Black Friday
I am attending the Worship God 2015 conference in Louisville, KY and am being ministered to by worship leaders from all over. It's a time for us as worship pastors to be fed poured into what we give out 52 Sunday's throughout the year. I've been attending this conference for over five years now and those whom I work with back home have at some times benefited from this ministry. A conference held by Sovereign Grace ministry under the the direction of Bob Kauflin who happens to be a mentor of mine saw the need to assist those who lead weekly worship do our job well under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I've taken the teachings and its music back to churches to bring awareness of gospel centered music to the people we lead. The problem I ran into was that the styles was not appealing to ours back home. What God allowed me to do was to translate the style into one that will be accepted at my church. I thank Him daily for that gift. I know the SG music caters to a culture unknown to mine but God allows this music to be universal for mankind and has gifted some of us to bring it home wherever we serve. Attending this conference the band plays and the people cry out in praise throughout the worship time, it's a sight to see yet alone a place where we dwell in the presence of God. I've been affected by such praise that don't just see a culture but people seeking humbling, pouring out, asking for forgiveness and acknowledging the power of the Cross in our lives. Oh what a privilege to be a part of and then being equipped to share it with others. It was not the beat of the music but it's stimulating lyrics being sung to God. Well crafted of words reflecting the God of the Bible. I can gel with the music but my team back at home on the other hand would prefer to skip it. Over the past five years our church has changed its repertoire of songs to a more profound lyrical chants that expresses our salvation. Words only thought of but rearly spoken out of the condition of our hearts. Song after song pointing people to see God and our redemption through His Son Christ. But there was a catch, we added some seasoning to the styles that expressed our joy even more into a never ending song. We've opened up the chords added 9ths, 7ths, and all sort of colorization that enhances and shapes into a likable style for our congregation. Currently I serve at a church that is multicultural, multigenerational and leading worship with a multiethnic band. God brought us together for a reason to show Himself inside our sinfulness. Laboring together became difficult for me to express my musical styles and He exposed my flesh for what it was. My pride being shown as if I was all the more but God shook me, twisted my mind. "The strength to follow His command could never come from me". God began to work us and thru us showing us how our unification in Christ. Fellowship with each other within this body of whom we serve. Yes Jesus loves us, red & yellow, black & white we'er all precious in His sight.
