Chris Moyles On Church
Labels: Church, Evangelism, Mission, Worship
adrianwarnock.com
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Labels: Psalms, Sam Storms, Worship
Labels: Worship
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Labels: Interviews, Newfrontiers, NWA09, Stuart Townend, Worship
Labels: Acts29 Network, Holy Spirit Baptism, Mark Driscoll, Missional, Newfrontiers, Tim Smith, Tope Koleoso, Worship
Labels: Worship

Labels: Colossians, Lou Fellingham, Nathan Fellingham, Phatfish, Psalms, Worship
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is my health and salvation!
Come you who hear
Brothers and sisters, draw near
Praise Him in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord, He who prospers my work and defends me;
Surely His goodness and mercy now daily attend me.
Ponder anew
All the Almighty can do,
He who with love does befriend me.
Praise to the Lord, who does nourish my life and restore me;
Fitting me well for the tasks that are ever before me.
Then to my need
He like a mother does speed,
Spreading wings of grace over me.
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen
Sound from His people again:
Gladly for yeah we adore Him.
Labels: Worship
What foolish creatures we are! Many of us are not interested in doctrine at all; we are lazy Christians who do not read, do not think, and do not try to delve into the mysteries.We have had a certain experience and we desire no more. Others of us, deploring such an attitude, say that, because the Bible is full of doctrine, we must study it and grapple with it and possess it. So we become absorbed in our interest in doctrine and stop at that. The result is that, as regards this question of the love of Christ, we are no further on than the others because we have made doctrine an end and a terminus. In this way the devil trips and traps us and robs us of our heritage. If your knowledge of the Scriptures and of the doctrines of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ has not brought you to this knowledge of the love of Christ, you should be profoundly dissatisfied and disturbed. All biblical doctrine is about this blessed Person; and there is no greater snare in the Christian life than to forget the Person Himself and to live simply on truths concerning Him.
It is for this reason that some of us have always had a feeling that it is dangerous to have examinations on scriptural knowledge. Some of the Reformers held that view, Martin Luther especially. Some of the Puritans also held it. There should never be such a thing as a ‘Degree in Scriptural Knowledge’. This is so, not only because it is wrong in and of itself, but also because it tends to encourage this tendency to stop at truths and to miss the Person. We should never study the Bible or anything concerning biblical truth without realizing that we are in His presence, and that it is truth about Him. And it should always be done in an atmosphere of worship. Biblical truth is not one subject among others; it is not something that belongs to a syllabus. It is living truth about a living Person. That is why a theological college should be different from every other kind of college; and that is why a religious service is essentially different from every kind of meeting the world can organize. It is always a matter of worship; we are in the presence of a Person.
David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Unsearchable Riches of Christ—Studies in Ephesians, Chapter 3 (Grand Rapids MI: Baker Book House, 1972), 208. Also available electronically from Logos Bible Software.
Labels: Ephesians, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Worship
Labels: Audio, Interviews, Matt Giles, Video, Worship
Labels: Matt Giles, TOAM08, Video, Worship
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,There are perhaps a few things worth pointing out to put all this into context.“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory
— Revelation 19
Labels: Revelation, Romans, Worship

Labels: Lou Fellingham, Newfrontiers, Phatfish, Stuart Townend, Worship
Labels: Acts29 Network, Church Planting, Interviews, Mark Driscoll, Missional, Newfrontiers, Scott Thomas, TOAM08, Video, Worship
Labels: Acts29 Network, Church Planting, Mark Driscoll, Missional, Scott Thomas, TOAM08, Video, Worship
Labels: Acts29 Network, Interviews, Mark Driscoll, Missional, Multiculturalism, Newfrontiers, TOAM08, Tope Koleoso, Video, Worship
Labels: Acts29 Network, Mark Driscoll, Missional, Multiculturalism, Newfrontiers, TOAM08, Tope Koleoso, Video, Worship
Labels: Acts29 Network, Interviews, Mark Driscoll, Newfrontiers, Prophecy, TOAM08, Tope Koleoso, Video, Worship
Labels: Gospel, Matt Giles, Puritans, Song, Worship
Nathan
The other thing is, Lou, my wife, she did a solo project a couple of years ago called Treasure. And she’s just recorded a new album called Promised Land, which will be out on May 23rd. (Editor's Note: It is now available for purchase online.)
It’s like a very practical CD just on the subject of how a contemporary band can put worship songs together. It’s just some great, sort of basic, kind of practical stuff actually that can be very helpful for worship teams. You asked about “Working as a Band”—you can get that from phatfish.net as well. I think we’re going to be developing stuff in the months and years to come with worship training and what we’re doing at CCK, at the church. Yeah. There’s all sorts of stuff going on, definitely, so God’s doing some good stuff and we’re excited.Labels: Interviews, Lou Fellingham, Phatfish, Worship
In yesterday's segment Nathan and I discussed the importance of theology in worship songs. Today we move on to talk a little about the event we were both attending and his thoughts on being a reformed charismatic.
So, yeah, I think I would love for, in some ways, to be able to bring some fresh expression to the worship in a place like this. And Stuart’s the ideal guy for leading worship. Because of the songs that he writes, people warm to him very quickly, but he can also push things out a little bit and take people further on. That’s probably the biggest thing really—just how people express their worship. Obviously, people can express it in different ways, but there are some pretty strong words in the Psalms about exhorting us to praise and knowing a little bit about how the Hebrew people would have done that, with a lot of body movements and a lot of excitement. Obviously cultures are different, but I think there’s something in praising in a very kind of vocal and “full of energy” way that just seems right to me.
Just a little bit about the whole charismatic thing. You seem to be quite unusual, to some people anyway. I mean, I’ve grown up with it and it’s quite normal for me, I guess, but this notion that we want to marry reformed theology with a sort of vibrant experience of the Holy Spirit. Do you want to talk more about what that means to you as an individual and to the band?
It’s Guaranteed.Labels: Gifts of Holy Spirit, Hebrews, Interviews, NWA08, Phatfish, Psalms, Worship
Yesterday in my interview with Nathan we spoke about writing songs for worship. Today we will move on to talk about the theological thinking behind the songs.
As far as that marriage with being hip, I guess the thing is—just to clarify that I don’t particularly think I’m hip—I do have a desire to write good music as well. I don’t think great songs come about by just finding great theology and trying to put it to “any old tune will do.” Even if it’s a singable tune, I think I’m a believer in the marriage of truth and beauty. I think when you marry great truth with something that is beautiful in terms of music, that’s really when stuff can come alive and people can latch onto it, and the music actually serves as an extra thing to help get the truth home—that’s really my desire. So, in terms of the music, I am dedicated to learning my craft as a musician as well, so in terms of listening to bands, listening to good music that’s out there—that’s the quest for me. It’s also a quest to get my theology as great as possible, as well, to obviously say it all in the context of trying to love God more. It’s all part of what my life is, so when the two things can marry together and people can be, in some way, blessed by it, then, you know, I’m just thrilled as anything.
No, I know, . . . I think over time you get a bit more confident in terms of what you’re saying, obviously, but I still feel like I’m drinking milk really when it comes to this—I feel like I’m just at the beginnings of a journey. I mean, sometimes I read through some of my songs and think, “Wow! God was really gracious to me in terms of being able to pen something almost beyond where my understanding is in some songs. I’m catching up still—you know, we’re all on that journey. If I’m unsure about something, then I definitely try to find somebody and just kick it past them. It’s an interesting thing for me. It’s not something that I take lightly.Labels: Ephesians, Interviews, NWA08, Phatfish, Worship
Yeah . . . yes, for sure. Of course, Stuart Townend is probably the key guy in those terms. His songs have obviously gone around the world and are sung as much as anybody’s at the moment. Songs like In Christ Alone and The Power of the Cross seem to be right up there among the most-sung songs in the Christian world at the moment. I’ve had the privilege of being able to write a few that people have taken hold of as well, and Paul Oakley has written some really big songs which have gone ‘round the world. It’s a great privilege. We’re just grateful that we get the chance to do it, really.
That was genuinely what it was—it was like, “Oh YEAH!!” It so gripped me—so just from there I kind of started looking up some simple passages and, you know, I did the whole kind of following Scripture links to this one, and I’d follow it through my Bible and just came up with various lines, and really felt God’s grace in putting it together. A lot of people said to me, “It’s a great theological song.” You have some guys who really do know their stuff theologically, and it’s like, “Yeah, it’s just God’s grace!” I mean, in a sense, it’s just the Bible put to music. But just the flow of it seemed to land really well, and it seems to catch people. It actually gets used at funerals quite a lot as well. I have one story where loads of people got saved—I mean, not 100 percent to do with that song obviously—but that song playing a part in it, playing a part in somebody’s life who recently became a Christian and then actually died suddenly. The song was sung at his funeral, and the family and friends heard the gospel preached, and loads of people were saved. It’s just mind-blowing when you hear things like that and think a song that I’ve written—well, to just be able to play a small part in that is just awesome. It’s wonderful.Labels: Interviews, NWA08, Phatfish, Worship
The following is an interview with Nathan Fellingham of the band Phatfish. More information about the band is available on Phatfish's website. The lead singer of the band, Lou Fellingham, also sings solo and has just released a new album, Promised Land.
Nathan
NathanContinued in part 2 . . .
Labels: Interviews, NWA08, Phatfish, Worship
“Fourth, there was not an emphasis on preaching from a doctrinal standpoint; rather, there seemed to be a great emphasis on faith, wholeness, healing, and inner light.Continued in part 5 . . .Again, many things were said that are true. But I think what was missing was that the gospel was not preached very clearly. Even in its most basic forms—that Jesus died for my sins so that I don’t have to pay for them, even though I have offended a holy God—the gospel was not mentioned. Instead, something to this effect was said: “Jesus bore the crown of thorns to deliver us from our mental infirmities.” Although it’s true that we can be healed of mental illness through the powerful name of Jesus, the teaching left something to be desired. Many past revivals have centered around strong, anointed preaching. This one seems to have little or no strong preaching at all.
I also have a concern about what seemed to me to be a limited understanding of the nature of sin. The teaching in this meeting seemed to be that sin is primarily something that happens to us, and from which we need to be delivered, not something that first and foremost dwells in us. Some passages about healing through the blood of Christ which seem, in context, to refer at least to spiritual healing were applied in a way that made it seem that they referred exclusively to physical healing. There have also been some reports on YouTube and the God TV broadcast that Mr. Bentley has a personal angel called Emma. Again, I'm not speaking from experience, because nothing about angels ever came up the night I was there, but these reports would be concerning to me because I think they could potentially lead people astray.
During worship, I thought to myself, “With this level of anticipation and faith, imagine the impact a dynamic, theologically rich song like In Christ Alone would have!” My heart was aching to sing of the glorious reality of the blood and suffering of Christ, and then the absolute exultation of the line:“Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me.”
Then, with an amazing realization of the power of the cross, to proclaim:“No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.”
In Christ Alone
Words and Music by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty
Instead, we sang about being a generation who will stand and fight.
So often I can be so theologically sound and doctrinal, but lack a sense of urgency, anticipation, and faith. I am lazy and comfortable with where I’m at. Then, in an environment of real faith and excitement, I think of the power that a theologically sound and rich song and the gospel message would have in that context. I was disappointed because, while I think they do well in the faith category, I think more of an emphasis on the anointed preaching of the gospel and God-centered worship, not man-centered songs, would have a tremendous impact to stir religious affections and motivate a lot of the revival that's being prayed for.
I know some people will think I am quenching the Spirit by desiring more of an accurate theology or a clearer description of who this God is that we’re excited about, but why should we have to choose between doctrine and expectation? Why can’t we have it all? Our excitement is baseless and will never last if it is not grounded in the gospel, and all of our theology, however fine-tuned, will never by itself produce revival. I guess what you’re hearing are the longings of a reformed-charismatic who desires the best of both worlds, yet so often sins by doubting such a thing is possible.”
Labels: Discernment, Gospel, Healing, Revival, Todd Bentley, Worship
The thing I was immediately impressed with as we showed up, and throughout the whole night, was the overwhelming sense of anticipation and faith. This is something that, quite frankly, some of us could use a bit more of, myself included. The people at these meetings expect God to do great things when they gather. Too often I expect God to do nothing. My faith was certainly challenged as I thought about my posture in the gathering of my church each week.
One interesting thing I noticed during the worship time was that there were several people throughout the arena who had flags. One of them had the crown of a king on it, another had a heart shape printed on the front. People were very expressively waving flags, an element of worship I can’t say I’ve ever seen before. There were also a couple of people who had loud horns that were blown at various times.Labels: Discernment, Healing, Revival, Todd Bentley, Worship
It was a thrill to be able to interview Nathan Fellingham today as my final New Word Alive interview. You can download the audio here.-702113.jpg)
It's great, so far. There has been a good response. The standard of teaching has been world-class.
It’s not just, “How does it make me feel?" Rather, it should be—"What is the unchanging truth about my life based on the unchanging truth about God and what he has done? What has God said about me or us or the Church?” Those things are unchanging truths that don't depend on whether I am having a good time or a bad time. They are about me, but they are really about God and what God has done in me. Worship is not just about singing songs that make me feel better. In the middle of whatever I am facing, God is with me. Worship should be exciting, but founded on the truth of the gospel. Our feelings are a by-product of the glorious truth we are celebrating.Labels: Interviews, Newfrontiers, NWA08, Stuart Townend, Worship
Labels: Conferences, Newfrontiers, TOAM07, Video, Worship

"How many times have we gathered with the church to worship God and been unaware or only vaguely aware that God is present in His house? How many times have we sung songs of praise with our minds distracted in a thousand different places, completely unaware that God is present in His house? How many sermons have we listened to and been aware of the pastor's voice, but only vaguely aware of God's voice? How many times have we received communion and been aware of the bread and the cup, but been only vaguely aware of the Savior who is living in His people who are His house? It should be of great concern that Sunday after Sunday we could be in the presence of the living God and be unaware or only vaguely aware that He is there. God calls us to be clearly and distinctly perceptive to His presence. God is present in His people and when we gather on Sunday for corporate worship, He is present in our midst . . .
When God's people gather, we gather to worship a personal God who is present. When we gather on Sunday we are not just running through a program or executing an order of service. We are not just moving through an agenda of a meeting. No, we are gathering in the presence of God to meet with Him personally and to recognize His presence in the church. We cannot honor God appropriately if we do not recognize His presence. We need to thirst for it, enjoy it, celebrate it, for otherwise He will not be properly worshipped. Recognizing God's presence and responding to God's presence is what Christian worship is about for we worship a personal God who is present now, here, and every Sunday when the church gathers.
When we think of God's presence, we are prone to think He is only present to hear our worship. And it is true that He hears and receives our worship. Yet we must realize that God is not only gathered as a spectator, but He is also the actor and speaker in our worship. He is not there only to receive and observe, but to speak and to act. He is present in the table and in His word proclaimed. If we do not see this, we miss Him. God delights in speaking to us and to revealing Himself to us."
Labels: Worship
"I have found no other group that is so dedicated to a God-Centered, Cross-Centered, and Word-Centered view of worship AND is dedicated to a passionate expression of worship through music using a wide variety of styles of music in the contemporary orb."
David Ward from Doxologue offers a few thoughts in anticipation of attending the WorshipGod06 conference.
Tags: charismatic music SGM worship
"What is in our mind when we use the phrase "presence of God?" Is it a mere distant wish? Is it something we need to strive to attain? Is it something we take for granted and treat with a "cool solidarity?" Tonight Jeff will bring our attention to one key idea--one biblical reality--that should inform the way we think about God and relate to God both in corporate worship and in our individual lives. It is this: God's eternal purpose is to dwell among a people He has made His own. His purpose is not simply to create a people or to govern a people, but it is to dwell among a people He has made His own. This message will be preparatory for the entire conference as we see this truth woven through the fabric of Scripture. When we grasp this truth we can be filled with anticipation for corporate gatherings for worship, for the singing and worship we do this week. This truth can and should have a transforming effect on our singing, worship and living.."
Jeff Purswell at session 1 of WG06 in a talk entitled, "A People of God's Presence." Tim's notes are as full as ever as Jeff takes us through the images of a garden, a dwelling, a person, a people, and a city.
"It is true that all Christians individually are temples of the Holy Spirit, but by far the emphasis in Scripture is that the corporate body of believers, the gathered church, is the temple of God. The church is that created entity that is nearest and dearest to God's heart. The church is where God has chosen to place His name. Here He uniquely acts. Here He uniquely dwells. As a worship leader stands before the congregation, He stands before the very presence of God on earth."
"To get a feel for this conference I need you to close your eyes and picture 1000 worship leaders, musicians, and vocalists taken off of their stages, stages that sometimes become a burden and hindrance to worship, and placed into the congregation. They no longer have to worry about tuning guitars, mic batteries, or that last minute singer that attained the stomach flu last night. To these attendees the chord charts do not matter, the sound system does not matter, the slide show does not matter. For the next two and a half hours the only thing they have to do is focus on the majesty of God, and the exaltation of Christ, and they are in a place that gives them complete freedom to do so. 'Come Christians Join and Sing' begins and all 1000 men and women stand to their feet to do just that. Join and sing praises to the Father, clapping on a crisp two and four. To see a group of people excited about the doctrinal lyrics of a song is refreshing."
Scott Hill from Fide-O reports on opening night at WG06. "Tomorrow begins with "Jesus: Our Access Into God's Presence."
Tags: SGM
Labels: Worship

Labels: Worship
1. GOD-CENTEREDNESS
A high priority of the vertical focus of our Sunday morning service. The ultimate aim is to so experience God that He is glorified in our affections.
2. EXPECTING THE POWERFUL PRESENCE OF GOD
We do not just direct ourselves toward Him. We earnestly seek His drawing near according to the promise of James 4:8. We believe that in worship God draws near to us in power, and makes Himself known and felt for our good and for the salvation of unbelievers in the midst.
3. BIBLE-BASED AND BIBLE-SATURATED
The content of our singing and praying and welcoming and preaching and poetry will always conform to the truth of Scripture. The content of God's Word will be woven through all we do in worship and will be the ground of all our appeal to authority.
4. HEAD AND HEART
Worship that aims at kindling and carrying deep, strong, real emotions toward God, but does not manipulate people's emotions by failing to appeal to clear thinking about spiritual things based on shareable evidences outside ourselves.
Labels: John Piper, Worship



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