Worship Matters

My highlights from Chapter 9, all quoted from Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin.

• In a single conversation (Jesus) relocated the place of worship from the Jerusalem temple to himself.

• There's nothing about our worship of God that isn't defined or affected by Jesus Christ.

• Most people haven't spent much time considering their need for a mediator in their relationship with God. That's because we grossly underestimate the gravity and offensiveness of our sin in light of God's infinite majesty, holiness, and justice.

• God's perspective is different.

•   Glorying in Jesus Christ means glorying in his cross.

• Worship itself cannot lead us into God's presence, Only Jesus himself can bring us into God's presence, and he has done it through a single sacrifice that will never be repeated - only joyfully recounted and trusted in.

• We need to remember that our access to God is not based on last week's performance, today's practices, or tomorrow's potential. Rather, we're accepted "in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6) and need have no fear of rejection as we come before God's throne.

• Nothing against skill, practice, complexity, nuance, musicianship, or sincerity, but only the finished work of Christ makes our offerings of worship acceptable in God's eyes. What a relief!

• It's not the excellence of our offering that makes our worship acceptable but the excellence of Christ.

• The hosts of heaven never tire of extolling the Lamb who was slain. Should we?

• One of the most important aspects of biblical worship we desperately need to recover today is a passionate, scripturally informed exaltation of Jesus Christ and his redemptive work.

• ...one of our primary thoughts as we plan a Sunday meeting should be: Will our time together cause people's view of, trust in, and desire for God's glory in Christ and him crucified to increase? For a worship leader's preparation, focus, and evaluation, no question is more important.

Good stuff. I have a hard time finding a single statement that resonates more strongly than the others. But if I had to chose, it would be the last one. That is something I have to consider weekly.

Yep. Got it.

iPhone. Got it.

Like it.

Lots.

Really.

Catch up - Excuses

I went off a little bit last week. You can read it here if you haven't already.

Byron and Tahd added to the discussion. But Byron posed some questions that may bear some thought. He said:

...what should our expectations be of people for "remembering the Sabbath....and forsaking not the assembly together....?" If we are to have forms that resonate with the varying cultures of our southern Milwaukee county and beyond, what does that look like? By the way, the "beyond" part invites everyone reading this out there to jump in with some opinions.

Do we just prepare the table of worship and hope people come? Do we ask people what they like, and only fix things they will consume? Do we offer a wide variety, buffet, that we know everyone can find at least something they like?

We busted Keith a little for feeling bummed that people didn't show up after lots of people work so hard to prepare His communion table. What should it look like? What would He have us do differently? Or does He expect us to come through the doors indignantly because people have not honored His place as a House of prayer and worship and rather they treat it as a den of iniquity where you choose to buy-in or opt out week to week, moment to moment?

So, what do you think? What should we expect from our Christian brothers and sisters when it comes to meeting together?

Your turn.

Catch Up

I took a bit of a break from Between Nut and Saddle over Christmas. I'll be catching up over the next couple of days.

For those who are here very often, you'll notice a change in the comment side of the site. I'm trying out Intense Debate. It allows for a better comment structure. You can reply to other comments, give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to comments, as well as some cool features that tie the blogging community together a little bit. So check it out and let me know what you think.

I'll be addressing some former posts and trying to spur on some more discussion.

To that end, let me share a little of my vision for what a blog should be. There are plenty of people who are content to look at other people's conversations and leave it at that. If that's you, you may find that you gain somewhat from the experience. But ideally, a blog offers you a unique opportunity. Read, think, ponder, respond thoughtfully. This can benefit the whole community. We're not face-to-face, but when you post a comment you join in community on a whole different level and with people who may stretch you and who you may stretch too.

So... please, don't be afraid to comment. Don't think that your two cents are not valuable. They are.

I'll be adding several posts over the next day or two.

Join in...

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Worship Matters

Starting back in on chapter 9 tonight while I'm waiting at the church...

Email submission

Testing email submission of blog post from my iPhone.

Sent from my iPhone

Excuses, excuses...

It was cold this weekend.

Cold. I remember looking at the thermometer in the van. It read -2 at 3:30pm.

Cold.

But the roads were not bad for the most part. The plows did their job and the snow was a light powder anyway.

But what I have a hard time with is this. Total attendance was down by almost 200 this weekend.

I'm trying to understand why.

I'm guessing that some would say it was too cold to get out with their kids. But one of our singers came Sunday morning with her three kids and was here by 8 AM. My wife was here to serve in the nursery and made it here in one piece with our 2 yr old. And we had several families here with young babies. One newborn - about a week old. So that kind of shoots the "It's too cold to get our kids out" argument.

I was at the church at 6:30 AM on Sunday. The roads were in good shape around here. No argument there. Unless you live in the sticks and they don't plow. But, I'm pretty sure I saw some families here who live way out there.

I suppose there may have been some who have no garage and their car would not start due to the cold. I'll concede that one. But if it were me, I'd have some way to keep my car functioning so that I could get to work during the week and use that on the weekend too.

I guess what it comes down to is that there is always some excuse to which we could cling. Too cold. Too hot. Too wet. Too dry. Too busy. Too early. Too late. Too whatever.

In my mind, church has always been a commitment that ranks pretty high on my list. Unless I'm puking my guts out, or I physically cannot get to the building due to impassable streets, I'm going to get there.

But then, maybe my perspective is skewed.

How to - Keyboard

This is mainly for our sound and tech crews.

Here's an instructional video on how to set up our Keyboard. Nothing flashy, but now you know. : )

How to - Keyboard from Keith Barger on Vimeo.

Video Training

I'm feeling like an idiot.

I've got several things that I need to provide training on. But getting everyone together is exceedingly difficult.

Moments ago I witnessed Dave Wilcox on the Undistract blog provide simple, easily referenced training.

I'll be stealing this idea for all sorts of things around Harvest.

Yeah! for working smart!

Small changes

I changed my blog page today. Not a huge change, mind you. But a change nonetheless.

I found a 3 column version of the theme I had been using and tweaked it to make it work for me.

Small changes.

With the New Year fast approaching, I'm thinking about some small changes that I can make to make life better in '09. I'm not talking about massive overhaul or unreachable goals. Those things never work out. Small changes.

• Working time back into my schedule to get to the gym more days than not.
• Possibly getting rid of the hundreds of TV channels that we never watch at home.
• Finishing home projects that I start...

These are a few things, small things, that I'm thinking about for '09.

What small changes could you make that would make a big impact in your life?

Worship in the Mourning

I sang and played guitar at a funeral last week for the father of a family here at Harvest.

Another family is dealing with the sudden loss of a father/grandfather who was a pastor for many years.

My good friend Brian is caring for his family while planning and preparing so that his father can die with dignity.

Brian posted this to his blog today. It is a powerful explanation of true worship.

Worship really must be a life-consuming activity. Heart and mind joined together so that all areas of our lives honor and bless God. We have to worship in all situations.

Worship in the Mourning.

Celebrating all of Christmas

You and I both know that this has little (if anything) to do with celebrating Christmas. It has everything to do with giving money to the power company.

When we celebrate Christmas we are really celebrating God fulfilling His covenant with Abraham from Genesis 12 .

If you just celebrate the Birth of Jesus, thought wonderful, you fail to see the scope of the story. The birth is only a step toward the fulfillment of the covenant.

This year Harvest is working through Advent in a different way. Advent is about preparation. So, we're looking at how God prepared for the coming, and sacrifice, of Jesus.

• God created the world. Everything is His.
• God Called Abraham and made a covenant with him to create His people.
• God called Moses to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt and in their journey they become God's nation.

That's where we left off this weekend. The Hebrews becoming a holy nation. A step toward the coming Christ.

I'm looking forward to the next couple gatherings. We'll continue to prepare for Christmas - remembering the larger story of God's work - and seeing how it all points to Jesus. His birth, life, death, and resurrection.

That's what Christmas is all about.

The ageless...

I just found my youth pastor on facebook.

David Manner is now 50 years old.

That just should not be!

Welcome to FB, David. Now, where's the KNCSB Music Guy Blog???

Between Nut and Saddle...

I occasionally get asked about the name of my blog. Understandable.

It's a guitar reference.

I've added a link on the side of my blog to help explain.

Hope this helps!

Creative solutions

Hadn't thought of this one...

Chick Refuses to Be Towed - The best bloopers are here

Thoughts?

Worship Matters

Taking a quick break from prepping this weeks message about Moses to post some initial comments on the read.

If you're considering coming along on this reading journey, here's a quote that sets up the book -

Worship matters. It matters to God because he is the one ultimately worthy of all worship. It matters to us because worshiping God is the reason for which we were created. And it matters to every worship leader, because we have no greater privilege than leading others to encounter the greatness of God. That's why it's so important to think carefully about what we do and why we do it.

I would add that this is not just for those called to be "worship leaders." We are all influencing others with our worship practice, be it in the church building or elsewhere. The world sees who or what we worship in ways that are often not obvious to us.

Bob relates some personal stories that end with a great realization -

If you were really hopeless, you'd stop trusting in yourself and what you can do and start trusting in what Jesus accomplished for you at the cross.

We all have to come to grips with his own idolatry.

Pride causes us to lose sight of what really matters.

How do we know God? In studying Scripture. Theology is not something we should shy away from. Rather it is something that brings us into greater understanding of God - and therefore, a greater capacity to worship Him. It's hard work. But it's worth it.

When the heart's affection and mind's attention are focused together on God, we are closer to true worship.

I haven't gotten very far in Worship Matters. But it's good so far.

No takers on the free copy yet. I'll give it until Friday. Then I'll open the free copy up to the larger body and see what happens.

Worship Matters

I had a quick thought before we shut the office down as the snow is deepening...

I've purchased an extra copy of "Worship Matters" by Bob Kauflin.

If you're a member of the Harvest Worship Team and want to read this along with me, I'll give you my extra copy.

But there will have to be some rules.

1. Harvest Staff are excluded (sorry...)
2. You must be currently serving in some capacity within Harvest Worship & Arts.
3. You must be willing to read through the book and contribute to the conversation here at "Between Nut and Saddle"

Sound simple enough???

1st qualifying comment wins! (all others are encouraged to buy a copy and read along with us!)

Worship Matters

I've just started reading "Worship Matters" by Bob Kauflin.

It starts well, so I thought I'd start a little series on my thoughts/insights as I read through.

This will hopefully do several things. First, it will help me not to allow distractions to keep me from reading. Second, it will help me process what I've read. And third, it will hopefully spur some discussion here.

And perhaps, you'd like to buy a copy and join me?

So, I'll be starting on Wednesday with my initial impressions and work from there. At least once a week.

Worship Matters.

Birthday Presents

Yesterday was my birthday. And I've told my family that the best gift to get me is either cash or Apple Store gift cards.

There's not much I'm wanting in life. Usually, if I want it, I go get it.

But Iphone is a fairly substantial purchase. So, I'm saving up for it. I'm a little over half-way there.

So, for anyone thinking of getting a gift for yours truly, Apple Store gift cards are the perfect choice.

Pretty. Isn't it?

35 - 18

I dropped off my daughter with the sitter this morning and as I walked back to the car, I came to the realization that I am now half-way to 70. This really doesn't bother me. Really. We get older. I really have no problem with that.

The strange thing is that as I was walking back to the car I felt very much like a kid. Like a teenager. Which is, I guess, how I see myself. Much of the time anyway. I'm wearing jeans, a thermal with a printed tee over it, and red Converse One-Stars. I don't feel like I'm fighting growing up. I've pretty well got growing up under my belt. I've been married 13 years. Got a 2-year-old and another on the way. I'm fully "adult".

Do you get to the point where you actually feel "adult"???

I haven't gotten to that point yet. And I hope I never do.

I always feel like I've got more to learn. I know that I'm not the best at anything. There's always someone better. Sad, but true.

Some things have changed. Responsibility changes some of our actions and choices. I don't drive like I used to. Though I'm still more likely to pass than be passed... I spend less. I would rather be home with my family than just about anything.

But some things have not changed. I still feel like the goofy kid who was never fully in the "in" crowd, but not fully out of it either. I would still rather laugh. I still try to find the fun in any situation. 'Cause if it's not fun, I'd rather do something else.

So, for this still-goofy 35-year-old, I hope I always feel this way. 35, going on 19.

Here comes the weekend

Getting ready for this weekend...

Leading at the Ladies Christmas Brunch. We do this each year, but have taken it off site this year. The band practiced last night and were excellent. As always...

I'm not leading at Harvest this weekend. Julie is leading and her rehearsal went great last night too. So, I'll be spending Saturday afternoon setting some things back up after the brunch. We've had to cannibalize our system a bit. So it's gotta go back together.

Hopefully, I'll be finishing a desktop that I made about a week ago. Nice oak. Stain and clear and it'll be done. Then the install with shallow lower cabinet. Hopefully I can make some progress...

no. not that kind of desktop

My daughter has super powers

Usually, Amelia is a sweet, beautiful little girl...

  

Then inexplicably, she becomes a flaming ball of nastiness

Today. Flaming ball of nastiness.

AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!

virtual Community?

What is community?

Is it dependent on geography?

How is it created, sustained?

I found this post about community. It defines community as: "a group of people who form relationships over time by interacting regularly around shared experiences, which are of interest to all of them for varying individual reasons."

But he goes on to say, and I'd have to agree, that online community seems to be driven almost wholly by passion/interest, while physical communities seem to be less about passion and more about shared experience and commonality.

This has me thinking about passion and the communities in which I interact. Church, blogs, family, neighborhood...

What communities are you a part of?

Kansans...

I use Statcounter to keep up on stats for my blog. Pretty cool little tool. You can tell a lot of things about who's checking things out.

No surprise that lots of folks who keep up with Between Nut and Saddle are in the Milwaukee area. But, in looking at it lately, there are quite a few of you in Kansas who are following along too.

If you've got a second I'd love to know who's out there in Kansas. If that's you,

give a shout!