Music – Joel's Travels

Bridging Two Worlds: Music and the Word

Joel Muddamalle — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 04:42:48 +0000

I remember sitting in a church planting workshop and hearing a pastor and the worship leader talking through their process for collaborating weekend services. They essentially unpacked how they were able to neatly categorize each part of the service and allocate responsibility to either the teaching pastor or the worship leader. They met once a week for 15 minutes to run over the set list, identify any transitions, and then they were off. I left thinking that there has to be more to the story. Is it really that easy to just separate roles and responsibilities and leave it like that?

This caused me to consider the implication of this type of system. I believe the results could be challenging and create an environment that fosters competition and segmentation. Be on the look out for the following:

1. Areas of ownership versus collaborative ownership

The term “areas of ownership” is common among businesses and teams. Essentially, what are you responsible for, what do you own? When it comes to a worship service, consider that you don’t “own” anything. Rather, it is a collaborative effort where all the pieces of a service come together to honor God, make much of Him, and clearly and boldly proclaim the Gospel. Changing your perspective from individualistic to “holistic” will in return cause you to value all the other parts of the service.

2. Compartmentalizing worship in song and preaching.

It can become easy to view the worship service in parts. The first being the singing and the second being the preaching of the Word, view them as continuation. Worship in song is a communal experience, knitting the hearts of believers together. It causes us to remember who God is and His goodness. Further, it causes us to consider what Christ has done and is continuing to do in our lives and in the life of those around us. As our heart posture is set correct before the Lord, we begin to dive into his Word. Engaging the text and being encouraged and admonished through the proclamation of the Gospel is important. These are not two different things, they are simply a continuation of one thing.

3. Team mentality versus a church and family mentality

The conclusion of the first two issues eventually results in a team mentality. All of sudden the worship team begins to create a “mini-team” within a larger team. However, the motivation, values, and mission of this mini-team can begin to stray from that of the church. There should never be a team mentality that disrupts the vision and mission of the church. Rather, focus on the development of a church family mentality. You do serve in “mini-teams” and these teams are formed to fulfill and execute the mission and vision of the church.

4. Diminishing appreciation and value for the weekend service as a whole

If you find yourself in a place of segmentation and separation, you will eventually begin to resent the service. This is dangerous to say the least. In my generation this diminishing appreciation and value for the gathering of believers has resulted in a “non-church going” movement. I’ve seen people my age disengage from the local church and choose to meet in small groups or leverage technology to live stream church services. A word of warning, watching a live stream of a church service is NOT you being apart of a local church.

So what is the solution?

How do we bridge the gap that can be present between the preaching and singing during church?

The answer lies in the relationship between the pastor and worship leader. Even more important is their understanding of corporate worship and how they individually work together as a team to see the Gospel preached and to edify the body, equip the saints, and bring conviction to those who are not near Christ.

Unity is everything.

Recommended Resources:

Here are some tools and resources that may be helpful to you as you pursue bridging the gap.

The Worship Initiative – My friends Shane and Shane have done a tremendous job modeling how the Word and Song are meant to work cohesively together
Planning Center Online – I’ve had the opportunity to work with these guys in the past. Not only do they have a genuine love for the church, they have the best planning solution for your church service and various ministries.
The Church Collective – Recently I did a podcast interview with them. Ryan and Brian are awesome. They love the church and want to provide resources that will be a blessing to local churches
Logos Bible Software – Shameless plug here. Honestly, both the Worship Leader and Teaching Pastor need to be serious students of the Word. This will enable you to have conversations that are rooted in Biblical truth and not merely opinion.

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When Preferences Become Convictions

Joel Muddamalle — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 17:35:35 +0000

Although a difference in opinions or modes of worship may prevent an entire external union; yet need it prevent our union in affection? – John Wesley

This las year I’ve had the privilege of traveling to various conferences that have roots in a variety of streams, traditions, and denominations. Interestingly, while some of these conferences have a clear dividing line in terms of secondary issues concerning doctrine, theology, or church ordinance, the essentials remain the essentials. Further, it seems that at times the body of Christ has mistakenly taken preferences and turned them into convictions which in turn become dividing lines amongst brothers and sisters in Christ.

As I consider this past year I am encouraged by the conferences I attended. In fact, the church at large would benefit from each other. While it seems that there is a resurgence of a pursuit of Christian unity, this really should be a priority for church and ministry leaders. I love what John Wesley says regarding church unity.

Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? – John Wesley

While it is inevitable that there are differences of opinions, the challenge is when those opinions become convictions. Rampant examples of this occurring in the local church are:

Music

Music may be the most visible preference that can quickly become a conviction for some. In the past I have served as a Worship Leader/Pastor and so I find myself very sensitive to conversations involving music type, style, and creativity in the arts. In my experience, a major challenge is two fold. First, there are a lot of young and immature worship leaders out there (I was in this group when I first started). These young and restless worship leaders have a chip on their shoulder and the burden to bring excellence, innovation, and creativity into the church! Sadly, they blatantly overlook the second issue; context. The ability to contextualize is not only important for a pastor and his sermons but equally important to the worship leader and the songs that he chooses. Simply, music should never be a dividing line in the local church which causes hurts, anger, and resentment.

Tip: I think Shane and Shane have one of the best resources for worship leaders that want to pursue both musical excellence paired with a foundation in the scriptures. A pursuit of these two things will be incredibly helpful as you process music and style in your local church context. Check out their new project – www.worshipinitiative.com

Technology

I work for a technology company that serves the church. You can only imagine the amount of conversations with pastors that I have in regards to technology and their local church. Conversations from church leaders that want to move from the faithful hymnal to “that projection stuff”. Then the very next conversation with a church leader who has an entire creative/arts team and they are working through environmental projection, mapping, and playing around with the development of a church app.

Tip: If you are looking for good church app check out www.bibleandjournalapp.com

The type of technology that you use or do not use should not be a predicating factor for unity in…
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I’ve found myself in an incredibly traditional church compared to where I’ve served on staff previously. It has been refreshing and eye opening.

Final Thought

Ultimately, this all boils down to a heart issue. Regardless of preferences, it is more than possible for churches and ministry leaders to partner together for the common goal of the advancement of the gospel. It’s ok to have preferences. However, its never ok for those preferences to cause hurt, resentment, gossip, or other forms of destructive behaviors within the body of Christ.

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3 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Leading Worship

Joel Muddamalle — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 22:49:30 +0000

I started early as a worship leader and was kind of thrown into it. Looking back, I had some incredible mentors but many of those around me were learning with me. Here are 3 things I wish I knew when I first started leading worship. These things have been echoed by many worship leaders across the country that I get to meet with. All of this really came together while at the Allaboutworship.com conference. Thankful to my friends Wisdom Moon, Michael Farren, and Sean Hill for conversation there that were incredibly helpful.

Let’s start with number 2:

2. LEAD YOUR CONGREGATION UP THE MOUNTAIN

The Old Testament offers some beautiful illustrations of God’s people ascending his mountain to enjoy his presence (Psalm 24:3). As a worship leader, you’re helping spiritually lead your congregation into God’s presence. Corporate worship is a communal experience, and part of facilitating that experience is being aware of where the rest of your church is. Sometimes the worship leader or the band can get so far ahead that they lose everyone else.

The goal isn’t to be the first to the top of the mountain; you certainly don’t want to stand at the top alone. Be conscious of emotive moments during songs, and as you foster that experience through instrumentation, consider how vocals accompany the feeling. Lead the voices of your congregation so you can enjoy the presence of God together.

Read more over at the Proclaim blog. <——

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