The Art Of Backing Vocals - My Journey As A Backing Vocalist

Jessie Lane, vocalist and songwriter, offers these artful ideas to the backing vocalist.

I've been a backing vocalist in worship teams and other scenarios for ten years now.

That's such a long time it's scary. I have been a wannabe singer for as long as I can remember - prancing through my world with my hairbrush, spoon, or toothbrush, singing mostly out of tune to whatever was playing on the radio.

As children, my sister and I would lie in bed making up songs - trying to convince the other that it was a genuine song we'd heard on the radio - and my sister would freak out because she'd be singing away and I would interrupt her by singing another song - louder. These days it's my husband Darren who gets frustrated with me because I start singing in the middle of his sentences - that's pretty rude isn't it? I've been working on that.

Anyway, the truth is that God designed me with this passion - when I sing, I feel God's pleasure. It turns out that God did have a plan to use my warbling larynx, and all these years later I look back and love God all the more for the opportunities He has given me.

For some time it was hard for me to believe that God was not just humoring my love of singing. The realization that He had planted this desire in me for a reason brought me a lot of joy and freedom, and of course made me want to sing all the more.

I am very grateful for this gift from God. Since I realized He gave me the gift for a reason, I've been aware of God investing in me and teaching me about worship, and also stripping me of some of the twisted stuff that gets in the way. I still sing backing vocals, and on occasion have led worship, too.



Tending The Gift

I think a key to being a good backing singer, is to understand that your voice is an instrument and a gift. You have the opportunity and potential to be a gift, and bring a gift.

First and foremost, your worship is an offering to the Lord. As a member of a worship team, I have to constantly ensure that this is my central motivation, because God deserves nothing less. It's so easy to shift one way or another. But when our hearts are in the right place, there is less pressure and so much more joy. God is glorified.

As a backing singer you are a vital support to the worship leader.

You are also an example for the congregation to follow.



Some Hard And Fast Lessons

If I were to pass on any of the lessons that I have had to learn, either through my own mistakes or through the grace of learning from other's mistakes (!) it would be the following:



Listen a lot!

Listen to the band and everything that's going on. Listen for and be open to anything that God might be saying or doing.



Lay down your own agenda and defer.

Be sensitive to the worship leader - follow his or her lead Ð and go with the flow of what God is doing. Make sure that you don't "over take" or battle with the worship leader either musically or thematically. This is crucial if you are doing spontaneous stuff. Also, be sensitive to the other members of your team and what they are doing. It's easy to clash. Remember there is a time for singing out and there is a time for being quiet.



Ask lots of questions.

Find out what the leader would like in terms of improvisation, "ad-libbing", and prophetic contributions - what does s/he want and need from you? Protect your relationships within the worship team. Be an encourager. Don't underestimate the power of unity and relationships that honor God. If you are singing with other vocalists, take the time to pray together. This has made a serious difference for me at times.



Remember that your voice is an instrument.

Don't play down your role. Take the time to work out harmonies and parts. Good vocals are crucial. It's what people are listening to, and what they follow.



Be creative with your harmonies.

Try not to get stuck in a rut. However, do be aware that "more creative" doesn't always equal "better". Remember to think of the overall sound, not just your individual voice - you are not singing solo - you are a team player. Being sensitive to this will set you apart as a backing singer.



Know that backing vocals is a different skill than lead vocals.

Just because you can do one, doesnt mean you can automatically do the other (but knowing how to do one well can help you learn to do the other well). Recognize the difference. It may sound basic, but many people think that just because they have a great voice - perfect pitch, passion, tone - that they will be a great backing singer. Not so. Bad BVs can be distracting, out of place, over crowding and just plain attention seeking.



Backing vocals in a worship team is different to backing vocals in a "normal" band.

You are not a token girl (or guy). You are not performing. You are an example. So be a good example of worship, on and off the platform. Demonstrate worship - engage. When the leader says lets dance, or lets sing out a song to the Lord, it's your job to do that! Bite the bullet. Depending on your mood, this is sometimes tough, because you want to remain "real" up there but your priority is to serve, and lead by example.



Protect your instrument

Look after your voice. But be sensible, don't become a psycho-Ricola sucking, dairy-hating, "must always have a room-humidifier" fanatic who has lost all sense of perspective. It's always good to be balanced! But do get to know your voice, understand what helps you and what doesn't - and if it hurts - STOP.



Final Word

Don't get so lost in worship that you miss what is going on around you (cues, etc.), but at the same time don't get so hung up on the music that you miss what you're actually trying to do - worship. Be real up there, but professional, and I have to say itƒdress modestly.

Remember, everyone is not watching you as much as you think. Try opening your eyes occasionally and you'll see that everyone is NOT looking at you!

Don't take yourself too seriously; enjoy yourself, enjoy God, feel His pleasure over His people, watch what He is doing with the people - it's like Heaven on Earth.



Bio:

Jessie Clarke was born and raised in England, but moved to the central coast of California when she was 19. Jessie started singing at the age of 16 in her home church, the St. Albans Vineyard, and went on to sing with Matt Redman & Graham Ord in her late teens. Since then she has sung on several VM (USA) recordings with Darren Clarke and Ryan Delmore among others. The Clarkes have written various worship songs including "I love Your Presence" and have recently opened a Rock Guitar School in San Luis Obispo. Jessie also works full time at MERCY Church, where she still sings BV's.

From Inside Worship

Beginners Guide to Song Selection

Canadian pastor and worship leader Larry Levy offers tips on song selection.

I walked into my first Vineyard event 11 years ago and was "hit" -- big time. It was the worship. I started weeping and heard the words "welcome home," an experience that many of us have had with varying details. It was the best week and worst week of my life. God turned me inside out and I experienced the nearness of God like never before. We came back home and we started doing the songs, learning as we went the difference between "singing" and "worshiping." Although I've watched, listened and read about worship, like anything else there has been no greater teacher than “doing it.” I've led worship in gyms, on beaches, in parks, on the streets, in jails, in airports, in bars, in living rooms, on waterfronts and in cathedrals. I take seriously (and I do get serious at times) the responsibility to be good stewards of this wonderful gift of worship God has given us, and to raise up godly and effective worship leaders.

One of the most basic questions we ask as worship leaders is "What songs should I do?" Whether you are preparing for leading worship at a home group of nine people for the first time or leading 500 people in a conference setting, or at your Sunday morning service for the tenth week in a row, the question doesn't go away. There are many things that are involved in the worship event and worship leading, but song selection is a really important one. I believe song selection is to the worship event what Scripture is to preaching and teaching. It's not everything, but it is the main “substance” from which we build other elements.

Ask anybody who has been doing worship for a while why they have chosen certain songs for a particular worship event and they'll often say, "I just felt like doing these songs." Worship leading is often like driving a car. When you first start, everything seems mechanical: Adjust your mirrors...turn the key…put your foot on the brake as you put it in drive...try not to run over your mother...keep your hands at 10 and 2 o'clock...use your signal lights… After a few years of driving you do these things without thinking about them. In the same way, experienced worship leaders are processing many different things quickly as they are preparing for worship and actually leading worship.

Their song selection involves processing different elements of the worship event quicker than when we are just starting to lead worship. Hopefully this article will help many of you who are beginning to lead worship as well as encourage those of you who have been leading for a while to think on the song selection process.

Here are some questions to ask of yourself:


What Is The Nature Of The Worship Event?
Is it a small group who is going to worship for the first time? A group of worship "animals" where you have to beg them to stop? An evangelistic event outdoors? A conference celebration time? A regular Sunday morning with the theme of repentance? Is it for children, youth, adult or mixed?

The event will be one factor in your song selection. When we did community barbecue and worship parties on our land one summer we used some familiar secular songs that went over really well and gave the people, many who were unchurched, something to identify with. One was a Great Big Sea song entitled "Ordinary Day.” The chorus goes:

"Way, hey, hey, it's just an ordinary day
And it's all your state of mind
At the end of the day, you've just got to say
It's all right."

The song went over big, and it may have been our most anointed song. It fit the context well. Some songs are better suited for small groups, and some for larger groups (I bet you've all found that out, at times painfully). You never knew that song was so high until you did it with a group of seven, five who could not sing, and the other two who just left to go to the washroom. When I led worship in jail, the guys loved the hymns, which gave them a connection to their childhood and a longing for the God they had once encountered.


What Is God Doing In The Group?
Congregations go through different seasons, and it's wonderful when the worship experience reflects that. What is the pastor speaking on? What's been happening in the lives of the people? What is the emphasis in your church right now? Right now in our church we are emphasizing fellowship and friendship with one another, and how transparency before God and one another is key to that being rich. In the midst of having communion last Sunday the worship leader did a song he had written about coming and dining at the Lord's table and not letting our 'stuff' keep us away. It was powerful!


What Songs Have Really Touched Me?
Let's face it, it's hard to do songs that don't move you, excite you, inspire you or break you. You've heard a song and you know "I've got to do that song." It doesn't have to have the same effect on you every time you do it, but somewhere along the road it has grabbed your heart.

I'm not leading worship as often as I once did, but giving myself to helping and mentoring other worship leaders. Because of that, I get lots of opportunity to just worship and observe people worshiping in many different contexts. I encourage all regular worship leaders to do this. You learn and observe some things along the way. Along with asking yourself these questions, let me offer some suggestions in choosing songs:


Some Quick Tips For Song Selection:

1. Choose some songs that declare the great themes of the Christian faith: The Glory, Love and Holiness of God. The Cross of Jesus. The Free Grace of God. The Kingdom of God Among Us. Intimacy in worship grows as we truly understand what kind of God we are expressing our love to.

2. Select primarily songs that are familiar to the people. If for example, you are doing six songs, you may have three that are really well known, two that are fairly well known and one that is new. There have never been so many worship songs around! There's a thick collection of old and new Vineyard songs. The British invasion of new worship songs continues. There are songs that come from writers in our congregations. I believe there's a rich reservoir of hymns that can be adapted to our style, that provide a needed connection to the historic church. Sadly, we won't be able to do them all! Remember when you do a new song, do it for a few weeks so the people get familiar with it.

3. Have some songs that are simple in lyrics and melody. Everything is constantly evolving, often moving from the simple to the complex, and then back to the simple. It's true in all music, and it's true in worship writing. People really need some simple songs where they don't have to be straining to read the next line from the overhead or lyric sheet, and their left brain can take a break. They are overloaded with information all week, and oh, the sweetness of a simple truth in simple words with a simple melody line.

4. Arrange your songs to “flow” together. Too many themes become confusing. Ascending key changes can help (i.e. C to D to G). Try going from one song to another at times without a musical break. Don't be afraid either of having a time of quiet and reflection before going on to the next song.

5. Choose a song that allows you do some spontaneous worship at the end. Some songs lend themselves to singing in tongues, having one of the singers singing over the congregation, leading the people in singing a short prophetic song back to the Father, etc. This becomes too “old hat” when you do it after every song, but at the right time it reinforces what we are doing. The goal is not to get through the songs. The goal is to lead the people in worship so that the Bride (the Church) and Groom (Jesus) kiss and embrace one another.

As you can see I've said nothing about tempo, rhythm, size and talent of worship band, and a host of other factors. Hopefully my suggestions will help you do what I think is the greatest event in the world: the intimate and passionate worship of the Father.

From http://www.insideworship.com/resources/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2264&Itemid=2

Inner Living, Outer Giving

Canadian author, pastor, and theologian Peter Fitch shares his perspective on how spiritual discipleship

What areas of spiritual discipline would you say are vital for modern worship leaders to integrate into their lifestyle? Why?

Rather than speaking of spiritual disciplines like fasting or contemplation, I'm drawn to using some familiar terms in an unfamiliar way. I think that the following disciplines are essential for worship leaders: foot-washing, offering loaves and fishes, water-walking, cross-carrying and, on occasion, dead-raising.


Foot-washing - because worship is the service of washing dirt from people's souls, and it must be done from a posture of humility if it is to be invested with power. The quality of the water in the basin will have something to do with the quality of the leader’s secret inner life with God.

Offering loaves and fishes - because after all of our preparation (which should be done well - this work is for the Lord), we are ultimately in a position of inadequacy no matter how gifted we are. Human musicianship, though often impressive and wonderful, does not have the capacity to touch the soul and set it spiritually free. Jesus does. We offer the loaves and fishes of our songs and ideas; He adds His Presence in a mysterious and miraculous way.

To speak of water-walking is to make an admission of the danger of this enterprise. Worship leaders are called to get out of the boat, out past the known and comfortable place of their familiar lyrics and chord patterns. There is a divine dance in worship. The Spirit beckons, the musician plays. Often the Spirit will invite the player to follow to some new vista, to be so enveloped in Life that he or she will hardly notice that the dancing is now in thin air. Worship leading is holding on to the invisible hand for just the right amount of time - not too little (or the dance is incomplete) and not too long (or - and this is a sad joke - we get to experience the sound of one hand clapping). I mean that it's possible for us to try too hard and worship past the place where the Spirit is leading.

Cross-carrying is an essential discipline because there will be more need for soul-cleansing in the people around you than there will be for you to artistically express yourself. To take on this ministry is to give yourself to others, to be available when you don't feel like it, to sing songs long after they're meaningful to you on a human level. It only seems glamorous in the beginning.

But this leads to the last of my list. If you are faithful in foot-washing, loaves and fishes, water-walking and cross-carrying, from time to time you get to play a role in raising someone from the dead. Humans do not have words to express the glory of this experience, of watching people that are lost and hopeless suddenly receiving the Life of God in a tangible way, shattering bondages and bringing them into newness and freedom and joy. Worship leaders get to do this more than most.

From http://www.insideworship.com/resources/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2253&Itemid=30

How to play Everlasting God

Ever wondered how to play the fiddly bit during the verse of Everlasting God, here's how. Follow the link to Worship Together's New Song Cafe for a song story and some tasty tips!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LwIX2OfEYE

How to play Everlasting God

Ever wondered how to play the fiddly bit during the verse of Everlasting God, here's how. Follow the link to Worship Together's New Song Cafe for a song story and some tasty tips!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LwIX2OfEYE

Opportunities for worship leading at WSVC

At WSVC there are a number of worship leading opportunities for all, whatever your skill level maybe. We place a high priority on developing people to keep growing in their ministry.




Here are a number of opportunities that may interest you;


Kinship worship leader:

Requirements; experience in leading between 5-20 people in worship, passion for worshipping God, to competetently play guitar or piano, teachability, perseverence, strength of character, regular member of a kinship group.

Who to speak to about this; Kinship leader, Worship Co-ordinator



Apprentice Kinship worship leader:

If you have no experience of leading worship, but have a desire to start somewhere.

Requirements; passion for worshipping God, competent on guitar or piano, perseverence, humility, strength of character, teachability, regular member of a kinship.

Who to speak to about this; Kinship worship leader, Kinship leader


Kidzone Worship Leader

If you have a passion for kids and worship

Requirements; passion for worshipping God and helping and teaching kids to worship, just about play guitar or piano or be able to sing and be very enthusiastic at the same time, teachability, perseverence, strength of character, regular member of a kinship.

Who to speak to about this; Kidzone C0-ordinator


Large group worship leader

If you fancy leading 20+ people in worship at one of our training days

Requirements; Kinship worship leader, strong voice and competent player of guitar or piano

Who to speak to about this; Worship Co-ordinator



Evening Service Worship Leader

If you can lead 50+ people into the prescence of God

Requirements; Kinship worship leader with experience of leading larger groups, strong voice, and competent player of guitar or piano, a track record of effective worship leading and a sensitivity to what the Holy Spirit is doing

Who to speak to about this; Evening Service Worship C0-ordinators


Sunday Morning Band member

Can you play Guitar, Keyboard, Lead Guitar, Drums, Bass Guitar? Do you have a good voice?

Requirements; a passion for worship and music, an audition with Worship C0-ordinator, regular member of a kinship, play as well as the present band members on stage, team player, humility, teachability, a track record of serving in other areas,

Who to speak to about this; Worship Co-ordinator


Band Co-ordinator

Are you a leader? Can you multi-task? Can you lead a congregation, a band and worship God at the same time? If the answer's yes, then read on....

Requirements; band member, leadership skills, administion skills, humility, servant, effective worship leader at all levels, you don't have to be Tim Hughes or Matt Redman to do this but we do have high standards

Who to speak to about this; Worship Co-ordinator, Your Band Co-ordinator

Beginner's blog

Have you ever wanted to do something, but been put off because everyone you know that does that thing is mega-brilliant? When I was learning to drive, the process was made trickier by the fact that my driving instructor was fantastic. I so wanted to be like him, but instead I kept clipping kerbs, stalling at traffic lights, and countless other mistakes. With a lot of practice on my part, and patience on his, I passed first time (and reader, I married him!!).

Well, learning to play the guitar is one of the things I'd wanted to do, and when Chris started his guitar lessons a few years back, I thought I would have a go. It was a lot like learning to drive actually - instead of your feet doing different things, it's your hands, and at times it was very frustrating. We were all in the same boat though, and had a lot of laughs (and chocolate) while we learned. Chris was amazingly patient with us, but he challenged us every week to move on in our playing. The best thing was, after the first week, we could play a song. Actually, with just a few chords under our belt, we could attempt several songs, and that was really encouraging.
Two years on, and I'm leading worship in a kinship group. That wasn't my motivation for learning - I just wanted to be able to worship Jesus on my own. I still don't know that many chords - but you know Jesus didn't choose highly trained professionals - He called those people who were willing to follow Him. I'm still learning, and I just thank God for the chance to serve Him.

So - if you harbour a desire to play the guitar, but are holding back, why not give it a go this autumn? Sore fingers are a small price to pay for being able to praise Jesus! Speak to Chris about coming along. And if you're beginner + (like me!), then think about going to the kinship worship leaders' jamming sessions - if only so I don't have to play on my own so that Chris can hear all my mistakes!!!

Jayne M

Writing Songs the Brenton Brown way

Songwriting and Inspiration

The moment of inspiration can happen anywhere at anytime. Like almost everything in God's kingdom songs start out as seeds. They begin small with a spark of inspiration. What happens next of course, is up to us. When i first began writing songs at about age 10 the moments of inspiration tended to come from Duran Duran videos or school discos. Finding inspiration for 'God songs' eight years later proved to be a difficult task for me. So difficult that I only managed to breakthrough the dry spell with prayer and fasting. It seemed though that once the drought was over the songs just kept arriving. In the coming months I'm going to try and track the life of one of my songs from start to finish in the hopes that looking at this process might help you in writing your own songs. And this month I'm going to look at how songs start - the moment of inspiration.

Rest and play

Although crafting orthodox congregational songs requires a lot of left brain thinking, when it comes to the moment of inspiration it's right brain thinking that's going to get you started. Moments of inspiration can happen anywhere at anytime. The obvious places for these are times of congregational and personal worship - sermons, prayer and the study of scripture. But there are other places where God's presence can inspire us. Because the earth is the Lord's and everything in it there are very few places where's God's spirit cannot move us. However, for me the key is not really the physical space I'm in - it's the mental space. In the words of the great Winnie the Pooh, 'you don't find "hums", hums find you'. You just have to make sure you're somewhere they can find you.One of Jesus' most well-known lessons on the Kingdom of God is about seeds. As I'm sure you know the seeds in the famous parable represent the word of God. Jesus points out the different kinds of things that threaten the growth of the kingdom in our lives - riches, temptation, the devil and the pleasures of life. But one of the threats to God's word Jesus' also warns of is one that I find particularly pertinent for our generation - and particularly helpful for me as a writer. This is the threat Jesus' refers to as 'the cares of this world' (Luke 8 and 21). Nothing chokes the process of songwriting for me more than this particular weed. So anything that can get my head out of 'the cares of this world' state of mind is helpful not only for my spirituality but also for my creativity.For me the most obvious way to shake off the cares of this world is rest. That means 'not working'. For some reason this is a concept i find hard to grasp! The idea of sitting in a room staring out the window 'resting' fills me with dread and sadness! I have to plan rest times. I guess by this stage you've probably figured out that I'm an A-type personality. You know, the kind of person who is constantly asking 'is what I'm doing going to get me there faster and more efficiently'. So I've worked out - with the help of my girl - that I need to trick myself into rest. Here are a few of my tricks. To 'get fit' I go surfing. This activity of waiting in the ocean for waves seems to slow my brain down, allowing me to rest and let go for a little bit. To 'learn something' I read. After a few hours of this I can feel the stress leaving me and the yawns beginning. To 'improve our home' I do some carpentry and building work around the house. Doing something practical for me is like taking a holiday from the world of ideas I normally inhabit. You get the picture. For all you A-types out there: resting is productive!! The summer I realized this was the summer I took up wake-boarding. I had so much fun that summer, hanging with my friends and enjoying God's creation. But at the end of it I realized that I'd written more songs over that 2 month summer (it's only 2 months in England) than the rest of the year combined. Resting and playing helps the hums find you. Creativity requires a certain playfulness. A willingness to try something knowing that it may not work out. Learning how to play again as an adult increases our threshold for risk which in turn allows us to develop and try ideas we wouldn't normally try. Rest leads to play and play leads to songs.

Looking for Novelty

Novelty doesn't get great press generally. But actually it's one of God's hallmarks. Newness is an adjective that tends to follow God's actions. Behold I'm doing a new thing. Sing a new song. But in Christ: new creation! And there will be a new heaven and a new earth. As a creative I'm pretty pleased by this. I love new things. In particular I love new sounds, new songs, new grooves, new chord shapes, new rhymes, new ways of worshiping God. And I am constantly on the look-out for musical 'new-ness'. Every time I hear something new on the radio or watch something new on music tv I'm amped. And what follows normally involves me picking up a guitar and working out what it is that is making that song sound new... is it the interval they're using in the melody line. Is it a chord sequence we haven't heard for a while. Is it the groove of the drums and bass that make it sound different? I'm interested in this stuff because it excites me. In fact, if i stumble across a great album i haven't heard before typically i will get at least one new song from it. The song may sound nothing like the album but it seems exposure to great creativity somehow releases creativity in me. I'm not sure how it works but that's what happens...

Emotions

Although emotions are notoriously bad fuel for seeing anything through - especially songs - they are nevertheless a gift from God and a fantastic place for a song to start. In fact most of my songs begin at this point. I may feel ecstatic or sad or resolved or enraged or simply moved and the next thing i know a melody and part of a lyric is leaving my mouth. If you ask my wife she'll tell you that I am hopeless in movies - especially at altitude. All my disbelief will be suspended and I will be feeling everything the director wants me to feel - laughing hysterically or weeping like a small child. Although emotions have a short shelf-life they are explosive and a great way to get a song started. It's happened to me so many times now that I will often enter a cinema consecrating the movie to God, asking him to show me a truth about himself through the story. After all, stories seem to be one of God's favourite ways of revealing himself to us. Even 'bad' emotions like 'anger' or fustration can be tremendous fuel for prayer - which really is what congregational worship songs are. They are prayers offered to God. They may be prayers of thankfulness and joy. But they can also be prayers of petition and calls for assistance. Either way emotions help get those prayers started.Anything can inspire us if we're in the right headspace. The important thing to realize is that a moment of strong emotion can be the start of something new. Typically there is a long and awkward section of perspiration that follows in order for a song to reach some stage of completion - something we will examine over the next few editions. But if we live our lives willing to let what moves us, become something that moves us closer to God, then new songs are there for the taking every day.Try this: write down one activity that relaxes you and makes you more child like, and practice it this week.

What is worship comes to Bury

From Vineyard RecordsUK;

Touching the timeless questions of Who we worship, why we worship and how we worship, this event powerfully sketches a life lived coram deo – in the presence of God. Join us as we reclaim a worldview of worship that places God at the centre, makes sense of the songs we sing, and touches every person on the planet.

This event is built for every person in your church community. The ‘What Is Worship?’ conference is an in-depth look at the multi-faceted richness of worship.

Dan Wilt, who has spent 12 years developing the material, teaches it in a marvellously engaging way with an eloquence to match. He is the Director of the Institute Of Contemporary & Emerging Worship Studies in partnership with St. Stephen’s University in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, and is an internationally respected communicator, worship leader, songwriter, author and trainer. Dan’s passion is to further the Kingdom plot in this generation. Linking the wisdom of the ancients with the present chapter of the story we live out today, his passion is to expand the worship worldview of the existing and emerging Church – inviting engagement with God and culture on all creative levels.

Where & When

The Corn Exchange, Bury St Edmunds Saturday 29th September The event starts at 10am, with doors opening at 9.30am for tea & coffe, and runs until 10pm. Plenty of breaks will be interspersed throughout the day with time to go out and find something to eat at lunch time. Cost Tickets cost £15 per person in advance or £21 on the door.

Book here by following the link below

http://www.vineyardrecords.co.uk/uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=408

Kids worship @ WSVC

For the last couple of months, the kids have no longer been in service on a Sunday with Kidzone deciding to have its own 'Great Big God' worship separate from the adult worship. So how's it going? Su Perkins, lets us in on the world of kids worship at WSVC;

"Kidzone worship: wow i can’t believe it – we’ve been doing Great Big God worship since the beg of June. And the kids are all naturals – they love it! They’re singing loud, jumping high, clapping in time and praising God. We have weeks of madness starting with the favourite animal game, a few splats and then a little competitive singing (- well shouting); with requests for songs, great big God and our own re-named Great big God 3 song (– God’s love is big!) then some weeks we focus on the words of the song and sometimes we pray – with a very loud amen at the end. And its always special when we do ministry and they all sit quietly and wait for God - truly they do, and God is always faithful."

If you want to get involved in this vital ministry to kids, either playing/singing/leading/helping then speak to Su, no matter how good/bad you think you are. All you need is enthusiam for helping kids know Jesus. It really is amazing fun!

Recommended CDs

New to Vineyard? Looking for some CDs of the worship we do, but overwhelmed by the shear choice?

Here's what we recommend;

Love Divine (Vineyard UK) - For most of the songs we're singing at the moment.

Everlasting God (Brenton Brown) - Ex-Vineyard worship leader and songwriter

Holy (Vineyard UK) - recorded in 2001, many songs still used

Hungry (Vineyard UK) - recorded live in 1999, possibly the best vineyard recording ever!

Psalms 2 (Vineyard Music Group) - Early Vineyard music, very intimate, perfect for quiet times

plus some other favourites at the monent;

Beautiful News - Matt Redman

Holding Nothing Back - Tim Hughes

Love came down - Soul Survivor 2006

Why we do what we do!

"Why do we sing songs in the first place?

We do it because it is something that we can do together. There are probably other things that we could do to express our love and our worship to God that would be, in one sense, just as valid. But they're not easy for us to do together.Yet we can get ten people, or a hundred people, or a thousand people, or a hundred thousand - whatever number we choose - and we can all get together and sing a song. That song reflects what is going on in our hearts and our minds together. There is truth that we're affirming, but there's also affection that we're expressing. That's why I think that singing as an expression of worship has stood the test of time."




Brian Doerksen

What John Wimber thought about worship leadership

Carol Wimber in her biography of her husband John, the founder of the Vineyard movement, recalled his thoughts on worship leadership in the following words:Leading worship is “An unusual combination really: the musical talent, without the ‘prima donna’ attitude, and I believe John made possible the prominent place the worship leaders have in the Vineyard, by just being who he was. He couldn’t be moved by the worship leader’s need to express himself through the music. “It isn’t about you it’s about Jesus, and your only job is to lead people to him,” he would say. Displays of artistic temperament and endeavour left him cold. When the worship leader would go of into an introspective indulgence of musical meandering, he commented, “I suppose to them, it’s fraught with meaning, but I’m not impressed!”He was the ultimate pragmatic artist, and because he was such a fine musician himself, he couldn’t be fooled or intimidated by anyone’s great talent. He fought to keep it simple, and I think he did a pretty good job.“What good is it ultimately, if we produce worship songs that only the experienced musician can play? What will the little churches do?” He hated elitism in whatever form it took, spiritual as well as musical, and he also understood that it takes legitimate acumen and craftsmanship to write simply. He especially loved the guys who put aside what they had the ability to produce, and chose, instead, to write simple love songs to Jesus that anyone could sing or play on the guitar.”Quoted from "John Wimber: the way it was" by Carol Wimber

Tim Hughes 'Holding Nothing Back'

New CD from Tim Hughes out April 6th called 'Holding Nothing Back'. Check out the MP3 samples.

http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Tim_Hughes/Holding_Nothing_Back/21161/

10 Mistakes Worship Leaders make

This is a series produced by a guy called Rex Miller on his blog, Rex is a church consultant in the States. Its so useful for any worship leader or aspiring worship leader or anybody who loves worship. Its not meant to be a negative thing, just a helpful nudge! Starting with number 1, they'll be posted on the blog.

You can follow his blog on http://www.millenniummatrix.com/content/blog/2007/01/10-mistakes-worship-leaders-make_20.html

#1 - Assuming that everyone has tasted worship.

Imagine: you have a basket of apples and you are standing before an audience which had never seen, let alone tasted, one. How are you going to impart the essence of the apple to them?Lecture about it? PowerPoint it? Eat it in front of them? How about passing them out and letting them taste and eat for themselves?

O, taste and see that the Lord is good! – Psalms 34:8

I hate to be the one to break this to you, but . . . worship cannot be taught. You cannot stand on a platform and bring people into worship anymore than you can stand on a stage and bring people into apples. It has to be tasted. And, once that happens, people are forever changed. They never forget it! Throughout history, the nature of worship has changed. In oral culture, worship was a cosmic drama. There was no “worship leader.” It was a divine play and everyone was part of it. That drama actually changed time and space to sacred time and sacred place. The people were reenacting a cosmic event as though it were happening again right in their midst.When the Reformation came along, making print became the dominant communication, content became the essence of worship. The primary issue was the lyrics – doctrine in music.In broadcast, worship is about the person on stage. So, if that person is genuinely worshiping, those gathered in that place will catch a “taste” of real worship. If he or she is performing, that comes through. If the worship leader is living a lie, that tends to confuse or contaminate the process.So, it is essential for worship leaders to, first, know what real worship is, and then, second, to give the people a taste of it. They should never just assume that everyone “gets it.” Worship leaders must always be prepared to explain (and disciple others in) real worship.

New Matt Redman CD

Sorry, another post about a CD!

New Matt Redman CD out! Sounding really good on the mp3 samples on his website. Check this out at Mattredman.com and also check out the review at Christian music today. Looks pretty good.
ttp://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2006/beautifulnews.html

Best of Passion CD

Those of you who are big Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, David Crowder fans, the 2-CD best of passion conference out! Passion is the Soul Survivor of the US, if you didn't know, and just with Soul Survior the worship is awesome! Best song of the CD, their version of 'Holy is the Lord', but virtually every song is a classic!

Check out the review by following the link to Christian Music Today (the best reviewer of Christian Music out there, they rarely get it wrong! In my humble opinion, of course). ITunes are selling it for £7.99, great value!

http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2007/bestofpassion.html

Vineyard UK worship retreats

Vineyard UK have decided to do something slightly different with the National Worship Leaders Retreat and are doing two instead of just one. This is in response from the northern, Scottish and Irish churches to have a retreat closer to home. However, at the same time, the facts show that the majority of churches are located in the southern half of the UK. Therefore, they felt they still needed one that was based in the south.

However, the past three years has seen significant growth in the northern and Scottish regions of the UK and so they have decided to hold two retreats this year – one at Lee Abbey, Devon and another at Carberry Tower, Edinburgh. The hope by doing this is that they can capture and cater for the growing numbers of worship leaders from the northern ‘territories’! But for those who don't fancy the trip up north, Lee Abbey is a fantastic venue, if a little out of the way on the northern coast of Devon, with wonderful scenery and views over the ocean to make the weekend all that more memorable!

The dates of the retreats are as follows:25-27 May – Northern Retreat 15-17 June – Southern Retreat

If there's any worship leaders, band or kinship, who fancy going then you can book through the Vineyard UK website.

New Vineyard UK CD is imminent!

New Live Album – Love Divine. The new Vineyard Records UK album is progressing well and now has a title....

‘Love Divine - Set The Captives Free’ is entering the final stages of production and is being mixed over the next fortnight in Sweden. Those of you going to the National Leaders Conference in a couple of weeks time, should be able to hear it. It apparently contains the best of the songs from all Vineyard UK releases over the last few years. Look out for it in a month or so's time on the CD desk.

Should be good. Hopefully!

Our Worship Values

When it comes to worship in the Vineyard there are three main values that we hold dear. These values underpin our approach to worship, both in the spiritual sense in how we conduct our everyday lives and also in the practical expression of our worship through the writing and recording of songs.

Value 1 – Intimacy

Intimacy in worship is one of the foundations of the Vineyard movement. When John and Carol Wimber and others began meeting in a home in 1977 in California, they gathered because they were hungry to meet with God. And so, for years Vineyard worship around the world has been marked by songs that are simple expressions of love and devotionThe Bible is full of accounts of intimate worship. As David looked after the sheep he sang intimate songs to the Lord. He continued to do the same when he became King of Israel. The woman in Luke 7 worshipped intimately as she poured perfume on the feet of Jesus.Intimacy will always be our highest calling and aim in this life and then, when we pass on to the other side, it’s only going to get better.

Value 2 – Integrity

If there ever was a time when people are looking for integrity in leaders, that time is now. It is evident that people are expecting more integrity from political leaders and business Leaders. They are expecting trustworthiness in all of life, and are not quite so willing to separate the private from the public. Integrity simply means wholeness, naturalness, the condition of being undivided. A consistency between private and public life.Amos 5:23 “Away with your hymns of praise – they are mere noise to my ears. I will not listen to your music, no matter how lovely.”We need to face the truth that if we don’t have integrity God hates our worship!There is such protection in this truth. God doesn’t want us to come to Him as we think we should be, but as we are. And if what we are is not pleasing to Him, and not in line with His Word, then we cry out for mercy to change. That’s all He asks of us.

Value 3 – Accessibility

In the past few years our society has made huge strides to make public places moreaccessible to those with special needs. People with wheelchairs, hearing difficultiesand the like can enjoy more events and places than ever before. Sometimes as worshipleaders, we need to ask some of the same questions that brought about change in the places we live: Is our worship accessible for all, or is it only accessible for those who are artistically able and mystical?Making worship accessible sometimes means that we need something called restraint in worship. Restraint is the backbone of making music that others can follow and enter into. Here are a few tips on restraint during worship:1. Restraint is picking songs that will say what the majority of the people gathered want to say to God.2. Restraint is the discipline not to play or sing all the time – if you fill in the spaces with ‘your stuff’ the music cannot breath and the congregation feels overwhelmed.3. Restraint is the realization that the notes you don’t play are just as important as the ones you do.4. Restraint is not adding tons of embellishments to a song that others cannot follow or sing.Restraint in worship isn’t necessarily easy and it doesn’t always feel good to you as a worship leader. But it is right. If we lose accessibility, we will lose the people.

With thanks to Bournemouth Vineyard for this article

Kinship worship jamming sessions 2007

Kinship worship jamming is starting again this month and for the next six months!



Here are the dates for the sessions so far planned for this year. They will be held at 9 Bristol Road, BSE and usually start at 8pm.


thurs 25th jan
thurs 22nd feb
thurs 22nd mar
thurs 12th apr
thurs 24th may
thur 28th jun





If you lead worship in kinships or aspire to do so, these sessions offer valuble tools to help you effectively lead people in your small group into worship. Bring your guitar and expect to be encouraged.