Attitude Can Affect Altitude

“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:21-24

I have always loved this passage. There is so much depth in it and its application. A lot of times in our ministry we get focused on process, skill, aptitude, and a host of other technical things that we forget to bring things back to the core of attitude. There is a certain attitude that God wants us to worship that is steeped in His Truth and connected to heart or spiritual things. 

Be sure to read the above passage and check out this week's video blog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypVRf5PlWng
 
Think about these questions for this week:

1. How does our attitude affect me and the team?
2. How would I describe my attitude toward God’s process in worship arts (or the church) right now?
3. If leadership is influence, how is my attitude influencing others around me?
4. What might I change to create a more positive attitude in myself and others?

Sloppy Wet Kiss

 

I love how art converges and bounces into so many different things within our culture and our church. This week we will be performing some pretty awesome worship songs and one of the songs has had what some think is some controversy around it.

Instead of a video this week, listen to two (or three) different versions of “Oh How He Loves” (see below). Then read the blog linked below from the original writer of the song and let’s discuss this topic within the principles of vertical and horizontal worship.

Original Writer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0luHiWwi08

David Crowder’s Modified Lyrics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCunuL58odQ

Kim Walker’s Version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps

Writer’s BLOG: http://johnmarkmcmillan.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-he-loves-davidcrowder-and-sloppy.html

Ponder these questions:
1. What is horizontal worship?
2. What is vertical worship?
3. How would a seeker hear this song?
4. How would different Christians hear this song?
5. What pleases God in this process?

I have missed all of you and can’t wait to see you this Thursday night!

Leadership

Greetings ORBC Worship Arts Friends, Pastor Larry is in California at Saddleback Church having a great learning experience and he has asked me to write this week’s blog.

Make sure to take a look at this week’s video: http://youtu.be/5jRxauUCOTo

I want to continue our conversations about Leadership as we consider Proverbs 16:10-15

Essentially, Leadership matters!  “Good” leadership makes a difference in every aspect of our lives including ministry.  The key is to realize that we are all leaders.  Leadership is not just a position, but a mindset.  Just because someone does not hold a position, it does not mean they are not a leader.  In fact, some of the greatest leaders were not in that kind of position. 

We often confuse position and power for leadership.  They are not the same.  Jesus had no formal earthly position, yet was the greatest leader of all time. As we lead into the Fall, changes are coming.  The exciting part is that leaders are, by definition, agents of change.  If we all try to measure ourselves against the verses above in Proverbs, we will have a tremendous impact on the lost seekers who we know will come into the church for the first time this Fall.

Remember that Loving God, Loving People is not just a mission statement, it is a way of living, and people will see that in how we live our lives.  THAT is real leadership!

Love you all.  Thanks for all you do!
- Doug DeWitt -