Journey of Worship

Posts Tagged ‘course’

For: The Institute of Contemporary and Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephen’s University, Essentials Red Online Worship History Course with Dan Wilt

When I was first getting into the visual arts as part of worship ministry, I came across a quote that has stuck with me. It’s from a 10 year old book called “Out on the Edge” by Michael Slaughter. He said “the screen is the stained glass window of the 21st century.”

Even as a kid, I remember thinking how odd it was that the church was all about the auditory experience, when we are such visual creatures. That was during the church construction period of make-the-church-as-plain-as-possible-so-it-doesn’t-intimidate-people. Yet, people are drawn to color, significant architecture, pleasing interior design, and the like. Recapturing the expression of art in space and expression can only enhance our connection with God and draw our attention heavenward. Read the rest of this entry »

For: The Institute of Contemporary and Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephen’s University, Essentials Red Online Worship History Course with Dan Wilt

As I continue to learn about worship history in my online class, the focus recently has been symbolic actions that have been a part of worship expression. The two most obvious things that fall into this category, and that are widely accepted as sacrements across Church lines, are baptism and communion (or the Eucharist).

To me, symbolic actions are a huge way of expressing truth, worship history, and our connection and engagement with Christ. Read the rest of this entry »

For: The Institute of Contemporary and Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephen’s University, Essentials Red Online Worship History Course with Dan Wilt

We’ve developed this church perspective that worship = music. While music and singing are a huge part of worship expression, worship is far more than music. It’s something that I am discovering both in the Bible and in looking at the history of worship expression in churches across time. Two of those expressions that we should revisit are those of prayer and scripture.

The worship languages of prayer and Scripture have always been important to me, and I have been privileged to be a part of churches that have valued those things, even if maybe not to the point of the Church of the past. These languages played a huge role in the life of the early church, both corporately and individually. For them, life drove prayer. Read the rest of this entry »

For: The Institute of Contemporary and Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephen’s University, Essentials Red Online Worship History Course with Dan Wilt

I’ve been thinking (and learning) about the value of remembering lately. God repeatedly told the Israelites to remember what He had done for them, and they repeatedly forgot and got into trouble. I have found myself making fun of the Israelites and wondering what their problem was, only to realize that we do the same thing. It just looks a little different.

Dan Wilt has said that “one of the greatest evidences that we are a fallen race is our tendency to forget.” I know that’s true in my own life, and in the life of the people I minister with and to each week. That’s why as a worship/creative person, I at times what to have people do something physical or take something home to engage with and remember a concept. How many of us have rocks and cloth and little crosses from past spiritual experiences? Read the rest of this entry »