On the first night of WorshipGod08, after we sang the hymn Jesus Shall Reign, Ryan Ferguson stepped up on stage and enthusiastically recited Psalm 145. I wanted to use that Psalm there because it’s filled not only with exhortations to praise and extol God, but also with clear reasons why God should be praised. Every time I lead worship I want to be sure people have plenty of doctrinal fuel for their emotional fire. I asked Ryan to participate because he had recited two chapters from Hebrews at our WorshipGod06 conference, and did an amazing job. It’s obvious he’s thought carefully about the passage he’s memorized and is seeking to communicate not just words, but meaning. Something to keep in mind every time we read Scripture.
Scripture readings don’t have to be accompanied with music, but because this took place in between two songs, I kept playing. I tried to follow Ryan’s inflections and amplify the emotional flow of the passage. Playing behind prayers or readings isn’t always helpful. Sometimes it can sound like Muzak. Sometimes it can be a distraction, as people try to figure out what song you’re playing. But there are times when I think it can be effective and help people listen more carefully to what’s being said. I hope this was one of them.
In any case, here’s the video of Ryan. Enjoy.
