celebration, led by one of our pastors, Mike Bradshaw. It’s a week long event filled with fun, games, teaching, songs, and encouragement. The leadership team (which includes a significant number of high schoolers) invests hours of planning and preparation with the goal of directing the hearts and minds of kids to God’s character and the gift of salvation he offers us through his Son. It’s been a great opportunity to minister to kids from our church as well as guests. And make no mistake about it - it’s a high energy, exhausting week. But the fruit has been sweet.

Last year we featured songs from our most recent kid’s CD, To Be Like Jesus. This video will give you an idea of how involving the whole body helps get the message of the song across.

If you want to see more, over at Vimeo.com you can watch the Summer Celebration version of Jesus, You’re My Hope.

We want more people to hear the songs from To Be Like Jesus, so we’re holding a contest. I spelled out the details in a previous post. All you need to do (besides making the video) is make sure that we receive your entry no later than Jan. 31.

If your video wins, you’ll win a $250 Amazon.com gift card. And even if you don’t win, you’ll probably have a great time making the video.

So what are you waiting for?

I have a sweet job. One of my responsibilities is to oversee the production of Sovereign Grace albums.

Some of you have asked where the songs for those albums come from, and what the process looks like. I’m right in the middle of a three day retreat with 18 songwriters from various Sovereign Grace churches, so I thought now would be a good time to answer that question.

Last fall I worked with C.J. Mahaney and Jeff Purswell to determine what albums we wanted to produce in the coming year. That would set the course for a significant part of my job description. We determined that I’d focus on four main projects (I’ll share those details next week).

Preparation
About two months ago I sent out an email to our primary songwriters (those whose songs have been recorded or who have significant experience), giving them the details of the projects. We have a songwriter’s forum (powered by phpBB) where writers can post songs or ideas for songs. Some writers also collaborated through Google Wave and Skype. We had about 25 songs posted by the time the retreat started.

Orientation
The writers flew in at their own expense, and we provided housing and most meals. The first night I shared updates on Sovereign Grace Music and described the kinds of songs we were seeking to write for each project.I reminded them that the songs we write fill shape people’s understanding of  who God is, who we are, how we’re to think about our relationship with him, and what we’re to feel. Writing songs is no insignificant task.

I also talked about our goal to write as a community. Who gets songwriter credit is not nearly as important as seeking to produce the best songs, no matter who writes them. I encouraged everyone to be quick to share their thoughts with others, and slow to demand they be accepted or that they receive credit.

Evaluation
The first morning began with prayer and worship in song, then the writers began to play their songs for an “evaluation panel” that consisted of me, Steve & Vikki Cook, and Mark Altrogge. Kind of like a Christian songwriter American Idol. We’ve found it helpful to limit evaluation primarily to a small group rather than hear from everyone in the room (which can be confusing). It’s also helpful to evaluate as a team. If we’re all saying the same thing about a song, it’s easier for a songwriter to receive it. When our comments don’t agree, it helps both the songwriter and those of us on the panel to know that.

Each songwriter played their songs until they shared one that we thought was worth working on. At least 1/3 of the songs are just a verse and a chorus. That way a writer can find out if a song is worth working on before laboring on it for ten hours. Our goal in evaluating songs is first to determine whether or not its even worth finishing. If it is, we’ll give specific thoughts on its strengths and weaknesses.

While we’re evaluating songs, other writers are either listening in or working on songs together in other parts of the building. They’ll either be editing songs we’ve evaluated, or trying to write new ones. Yesterday we heard 32 songs. I’m guessing about a dozen of them, maybe more, will make their way on to one of the albums. Today, we’ll probably hear about 25 more songs, and hopefully try to do some writing or co-writing ourselves. This afternoon we’ll begin recording demos of “finished” songs. Of course, songs can and will be edited until they’re actually recorded.

When it’s all said and done, we’ll probably write over 100 songs for four albums.

Our Motivation
Why do we do this? Because God’s saving acts in history and in our lives demand new songs. Because 1000 tongues or a 1000 songs will never be enough. Because Jesus Christ is a great Savior worthy of unending praise. Because the Word of God is eternal and life-changing. Because this is one small way we can contribute to building up the church, comforting God’s people, and advancing the gospel, all for the glory of God.

And because, in the words of King David, “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD” (Ps. 40:3). And that’s our prayer.

55.

A speed limit. Five years past half a century. LV. Double nickels.

And today, my age. I finally qualify for the 10% senior discount at Jiffy Lube.

I remember when 55 seemed really old. Right now it feels like the prime of life.  What does a 55 year old worship leader think about? Here’s a sample…

1. The years I have left for fruitful ministry are dwindling.
Used to be I never thought much about death. Now I think about it at least weekly. Life is short, and it keeps getting shorter. I estimate I have between 10-20 more years of fruitful ministry, Lord willing. Then again, I may not live to see 2011. A lot to accomplish before I’m done, though. Songs to write, messages to preach, albums to produce. Maybe another book or two. And then I get to see the face of my Redeemer. So I keep running the race.

2. Now’s the time to influence the next generation.
These years aren’t about me (were they ever?). I want to spend more time helping younger musicians and leaders grow in their godliness, gifts, and influence. I’m hoping to offer an study/internship next fall for a few guys, and in the mean time trying to spend more regular time with twenty-something potential leaders. I don’t want to act like I have nothing to learn from the next generation, and I want to do everything I can to help them avoid some of the mistakes I’ve made. So I mentor.

3. Relationships and the local church matter.
It’s never just about “my ministry.” It’s always about what part of the body I am, how I fit in with the rest of the body, and how I do my part to make the body function well. That means I make sure I have close friends at every stage of life who I’m walking out life with, who will encourage, counsel, challenge, support, correct, and pray for me. So I sink my roots deep in the church.

4. God has often used books (or sentences in those books) to change my life.
I can trace much of my thinking about life and worship to individual sentences in books I’ve read over the years, starting of course, with Scripture. Other books have included Music Through the Eyes of Faith by Harold Best, Desiring God by John Piper, Engaging with God by David Peterson, and Valley of Vision. There are many more. If I get one perspective-altering thought from a book, that’s time well invested. So I read.

5. Music can become boring—Jesus can’t.
It’s not the latest songs, creative arrangements, or unique sounds that make corporate worship amazing and awe-inspiring. It’s a clear and compelling picture of Jesus Christ, the only Savior of the world. As long as I have that understanding, leading songs will never become routine or banal, and my worship of God will never be dependent on musical innovation. So I value truth over tunes.

6. Worship leaders can be cool. Biblical worship can’t be.
By nature, “cool” describes something that the world esteems as hip, desirable, elitist, and perhaps elusive. Biblical worship is very un-hip, hated by the world’s value system, and a gracious gift from God to those he has redeemed. It involves magnifying the glory of Christ and minimizing our own glory. It means acknowledging our sinfulness before a holy God, expressing gratefulness for the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ for our sins, and responding in humble obedience to his commands. All very uncool activities. So, no need to worry that I’m twice as old as a lot of the people I lead corporate worship with.

7. Experience, planning, and skill are no substitute for the Holy Spirit.
Experiences have taught me a lot over the years. Planning ahead is a way of serving the people I lead. Skill is a vital component to leading worship effectively. But ultimately, only God’s Spirit can give people a knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6). It doesn’t matter whether I’m leading 5 people or 5,000, my need for God’s empowering presence is the same. So I pray.

8. God isn’t seeking worship leaders; he’s seeking worshipers.
Since “worship leader” isn’t even a biblical term, I don’t want to find my identity in being one. I’m happy to use my musical gifts to draw people’s attention to the greatness of Christ, but there are plenty of other ways I can do that, too. Loving my wife, speaking kindly, being generous, sharing the gospel, caring for the poor, to name a few. In At the end of it all, the only ones worshiping God are bondservants (Rev. 22:3). So I seek to serve for the glory of God.

9. God only has redeemed sinners to work with.
None of the hype is to be believed. Everyone sins. There are no perfect leaders. No one, except Jesus, is worthy of emulation in every way. That includes me. When I was younger I thought I was a lot more godly than I think I am now. Maybe I’ve been backsliding all these years. Or maybe I just have a more realistic view of myself. And in spite of it all, God has mercifully given his Son to pay for all my sins, and graciously brought fruit through my life for his glory. Amazing grace.

Looking forward to whatever the Lord has in store for me in my remaining years, and want to say with Paul:

It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death (Phil. 1:20).

Whatever your age, I pray that’s your desire too.

(And if you’re interested, here’s the post I wrote when I turned 52.)

What do you do when you start leading a song in two different keys?

At our WorshipGod08 conference, we had the opportunity to find out as Joseph Stigora started “Psalm 96″ in one key and the rest of the band from Covenant Fellowship came in a step higher. I posted on this previously, but here’s the video again:

I got an email recently from a Sovereign Grace worship leader who shared how that incident at the conference encouraged him on a recent Sunday. This is what he wrote:

We are a church of about 150 or so, so when you mess up it feels really uncomfortable because everyone is so close. It had been a while since something happened.

Sunday before Christmas I had a young lady sing “In Christ Alone.” She’s definitely the most-gifted musician and singer we have–I love when she is able to sing for us. She came in on the wrong key (I gave her a terrible transition……..). She tried to recover but couldn’t. I heroically tried to pick up the vocals (I can’t believe I had the audacity to try!!) but sadly was singing in the same key she was (ha! If only we’d been singing it in that actual key, we would have sounded great!). Crash and burn. In that moment I sensed the Holy Spirit bringing to my mind, in fast forward time, that moment at the WG Conference. I sensed a rush of peace and confidence and waved for her to stop…told our folks some of the above, we’re imperfect, we’re in the wrong key, thanked them for their patience and said we’d just start over.

Let me tell you, I don’t know that we’ve had a more passionate and responsive time of worship than we did when we started again and sang “In Christ Alone.” It was as if we were all more aware of our fragility, our vulnerability, our need for the Savior. When we finished together, the music team was real thankful it happened. Almost like, “Man, we wouldn’t mind that happening a few times per year if thats the effect!”

While I’m hoping your musicians aren’t praying for these kinds of “opportunities,” don’t be surprised if God chooses at times to glorify  himself this year through your weaknesses rather than your strengths. After all, that’s what he’s promised to do. (2 Cor. 12:9)

And while we’re on the topic, what have you learned from your “train wrecks” this past year?