Recent content by rapturefish

Thanks Bella, will keep those points in mind. I'll keep a heart on my heart as well through all this.

Noted. Yes, you don't want to have a situation where people distract from music worship by their deficient ability, true. However, even Hillsong has said that those who weren't ready as musicians were included in the practices until they improved, whether they made the stage or not. For me, if...

Our church had to undergo a change from talking about which songs we liked (because they were new or old), and start talking about the sermon that day and what songs help the congregation focus and worship on that. New songs, old songs, didn't matter. Some preference for certain places where the...

I hope someone with experience can help you, I'm not one of them. In my limited opinion, it's a privilege to do what you love, but also something people are compelled to do. You can't NOT do what you love or you feel like you're dying. So choose to do it, and find a way to do it. Don't let the...

Short answer: A plan B. We don't use teleprompters, don't need them. We're not a big church and it's hard to justify the expense or need when we have folders with lyrics and chords. If the projector words go during the service, we may try to pre-say the next line before we sing that line (a...

Thank you for your thoughts. I understand different directions from different groups. It's an inevitable outgrowth of ourselves as individuals. You're right in that it's important to value that difference. I just hope it is handled with the right wisdom and spirit. John MacArthur. I have read...

Thanks for your reply. I don't think this is a case of new vs old-style worship however. It's about the attitude with which the congregation and its worship leader is doing things. If it were done with an inclusiveness and a more loving culture I wouldn't object so much. But telling people they...

There is a greater need for true worshippers. I don't care if a person is very skilled in any form of guitar or bass or keyboard, if they aren't there out of the heart of God in them, they shouldn't be there leading. However, I would encourage taking them aside, cultivating their hearts until...

I think any answer has to consider the place of the church community. The culture and the vision of the church are expressed in things like music worship and every other ministry. I don't advocate one over another in that as people individually and uniquely made, we all have our own take on...

Our church is described as one church, meeting in several locations. Things have been growing at an organic pace over some years and the overall vision and culture of the church seems to be good. However, over time, as different congregations do, things start being done differently because...

There is a good rhythm and flow about this poem. The imagery is lovely and it flows in my mind as I read it. A few things to improve it. Some things need tweaking on a copyediting level, like "sail less boat" to become "sail-less boat", "A timeline that ebbs and flows". I think sometimes you...

I am amazed people cannot see it. Open Doors has a point to be worried about the state of Australia. Has anyone not seen the vilification of people who have openly and simply stated they believe marriage as the current definition stands should stay the same? Persecution does not only mean...

The ramifications of voting Yes do indeed extend to all the other issues that some think are peripheral or irrelevant. They are not irrelevant or peripheral because what here being decided is a basic definition. If people cannot agree on a basic definition, then you are basically fighting over...

I struggle with calling and purpose too, so I can only offer advice I struggle to follow, or cautionary advice. Best to try things as you naturally gravitate towards them and not worry about where it leads. Nothing is wasted. You don't know what the weave of your thread of life is from eternity...

Thank you everyone for your replies. They are diverse and give me much to reflect on, I appreciate your thoughts and well wishes. It's not easy and will continue to be so for who knows how long, but it is a journey with the same God who has never failed me.