Why aren't we singing?:

The reason most people don't sing during worship is simply because they are singing towards those who are already singing, making it a bit of a challenge almost. The songs can be too difficult sometimes, and other times people just aren't warmed up to sing or are even aware that our voices can be meant for singing. The group of worshippers must be led by the singers through a sort of "warm-up" if you will, with simple melodies such as hallelujah or humming of some sort, just to sink it in that the crowd can sing and so that they feel more encouraged to sing. People can also just take the worship as just another source of entertainment, not an action being taken upon by the worshipper. Once the worshipper is made aware of the fact that the band is not to perform, but to lead, they will be more inclined to be spiritually and sometimes physically active.

Graham Kendrick really put his words of wisdom into an easy to comprehend format, stating that people always expect worship bands to do all the worshipping for them so that they can just watch from a distance. Worship is an act for the listener as much as it is an act for the musicians.

Andy Mineo

Hip Hop and Rap are rather new to the music world in general, having only originated from the early 70’s in The Bronx, New York. On top of that, Hip Hop is very new to the Christian genres of music. Typical worship and Christian music is played in a contemporary or alternative style, so now that there is Christian Hip Hop, Christian music is being revitalized by its Rapper pioneers. Among those rap artists who are pioneering their faith alongside their craft, is Andy Mineo; He is one of the most popular Christian rappers currently in the music industry because of his unique style and use of articulate and loaded vocabulary.

Andy Mineo first started his musical journey while he attended high school in Syracuse, New York, spending his time producing beats and soundtracks for him and his friends to listen to. When he graduated, he joined a Syracuse sponsored label with his group known as Fat Camp. Shortly after his stint with his rap group, he had a revelation with God, and realized just how faint his spiritual growth had been getting. He wasn’t satisfied with where he had been headed in life, and for this reason he decided to re-commit himself to living a Godly life. This meant he had to leave his rap group, and start anew on his own. He was rather inactive in his music until he provided hook Vocals for another Christian hip hop artist named Lecrae, which got him passionate about rapping about God. He started producing on his own music in 2009 when he released his first mixtape as a stand-alone rapper, titled Sin is Wack. Since then, he has blown up with popularity. Having been featured a song called Power Trip by Lecrae, the two artists among other featured artists won the best Gospel album in the 2013 Grammy Awards. My opinion on Andy Mineo, is that he is the Eminem of Christian Rap. His words are full of meaning, and his creativity works hand in hand with his skills on the mic. Aside from having a testimony to write lyrics about, he is very wise for realizing his faults. To me, Andy Mineo is very Spiritually aware and is listening to what God is telling him every step he takes through life.

ARE WE INSULTING GOD?

This article was about the importance of our hearts and even very little words that are used in worship. Words can be the divining factor in life or death, heaven or hell, and depending on our hearts desire when we use our words, we can either be insulting to God or extremely worship oriented. It all depends on small words like "for", we cannot forget that we technically don't have to do anything FOR God, he really does not need us. We are only here because God loves and created us, and for us to love Him back with our own free will is up to us. It brings him joy, but words can make a big difference on what we desire most.

I really do agree with what this article states on some aspects, but others I find harder to understand. To me, it is all about our hearts while we worship, words do mean a lot and certain ones have impact, but at the same time God knows what we desire before we say it or do something, meaning we don't necessarily offend him with our mouths.

This article begins with a very puzzling and multi perceivable intro. To one person, they could perceive this as "leading on a stage is BAD". Others can see as leading as more of a showmans pride way of stealing the attention away from God.  However, throughout the article the author explains how important humility is when it comes to being in important positions that tend to be more stage driven and up in front of people. People need to be aware that even though they may not think they have ulterior motives in their hearts, they are sinful human beings so they always have something dark in their hearts, no matter how righteous they are. Jesus isn't a human, so he has the right to be able to do it in front of people. Knowing that, one of the most important values in a Christian's life must be humility. Being humble in the presence of God is important, if we pride ourselves then God cannot be the one to lift us up if we think we can do that ourselves. Letting go of glorifying ourselves opens up our hands, so we can lift them up to God.

IF WORSHIP WAS AN NBA GAME:
 Uh, I never expected that this video existed, but this would be hilarious if people were so into it as these people. I really don't know what else to say about this. Happy new year.

Chapter 29: Ministering out of our comfort zone
Sometimes we are just meant to minister outside of the places that we aren't used to. Using the blessings given to us by God, we are given opportunities to grow through our pain in not being used to something.
I think it's okay to do this and it's better to keep us growing rather than staying complacent.

Chapter 28: Understanding the dynamics of the worship service

To understand the worship service, that means that the worship leaders must be able to understand the flow of the order and be able to pick songs, discerning them between songs they like to play versus songs that are pertinent to the message. It also goes deeper into the little details, such as practicing the songs and reciting the message and making sure that it will all sound the way it's supposed to sound the the congregation. However, if we base our "effectiveness" on sounding good alone, then we are missing the point that we are meant to worship God, not perform behind His name.
I liked this chapter because it reminds us to watch the mundane and not only worry about the big things, we must be vigilant on the little things as well.

Chapter 27: being prepared to worship

In this chapter, the author speaks about. Being mentally and physically ready to worship as well as being spiritually prepared to be a worship leader. Every time that we lead worship we should prepare and be ready for whatever it is that God wants us to do, whether it be spiritual or physical. God uses the chaos as well as the order of a service to truly speak to people.
I like this chapter because it reminds me to be faithful to order in our services because it minimizes distractions for other people to get closer to Jesus.

Chapter 15: excercising diplomacy
In this chapter, it explains three scenarios that are examples of times when there is friction  within the worship teams of 3 churches. They deviatd between them varied from antagonistic disobedience or micromanaging. The only way to fix problems like this is to confront the problem as a leader, and put a stop to the fighting amongst the musicians or else nothing will get any better. All of these situations must be recognized as a threat to the worship experience, the church has to have the strength to put away the conflicts so that the machine can work properly rather than breaking down eventually. Diplomacy is a way to keep the conflicts at bay as well as keeping the peace and moral up all of the time. This is how to keep the worship team from breaking apart.
I liked this chapter because the situation can be cured by diplomacy no matter what situation it is. It can be applied everywhere.

Chapter 14: Caring for the Congregation
In this chapter, it says that people are much more important that simply doing work at the church alone. Rather than doing your best at the work you are in, you are supposed to focus on the people rather than ministering. After all, that's what worship is about. We tend to always get caught up in the act of worshipping, and in doing so we forget it's true purpose. We are called to serve for the people to be led to Jesus through our gifts. We are not rock stars, we are worship leaders. I think this issue is a relevant one to anyone who leads worship and can be applied easily so long as we are aware of the problem. I like that just by knowing this drawback, it is an easy fix; a simple daily reminder that we are called to care for people can make all the difference in the world.

Chapter 11:
In this chapter, the author discusses the leader position of the worshipper. The worship leader is more than just a musician on the stage, they are a role model onstage as well as off stage. If we live a life contrary to what we are like on stage then we will be deemed ineffective by anyone who sees us in our personal life. We must act like role models to all who we come across, glorifying God by the way we live as well as our music.
I liked this chapter because I know how easy it is to simply focus on the music aspect of worshipping. Hearing about this problem gives me insight on keeping myself in check daily about this.

Chapter 12:
In this chapter, the author states that God has given each and every one of us the abilities and talents that we have been graced with throughout our lives. Spiritual gifts are things such as healing, but without prayer and practice we are not. My favorite part about this chapter is that God does give us these things even if we never notice them, but that we have to take initiative to bring it out of us.

Chapter 10: Self Discipline
Discipline is among one of the hardest forms of Spirituality in our walk with Jesus, especially as worship leaders. It is easy to slack off on practice and prayer time, but if we do stay disciplined and if we give our full effort for any endeavor we put out, then God has promised that we will be blessed and that our efforts will be multiplied.
I enjoyed this chapter because it explained it in a way that made it seem like a tightrope walk that we deal with as worship leaders. Yet at the same time; it's very simple to not lose our balance. Through discipline, God will make our efforts grow, so we ought to make an effort in all that we do.

Chapter 9: holding loosely to the ministry position
No calling of position is permanent in our life and we will never know the day that some of them end. The author tells a story of his friend Kenneth being such a part of worshipping at his church, that he was hired as the main leader after serving for so long. But eventually, his own Pastor did certain things that Kenneth could not agree with, and so with the strength to give up his own life calling and passion; retired from the worship ministry. Another example was when a woman named Cindy was told that she would be stepping down after serving for 20 years, and that she would be a mentor to the new worship leader. He did not want her help, so out of frustration she left ministry all together as well. Ministry however is temporary, but God is what's permanent above ALL else in our lives. We should not cling to our positions in worship, we are called to stand by god no matter where He puts us.
I believe this situation is a lesson to all worshippers, we may not know when we are gonna step down from ministry. However, while we are in ministry we are called to serve GOD wholeheartedly, not  simply WORSHIPPING with our entire being; the purpose is not the position, but who we are worshipping. We mustn't become obsessed with the idea of our position, but with the purpose of why we are where we are.

Chapter 8: Spiritual Maturity
In this chapter, the topic of maturity with Christ within a worship leader is discussed. It is so important that the worship leader is not only a good musician, but they must have the maturity to stay humble about it, and to know that they are not rock stars, they are worshipping the Lord. God says, that leadership positions in the church must be given to those with Spiritual maturity so that the church remains in order.
I like this chapter because it's so truthful and useful for us right now, we must stay focused on the main reason behind our existence: God. We should not let pride make us feel more powerful, and if we are Spiritually mature that will not happen.