One of the things I’ve struggled with over the past several years as I have led worship teams is the thought of a “Code of Conduct” or a worship “Team Covenant”. Don’t get me wrong I’m all about having clear expectations. I’m not talking skill level here, that’s easy to determine. But when is someone “ready” to be on the platform?  For any of us currently serving, are there times we should “opt out” of leading or being a team member when we don’t feel like our life or walk is reflecting the things we are singing/playing? Should we allow those that don’t yet believe to be a part of the team?

I remember hearing Mia Fieldes (Hillsong) speak about some of their (Hillsong) requirements and how they felt it was a great responsibility to “steward well” the platform they had been given. Here’s a couple as best I can remember for prospective Hillsong members : 1) Have professed Christ as Lord and Savior 2)have been attending Hillsong for at least 1 year before they can audition. 3) Must serve in another non-music related ministry within the church for at least 6 months before audition. I can totally see these are needed for a well known worship ministry such as Hillsong…I get it.

Then I hear of other stories, like my buddy John V. John is the pastor of a medium sized church in the upper mid-west. John related the story of one of their student musicians who plays on Sunday mornings bringing one of his friends with him to their midweek rehearsals. This friend was an incredible guitar player, but…he didn’t believe in God. John made the call to let him play anyway. Week after week the kid showed up faithfully to play. At John’s church they observe communion every Sunday. John serves the band while the ushers serve the rest of those in attendance. Week after week this kid would say “No thanks” as John offered him communion. Week after week, after week. And then it happened…one particular Sunday, John as usual was serving the band. He offered communion to the “kid” fully expecting what had become his weekly response “No thanks”… but this time the teenager smiled nodded his head and said “Yes”. After service John spoke to him and he told John that he had given his life to Christ. I fully believe it was John and his worship team not worrying about a code of conduct, but being Jesus that led to this young guy deciding to cross the line of faith.

I’ve had tough conversations with team members in the past related to both musical and spiritual short comings. Some I have not handled as well as others. I’ve started to rethink what expectations should we place on ourselves as we lead worship? What expectations does God have? Don’t get me wrong, as Christ followers I don’t believe we should habitually return to the same sin over and over. But I’m starting to believe sometimes modeling worship in the midst of personal adversity is just the thing we need to remind us that we will never be “good enough”. Isn’t that really what worship is about? Us acknowledging our brokenness before God and His perfection before all men. If we can’t allow ourselves and others to live/be the very things we sing about (broken, hurting people) how can we ever authentically sing and believe He is who we say He is? Even in the “best of places” any of us may be spiritually, we’ll never be good enough and it’s ok. Because only through the lens of the Cross does our worship becomes acceptable.

Love to hear your thoughts. Does your worship team have a “Code of Conduct” or something similar?

It’s been over a year since my last blog post. I hadn’t planned on taking an extended hiatus…but a new job, new directions in ministry and the double whammy curse of the creative…procrastination and writers block seemed to take it’s toll in sharing my thoughts in the great wide open we call the blogosphere.
Which brings me to why I am re-engaging in the practice of blogging…my “One Word” for 2012 is MORE. That means more blogging. So far so good considering I wrote a grand total of ZERO blogs in 2011!

But it doesn’t just stop at blogging…
I want to spend MORE time with family.
Listen MORE.
Create MORE.
Make MORE memories with friends.
Read MORE.
Be MORE generous.
Risk MORE.
To be MORE like Jesus…
Live MORE.

That’s the funny thing about the word “MORE“…in the process of becoming, doing and being MORE, some others things have to give. We can not authentically for any consistent, healthy amount of time be MORE with out embracing and accepting LESS in other areas. MORE and LESS have to go hand in hand.

I could have just as easily chosen my One Word to be LESS…
I want to spend LESS time working on stuff that doesn’t matter.
Be LESS concerned about getting the last word
LESS worried about what others think of my talent
Spend LESS time watching junk on TV
Worry LESS about finances
Be LESS comfortable
LESS of ME…

I had a single friend in Nashville who once came to me for low key, “no pressure” first date ideas. My response, “You can’t go wrong with a movie followed by coffee at a cafe afterward. It gives you something to talk about and gives you a glimpse into whether or not you guys are into the same stuff.” His response; “I don’t like movies.” We are no longer friends…

Of note, as of this writing I have not been able to get out to see Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader or True Grit, both I’ve heard are great. So with those qualifiers in place…

Inception

I’ve been a fan of Director Christopher Nolan since “Memento”. I loved “the Prestige”, his revamp of the Batman franchise and even found “Insomnia” mostly engaging. His ability to take film noir to the mainstream is unrivaled. Inception is full of mind twisting turns, layer upon layers…a dream within a dream. There is an interesting subtext on how postmodernism influences art, creating and our concept of reality. Why see it? I think it helps us have a better understanding of the postmodern view of truth and hopefully helps us connect more deeply to postmodern culture as a way of not only understanding but leading back to the real truth. “An elegant solution for keeping track of reality.” There are great lines and scenes that should speak to anyone that dabbles in the creative; “You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.”, “Never recreate places from your memory. Always imagine new places!”.  A great ensemble cast is headed up by Leonardo DiCaprio in his best role since “the Departed”. Intelligent, thought provoking and an end that will probably be forever debated.

Toy Story 3

Having twin 3 year olds I felt obligated to see Toy Story 3…that’s what good dads do. Besides, they had seen and own both TS1 & TS2. Ok, ok I wanted to see it myself. There were a couple of intense scenes, that my son Asher still hides his eyes during…but what a great movie! There are some great insights to the human condition in Toy Story. Sorry if you haven’t seen it, but maybe keep these things in mind on viewing. How many of us have chosen the safe “attic life” over donating ourselves to the unknown, because change is scary? Or how often have we hung onto something in the church because of nostalgia or tradition, far past it’s effectiveness for the kingdom?  I’ll admit it here myself just so Justin Ross doesn’t get on here and try and rat me out…I cried at the ending.

The Social Network

I know what you’re thinking. “That’s the movie about facebook isn’t it? Why would I want to watch a movie about a website?”  Yes, it is about Mark Zuckerberg and the initial events that brought about the creation of facebook and the controversy that followed it’s success. Why should you watch it? Because it’s fascinating. I’m not sure of all the facts and how much is dramatized etc…but it is an intriguing tale of a determined entrepreneur, greed, faux celebrities, betrayal and a look on the inside of a social media giant/monster that continues to shape how we interact on the “net”. Jesse Eisenberg who plays Zuckerberg delivers the quick witted dialogue in his usual “I’m the serious version of Michael Cera” tone and intonation. It’s worth a watch, but as a friend of mine said after viewing “I don’t know if I want to use facebook ever again!”

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Speaking of Michael Cera…It seems you either love him or loath him. Me? I think he’s great. In my mind he’ll probably always be George-Michael Bluth from the tragically canceled Arrested Development. Let’s be honest every character he plays, it’s all really just George Michael Bluth. Anyway, enough about him…what about the movie? Scott (Cera) plays in a band. Scott falls for the tragically hip Ramona Flowers. But a relationship with Ramona comes with some baggage…Scott must do battle with Ramona’s 7 ex-flames. Mind tripping hilarity follows. As humans we were created to be relational. With relationships, even the most casual, there comes baggage. It was cool to see Scott decide Ramona was worth the risk of pain. He even goes as far as to make things right with those he has wronged along the way. I was reminded we are messy people, but life is meant to be lived with others. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is steeped in retro video game culture and and is ridiculous fun…it has the potential to be a cult classic.

The Town

I like Ben Affleck. There I said it. I liked him as an actor in “Goodwill Hunting”, “Boiler Room” and “Hollywoodland”.  As a screenplay writer on “Goodwill Hunting” and director/screenplay writer for” Gone Baby Gone”. In “The Town” he pulls triple duty: Lead Actor, Director and Screenplay Writer. Yes his character “Doug McRay” is a little bit of a rehash of his character “Chuckie Sullivan” in Goodwill Hunting, but that aside it is a well acted, written and directed film on his part. The story revolves around Doug and his Charlestown Boston crew of bank robbers and “Claire” a former hostage they had taken as collateral at one of their scores. In the process of keeping tabs on her Doug falls for her. Compelling dialogue, a love story, car chases and crazy shoot outs ensue. And a not quite Hollywood ending…I won’t spoil it. Rent it tonight.

Monsters

Never heard of it huh? It’s important to understand, Monsters is not your typical “monster” movie. Yes there are familiar elements you may have seen in movies like “Cloverfield”, “Independence Day”" or even this years “Skyline”, but Monsters is more of a character study than an action packed hollywood blockbuster. An American photo-journalist must bring the boss’ daughter back to the US. Problem is aliens have invaded the border, making it near impossible to travel from Mexico to the US without encountering danger or death. Yes there are allegories of the present border/immigration situation in Mexico. One lead character even mentions “it’s different looking at America from the outside.” Fans of slow moving, emotionally evocative sci-fi will probably dig it. Pay attention to the beginning and the ending…that’s all I’ll say.

Some that almost made it

Alice in Wonderland

Iron Man 2

TRON:Legacy

What are some of your favorites from 2010?

As the end of the year approaches, I’ve been thinking about some of the music, films, and books that have impacted me and the way I’ve lived out my life and faith this past year. Over the next few days/weeks I wanted to share some of those things. If you’ve already heard, watched or read them…well, you’ve got great taste…if not, I hope you’ll give them a chance to resonate with you as well. First up…

Worship albums of 2010

Kingdom Come-Elevation Worship

Elevation Church in Charlotte North Carolina continues to inspire me to worship and create. They don’t have a record deal…the songs on this album are born out of what God is doing in their midst…not out of contractual obligations. And they are GREAT. I love it when the local church creates their own expressions of worship out of a desire to give God the glory for what He is doing in hearts, lives and their city. Stand outs: “The Church”, “Give Me Faith”, “This City Is Yours”

Beautiful Things-Gungor

Out of the box, creative, authentic…Art. That’s what you get from Gungor (formerly the Michael Gungor Band). I had the pleasure of worshipping with them this year at the Catalyst conference in Atlanta Georgia. Transcendent best describes what I think we all experienced that day. They’ve helped change my definition of what “worship” music is. For that I am forever grateful. Stand outs: “Beautiful Things”, “You Have Me”, “The Earth Is Yours”

Beautiful Exchange-Hillsong (Live)

I love Hillsong. They consistently bring great anthems to the masses. This album is no exception. Yes, we know their formula; dotted 8th note driven guitar lines, tom heavy beats, ethereal keyboard pads and singable bridges that get stuck in your head…but no one does it better. I love that their ministry is raising up new worship leaders and giving them a platform for the songs God is placing in their hearts. Darlene Zschech, Rueben Morgan, Joel Houston, Jad Gillies and the incredible Brooke Fraser are all here as well as some of those newer voices. Stand outs: “Our God Is Love”, “Forever Reign”, “The One Who Saves”, “Like Incense/Sometimes By Steps”

Children of Light-LifePoint Illuminate

While living in the Nashville TN area, my wife Amy and I were members of LifePoint Church. And yes I was a part of their worship team…and yes God used our time there and the people there in a huge way in regards to leading me/us on the journey we are on now…BUT…that’s not why this is a great album. It’s a mature offering by a “local” church, inspired to give their people it’s own unique voice as testimony of God on mission. Don’t believe me? Check it out. Stand outs: “Yhwh”, “I See The Poor”, “Rescuer”

The Medicine-John Mark McMillan

John Mark McMillan is another artist/songwriter that helps to stretch the boundaries of what is considered worship music. Probably best known for his song “How He Loves” (included here) these songs aren’t immediately “accessible” or “congregationally friendly”, but that doesn’t stop them from being some of the most real, passionate, poetic and heartfelt offerings of 2010. I’m not even sure if it’s a worship album, but I am consistently inspired to worship when I listen to it. I would encourage you to pick up the album from itunes so you get all the extras. The live video of “Death in his grave” alone is worth it. Stand outs: “Carbon Ribs” “Death in his grave”, “My Only”, “How He Loves”

Anything you think should have made it in regards to worship in 2010? There’s still time to help me expand my list!

Coming up next…Top films/movies of 2010…according to me at least!

I believe God didn’t intend for us to walk out our faith alone or in a vacuum. After all, we are created in the image of a God who has the unique dynamic of being 3 yet 1, of having perfect community in and of Himself. Being made in His image it is only natural that we would seek to build authentic relationships, to go through seasons of life together. But letting people “in” can get messy…we are messy people with messy lives.

While Amy and I lived in Nashville we went to several different churches and even dipped our toes into a “small group” or three. But it wasn’t until we decided to put ourselves “all in” that we were really able to connect in authentic relationships with other people, some of these people weren’t even necessarily “like us”…but because of these relationships our faith was strengthened and I believe the kingdom of God was different because of it.  These small groups and relationships, in various forms, at LifePoint were a huge support for us. After the birth of our twins, it was our small group and friends that helped organize meals for 3 weeks after we returned home! They were also the people who helped us talk thru and pray thru our decisions that led us to Indiana. These people spent time not just talking and educating me about church leadership, but were willing to listen and let me unpack what God was doing in my heart and life. Although I’m not as close geographically, I still keep in contact with and hold these people and their opinions in high esteem. Because of our past experience and willingness to be transparent, real and authentic I am confident that these people would vouch for me,  and I for them.

Recently I’ve been reading through the book of Acts (with an equally great group of people!)…So much there to inspire and give us rails to run on as “the Church”, Gods true picture of earthly community. One particular passage that stuck with me is chapeter 9 verses 26 & 27. The recently converted Saul, now Paul, travels to Jerusalem to join the disciples. Saul/Paul, once an enemy to this newly birthed “Christianity”, now wants to hook up with some of the very same people he had sought to imprison and kill.

The disciples in Jerusalem wouldn’t associate with Saul because of his past, but Barnabas intervened. Barnabas connected with Saul and helped Saul to connect with others. Barnabas took a risk with his time, his life and reputation when others were unwilling to do so. The community of faith was stronger and better because Barnabas chose to be a connector.

As we head into the Christmas season I am reminded that Jesus was the ultimate connector. He came to earth to interact with messy broken people. To vouch for us despite our past. He became like us so that we could become like Him. God wants us to be connectors, not “dividers”. Be a connector…the Kingdom of God only advances on the backs of community.