response song from ECC Minister's Retreat

I was asked to make these lyrics available... Doug Wysockey-Johnson's teaching stimulated some good thoughts about our 'Call' to ministry in Christ, and I wrote this lyric to help us respond. It goes to the tune 'Finlandia' written by Jean Sibelius and found in most hymnbooks.

I heard Your call and stepped out in obedience
Now looking back on easy times and hard
I find “the past must come to serve the future”,
Your grace and truth my compass and my chart;
And I’m resolved to turn as You direct me,
Or stay the course if You will guard my heart.

I’ll cast the seed in every situation.
(“The field is tilled and must be left to grace”)
I’ll go aside to pray and seek Your Sabbath;
Walk to Your pulse, and not the world’s harsh pace,
And I’m resolved to turn as You direct me
Or stay the course and please You in the race.

My Savior’s call! Renewed with each new morning;
I pledge to answer, go where I am shown;
As He, the Maker calls, Who truly knows me
I’ll use His gifts, tho’ called to ways unknown.
Lord, I’m resolved to turn as You direct me
Or stay the course if You will lead me home.

(c)November 2009 marksofchrist

worship - what it means and why we blend it...

Everyone can tell what you like, enjoy or treasure by your priorities.

In 1967, Desmond Morris published a book called 'The Naked Ape' in which he described "Body language" – what your pose and actions (subconsciously) tells onlookers about your attitude.

The way you live, behave and devote your time etc. shows where your priorities lie; or, as Jesus put it "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt 6.21)

That's what the Anglo-Saxon word “weorthscipe” means – how we display worth - the values and value judgments that form our life's patterns. It's the root word from which we get our word 'worship'.

So, in that sense, worship is the priorities and values indicated by the way you live.

Everyone can tell what you like, enjoy or treasure by your priorities.

A good “Service of Worship” should help re-organize the priorities of our life, make them line-up with the kingdom of God.

Do you remember the PBS program called "The Antiques Roadshow"? In which people take an item from the attic or basement, expose it to expert scrutiny & analysis, and from those expert comments they discover more about the object and how precious it is. It's something like that with an Act of Worship – we take our faith, dust it off, examine and celebrate it together and begin to appreciate who God is and what He has done – in a new light. Through worship we begin to see ourselves as we really are – sinners saved by God's grace – or better still we see ourselves as God sees us – loved but lost, unworthy but welcome.

However, when we take our focus off Christ, we quickly forget what's central to our faith or get distracted from our life resolutions – and all this, too, is obvious to people around us.

Pastor Rick Warren's book, 'The Purpose Driven Life' begins with the sentence: “It's not about you.” That highlights one of the problems we face when discussing our worship services. Each of us loves to sing songs or hymns, pray prayers and say creeds that express our faith. But asking questions about what you like or enjoy is not the point; in fact, that only serves to make us think about ourselves, and most of us don't need help to be self-centered.

what you like or enjoy is not the point

Really the question should be what do your children, your parents, your neighbor find helpful in expressing themselves to God? How can we, as a church family, celebrate our faith and commune with God in a way that works for all of us?

If we see that this old hymn reminds Grandma of a meaningful time in her life - or this contemporary worship song really speaks to our teenager, it's going to be easier to celebrate together. If these words help me to express my faith, or explain the Gospel to my friends, then my family know it's important to me, and they'll be happy to say or sing them with me.

So, when we design a service of blended worship, we're doing just what the hymn "All Hail the power of Jesus' Name" says, we're "joining in the everlasting song". Words that were inspired by the Holy Spirit three or four thousand years ago are blended with words that were written three days ago; all included because - as an extended family - we can express our faith and respond to God together.

centrifugal forces

Here I am at the Covenant AGM in Portland, OR. Seems to me we're celebrating, rightly, each of our Affirmations at subsequent Annual Meetings, Midwinters etc. That's a good thing. Because each of the strategies I hear about ethnicity, evangelism, demographic targeting and so on - each would seem to pull us out from the center of our common focus, that is Christ.

pull us out from the center of our common focus

so I suggest we stimulate and generate
a) songs and hymns that focus on each of the Affirmations
b) opportunities for this material to be distributed and made available to other churches
c) education about the basic theological positions of the Affirmations, so that we can create vocabulary (i.e. "what do we mean by New Birth?")
d) reasonable standards of theology, musical composition, form and structure so that we hold ourselves accountable to inherited standards of integrity

and let's do it with all the enthusiasm and joy we can muster to move our denomination forward in a vital area of popular theology!

a fun time in York PA

One of the things I'm really enjoying about the Covenant is the 'collegiality' of my fellow enthusiasts for Christ. Last week gave me more shining examples; people who are - well, just lovely individuals, trying to follow the savior, recognizing their own weakness and finding His strength.
Each (in their own way) trying to make the most of the talents we've been given, seeking to encourage one another and give all the credit to God. These are the ones I enjoy meeting; we derive great joy in collaboration and wish we could work and play together a little more often...
but then it's back to the several places God has put us. I remember seeing my children (years ago, now) worn out after playing with cousins or other friends from afar; wishing these people were around more, but exhausted from having so much fun. That's me right now - and to those who were involved in the AGM experience last week: Thanks. It was really a fun time!
We may be discovering more about why God invented church...

psallam spiritu at mente (3)

or maybe I should call this Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi... (as the Church prays, so the Church believes, or literally, the law of prayer is the law of belief.)
"What on earth are you talking about?" I hear you cry. Simply, I think we remember what we pray and sing - much more than we remember sermons or Bible Studies. This emphasizes the importance of what we put in our songs. If it's shallow, that will begin to influence the depth of our theology. So you can understand how I feel about a repertoire that never addresses some issues; those issues fall away from our residual theology, so that we don't know good doctrine in those areas.

we remember what we pray and sing

Not only that, but the musical landscape we use doesn't have the variety or range to portray the majesty, glory and holiness of God, either.
Love songs to Jesus are fine in their place. Trouble is, we don't need a diet of love songs - we need a fully rounded expression of who God is and what God has done, and the musical vocabulary of today's church can't cut it. The best comparison might be with the musical vocabulary of the cinema. Can you think of any limits on the pallet used in film music?

Can you think of any limits on the pallet used in film music?

Any producer or composer limiting his musical expression to the forces we use in church would rapidly fade into obscurity. Of course, we tend to limit our music to whatever can be played 'live' in our churches, and for some congregations that resource is very limited. But I still don't think we should let that parameter limit our imagination - my theory is that it actually limits our theology. We need to have our mind's eye opened, not constrained; and the uses of music in society are so much wider and more effective than what we do in church, it's obvious that we need to think outside the box.
To be clear - I think we need some songs with deeper meanings (as well as some that are light, or just fun) - and I also think we need to broaden the range of sounds and musical forms because the 'art-vocabulary' surrounding our conversation with God is a reflection of how we think about Him.

psallam spiritu et mente... (2)

As creative artists we thrive on encouragement, challenge and discussion; other writers and theologians taking our work seriously and recognizing the qualities of our work.
Some people put this down to the perennial problem of the artist's ego. I, personally, think it's an aspect of our relational nature. We were made in the image and likeness of God, and He set the pattern of ultimate Creator - to 'walk in the garden, in the cool of the day' and talk with us about the things he had made. We who are His 'creations who create' can hardly think of anything better.

So, yes, I like to listen to people's songs and discuss them. And to have people respond to my songs with comments and criticisms. It's all the more beneficial and therapeutic if we agree on standards, aims and purposes that fulfil our calling within the kingdom.
We need a Covenant song and hymnwriters group; we need to exchange materials, agree on topics and encourage one another to write and publish. We need grace and mercy, to be able to speak the truth in love.

much of the available contemporary repertoire is unbalanced...

It's true that much of the available contemporary repertoire is unbalanced. This is for a multitude of reasons, including the doctrinal background from which it comes, the acceptability or fashionable nature of the doctrines celebrated and the simple whims of the publishers.

Try this simple test; glance through the Covenant Affirmations, and try to think of songs that celebrate them. You'll find many areas that are under-emphasized, or just missing from, the current song and hymn repertoire. Examples might include the Incarnation, Repentance, Lament for injustice (I don't just mean songs that talk about CMJ, I mean material that identifies with those who suffer, and cries out to God on their behalf) and many more. It's not unnatural to find gaps like these - after all, we want our worship to be attractive, celebratory, joyful, winsome and uplifting - that's only natural. Much of the music mankind creates will be the natural expression of our lives. (Did I say natural enough?)
But in worship we are called to follow God's agenda; we need to be honest as well as happy, conscientious as well as contemporary.
You can be too honest. An old UK friend, Ian Traynor, told me they once wrote a song in his church that went "O God, I want to praise you but I feel rotten" and the third week they gave up singing it because it was such a downer. He reckoned it became a negative prophecy.
So let's be positive. Let's encourage one another - but let's also find ways in which we can build a holistic, contemporary and truthful expression of praise, worship and prayer for today's Covenant church.

psallam spiritu et mente...

Psallam spiritu et mente - "I will sing with the Spirit, and also with the understanding".

I've recently been reading some material that stirs my spirit, suggested by my good friend Warren Lindstrom. First was an article by Phillip J. Anderson in the Evangelical Covenant Quarterly, Nov 2007. I understand that he's a history Prof at North Park. I think he's also one of those wonderful talking heads on the Covenant Affirmations DVD. The article's called "The mystic chords of memory" and focuses on Covenant Church music and communication, past and present. Professor Anderson writes about the history of borrowed and self-made vocabulary in our denomination, and then invites a discussion on "What's the Covenant singing today?"
Second was an open letter, in response to the above article, sent by Andrew Thompson to Covenant leaders. It furthers the discussion and makes some constructive and practical suggestions about encouraging songwriting within the denomination.
Third was an article by Glen V. Wiberg in Pietisten (not sure of the publication date) which mentions the Anderson and Thompson pieces, plus Royce Eckhardt's studies in the direction the Covenant is taking in worship music and liturgy.
My response is one of warm resonance. I've been involved in leading and teaching worship, music, theology and related issues for years; but only recently arrived 'home' in the Covenant. I say I've come home because that's how it feels, although I was brought up in the evangelical wing of the Church of England, and just came from 14 years in the Ev Free. I belong in the UK school of song and hymnwriters, to the Jubilate Publishing Group, and am closely associated with the London School of Theology.
At this point, I simply want to underline and reinforce some of the suggestions made in the above-mentioned articles.
1) We need to encourage songwriting, and songwriters, in the Covenant.
2) We need to teach and discuss our musical and doctrinal vocabulary.
3) We need to establish criteria and encourage higher standards in our music and liturgy.

I'll address each of these issues in subsequent blogs.

time away - but time well spent.

sorry for the intermission. Hope all is well? In the meantime, we bought the house and started a massive renovation project, and I wrote my ministry license paper, profile, etc. This week, I'll be back to the issues at hand.

back at home

Finally got home in the early hours after a changed flight and some awkwardness... "these things are sent to try us" and sometimes they succeed.

Sorry for the 'radio silence' of the last few days. Haven't had my laptop during midwinter (youth pastor is studying and needed it for notes). Back online now, though, and I'm going to try to bring my hurriedly scribbled observations to order over the next day or so.

It was great to meet people. It was particularly good to meet Matt N, Chris W, Adriane, Jeff O, Jeff R, Jim B and the Rasheeds. What a phenomenal testimony to God's faithfulness and redemptive power! I talked to most of you about the idea of a Songwriters' Fellowship - apparently others had written to Katie Martinez or the Worship Connection blog about a similar idea. 

I've seen such a Fellowship working very well in the Sovereign Grace churches. While I was in the Ev Free I benefitted from their encouragement, even while not being part of their denomination. They have mentored a whole next generation of songwriters to better standards of musicianship and theological integrity, and they recognise this in others.

the first day of midwinter

Connection ended with a fascinating seminar on character types... and some more good conversation during the afternoon 'off'. I think I was expecting a final plenary session, but i guess last night's Celebration was a good summary. I understand that the 'Connection' event was originally arranged as a teaching time - and some of that character remains - but there are other major reasons for our denomination to assemble the creative artists, youth workers and those working on far-reaching policies like Compassion, Mercy and Justice. It's vital for the Covenant that we have a character that blends our cultures, a characteristic understanding and a spirit of cooperation.

It's vital for the Covenant that we have a character that blends our cultures, a characteristic understanding and a spirit of cooperation.

That sort of understanding starts with the thinkers, gets communicated through the arts and is celebrated in the teaching. Connection can be more intentional, more effective and more contagious.

Look at me, the new boy. One visit to an event and I start to 'buy in'. And the Main Event only just started. I'm enjoying the atmosphere here.

worship at Connection 09 felt like now. Worship at midwinter has begun to feel like the future.

The Connection 09 worship team was strongly contemporary; Tonight was a subtle mixture (very good, but still a little self-conscious) and a powerful combination of the best elements of our home styles of music and teaching.

So where are the discussions of music?

Music is not all of worship, “worship” doesn’t just mean music. Many people recognize that, although we keep falling into the trap of describing music as worship…
So where (at Connection 09) are the discussions of music? I don’t just mean repertoire; I mean, where’s a workshop
a) discussing the current fashions/trends in songwriting and whether they’re healthy.
b) teaching a high standard of lyrical writing and theological integrity?
c) the ‘great old’ items of covenant musical and liturgical history
d) how to develop musical authenticity in missional or multiculturalchurch planting (heaven knows we don’t want them all adopting an American musical vernacular!)
Maybe they’ll be happening at Midwinter proper?

Oh, I met Matt Lundgren. A really good guy, by all accounts. For me, he was the same off-stage as on, very humble and helpful.

at the end of the day...

This has been a very full and fulfilling day. Josef Rasheed's session this afternoon on 'Creativity in Worship' was stimulating and inspiring. After the Superbowl we had a late worship service where I really got into the music (doesn't always happen) and Shane Claiborne spoke powerfully about his priorities, how they challenge the law and the way society usually operates.
Time to sleep...

contact

by the way, comments are always welcome.

If you want to contact me privately, write to newpietist@gmail.com

looking forward to it!

Sunday lunchtime

Good conversations to be had all over the place.
I just returned from a fascinating session on Sacred Space, led by Don and Martha Johnson and their friend Jeanne Heckman. They create Altar Pieces, based on a theme or metaphor that holds the key to that week's teaching. Examples can be seen here at their home church blog.
Don led us through a list of different ways to reinforce the text of the day, which I found fascinating, as i've been using a basically thematic method to plan worship for twenty years or more.
In this session I began to find ways to integrate the historical and traditional as well as the cultural diversity that's being encouraged by The Covenant.

Just a line about that: (more later...) I find it unusual that the Denomination is emphasizing cultural diversity and a multi-cultural approach when I find myself in a very white, anglo-american/swedish church in an overwhelmingly Caucasian area (New Hampshire). I'm enjoying the emphasis, it's just an unusual tension for me.

Thoughts on Sunday morning

I love it. I’m finally (back) in a denomination that cares, supports and teaches its local church leaders. My own background is Anglican, but I’ve been wandering for years. Now I'm finding people from my home area, others from all over the US with similar interests and issues, cool people.

There's room for a variety of approaches here. No insistence on narrow orthodoxy or (even worse) a narrow method. We come from such a diversity of contexts, cultures and current situations, and meeting together is refreshing. Most people I've met come back year after year because of that dynamic.

There's a congruent set of issues that always come up when pastors and worship leaders meet each other, too. Overwork, impending burn-out, the weight of local criticism, all these and more a re typical of the well-meaning, hard-working servant hearts of my colleagues. The phrase used in the King James version of the Bible about Martha - that she was 'distracted by much serving' - comes to mind. I'm praying that we'll go home refreshed, encouraged, renewed; with a better and more balanced perspective on our life. ministry and call.

I'm enjoying the sessions; I find it difficult to keep quiet, and did a poor job of it yesterday.

Main sessions are interesting. Worshipful, instructive, contemporary but with a context that's wider and nods to our history as well as the work at home. We're led by a superb goup of musicians, not afraid to 'get out of the way and led the Holy Spirit work among us. Preaching is apposite and relevant, without too much self-conscious 'style'.

There's always going to be a gap between music that works in a conference or stadium and music that works at home - some of the gap is subsatntial, some of it a matter of arrangement. I think we could offer more help on bridging that gap (see suggested workshops below). We need to hear more harmony than a good, contemporary mix can really give us with this line up. That's a truth of contemporary arrangement.
The songs we're learning are following current fashion - simple repeated motifs with a change of harmony that combines 'easy-to-learn-on-the-spot' with more than just a 'three-chord-trick'. Matt Lundgren and the band use dynamics well, too. (That's a difficult thing to do in a world dominated by audio compression.) Not just a simple song statement - we're led through reflective, meditational parts of a song into triumphant choruses. Love it.

Why am I writing, sometimes critically? As a new boy here, I don't want to presume, but I'm going to throw myself into this culture, so anything I see while retaining objectivity is worth noting. I need to aboandon objectivity in order to get the pastoral support and encouragement we all need to "keep calm and carry on".

Sharing regularly is vital, too. It's hard to keep up the momentum of sharing, but I'm finding it's a necessary part of as connected life. Try to maintain the conversation, please. It's a healthy spiritual discipline. The good people behind Worship Connect know that, and are doing it for our good. We should see more comments, feedback on Worship Connect. It's good for us.

A list of suggested workshops for next year:
a) Connection Choir
could be as small as 12-16 voices. It would be fun, and would help fill in the harmonic context of the new songs, which can be difficult to hear in the main sessions.
b) How to make these new songs work at home

c) What about our history? How do we integrate that into post-modern multi-culture?

d) Representing the whole gospel in weekly worship
(How do we ensure continued a balance of doctrine while following the emphasis, CMJ for instance)