Keep Things Simple

If someone had to ask me, what's the one thing I can do to improve my effectiveness as a song leader, I'd give them this advice... "Keep things Simple!"

It's easy for creative folk to fall into the trap of getting 'bogged down with details' and going 'over the top' with creativity and the desire to be different, that we sometimes forget what it is we're actually called to do... ~ to invite people into God's presence through the use of music and the creative arts.

Sure, we should be excellent in everything we do, and be creative... but music and arts in the church is not there to impress people with our gifting or talents. Rather we use the arts and music as tools to engage the hearts of people in worship and adoration of our awesome God.

Be as good as you can be, prepare as much as you can, and mix in a good dose of creativity.

But once you've done all that, take a step back, see the bigger picture and keep things simple.

Till later ~ Worship Pastor Guy.

Psalm 144:1 "...who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."

David was a mighty warrior... and songwriter / musician. He was skilled in both these areas. And there is a symbolic crossover between the two sides.

Through songs and worship we wage spiritual war. David played his harp for king Saul and this calmed him. 1 Samuel 16:23

Through anointed music, hardened hearts are opened & broken hearts are soothed. As a musician in the church I look to God to "train my hands for war, my fingers for battle." I work, with Gods help, to improve the skill level of my "weapon" (for me that's singing and playing the guitar) so I don't fumble in the midst of battle. The battle could be those moments where God is working in people's hearts through a song, and you don't want to distract from the moment by fumbling or being unprepared.

As a worship pastor and song leader, I strive to model to the rest of my team the discipline of practise & continued lessons, longing to inspire them to grow and become skilled as well.

Worship Pastor Guy

Small Beginnings

My first (bitter) taste at leading a group in singing worship songs, was when the youth pastor forgot to bring his guitar. As a youngster, I gladly offered my guitar to him, but he somehow felt it's time for me to start leading. It didn't bother him that I knew only 4 chords (D, G, Em, and A). My attempts at protesting got me nowhere. So I gave it my best. After a silent prayer asking God for help, I strummed the first and second chord, but then realised there was another chord fast approaching and I wasn't sure which one it would be. There was no music sheets. Youth Pastor Guy always seem to play everything by memory.

I took a wild guess, and right there ruined the song and was unable to find my way out of the mess I created.

That totally ruined the rest of my week. I felt embarrassed and came close to dropping my guitar playing stint, longing back to the days when Lego-blocks were the most challenging thing to overcome in my day.

Well, that was 15 years ago. I kept on playing guitar, getting some proper lessons, asking lots of questions and learning ever since. I've come a long way, and learned so much, that it would be selfish not to share the "tricks of the trade" with other new and upcoming worship guitarists.

I'll be posting some write ups with tips and thoughts, and hopefully I'll get some links posted with actual video clips that demonstrate how you can enhance your guitar playing.

Till later

Worship Pastor Guy